Definition: Eigenvalue

Let be a Square Matrix.

We say that is an eigenvalue of if there is a non-zero vector such that

In this case, we also say that has the Eigenvector .

NOTE

An Eigenvalue can have multiple eigenvectors.

Theorem: Count of Eigenvalues

A Square Matrix has at most different eigenvalues.

Theorem: Algebraic and Geometric Multiplicity

The geometric multiplicity and the algebraic multiplicity of every Eigenvalue of a Square Matrix obey the following inequality:

Theorem: Sum of the Eigenvalues

The distinct eigenvalues of a Square Matrix and their algebraic multiplicities can be used to calculate the Trace of :

Theorem: Product of the Eigenvalues

The distinct eigenvalues of a Square Matrix and their algebraic multiplicities can be used to calculate the Determinant of :