Question:medium

For the matrix \(A = \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix}\), if the relation \(a+b=c+d\) holds and \(a,b,c,d \neq 0\), then which one of the following statements about \(A\) is FALSE?

Show Hint

Show \([1,1]^T\) is an eigenvector using the given relation, then use trace = sum of eigenvalues to find the second one.
Updated On: Jul 16, 2026
  • \(\begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}\) is an eigenvector
  • \(\lambda = a+b\) is an eigenvalue
  • \(\lambda = d-b\) is an eigenvalue
  • \(\lambda = d+b\) is an eigenvalue
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Write the characteristic equation of A. For a $2\times2$ matrix $A=\begin{bmatrix}a&b\\c&d\end{bmatrix}$, the eigenvalues solve \[ \lambda^2 - (a+d)\lambda + (ad-bc) = 0 \]

Step 2: Use the given condition to simplify the determinant.
The condition $a+b=c+d$ gives $c = a+b-d$. Substitute this into $ad-bc$: \[ ad - bc = ad - b(a+b-d) = ad - ab - b^2 + bd \] Group the terms in pairs: \[ = d(a+b) - b(a+b) = (a+b)(d-b) \] So the determinant of $A$ factors neatly as $(a+b)(d-b)$.

Step 3: Factor the characteristic equation using this determinant.
The characteristic equation becomes \[ \lambda^2 - (a+d)\lambda + (a+b)(d-b) = 0 \] Check that $\lambda = a+b$ and $\lambda = d-b$ are roots: their sum is $(a+b)+(d-b) = a+d$, matching the coefficient of $\lambda$, and their product is $(a+b)(d-b)$, matching the constant term. So the equation factors as \[ \big(\lambda-(a+b)\big)\big(\lambda-(d-b)\big) = 0 \]

Step 4: Read off the two exact eigenvalues.
The only two eigenvalues of $A$ are $a+b$ and $d-b$. There is no algebraic way to get $d+b$ out of this factorisation unless $b=0$, which is excluded by the question. So the statement claiming $d+b$ is an eigenvalue does not hold in general. \[ \boxed{\text{Eigenvalues are } a+b \text{ and } d-b, \text{ not } d+b} \]
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