Characteristic Polynomial Calculator

Find the characteristic polynomial of a matrix step by step

The calculator will find the characteristic polynomial of the given matrix, with steps shown.

A

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Your Input

Find the characteristic polynomial of $$$\left[\begin{array}{cc}2 & 1\\5 & 5\end{array}\right]$$$.

Solution

Start from forming a new matrix by subtracting $$$\lambda$$$ from the diagonal entries of the given matrix:

$$$\left[\begin{array}{cc}2 - \lambda & 1\\5 & 5 - \lambda\end{array}\right]$$$

The characteristic polynomial is the determinant of the obtained matrix:

$$$\left|\begin{array}{cc}2 - \lambda & 1\\5 & 5 - \lambda\end{array}\right| = \lambda^{2} - 7 \lambda + 5$$$ (for steps, see determinant calculator).

Answer

The characteristic polynomial is $$$p{\left(\lambda \right)} = \lambda^{2} - 7 \lambda + 5$$$A.