Further Matrices

Edexcel

AS June 2025 Q4

EdexcelCurrent spec7 marksFurther Matrices

4.

In this question you must show all stages of your working.

Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 6 & -1 \\ 2 & 3 \end{pmatrix}\]

Determine a matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) and a diagonal matrix \(\mathbf{D}\) such that

\[\mathbf{P}^{-1}\mathbf{A}\mathbf{P} = \mathbf{D}\]

(7)

A2 June 2025 Q2

EdexcelCurrent spec8 marksFurther Matrices

2.

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ -2 & 4 \end{pmatrix}\]
(a) Determine the eigenvalues of matrix \(\mathbf{A}\) (3)
(b) Hence determine an orthogonal matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) and a diagonal matrix \(\mathbf{D}\) such that\[\mathbf{D} = \mathbf{P}^{\mathrm{T}}\mathbf{A}\mathbf{P}\] (5)

A2 June 2024 Q4

EdexcelCurrent spec12 marksFurther Matrices

4.

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & 2 & 0 \\ 2 & p & -2 \\ 0 & -2 & 2 \end{pmatrix} \qquad \text{where } p \text{ is a constant}\]

Given that \(\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ -1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}\) is an eigenvector of \(\mathbf{A}\),

(a) determine the eigenvalue corresponding to this eigenvector. (2)
(b) Hence show that \(p = 3\) (1)
(c) Determine
(i) the remaining eigenvalues of \(\mathbf{A}\),
(ii) corresponding eigenvectors for these eigenvalues. (6)
(d) Hence determine a matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) and a diagonal matrix \(\mathbf{D}\) such that \(\mathbf{A} = \mathbf{P}\mathbf{D}\mathbf{P}^{\mathrm{T}}\) (3)

AS June 2024 Q3

EdexcelCurrent spec7 marksFurther Matrices

3.

In this question you must show all stages of your working.

Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & k \\ -5 & 2 \end{pmatrix}\]

where \(k\) is a constant.

Given that there exists a matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) such that \(\mathbf{P}^{-1}\mathbf{A}\mathbf{P}\) is a diagonal matrix where

\[\mathbf{P}^{-1}\mathbf{A}\mathbf{P} = \begin{pmatrix} 8 & 0 \\ 0 & -3 \end{pmatrix}\]
(a) show that \(k = -6\) (3)
(b) determine a suitable matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) (4)

AS June 2023 Q2

EdexcelCurrent spec8 marksFurther Matrices

2. A linear transformation \(T : \mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^2\) is represented by the matrix

\[\mathbf{M} = \begin{pmatrix} 5 & 1 \\ k & -3 \end{pmatrix}\]

where \(k\) is a constant.

Given that matrix \(\mathbf{M}\) has a repeated eigenvalue,

(a) determine
(i) the value of \(k\)
(ii) the eigenvalue.
(6)
(b) Hence determine a Cartesian equation of the invariant line under \(T\). (2)

A2 June 2023 Q1

EdexcelCurrent spec6 marksFurther Matrices

1.

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 & a \\ 3 & 8 \end{pmatrix}\]

where \(a\) is a constant.

(a) Determine, in expanded form in terms of \(a\), the characteristic equation for \(\mathbf{A}\). (2)
(b) Hence use the Cayley-Hamilton theorem to determine values of \(a\) and \(b\) such that\[\mathbf{A}^3 = \mathbf{A} + b\mathbf{I}\]where \(\mathbf{I}\) is the \(2 \times 2\) identity matrix. (4)

A2 June 2022 Q2

EdexcelCurrent spec8 marksFurther Matrices

2. Matrix \(\mathbf{M}\) is given by

\[\mathbf{M} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & a \\ -3 & b & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & a \end{pmatrix}\]

where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers, such that \(a \lt b\)

Given that the characteristic equation for \(\mathbf{M}\) is

\[\lambda^3 - 7\lambda^2 + 13\lambda + c = 0\]

where \(c\) is a constant,

(a) determine the values of \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\). (5)
(b) Hence, using the Cayley–Hamilton theorem, determine the matrix \(\mathbf{M}^{-1}\) (3)

AS June 2022 Q2

EdexcelCurrent spec7 marksFurther Matrices

2.

In this question you must show all stages of your working.

Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.

\[\mathbf{M} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & 2 \\ 3 & -1 \end{pmatrix}\]

Find a matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) and a diagonal matrix \(\mathbf{D}\) such that

\[\mathbf{P}^{-1}\mathbf{M}\mathbf{P} = \mathbf{D}\]

(7)

A2 October 2021 Q8

EdexcelCurrent spec17 marksFurther Matrices

8.

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 5 & -2 & 5 \\ 0 & 3 & p \\ -6 & 6 & -4 \end{pmatrix} \qquad \text{where } p \text{ is a constant}\]

Given that \(\begin{pmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ -2 \end{pmatrix}\) is an eigenvector for \(\mathbf{A}\)

(a)
(i) determine the eigenvalue corresponding to this eigenvector (1)
(ii) hence show that \(p = 2\) (2)
(iii) determine the remaining eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of \(\mathbf{A}\) (7)
(b) Write down a matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) and a diagonal matrix \(\mathbf{D}\) such that \(\mathbf{A} = \mathbf{PDP}^{-1}\) (1)
(c)
(i) Solve the differential equation \(\dot{u} = ku\), where \(k\) is a constant. (2)

With respect to a fixed origin \(O\), the velocity of a particle moving through space is modelled by

\[\begin{pmatrix} \dot{x} \\ \dot{y} \\ \dot{z} \end{pmatrix} = \mathbf{A}\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix}\]

By considering \(\begin{pmatrix} u \\ v \\ w \end{pmatrix} = \mathbf{P}^{-1}\begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix}\) so that \(\begin{pmatrix} \dot{u} \\ \dot{v} \\ \dot{w} \end{pmatrix} = \mathbf{P}^{-1}\begin{pmatrix} \dot{x} \\ \dot{y} \\ \dot{z} \end{pmatrix}\)

(ii) determine a general solution for the displacement of the particle. (4)

A2 October 2020 Q3

EdexcelCurrent spec10 marksFurther Matrices

3.

\[\mathbf{M} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & k & -2 \\ 2 & -4 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 & 3 \end{pmatrix}\]

where \(k\) is a constant.

(a) Show that, in terms of \(k\), a characteristic equation for \(\mathbf{M}\) is given by\[\lambda^3 - (2k + 13)\lambda + 5(k + 6) = 0\] (3)

Given that \(\det \mathbf{M} = 5\)

(b)
(i) find the value of \(k\)
(ii) use the Cayley-Hamilton theorem to find the inverse of \(\mathbf{M}\).
(7)

AS October 2020 Q3

EdexcelCurrent spec10 marksFurther Matrices

3.

(i) \[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ 1 & 4 \end{pmatrix}\]
(a) Show that the characteristic equation for \(\mathbf{A}\) is \(\lambda^2 - 5\lambda + 6 = 0\) (2)
(b) Use the Cayley-Hamilton theorem to find integers \(p\) and \(q\) such that\[\mathbf{A}^3 = p\mathbf{A} + q\mathbf{I}\] (3)
(ii) Given that the \(2 \times 2\) matrix \(\mathbf{M}\) has eigenvalues \(-1 + \mathrm{i}\) and \(-1 - \mathrm{i}\), with eigenvectors \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 - \mathrm{i} \end{pmatrix}\) and \(\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 + \mathrm{i} \end{pmatrix}\) respectively, find the matrix \(\mathbf{M}\). (5)

A2 June 2019 Q2

EdexcelCurrent spec11 marksFurther Matrices

2. The matrix \(\mathbf{A}\) is given by

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 6 & -2 & 2 \\ -2 & 3 & -1 \\ 2 & -1 & 3 \end{pmatrix}\]
(a) Show that 2 is a repeated eigenvalue of \(\mathbf{A}\) and find the other eigenvalue. (5)
(b) Hence find three non-parallel eigenvectors of \(\mathbf{A}\). (4)
(c) Find a matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) such that \(\mathbf{P}^{-1}\mathbf{AP}\) is a diagonal matrix. (2)

AS June 2019 Q1

EdexcelCurrent spec5 marksFurther Matrices

1. Given that

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 2 & 2 \end{pmatrix}\]
(a) find the characteristic equation for the matrix \(\mathbf{A}\), simplifying your answer. (2)
(b) Hence find an expression for the matrix \(\mathbf{A}^{-1}\) in the form \(\lambda\mathbf{A} + \mu\mathbf{I}\), where \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\) are constants to be found. (3)

AS June 2018 Q4

EdexcelCurrent spec7 marksFurther Matrices

4.

\[\mathbf{A} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ -2 & 4 \end{pmatrix}\]

Find a matrix \(\mathbf{P}\) and a diagonal matrix \(\mathbf{D}\) such that \(\mathbf{D} = \mathbf{P}^{-1}\mathbf{A}\mathbf{P}\)

(7)