- #1
zenterix
- 423
- 60
- Homework Statement
- Suppose ##T\in\mathcal{L}(V)## and ##T^2=I## and ##-1## is not an eigenvalue of ##T##. Prove that ##T=I##
- Relevant Equations
- Since ##T^2=I## then ##T_2-I=0## is the zero operator. Then ##(T+I)(T-I)=0##.
Now, for ##v\in V##, ##(T+I)v=0\implies Tv=-v##. That is, the null space of ##T+I## is formed by eigenvectors of ##T## of eigenvalue ##-1##.
By assumption, there are no such eigenvectors (since ##-1## is not an eigenvalue of ##T##).
Hence, if ##(T-I)v \neq 0## then ##(T+I)(T-I)v\neq 0##.
Thus, For ##(T+I)(T-I)=0## we need to have ##(T-I)v=0## for all ##v \in V##.
##(T-I)v=Tv-v=0\implies Tv=v##
Therefore, it must be that ##T=I##.
This is the solution I came up with.
For comparison, here is another solution. My solution differs from this solution, I just want to make sure my reasoning is correct since my proof seems simpler than the linked solution.
By assumption, there are no such eigenvectors (since ##-1## is not an eigenvalue of ##T##).
Hence, if ##(T-I)v \neq 0## then ##(T+I)(T-I)v\neq 0##.
Thus, For ##(T+I)(T-I)=0## we need to have ##(T-I)v=0## for all ##v \in V##.
##(T-I)v=Tv-v=0\implies Tv=v##
Therefore, it must be that ##T=I##.
This is the solution I came up with.
For comparison, here is another solution. My solution differs from this solution, I just want to make sure my reasoning is correct since my proof seems simpler than the linked solution.