grandes-ecoles

Papers (191)
2025
centrale-maths1__official 40 centrale-maths2__official 42 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 20 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 21 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 21 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 28 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 24 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 26 polytechnique-maths-a__mp 27 polytechnique-maths__fui 16 polytechnique-maths__pc 27 x-ens-maths-a__mp 18 x-ens-maths-c__mp 9 x-ens-maths-d__mp 38 x-ens-maths__pc 27 x-ens-maths__psi 38
2024
centrale-maths1__official 28 centrale-maths2__official 29 geipi-polytech__maths 9 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 25 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 20 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 19 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 23 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 21 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 21 polytechnique-maths-a__mp 44 polytechnique-maths-b__mp 37 x-ens-maths-a__mp 43 x-ens-maths-b__mp 35 x-ens-maths-c__mp 22 x-ens-maths-d__mp 45 x-ens-maths__pc 24 x-ens-maths__psi 26
2023
centrale-maths1__official 44 centrale-maths2__official 33 e3a-polytech-maths__mp 4 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 15 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 23 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 23 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 22 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 18 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 22 polytechnique-maths__fui 23 x-ens-maths-a__mp 25 x-ens-maths-b__mp 24 x-ens-maths-c__mp 20 x-ens-maths-d__mp 20 x-ens-maths__pc 18 x-ens-maths__psi 15
2022
centrale-maths1__mp 48 centrale-maths1__official 48 centrale-maths1__pc 37 centrale-maths1__psi 43 centrale-maths2__mp 32 centrale-maths2__official 32 centrale-maths2__pc 39 centrale-maths2__psi 45 mines-ponts-maths1__mp 25 mines-ponts-maths1__pc 24 mines-ponts-maths1__psi 24 mines-ponts-maths2__mp 24 mines-ponts-maths2__pc 19 mines-ponts-maths2__psi 20 x-ens-maths-a__mp 13 x-ens-maths-b__mp 40 x-ens-maths-c__mp 27 x-ens-maths-d__mp 46 x-ens-maths1__mp 13 x-ens-maths2__mp 40 x-ens-maths__pc 15 x-ens-maths__pc_cpge 15 x-ens-maths__psi 22 x-ens-maths__psi_cpge 23
2021
centrale-maths1__mp 40 centrale-maths1__official 40 centrale-maths1__pc 36 centrale-maths1__psi 29 centrale-maths2__mp 30 centrale-maths2__official 29 centrale-maths2__pc 38 centrale-maths2__psi 37 x-ens-maths2__mp 39 x-ens-maths__pc 44
2020
centrale-maths1__mp 42 centrale-maths1__official 42 centrale-maths1__pc 36 centrale-maths1__psi 40 centrale-maths2__mp 38 centrale-maths2__official 38 centrale-maths2__pc 40 centrale-maths2__psi 39 mines-ponts-maths1__mp_cpge 24 mines-ponts-maths2__mp_cpge 21 x-ens-maths-a__mp_cpge 18 x-ens-maths-b__mp_cpge 20 x-ens-maths-d__mp 14 x-ens-maths1__mp 18 x-ens-maths2__mp 20 x-ens-maths__pc 18
2019
centrale-maths1__mp 37 centrale-maths1__official 37 centrale-maths1__pc 40 centrale-maths1__psi 39 centrale-maths2__mp 37 centrale-maths2__official 37 centrale-maths2__pc 39 centrale-maths2__psi 49 x-ens-maths1__mp 24 x-ens-maths__pc 18 x-ens-maths__psi 26
2018
centrale-maths1__mp 47 centrale-maths1__official 47 centrale-maths1__pc 41 centrale-maths1__psi 44 centrale-maths2__mp 44 centrale-maths2__official 44 centrale-maths2__pc 35 centrale-maths2__psi 38 x-ens-maths1__mp 19 x-ens-maths2__mp 17 x-ens-maths__pc 22 x-ens-maths__psi 24
2017
centrale-maths1__mp 45 centrale-maths1__official 45 centrale-maths1__pc 22 centrale-maths1__psi 17 centrale-maths2__mp 30 centrale-maths2__official 30 centrale-maths2__pc 28 centrale-maths2__psi 44 x-ens-maths1__mp 26 x-ens-maths2__mp 16 x-ens-maths__pc 18 x-ens-maths__psi 26
2016
centrale-maths1__mp 42 centrale-maths1__pc 31 centrale-maths1__psi 33 centrale-maths2__mp 25 centrale-maths2__pc 47 centrale-maths2__psi 27 x-ens-maths1__mp 18 x-ens-maths2__mp 46 x-ens-maths__pc 15 x-ens-maths__psi 20
2015
centrale-maths1__mp 42 centrale-maths1__pc 18 centrale-maths1__psi 42 centrale-maths2__mp 44 centrale-maths2__pc 18 centrale-maths2__psi 33 x-ens-maths1__mp 16 x-ens-maths2__mp 31 x-ens-maths__pc 30 x-ens-maths__psi 22
2014
centrale-maths1__mp 28 centrale-maths1__pc 26 centrale-maths1__psi 27 centrale-maths2__mp 24 centrale-maths2__pc 26 centrale-maths2__psi 27 x-ens-maths1__mp 9 x-ens-maths2__mp 16 x-ens-maths__pc 4 x-ens-maths__psi 24
2013
centrale-maths1__mp 22 centrale-maths1__pc 45 centrale-maths1__psi 29 centrale-maths2__mp 31 centrale-maths2__pc 52 centrale-maths2__psi 32 x-ens-maths1__mp 24 x-ens-maths2__mp 35 x-ens-maths__pc 22 x-ens-maths__psi 9
2012
centrale-maths1__mp 36 centrale-maths1__pc 28 centrale-maths1__psi 33 centrale-maths2__mp 27 centrale-maths2__psi 18
2011
centrale-maths1__mp 27 centrale-maths1__pc 17 centrale-maths1__psi 24 centrale-maths2__mp 29 centrale-maths2__pc 17 centrale-maths2__psi 10
2010
centrale-maths1__mp 19 centrale-maths1__pc 30 centrale-maths1__psi 13 centrale-maths2__mp 32 centrale-maths2__pc 37 centrale-maths2__psi 27
2020 x-ens-maths-a__mp_cpge

18 maths questions

Q1 Matrices Eigenvalue and Characteristic Polynomial Analysis View
Exhibit a matrix $M \in S _ { 2 } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ for which $\sqrt { 2 }$ is an eigenvalue.
Q2 Number Theory Congruence Reasoning and Parity Arguments View
The purpose of this question is to show that $\sqrt { 3 }$ is not an eigenvalue of a matrix in $S _ { 2 } ( \mathbb { Q } )$. We assume that there exists $M \in S _ { 2 } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ such that $\sqrt { 3 }$ is an eigenvalue of $M$.
2a. Using the irrationality of $\sqrt { 3 }$, show that the characteristic polynomial of $M$ is $X ^ { 2 } - 3$.
2b. Show that if $n \in \mathbb { Z }$, then $n ^ { 2 }$ is congruent to 0 or 1 modulo 3.
2c. Show that there does not exist a triple of integers $(x, y, z)$ that are coprime as a whole such that $x ^ { 2 } + y ^ { 2 } = 3 z ^ { 2 }$.
2d. Conclude.
Q3 Matrices Matrix Algebra and Product Properties View
3a. We are given $q \in \mathbb { Q }$, $n \in \mathbb { N } ^ { \star }$ and a matrix $A \in S _ { n } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ such that $A ^ { 2 } = q I _ { n }$. Construct a matrix $B \in S _ { 2 n } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ commuting with the matrix $\left( \begin{array} { c c } A & 0 \\ 0 & A \end{array} \right)$ and such that $B ^ { 2 } = ( q + 1 ) I _ { 2 n }$.
3b. Show that for all $d \geqslant 1$, there exist $n \in \mathbb { N } ^ { \star }$ and matrices $M _ { 1 } , \ldots , M _ { d } \in S _ { n } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ that commute pairwise and such that $M _ { k } ^ { 2 } = k I _ { n }$ for all integers $1 \leqslant k \leqslant d$.
3c. Let $d \geqslant 1$ be an integer. Deduce that if $q _ { 1 } , \ldots , q _ { d } \in \mathbb { Q }$, $q _ { i } > 0$, then there exist $n \in \mathbb { N } ^ { \star }$ and matrices $M _ { 1 } , \ldots , M _ { d } \in S _ { n } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ that commute pairwise and such that $M _ { i } ^ { 2 } = q _ { i } I _ { n }$ for all $1 \leqslant i \leqslant d$.
Q4 Invariant lines and eigenvalues and vectors Compute or factor the characteristic polynomial View
The purpose of this question is to show that $\sqrt [ 3 ] { 2 }$ is not an eigenvalue of a symmetric matrix with coefficients in $\mathbb { Q }$. We reason by contradiction, assuming the existence of a matrix $M \in S _ { n } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ (for some integer $n$) for which $\sqrt [ 3 ] { 2 }$ is an eigenvalue.
4a. Show that $X ^ { 3 } - 2$ divides the characteristic polynomial of $M$. (One may begin by proving that $\sqrt [ 3 ] { 2 } \notin \mathbb { Q }$.)
4b. Conclude.
Q5 Invariant lines and eigenvalues and vectors Compute eigenvalues of a given matrix View
For $n \in \mathbb { N } ^ { * }$, construct a matrix $M \in S _ { n } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ for which $\cos \left( \frac { 2 \pi } { n } \right)$ is an eigenvalue. (One may begin by constructing an orthogonal matrix with coefficients in $\mathbb { Q }$ that admits $e ^ { 2 i \pi / n }$ as an eigenvalue.)
Q6 Roots of polynomials Reciprocal and antireciprocal polynomial properties View
Let $P ( X )$ be a monic polynomial of degree $d \geqslant 1$ with complex coefficients which we write in the form: $$P ( X ) = a _ { 0 } + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 2 } X ^ { 2 } + \cdots + a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + X ^ { d }$$ We assume that $a _ { 0 } \neq 0$. We denote by $\lambda _ { 1 } , \ldots , \lambda _ { d } \in \mathbb { C }$ the roots of $P ( X )$ (with multiplicity). For all integers $n \geqslant 1$, we define: $$N _ { n } = \lambda _ { 1 } ^ { n } + \lambda _ { 2 } ^ { n } + \cdots + \lambda _ { d } ^ { n }$$
Let $Q ( X )$ be the reciprocal polynomial of $P ( X )$ defined by $Q ( X ) = X ^ { d } P \left( \frac { 1 } { X } \right)$. Show that: $$\begin{aligned} Q ( X ) & = 1 + a _ { d - 1 } X + \cdots + a _ { 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + a _ { 0 } X ^ { d } \\ & = \left( 1 - \lambda _ { 1 } X \right) \left( 1 - \lambda _ { 2 } X \right) \cdots \left( 1 - \lambda _ { d } X \right) \end{aligned}$$
Q7 Sequences and Series Power Series Expansion and Radius of Convergence View
Let $P ( X )$ be a monic polynomial of degree $d \geqslant 1$ with complex coefficients which we write in the form: $$P ( X ) = a _ { 0 } + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 2 } X ^ { 2 } + \cdots + a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + X ^ { d }$$ We assume that $a _ { 0 } \neq 0$. We denote by $\lambda _ { 1 } , \ldots , \lambda _ { d } \in \mathbb { C }$ the roots of $P ( X )$ (with multiplicity). For all integers $n \geqslant 1$, we define: $$N _ { n } = \lambda _ { 1 } ^ { n } + \lambda _ { 2 } ^ { n } + \cdots + \lambda _ { d } ^ { n }$$
We define the function $f : \mathbb { R } \backslash \left( \mathbb { R } \cap \left\{ \frac { 1 } { \lambda _ { 1 } } , \ldots , \frac { 1 } { \lambda _ { d } } \right\} \right) \rightarrow \mathbb { C }$ by $f ( x ) = \frac { Q ^ { \prime } ( x ) } { Q ( x ) }$.
Show that there exists $r > 0$ such that $f$ is expandable as a power series on $] - r , r [$, and that the power series expansion of $f$ at 0 is written: $$\forall x \in ] - r , r \left[ , \quad f ( x ) = - \sum _ { n = 0 } ^ { \infty } N _ { n + 1 } x ^ { n } \right.$$
Q8 Roots of polynomials Vieta's formulas: compute symmetric functions of roots View
Let $P ( X )$ be a monic polynomial of degree $d \geqslant 1$ with complex coefficients which we write in the form: $$P ( X ) = a _ { 0 } + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 2 } X ^ { 2 } + \cdots + a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + X ^ { d }$$ We assume that $a _ { 0 } \neq 0$. We denote by $\lambda _ { 1 } , \ldots , \lambda _ { d } \in \mathbb { C }$ the roots of $P ( X )$ (with multiplicity). For all integers $n \geqslant 1$, we define: $$N _ { n } = \lambda _ { 1 } ^ { n } + \lambda _ { 2 } ^ { n } + \cdots + \lambda _ { d } ^ { n }$$
8a. Show that if $a _ { 0 } , \ldots , a _ { d - 1 }$ are elements of $\mathbb { Q }$, then $N _ { n } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $n \geqslant 1$.
8b. Conversely, show that if $N _ { n } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $n \geqslant 1$, then $a _ { 0 } , \ldots , a _ { d - 1 }$ are elements of $\mathbb { Q }$.
8c. Deduce that if $\mu _ { 1 } , \ldots , \mu _ { d }$ are complex numbers and if $P ( X ) = \prod _ { i = 1 } ^ { d } \left( X - \mu _ { i } \right)$, then $P ( X ) \in \mathbb { Q } [ X ]$ if and only if $$\forall n \geqslant 1 , \quad \sum _ { i = 1 } ^ { d } \mu _ { i } ^ { n } \in \mathbb { Q }$$
Q9 Roots of polynomials Coefficient and structural properties of special polynomial families View
Let $n \geqslant 1$ and $m \geqslant 1$ be two integers and $\alpha _ { 1 } , \ldots , \alpha _ { n } , \beta _ { 1 } , \ldots , \beta _ { m }$ be complex numbers. We define: $$\begin{aligned} & A ( X ) = \left( X - \alpha _ { 1 } \right) \left( X - \alpha _ { 2 } \right) \cdots \left( X - \alpha _ { n } \right) \\ & B ( X ) = \left( X - \beta _ { 1 } \right) \left( X - \beta _ { 2 } \right) \cdots \left( X - \beta _ { m } \right) \end{aligned}$$
Show that if $A ( X )$ and $B ( X )$ have rational coefficients, then the polynomials $$\prod _ { i = 1 } ^ { n } \prod _ { j = 1 } ^ { m } \left( X - \alpha _ { i } \beta _ { j } \right) \text { and } \prod _ { i = 1 } ^ { n } \prod _ { j = 1 } ^ { m } \left( X - \alpha _ { i } - \beta _ { j } \right)$$ also have rational coefficients.
Q10 Roots of polynomials Eigenvalue-root connection for matrices or linear operators View
We say that a complex number $z$ is totally real (resp. totally positive) if there exists a non-zero polynomial $P ( X )$ with rational coefficients such that: (i) $z$ is a root of $P$, and (ii) all roots of $P$ are in $\mathbb { R }$ (resp. in $\mathbb { R } _ { + }$).
Let $M$ be a symmetric matrix with coefficients in $\mathbb { Q }$. Show that the eigenvalues of $M$ are totally real.
Q11 Roots of polynomials Location and bounds on roots View
We say that a complex number $z$ is totally real (resp. totally positive) if there exists a non-zero polynomial $P ( X )$ with rational coefficients such that: (i) $z$ is a root of $P$, and (ii) all roots of $P$ are in $\mathbb { R }$ (resp. in $\mathbb { R } _ { + }$).
11a. Show that the set of totally real numbers is a subfield of $\mathbb { R }$. (One may use the result of question 9.)
11b. Show that the set of totally positive numbers is contained in $\mathbb { R } _ { + }$, is closed under addition and multiplication, and that the inverse of a non-zero totally positive number is totally positive.
Q12 Number Theory Algebraic Number Theory and Minimal Polynomials View
We say that a complex number $z$ is totally real (resp. totally positive) if there exists a non-zero polynomial $P ( X )$ with rational coefficients such that: (i) $z$ is a root of $P$, and (ii) all roots of $P$ are in $\mathbb { R }$ (resp. in $\mathbb { R } _ { + }$).
Let $x$ be a complex number. Show that $x$ is totally real if and only if $x ^ { 2 }$ is totally positive.
Q13 Matrices Matrix Entry and Coefficient Identities View
We denote by $\mathscr { R }$ the set of totally real numbers and we admit that there exists a function $t : \mathscr { R } \rightarrow \mathbb { Q }$ satisfying the following two properties: (i) for $x , y \in \mathscr { R }$ and $\lambda , \mu \in \mathbb { Q }$, we have $t ( \lambda x + \mu y ) = \lambda t ( x ) + \mu t ( y )$ (ii) for $x$ totally positive, we have $t ( x ) \geqslant 0$ and the equality is strict if $x \neq 0$.
We consider a non-zero totally real number $z$. By definition, there exists a monic polynomial $Z ( X ) \in \mathbb { Q } [ X ]$ that annihilates $z$. We write $Z ( X )$ in the form: $$Z ( X ) = X ^ { d } - \left( a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + \cdots + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 0 } \right)$$ with $d \in \mathbb{N} ^ { * }$ and $a _ { i } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $i \in \{ 0 , \ldots , d - 1 \}$. We further assume that $Z ( X )$ is chosen so that $d$ is minimal among the degrees of monic polynomials $P ( X ) \in \mathbb{Q} [ X ]$ such that $P ( z ) = 0$. We consider the matrix $S$ of size $d \times d$ whose coefficient $(i, j)$, $1 \leqslant i , j \leqslant d$, equals $t ( z ^ { i + j } )$. For $X , Y \in \mathbb { R } ^ { d }$, we set $B ( X , Y ) = X ^ { T } S Y$.
13a. Show that $B ( X , X ) > 0$ for $X \in \mathbb { Q } ^ { d }$, $X \neq 0$.
13b. Deduce that the matrix $S$ is invertible.
Q14 Matrices Matrix Entry and Coefficient Identities View
We denote by $\mathscr { R }$ the set of totally real numbers and we admit that there exists a function $t : \mathscr { R } \rightarrow \mathbb { Q }$ satisfying the following two properties: (i) for $x , y \in \mathscr { R }$ and $\lambda , \mu \in \mathbb { Q }$, we have $t ( \lambda x + \mu y ) = \lambda t ( x ) + \mu t ( y )$ (ii) for $x$ totally positive, we have $t ( x ) \geqslant 0$ and the equality is strict if $x \neq 0$.
We consider a non-zero totally real number $z$. By definition, there exists a monic polynomial $Z ( X ) \in \mathbb { Q } [ X ]$ that annihilates $z$. We write $Z ( X )$ in the form: $$Z ( X ) = X ^ { d } - \left( a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + \cdots + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 0 } \right)$$ with $d \in \mathbb{N} ^ { * }$ and $a _ { i } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $i \in \{ 0 , \ldots , d - 1 \}$. We further assume that $Z ( X )$ is chosen so that $d$ is minimal among the degrees of monic polynomials $P ( X ) \in \mathbb{Q} [ X ]$ such that $P ( z ) = 0$. We consider the matrix $S$ of size $d \times d$ whose coefficient $(i, j)$, $1 \leqslant i , j \leqslant d$, equals $t ( z ^ { i + j } )$. For $X , Y \in \mathbb { R } ^ { d }$, we set $B ( X , Y ) = X ^ { T } S Y$.
Show that $B$ is an inner product on $\mathbb { R } ^ { d }$.
Q15 Matrices Eigenvalue and Characteristic Polynomial Analysis View
We denote by $\mathscr { R }$ the set of totally real numbers and we admit that there exists a function $t : \mathscr { R } \rightarrow \mathbb { Q }$ satisfying the following two properties: (i) for $x , y \in \mathscr { R }$ and $\lambda , \mu \in \mathbb { Q }$, we have $t ( \lambda x + \mu y ) = \lambda t ( x ) + \mu t ( y )$ (ii) for $x$ totally positive, we have $t ( x ) \geqslant 0$ and the equality is strict if $x \neq 0$.
We consider a non-zero totally real number $z$. By definition, there exists a monic polynomial $Z ( X ) \in \mathbb { Q } [ X ]$ that annihilates $z$. We write $Z ( X )$ in the form: $$Z ( X ) = X ^ { d } - \left( a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + \cdots + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 0 } \right)$$ with $d \in \mathbb{N} ^ { * }$ and $a _ { i } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $i \in \{ 0 , \ldots , d - 1 \}$. We further assume that $Z ( X )$ is chosen so that $d$ is minimal among the degrees of monic polynomials $P ( X ) \in \mathbb{Q} [ X ]$ such that $P ( z ) = 0$. We consider the matrix $S$ of size $d \times d$ whose coefficient $(i, j)$, $1 \leqslant i , j \leqslant d$, equals $t ( z ^ { i + j } )$. For $X , Y \in \mathbb { R } ^ { d }$, we set $B ( X , Y ) = X ^ { T } S Y$.
15a. Show that there exists a basis $(e _ { 1 } , \ldots , e _ { d })$ of $\mathbb { R } ^ { d }$ with $e _ { i } \in \mathbb { Q } ^ { d }$ for all $i$ and $B ( e _ { i } , e _ { j } ) = 0$ for $i \neq j$.
15b. Deduce that there exist $P \in \mathrm { GL } _ { d } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ and $q _ { 1 } , \ldots , q _ { d } \in \mathbb { Q }$, $q _ { i } > 0$, such that: $$S = P ^ { T } \cdot \operatorname { Diag } \left( q _ { 1 } , \ldots , q _ { d } \right) \cdot P$$
Q16 Matrices Eigenvalue and Characteristic Polynomial Analysis View
We denote by $\mathscr { R }$ the set of totally real numbers and we admit that there exists a function $t : \mathscr { R } \rightarrow \mathbb { Q }$ satisfying the following two properties: (i) for $x , y \in \mathscr { R }$ and $\lambda , \mu \in \mathbb { Q }$, we have $t ( \lambda x + \mu y ) = \lambda t ( x ) + \mu t ( y )$ (ii) for $x$ totally positive, we have $t ( x ) \geqslant 0$ and the equality is strict if $x \neq 0$.
We consider a non-zero totally real number $z$. By definition, there exists a monic polynomial $Z ( X ) \in \mathbb { Q } [ X ]$ that annihilates $z$. We write $Z ( X )$ in the form: $$Z ( X ) = X ^ { d } - \left( a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + \cdots + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 0 } \right)$$ with $d \in \mathbb{N} ^ { * }$ and $a _ { i } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $i \in \{ 0 , \ldots , d - 1 \}$. We further assume that $Z ( X )$ is chosen so that $d$ is minimal among the degrees of monic polynomials $P ( X ) \in \mathbb{Q} [ X ]$ such that $P ( z ) = 0$.
We set: $$M = \left( \begin{array} { c c c c c } 0 & 0 & \cdots & 0 & a _ { 0 } \\ 1 & 0 & \ddots & 0 & a _ { 1 } \\ 0 & \ddots & \ddots & \vdots & \vdots \\ \vdots & \ddots & \ddots & 0 & a _ { d - 2 } \\ 0 & \cdots & 0 & 1 & a _ { d - 1 } \end{array} \right)$$
Compute the characteristic polynomial of $M$.
Q17 Matrices Eigenvalue and Characteristic Polynomial Analysis View
We denote by $\mathscr { R }$ the set of totally real numbers and we admit that there exists a function $t : \mathscr { R } \rightarrow \mathbb { Q }$ satisfying the following two properties: (i) for $x , y \in \mathscr { R }$ and $\lambda , \mu \in \mathbb { Q }$, we have $t ( \lambda x + \mu y ) = \lambda t ( x ) + \mu t ( y )$ (ii) for $x$ totally positive, we have $t ( x ) \geqslant 0$ and the equality is strict if $x \neq 0$.
We consider a non-zero totally real number $z$. By definition, there exists a monic polynomial $Z ( X ) \in \mathbb { Q } [ X ]$ that annihilates $z$. We write $Z ( X )$ in the form: $$Z ( X ) = X ^ { d } - \left( a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + \cdots + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 0 } \right)$$ with $d \in \mathbb{N} ^ { * }$ and $a _ { i } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $i \in \{ 0 , \ldots , d - 1 \}$. We further assume that $Z ( X )$ is chosen so that $d$ is minimal among the degrees of monic polynomials $P ( X ) \in \mathbb{Q} [ X ]$ such that $P ( z ) = 0$. We consider the matrix $S$ of size $d \times d$ whose coefficient $(i, j)$, $1 \leqslant i , j \leqslant d$, equals $t ( z ^ { i + j } )$. For $X , Y \in \mathbb { R } ^ { d }$, we set $B ( X , Y ) = X ^ { T } S Y$.
We set: $$M = \left( \begin{array} { c c c c c } 0 & 0 & \cdots & 0 & a _ { 0 } \\ 1 & 0 & \ddots & 0 & a _ { 1 } \\ 0 & \ddots & \ddots & \vdots & \vdots \\ \vdots & \ddots & \ddots & 0 & a _ { d - 2 } \\ 0 & \cdots & 0 & 1 & a _ { d - 1 } \end{array} \right)$$
There exist $P \in \mathrm { GL } _ { d } ( \mathbb { Q } )$ and $q _ { 1 } , \ldots , q _ { d } \in \mathbb { Q }$, $q _ { i } > 0$, such that $S = P ^ { T } \cdot \operatorname { Diag } \left( q _ { 1 } , \ldots , q _ { d } \right) \cdot P$.
17a. Verify that the matrix $S M$ is symmetric.
17b. Deduce that the matrix $R M R ^ { - 1 }$ is symmetric where $R = \operatorname { Diag } \left( \sqrt { q _ { 1 } } , \ldots , \sqrt { q _ { d } } \right) \cdot P$.
Q18 Matrices Structured Matrix Characterization View
We denote by $\mathscr { R }$ the set of totally real numbers and we admit that there exists a function $t : \mathscr { R } \rightarrow \mathbb { Q }$ satisfying the following two properties: (i) for $x , y \in \mathscr { R }$ and $\lambda , \mu \in \mathbb { Q }$, we have $t ( \lambda x + \mu y ) = \lambda t ( x ) + \mu t ( y )$ (ii) for $x$ totally positive, we have $t ( x ) \geqslant 0$ and the equality is strict if $x \neq 0$.
We consider a non-zero totally real number $z$. By definition, there exists a monic polynomial $Z ( X ) \in \mathbb { Q } [ X ]$ that annihilates $z$. We write $Z ( X )$ in the form: $$Z ( X ) = X ^ { d } - \left( a _ { d - 1 } X ^ { d - 1 } + \cdots + a _ { 1 } X + a _ { 0 } \right)$$ with $d \in \mathbb{N} ^ { * }$ and $a _ { i } \in \mathbb { Q }$ for all $i \in \{ 0 , \ldots , d - 1 \}$. We further assume that $Z ( X )$ is chosen so that $d$ is minimal among the degrees of monic polynomials $P ( X ) \in \mathbb{Q} [ X ]$ such that $P ( z ) = 0$.
Construct a symmetric matrix with rational coefficients for which $z$ is an eigenvalue.