We define the matrix $W_n = (w_{i,j})$ in $\mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{R})$ by $w_{i,j} = \begin{cases} 1 & \text{if } 1 \leqslant i < n \text{ and } j = i+1 \\ 1 & \text{if } i = n \text{ and } j \in \{1,2\} \\ 0 & \text{in all other cases} \end{cases}$
Show that the characteristic polynomial of $W_n$ is $X^n - X - 1$.
Deduce that $W_n^{n^2-2n+1} = \sum_{k=1}^{n-1} \binom{n-2}{k-1} W_n^k$, then that $W_n^{n^2-2n+2} = I_n + W_n + \sum_{k=2}^{n-1} \binom{n-2}{k-2} W_n^k$.