We want to show that for every matrix $M \in S_n(\mathbf{R})$ we have $\pi(M) = d(M)$. By contradiction, assuming the existence of a vector subspace $G$ of $\mathcal{M}_{n,1}(\mathbf{R})$ of dimension $\dim G > \pi(M)$ satisfying condition $(\mathcal{C}_M)$, show $\dim(F_M^\perp \cap G) \geq 1$, deduce a contradiction and conclude.

Search for a stable complement In this part, we are given: a finite-dimensional vector space $V$; a nilpotent endomorphism $u$ of $V$; a nonzero natural integer $N$ and $\zeta = \exp\frac{2\mathrm{i}\pi}{N}$; an invertible endomorphism $h$ of $V$ such that $h^N = \operatorname{id}_V$ and $h \circ u \circ h^{-1} = \zeta u$. Let $W$ be a vector subspace of $V$ stable by $u$ and $h$. We assume that $W$ admits a complement $W'$ stable by $u$ and we seek a complement of $W$ stable by $u$ and $h$. Let $p$ be the projector onto $W$ parallel to $W'$.
a) Verify that $u$ and $p$ commute.
We denote $$\bar{p} = \frac{1}{N}\sum_{k=0}^{N-1} h^k \circ p \circ h^{-k}.$$
b) Prove that the image of $\bar{p}$ is contained in $W$ and that for $w$ in $W$, we have $\bar{p}(w) = w$.
c) Deduce that $\bar{p}$ is a projector and that its image is $W$.
d) Prove carefully that $\bar{p}$ commutes with $u$ and $h$.
e) Deduce that the kernel of $\bar{p}$ is a complement of $W$ and that it is stable under $u$ and $h$.

Let $P \in \mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{R})$. Show that $P$ is an orthogonal projector of rank 1 if and only if there exists $\mathbf{y} \in \mathbb{R}^n$ with $\|\mathbf{y}\| = 1$ such that $P = \mathbf{y y}^T$.

Let $\left(\mathbf{v}_1, \ldots, \mathbf{v}_n\right)$ be any orthonormal basis of $\mathbb{R}^n$. Show that $$\mathbb{I}_n = \sum_{k=1}^n \mathbf{v}_k \mathbf{v}_k^T$$

Let $P \in \mathcal{M}_n(\mathbb{R})$. Show that $P$ is an orthogonal projector of rank 1 if and only if there exists $\mathbf{y} \in \mathbb{R}^n$ with $\|\mathbf{y}\| = 1$ such that $P = \mathbf{y y}^T$.

Let $W$ be a vector subspace of $V$ stable by $u$ and $h$. We assume that $W$ admits a complement $W'$ stable by $u$ and we seek a complement of $W$ stable by $u$ and $h$. Let $p$ be the projector onto $W$ parallel to $W'$. Verify that $u$ and $p$ commute.

We denote $$\bar{p} = \frac{1}{N} \sum_{k=0}^{N-1} h^k \circ p \circ h^{-k}.$$ Prove that the image of $\bar{p}$ is contained in $W$ and that for $w$ in $W$, we have $\bar{p}(w) = w$.

Deduce that $\bar{p}$ is a projector and that its image is $W$.

Prove carefully that $\bar{p}$ commutes with $u$ and $h$.

Deduce that the kernel of $\bar{p}$ is a complement of $W$ and that it is stable under $u$ and $h$.