Why do eigenspaces for distinct eigenvalues always form a direct sum, and what does that cap?
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Diagonal matrices and diagonalizable operators
Define both, record that the diagonal entries are the eigenvalues, and verify that becomes diagonal with entries , in the basis , .
The eigenspace
Write the definition, state that it is a subspace, nonzero exactly when is an eigenvalue, on which acts as multiplication by , and read off the eigenspaces of the diagonal example.
Eigenspaces for distinct eigenvalues form a direct sum
Prove the sum is direct from the linear independence of eigenvectors for distinct eigenvalues, then derive .