How does the minimal polynomial decide diagonalizability even when you can't find the eigenvalues?
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Minimal polynomial with distinct linear factors
State that is diagonalizable iff its minimal polynomial is with distinct , and contrast it with the upper-triangular criterion, where repeated factors are allowed.
Two applications of the criterion
Record that distinct approximate zeros of make the operator diagonalizable, and for the upper-triangular example narrow the minimal polynomial to and conclude non-diagonalizable.
Proof of both directions
Prove the forward direction from an eigenvector basis, then the converse by induction on , establishing and joining eigenvector bases of the two summands.
Restriction to an invariant subspace stays diagonalizable
State that is diagonalizable when is and is invariant, and write the short proof through divisibility of minimal polynomials.