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Question 3731: Exact Real 2×2 Characteristic Discriminant

On this page
  1. Original question and givens
  2. Definition and scope
  3. Step-by-step derivation
  4. Reverse checks
  5. Result
  6. This question review and source binding

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R0006-03731 · q-20261007-advance-20261009-r07-eigenvalue-0031

Original question and givens

Over R, M=[[5, 1], [-5, 0]] is 2×2. Compute the exact characteristic discriminant tr(M)²−4det(M).

  • G001 — Over R, M=[[5, 1], [-5, 0]] is 2×2. Compute the exact characteristic discriminant tr(M)²−4det(M).

Definition and scope

Use the original question domain, assumptions and cited MKO definitions. This item has second-context mathematical and bilingual review, with the model, answer and every arithmetic step independently recomputed from the original parameters; the source question remains a candidate.

Step-by-step derivation

S001 · implies

Before

[[5, 1], [-5, 0]]

After

exact real2×2 matrix;no spectrum or diagonalization inferred

Conditions: none

Use the declared real2×2 matrix;coefficients,a discriminant or one candidate residual does not automatically establish the entire spectrum or diagonalizability.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: two_by_two_matrix_scope · Uses: G001

S002 · calculation

Before

trace := sum(5, 0)

After

trace = 5

Conditions: none

The trace is the sum of diagonal entries.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S001

S003 · calculation

Before

diagonal product := mul(5, 0)

After

diagonal product = 0

Conditions: none

Compute the determinant term a·d.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S002

S004 · calculation

Before

off-diagonal product := mul(1, -5)

After

off-diagonal product = -5

Conditions: none

Compute b·c,which must be subtracted rather than added.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S003

S005 · calculation

Before

determinant := sub(0, -5)

After

determinant = 5

Conditions: none

Compute ad−bc exactly.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S004

S006 · calculation

Before

negative trace := mul(-1, 5)

After

negative trace = -5

Conditions: none

The linear coefficient of det(tI−M) is−trace,including its sign.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S005

S007 · implies

Before

det(tI−M)=(t−5)(t−0)−(1)(-5)

After

t²+(-5)t+(5)

Conditions: none

Expand the2×2 determinant to get descending coefficients(1,−trace,det).Keep this order and the negative trace;the coefficients alone do not establish diagonalizability.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: characteristic_polynomial_expansion · Uses: G001, S006

S008 · calculation

Before

trace squared := square(5)

After

trace squared = 25

Conditions: none

The quadratic discriminant uses the squared linear coefficient,so the sign vanishes.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S007

S009 · calculation

Before

four times determinant := mul(4, 5)

After

four times determinant = 20

Conditions: none

Compute4det completely;the determinant may be negative.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S008

S010 · calculation

Before

characteristic discriminant := sub(25, 20)

After

characteristic discriminant = 5

Conditions: none

Δ=trace²−4det;do not take a floating square root or invent real roots.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S009

Reverse checks

  • S010 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute characteristic discriminant with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S009 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute four times determinant with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S008 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute trace squared with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S007 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S006 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute negative trace with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S005 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute determinant with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S004 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute off-diagonal product with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S003 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute diagonal product with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S002 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute trace with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S001 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.

Result

5

The full substitutions and premise checks give the original answer; source identity,format and status are unchanged.

This question review and source binding

Review date: 2026-10-26

Original questions, answers, step expressions, numeric ASTs and historical records are retained. Source candidate labels remain historical and are not overwritten as formal proof.

Source hashes and review receipts
  • input commit: 0f7be61e2c22317a4075561dc822c87d881a50db
  • original question SHA-256: c20063f3d4eda15b2b7257b1bc16ac18e7580e204c5a72c930c7746c7d590c2a
  • candidate record SHA-256: 31cfaefaa94eacdc6f1897d4f6c980a93e65ca13824128ae5b1d10926eaffd68
  • semantic review receipt SHA-256: 568eefd71709ac3dc16a0d5b3b4ad3e83376a8ef300c9e5493eee0721500b29d
  • question-first witness SHA-256: d964b91bedb9d4918bbc055f567762a09f5a58af6c876268e719d5100332d855
  • Lean: NOT_RUN · human review: NOT_PERFORMED
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