I want to calculate the eigenvalues and eigenspaces of this matrix for self-study:
$\frac{1}{31}\left( \begin{array}{rrr} 43 & 9 & -23 & -61\\ 16 & -19 & -10 & 22 \\ 130 & 51 & -89 &-108 \\ 36 & -4 & -7 & -59\\ \end{array}\right)$
I tried using the normal method of finding $det(A - \lambda I)$, but just these massive numbers kept coming up. I also tried using different block matrix formulae, but I ended up with the same problem. I wanted to ask if there was maybe a better more efficient way of finding the eigenvalues using some trick.
I know that the trace of this matrix and therefore the sum of the eigenvalues is -4, but beyond that suggestions are appreciated. I am not looking for a full solution here.
Hint: It is not too difficult to compute the characteristic polynomial of your matrix $A$. It is given by $$ \chi_A(t)=(t+1)^4. $$ Let $$J=\begin{pmatrix} -1 & 1 & 0 & 0 \cr 0 & -1 & 1 & 0 \cr 0 & 0 & -1 & 1 \cr 0 & 0 & 0 & -1 \end{pmatrix} $$ It is easy to find an invertible matrix $S$ such that $SA=JS$ by solving a system of linear equations in the entries of $S$. In other words, your matrix is similar to $J$, and you can read off all invariants.