Question about the jacobi method!


petro1987
09-22-2006, 04:27 PM
Well, I managed to make it work well. My doubt is about the answers I received from the method. I used the matrix found in wikipedia. Here it is:

S = | 4 -30 60 -35 |
| -30 300 -675 420 |
| 60 -675 1620 -1050 |
| -35 420 -1050 700 |

The results the wikipedia post as corrects can be found at the bottom of this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobi_eigenvalue_algorithm

My results are pretty the same. The only difference is in EigenVector 2 (E2) where my results has the same absolute value, but a different signal, i.e., where their result is negative mine is positive, and where their result is positive mine is negative.

Is it ok to happen?

Thanks for listening

Ward Ciac
03-21-2007, 09:46 PM
Dear Petro:

Yes! It is ok. An eigenvector multiplied by any scalar, including -1, is still the same eigenvector. Convince yourself by plotting a three-dimensional eigenvector as a point in three-dimensional space. Draw a line through the origin. Now multiply the eigenvector by -1. Draw that point in the 3-space. It will reside on the line on the opposite side from the origin, symmetric to the first point. Thus, the same eigenvector. The same is true for any n-dimensional eigenvector plotted in n-space.

Ward Ciac