Kunze Linear Algebra · Problem 7.2.20

Rational and Jordan Forms

Mathematics — Methods · cyclic-vectors-irreducible

Problem

Let VV be a finite-dimensional vector space over the field FF, and let TT be a linear operator on VV. We ask when it is true that every non-zero vector in VV is a cyclic vector for TT. Prove that this is the case if and only if the characteristic polynomial for TT is irreducible over FF.

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