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Linear AlgebraChallengeDiagonalization & Matrix Powers

Diagonalization & Matrix Powers · Challenge problem

A population model's transition matrix has characteristic polynomial λ3−6λ2+13λ−20\lambda^3 - 6\lambda^2 + 13\lambda - 20. It is known to have exactly one real eigenvalue and a complex-conjugate pair with SMALLER modulus (so the complex modes die out relative to the real one). Find the long-run annual growth rate, i.e. the real eigenvalue.