Let M be a real 4 × 4 matrix. Consider the following statements: S1: M has 4 linearly independent eigenvectors. S2: M has 4 distinct eigenvalues. S3: M is non-singular (invertible). Which one among the following is TRUE? A. S1 implies S2 B. S1 implies S3 C. S2 implies S1 D. S3 implies S2

S1 implies S2
S1 implies S3
S2 implies S1
S3 implies S2

The correct answer is: A. S1 implies S2.

A real 4 × 4 matrix $M$ has 4 linearly independent eigenvectors if and only if it has 4 distinct eigenvalues. This is because if $v_1, v_2, v_3, v_4$ are linearly independent eigenvectors of $M$ corresponding to the eigenvalues $\lambda_1, \lambda_2, \lambda_3, \lambda_4$, then we can write $M v_i = \lambda_i v_i$ for $i = 1, 2, 3, 4$. If $\lambda_1 = \lambda_2$, then $v_1 – v_2$ is also an eigenvector of $M$ corresponding to the eigenvalue $\lambda_1$. This means that $v_1$ and $v_2$ are not linearly independent. Similarly, if $\lambda_i = \lambda_j$ for some $i \neq j$, then $v_i$ and $v_j$ are not linearly independent. Therefore, if $M$ has 4 linearly independent eigenvectors, then the eigenvalues $\lambda_1, \lambda_2, \lambda_3, \lambda_4$ must be distinct.

Conversely, if $M$ has 4 distinct eigenvalues, then we can choose a basis for $\mathbb{R}^4$ consisting of eigenvectors of $M$. These eigenvectors will be linearly independent, since the eigenvalues are distinct. Therefore, if $M$ has 4 distinct eigenvalues, then it has 4 linearly independent eigenvectors.

Therefore, S1 implies S2.

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