Let $A$ be a non-negative square matrix. Normalize $A$ by its spectral radius $\sigma(A)$, and call it $A_2 = A/\sigma(A)$. Does this normalization preserve the ratio between the two largest eigenvalues of $A$? That is, is the ratio $\lambda_1/\lambda_2$ the same for $A$ and $A_2$, where $\lambda_1$ and $\lambda_2$ are the absolute values of the first and second largest eigenvalues of the two matrices?
Mathematics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people studying math at any level and professionals in related fields. It's 100% free, no registration required.
Here's how it works:
- Anybody can ask a question
- Anybody can answer
- The best answers are voted up and rise to the top
Of course. If $\lambda_1,\ldots,\lambda_n$ are the eigenvalues of $A$, then the eigenvalues of $\alpha A$ are $\alpha\lambda_1,\ldots,\alpha\lambda_n$.
This can be easily seen via de Schur decomposition.