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22Eigenvalue zero of a matrix

For which values of k\displaystyle k does A=[k11k]\displaystyle A = \begin{bmatrix}k & 1\\1 & k\end{bmatrix} have 0\displaystyle 0 as an eigenvalue?

Zero is an eigenvalue exactly when A is singular, so det(A) = 0. Here det(A) = k² − 1 = (k−1)(k+1), giving k = 1 or k = −1. Check k=1: the matrix is all 1's, with determinant 1·1 − 1·1 = 0.

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