Find Aⁿ for Upper Triangular Matrix

📘 Question

If

\[ A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & a \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \]

Find \(A^n\), where \(n \in \mathbb{N}\).


✏️ Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Observe pattern

Compute first few powers:

\[ A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2a \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \]
\[ A^3 = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 3a \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \]

Step 2: Generalize

Pattern suggests:

\[ A^n = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & na \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \]

Step 3: Reason

Each multiplication adds another \(a\) in the upper-right position.


✅ Final Answer

\[ \boxed{ \begin{bmatrix} 1 & na \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} } \]

💡 Key Concept

This is a special upper triangular matrix where powers increase linearly in the off-diagonal term.

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