Analyzing an unusual matrix

Let a and b be real numbers and let AR3×3 with each diagonal entry equal to a and each off-diagonal entry equal to b.

  1. Determine all eigenvalues and representative eigenvectors of A together with their algebraic multiplicities. (Hint: A=(ab)I+bJ where J is the 3×3 matrix each of whose entries equals 1.)
  2. Is A diagonalizable? Justify your answer.
  3. Determine the minimal polynomial of A.