  We present a matrix technique to obtain the spectrum and the analytical index
of some elliptic operators defined on compact Riemannian manifolds. The method
uses matrix representations of the derivative which yield exact values for the
derivative of a trigonometric polynomial. These matrices can be used to find
the exact spectrum of an elliptic operator in particular cases and in general,
to give insight into the properties of the solution of the spectral problem. As
examples, the analytical index and the eigenvalues of the Dirac operator on the
torus and on the sphere are obtained and as an application of this technique,
the spectrum of the Dirac-Kahler operator on the sphere is explored.
