( ) ( )

34 2−3
8) Let A = −2 0 and B = 5 6 verify that (A+B)`= A.
7−5 −1 8

( )( )
34 2−3
Solution: We have A+B = −2 0 = 5 6
7−5 −1 8

( )( )
3+2 4+ (−3 ) 51
= −2+5 0+6 = 3 6
7+ (−1 )−5+8 −1 8

()
51
∴ ( A + B) ' = 3 6 ' =
63
( )
536
163

( ) ( )
34 2−3
'

7−5
4 0−5 ( )
A = −2 0 = 3−2 7 and B = 5 6 = 25−1
−1 8
−3 6 8 ( )
(
A + B = 3−27 + 2 5−1
' '

4 0−5 −3 6 8 )( )
(
¿ 3+2−2+5 7+ (−1 )
4+ (−3 ) 0+6−5+6 )
Hence ( A+ B )' = A ' + B '

(
cosθ sinθ
) n
(
cosnθ sinnθ
9) If A A= −sinθ cosθ then prove that A = −sinnθ cosnθ nϵN . )

Solution: We shall prove the result by wrong the principle of mathematical

production.
When n+1, we have
 ( )(
A = cos 1 θ sin 1θ = cosθ sinθ
'

−sin 1 θ cos 1 θ −sinθ cosθ )

Thus, the result n’ true for n=1
Let us the result true for n=k
k
(
coskθ sinkθ
Then, A = −sinkθ coskθ )
∴A
k +1 k
(
=A . A = cosθ sinθ )(
coskθ sinkθ
−sinθcosθ −sinkθ coskθ )
¿ (−sinθcoskθ−cosθsinkθ−sinθsinkθ +cosθcoskθ )
cosθcoskθ−sinθsinkθ cosθsinkθ+ sinθcosk

¿
( )(
cos ( θ+ kθ ) sin ( θ+kθ ) = cos ( k +1 ) θ sin ( k +1 ) θ
−sin ( θ+kθ ) cos ⁡(θ +kθ) −sin ( k +θ ) cos ⁡(k+ 1)θ )
Thus, the result is true for n=(k+1), whenever it is true for n=k.
n
(
cosnθ sinnθ
)
Hence, A = −sinnθ cosnθ for all values of nϵN .

2 31
10) If f ( x )=x −5 x +7∧A= −1 2 , f ( A ) .( )

Solution: We have f(A)=A2-5A+7I

( 3 1 )( 3 1 )
Now, A2= −1 2 −1 2

( 9−1 3+2
= −3−2−1+ 4 = −5 3 ) ( 85 )
(
(−5 ) ∙ 3 (−5 ) ∙ 1 −15−5
-5A= (−5 ) ∙ (−1 ) (−5 ) ∙ 2 = 5−10 )( )
( 10) (7 0)
7I=7 0 1 = 0 7
 f(A) = A2-5A+7I

( )(
85 −15−5 70
= −5 3 + 5−10 + 0−7 )( )
(8+ (−15) +7 5+(−3) +0) (0 0)
= −5+ 5+0 3+ (−10 ) +7 = 0 0

( )
00
Hence, f ( A )= 0 0 .

() x
11) If [ 2 x 4 ] 8 =0 , find the positive value of x .

Solution: The given matrix equation is AB=0, A is a ( 1 ×2 ) matrix and B is a

( 2 ×1 ) matrix, so AB is a ( 1 ×1 ) matrix.

[−8]
[ 2 x 4 ] x =[ 0 ]

 2x2-32=0
 2x2=32
 X2=16
 X=√ 16
 X=4

Hence, X=4.

3−1
12) By doing elementary row operations, final the merge the matrix A= −4 2 . ( )

Solution: We have,
 ( )( )
A= 3−1 = 10 ∙ A
−4 2 01

( )( )
−11 11
 −4 2 = 0 1 A [ R1 → R1 + R2 ]

 (−4 2 )=( 01 ) A [ R → (−1 ) R ]

1−1 −1−1
1 1

 (0−2 )=(−4−3 ) A [ R → R +4 R ]
1−1 −1−1
2 2 1

( )[ ]
−1−1
( )
1−1
 01 = 2
3 A R2 →
2
−1
2 ( )
R2

()
1
1
10
( ) 2
 0 1 = 3 A [ R1 → R1 + R2 ]
2
2

()
1
1
2
Hence, A-1= 3 .
2
2

Sample question for competitive/entrance exams.

-:Multiple choice question:-

( )
10 0
1) The matrix 51 0 is
324
A) a diagonal B) an upper triangular C) a lower triangular D) a symmetric
matrix.
Ans: - C) correct.
 ( )
1 23
2) The matrix 0 4 5 is
0 06
A) a diagonal B) an upper triangular C) a lower triangular D) a symmetric
matrix.
Ans: - B) correct.

( )
121
3) The matrix 0−1 0 is known as
103

A) symmetric matrix B) upper triangular matrix C) skew symmetric D) none of

these.
Ans: - D) correct.

(
x +3 x+ 2 y
)( )
0−7
4) z−1 4 t−6 = 3 2 t then value of x,y,z and t are respectively

A) 3,-2,-4,3 B) -3,-2,4,3 C) -3,2,4,-3 D) none of these

Ans: - B) correct.

(
x +4 x+3 y
)( )
08
5) z +1 3t−4 = 2 1 thenthe value of x , y , z , t are respectively

A) 4,-4,1,-2 B) -4,4,1,2 C) -4,4,-1,-2 D) none of these

Ans: - D) correct

( )( )( )
xy 43 26
6) If 3 × z 1 = 5 0 + 4 12 thenthe values of ( x , y , z ,t ) is

A) 2,3,4,3 B) 2,3,3,4 C) 2,0,3,4 D) none of these

Ans: - B) correct
 ( )
20 t
7) If A= −1 2 then A is
04

( 2 02 ) (2−10) C) none of these

A) −1 4 0 B) 0 2 4

Ans: - B) correct

( )
1 0−1
8) Let A= 0−1 0 thenthe only correct statement about A is
−10 0

A) A2=0 B) A=-I C) A is null matrix D) A2=I

Ans: - D) correct

( ) ( )
a0 10 2
9) Given A= 11 , B= 5 0 ∧A =B , then A is equal ¿

A) 1 B) 4 C) -4 D) none of these
Ans: - D) correct

( )
1 11 2
10) If A= 1 11 , A =
1 11

A) 3A B) A C) 2A D) Identify matrix
Ans: - D) correct

( )
ab 2 αβ
( )
11) If A= b a ∧A = β α then ,

A) α=a2+b2, β=2ab B) α=a2+b2, β=a2-b2 C) α=2ab, β=a2+b2 D) α=a2+b2, β=ab

Ans: - A) correct

12) If AB = A and BA =B then B2 =

A) 0 B) A C) B D) I
Ans: - C) Correct.

13) A has size 3x4, ATB and BAT are possible then B has size
A) 4x4 B) 4×3 C) 3x4 D)3x3
Ans: - C) Correct

14) If A+B and AB are defined i.e. possible then

A) A, B are of some order square matrix.
B) Number of rows of B = Number of columns of A
C) A and B can be arbitrary matrices
D) None of those
Ans: - A) correct

15) A, B are two square matrices such that A2=A, B2 = B and AB = BA then
A) (AB)2 = I B) (AB)2 = AB C) (AB)2 =BA D) None of these
Ans: - B) correct

16) If A is Square matrix then

A) A+AT is Symmetric B) A+ATH Skew Symmetric
C) A-ATH Symmetric D) A-AT & Skew Symmetric
Ans: - A) correct

17) Which one of following Statement is correct?

A) BTAB is Skew Symmetric if A is skew Symmetric
B) BTAB is Skew symmetric if A is Symmetric
C) BTAB is Symmetric of A is Symmetric
D) BTAB is Symmetric of A is Skew Symmetric
Ans: - A), C) are correct

18) If X is a symmetric matrix as well as Skew Symmetric the X is

A) Null matrix B) Diagonal Matrix C) Identity matrix D) None of these.
Ans: - A) correct

19) If A and B are two square matrixes of some order such that (A+B)2 =
A2+B2+2AB then
A) A=B B) A =BT C) A = -B D) AB=BA
Ans: - D) correct

20) Size of a column matrix may be

A) 5×5 B) 1x1 C) 4x1 D) 1x4
Ans: - C) Correct

( x 3)
21) If the matrix 15 is singular then x=

1 3 2
A) 5 B) 5 C) 5 D) 2
Ans: - B) correct

( )
a 0−1
22) If the matrix 1 1 0 is non-singular then
−21 1

A) a=3 B) a≠2 C) a=0 D) a≠3

Ans: - D) correct

23) If for a matrix A, A3 = I then A-I =

A) A B) A2 C) adj (A) D) none
Ans: - B) correct

24) If A = A-1 then A2 =

A) I B) 0 C) A D)1
Ans: - A) correct

25) If A and B are square matrixes and A-1 and B-1 exist then (AB)-1 =
A) A-1B-1 B) AB-1 C) B-1A-1 D) A-1B
Ans: - C) correct

Exercise

(3 2 ) (1−25) (8 1−6)
1) If A = 1 0 , B = 9 7 3 and C = 2−5 0 verify that,

A (B+C) = (AB+ AC).

 ( 3−5 )
2) If A = −4 2 , show that A2-5A-14I=0.

( 10 )
3) If A = −1 7 , find K so that A2 = 8A+KI.

4) Find the value of x if,

[ ][ ]
13 2 1
[ 1 x 1 ] 25 1 2 =0.
15 3 2 x

(3−4) (1+2 n−4 n) for all values of nϵN.

5) If A = 1−1 then prove that An = n 1−2n

6) If A = diag [a,b.c] show that An = diag [an, bn, cn] for all nϵN.

( 01)
7) If A = 0 0 , prove that for all nϵN.

(aI + bA)n = anI+nan-1bA. Where I in the identity matrix of order 2.

(6−3)
8) If A = −21 , Show that A-1 does not exist.

( )
1 3−2
9) By using elementary row operations, find the inverse, the matrix A= −3 0−5 .
250
 ( )
1−11
10) If A= 2 1−1 , show that A-1does not exist.
−1−22

( ) ( )
abc 001
11) Let A= d c−4 and B= 0 1 0 , if AB=BA find the values of a,b,c and d.
5−6 7 100

( ) ()
010 1
12) If A= −1 0 2 , U= 1 , find A2U.
001 0

13) Give an example of two matrixes A≠0, B≠0 though AB=

14) Find where possible, A-B, AB and BA with reason where impossible, when A=

( )
23
( 4 2−1
3−7 1)and B= −3 0 , hence verify whether AB=BA is valid.
−1 5

( ) ( )
23 389
15) Given A= 3 6 , B= 2−11 examine whether A+B, AB and BA are defined.
7−7 1 33
Find them where they are defined.

(
x + y y−z
)(t−x z−t
)
16) Find the values of x,y,z and t for which 5−t 7+ x = z − y x + z +t .

y1
( )( x1
)( )
12
17) If 3 x + −1− y = 2 1 then find the values of x moly.
18) If A+B=2BT and 3A+3B=I find A and B where I in the 3rd order identity matrix.

19) For the matrix A satisfying the equation A2-A+I=0 find the matrix x such that
AX=I.

( )
122
20) If A= 2 1 2 prove that A2-4A-5I=0 hence find A-1.
221

( ) ( )
6−2−3 12 3
21) Prove that the matrix −1 1 0 is an inverse of the matrix 13 3 .
−1 0 1 124

DETERMINANTS
Determinant of a square matrix: -
Corresponding to each square matrix

( )
a11 a12 a13 … … … a1 n
a a a … … .. a n
A= … …21…22…23… … … …2… .
an 1 an 2 … … … … .. ann

There is associated an expectation called the determinant of A, denoted by det A on

| A| written as
 | |
a11 a12 a13 … … a1 n
Det A=| A|= a21 a22 a 23 … … a 2 n
an 1 an 2 a n 3 … … ann

A matrix is an arrangement of numbers and so it has r no fixed value, while

each determinant has a fixed value.
A determinant having n rows and n columns is known as a determinant of
order n.
The determinants of non-square matrixes are not defined.
Value of Determinant of order 1:
The values of a determinant of a (1x1) matrix [a] is defined as |a|=a .
Value of Determinant of order 2:

| |
a a
We define a11 a12 =( a11 a22−a21 a12 )
21 22

| || |
3 x 7 87
Example: If −2 4 = 6 4 , find the value of x.

Solution: we have |−2 4|=|6 4|

3 x 7 87

 (3x×4)-(-2)×7 = (8×4) - (6×7)

 12x +14=32-42
 12x +14=-10
 122=-24
 X=-2 Hence, x=-2
Value of a Determinant of order 3 or more: For finding the value of a determinant
of order 3 or more we need the following definitions.
Minors of……..in | A|: The minor of an element…….in | A| is defined as the value
of the dcterminant obtained by deleting the ith row and jth column of | A|, and it is
denoted by :
Co factor of ……….in | A| The co factors of an element……..in | A| is defined as
Value of determinant: -
The value of a determinant is the sum of elements of a row (m a column) with their
corresponding co factors.
We may expand a determinant by any arbitrary chosen row or column.
Expression of a determinant: -
Expanding the given determinant by 1st row, we have

| |
a11 a12 a13
a21 a 22 a23 =a11 ( its cofactor )+ a12 ( its cofactor ) +a13 (its cofactor)
a31 a 32 a33

= a11c11 + a12c12 + a13c13 [∴C12 = -M12]

= a11M11 – a12M12 + a13M13

| | | | | |
a a
32 33
a a
31 33
a a
= a 11 a22 a23 −a12 a21 a 23 + a13 a21 a22
31 32

= a 11 ( a22 a33−a32 a23 )−a12 ( a21 a 33−a31 a23 ) +a13 ( a 21 a32−a 31 a22 )
We may expand it by any row or column.
Remarks (1): If we expand a determinant by any row and column bring minors, we
keep in view the following symbols for a determinant of order three.
¿

Remarks (2): If a row or a column of a determinant consists of all zeros, the value
of the determinant is zero.

Example: Expand the determinant ∆ = h b f

| |
ahg

gf c

Solution: Expanding by 1st column,

we get ∆ = a f c −h f c + g b f
| | | | | |
bf hg hg

= a ( bc−f 2 ) −h ( ch−fg ) + g ( fh−bg )

 = abc – af2 – ch2 + fgh + fgh – bg2
=( abc +2 fgh−af 2−bg 2−ch2 )

Properties of Determinant: -
The properties of a determinant serve the purpose of a useful tool for finding its
value.
We will mention these properties and verify them for a third-order determinant.

Theorem (1): The value of a determinant remains unchanged if its rows and
columns are unchanged.

| |
Proof: Let ∆¿ a2 b 2 c2 and let ∆’ be the determinant
a1 b 1 c1

a3 b 3 c3

Obtained by interchanging the row and column of ∆’.

| |
Then, ∆’¿ b 1 b 2 b 3 =a1 c 1 c 3 −b 1 c 2 c 3 +c 1 b2 b3
a1 a 2 a 3

c 1 c2 c 3
bb
2 3
| | | | | |
a a
2 3
a a
2 3

[Expanding
by 1 column]
st

= a 1 ( b 2 c 3−b3 c 2) −b1 ( a 2 c 3−c2 a3 ) + c1 ( a 2 b 3−a3 b2 )

= ∆ (Expanded by 1st row)
Corollary: If A is a square matrix than | A '|=| A|

Theorem (2): If two rows or columns of a determinant are

interchanged then the determinant remains its absolute value
but its sign its changed.
 | |
Proof: Let ∆ a2 b 2 c2 and let ∆’ be the determinant
a1 b 1 c1
¿
a3 b 3 c3

Obtained by interchanging any two rows, say 1st and 3rd rows of
∆.

| |
Then, ∆’ a2 b 2 c2 =a3 b 2 c 2 −a2 b3 c 3 +a1 b 3 c 3
a3 b 3 c3
¿
a1 b 1 c1
b c
1 1
| | | | | |
b c
1 1
b c
2 2

[Expanding
by 1st column]
= a 3 ( b 2 c1−b1 c2 ) −a2 ( b3 c 1−b 1 c 3 ) + a1 ( b3 c2 −b2 c 3 )
= −a 1 ( b 2 c 3−b3 c 2) + a2 ( b2 c 3−b3 c 1 )−a3 ( b1 c 2−b2 c 1 )
= −[a1 ( b2 c3 −b3 c 2 )−a 2 ( b 1 c 3−b3 c 1) + a3 ( b1 c 2−b 2 c 1 ) ]
= −∆ [Expanding by 1st column]

Theorem (3): If any two rows or columns of a determinant are

identical then its value is zero.
Proof: If we interchange the identical rows of the given
determinant ∆ then clearly there is no change in ∆.
But, interchanging any two rows of determinant changes its sign.
∆ = −∆ <=> 2∆ = 0, i.e ∆ = 0.

Theorem (4): If each elements of a row or a column of a

determinant is multiplied by a constant K then the value of the
new determinant is K times the value of the original determinant.
 | |
Proof: ∆ a2 b 2 c2 and Let ∆’ be the determinant obtained by
a1 b 1 c1
¿
a3 b 3 c3
multiplying each dement of a row, say the second row of ∆, by K.

|
Then, ∆’ Ka1 Kb2 Kc2
|
a1 b 1 c 1
¿
a 3 b 3 c3

= a 1 b c −Ka2 b c +a 3 Kb K c
| | | | | |
Kb2 Kc2 b1 c1 b1 c 1
3 3 3 3 2 2

= a 1 ( Kb2 c 3−Kb3 c2 ) −Ka2 ( b 1 c 3−b3 c 1) + a3 ( Kb1 c 2−Kb2 c 1 )

= K [ a1 ( b 2 c 3−b 3 c2 ) −a2 ( b1 c 3−b 3 c1 ) + a3 ( b1 c2 −b2 c 1) ]

= K∆
Corollary: For a square matrix A of order n|KA|=K n ∙| A|.

Theorem (5): If any two rows or columns of a determinant are

proportional then its value of zero.

Proof: Let ∆ =
| || | [By theorem 4]
a1 b 1 c 1 a1 b1 c 1
a b
2 2 2c =K a2 b2 c 2
Ka1 Kb1 Kc1 a1 b1 c 1

= K×0 = 0 [1st and 3rd rows are identical]

Theorem (6): If each element of a row (or column) of a

determinant is expressed as a sum of two or more terms then the
determinant can be expressed as the sum of two or more
determinant.

Proof: Let ∆ =
| | Then, on expanding ∆ by ………
a+∝1 b1 + β 1 c 1+ γ 1
a2 b2 c 2
a3 b3 c 3
Now, we get ∆ = ( a +∝1) ( b 2 c3−b3 c 2 )−( b 1+ β1 ) ( a 2 c 3−a3 c2 ) + ( c 1+ γ 1 ) ( a 2 b 3−a 3 b 2)
=
[ a 1 ( b 2 c3 −b3 c 2 )−b 1 ( a 2 c 3−a3 c 2) + c 2 ( a2 b 3−a 3 b 2) ] + [ ∝1 ( b 2 c3−b3 c 2 )+ β1 ( a 2 c 3−a3 c2 ) + γ 1 ( a 2 b3 −... ) ]

| || |
= a2 b2 c2 + a2 b2 c2
a1 b1 c1 ∝1 β 1 γ 1

a3 b 3 c3 a3 b3 c3

Theorem (7): If to any row or column of a determinant a multiple

of another row or column is added, the value of the determinant
remain the same.

Proof: Let ∆ = a2 b2 c2
| | Let ∆’ =
| |
a1 b1 c1 a1+ Ka3 b1 + Kb3 c 1+ Kc3
a2 b2 c 2
a3 b 3 c3 a3 b3 c 3

| ||
Then ∆’ = a2 b2 c2 + a2 a2 c2
|
a1 b1 c1 Ka3 Kb3 Kc❑

a3 b 3 c3 a3 a3 c3

| |
= a2 b2 c2 [∴ 2nd det is 0, its 1st and 3rd rows being
a1 b1 c1

a3 b 3 c3
proportional]
=∆

Theorem (8): The sum of the products of the elements of any row
(or column) of a determinant with cofactors of the corresponding
elements of any other row (or column) in zero.

Proof: Let ∆ = a21 a 22 a23

| |
a11 a12 a13

a31 a 32 a33
Let us take the sum of the products of elements of first row with
the cofactors of the corresponding elements of second row.
= a 11 A 21+ a12 A22 +a13 A 23

= a 11 (−1) a a +a12 (−1) a a +a13 (−1) a a

| | | | | |
2+1 a12 a13 2+2 a11 a13 2+3 a11 a12

32 33 31 33 31 32

= −a 11 ( a12 a33−a32 a13 ) +a 12 ( a 11 a33−a 31 a13 )−a13 ( a11 a32−a31 a 12).

To Find the value of a Determinant:

The main theme behind the simplification of a determinant lies in
obtaining the maximum possible number of zeros in a row (or a
column) by using the above properties and then to expand the
determinant by that row (or column). We denote the 1st, 2nd,
3rd rows of determinant by R1, R2, R3 respectively and the 1st,
2nd, 3rd columns by C1, C2, C3 respectively we shall also express
the
(i) interchange of the ith and jth rows by Ri<->Rj
(ii) addition of K times the elements of the jth row with the
corresponding elements of the ith row by Ri→Rj+ KRj we use
similar relation notations for operations on columns, replacing R
by C.

Solved Examples

| |
2 7 65
(1) Evaluate 3 8 75
5 9 86

| || |
2 7 65 27 2
Solution: Given determinant = 3 8 75 = 3 8 3 [ applying c 3 → c 3−9 c 2 ]
5 9 86 5 9 5
 = 0 [ ∴ c 1∧c 3 are identical ]

| |
a−b b−c c−a
(2) Prove that b−c c−a a−b =0
c−a a−b b−c

| |
a−b b−c c−a
Solution: Given determinant = b−c c−a a−b
c−a a−b b−c

| |
0 b−c c−a
= 0 c −a a−b [ applying c1 → c1 +c 2 +c 3 ]
0 a−b b−c

= 0 [ ∴ c 1 consistsof all zeros ]

| |
1 a a2
(4) Evaluate: D= 1b b2
1 c c2

Solution: The given determinant is

| | | |[
1 a a2 1 a a2
]
'
where R 2=R 2−R3
D = 1 b b 2 or, D = 0 b−c b2−c 2
2 2 2 ¿ R ' 3=R3 −R1
1cc 0 c −a c −a

| | 0 a a2
Or, D = 0 ( b−c ) ( b+ c )( b−c )
0 ( c−a ) (c+ a)(c−a)

| |
2
1aa
Or, D =(b−c )(c−a) 0 1 b+c
0 1 c+ a

|1 b+c|
Or, D =(b−c )(c−a) 1 c+ a [Expanding by 1st column]

Or, D =( b−c ) (c−a)(c +a−b−c)

∴ D =( b−c ) ( c−a )( a−b ) .

Adjugate and Reciprocal Determinants:

 The adjoint or adjugate of a given determinant D is the determinant whose
dements are cofactors of the corresponding elements of D and is denoted by the
symbol D'.
The reciprocal or inverse of a given determinant D is the determinant which is
formed by dividing every element of D', the adjoint of D, by and is denoted by D".

| |
a1 b1 c1
Let D = a2 b2 c2 be a given determinant
a3 b 3 c3

Then by definition, adjoint or adjugate of D is.

| |
A 1 B1 C 1
D’= A 2 B2 C 2
A 3 B3 C 3

Where A, B, C, etc are the respective cofactors of the elements a 1, b1, c1 etc in D.
And the reciprocal determinant of D is

| ||
A1 B1 C1

|
D D D
A B C
A B2 C2 1 1 1 1
D" = 2 = A2 B 2 C 2
D D D D3
A3 B 3 C 3
A3 B3 C3
D D D

1 ' 1
= 3
× D = 3 ×adjugate of D.
D D

| |
412
Example: Final the adjoint and reciprocal determinant of 7 3 5
51 3

Solution: Let D be the given determinant

Clearly, the cofactors of the elements 4, 1, 2, 7, 3, 5, 5, 1 and 3 are

|31 53|=4 ,−|75 53|=4 ,|75 31|=−8 ,−|11 23|=−1 ,|45 23|=2 ,−|45 11|=1,
|13 25|=−1 ,−|47 25|=−6∧|47 13|=5.
By definition the adjoint determinant