Matrices - I

UNIT 2 MATRICES - I
Structure

2.0 Introduction
2.1 Objectives
2.2 Matrices
2.3 Operation on Matrices
2.4 Invertible Matrices
2.5 Systems of Linear Equations
2.6 Answers to Check Your Progress
2.7 Summary

2.0 INTRODUCTION

In this Unit, we shall learn about Matrices. Matrices play central role in
mathematics in general, and algebra in particular. A matrix is a rectangular array
of numbers. There are many situations in mathematics and science which deal
with rectangular arrays of numbers. For example, the following table gives
vitamin contents of three food items in conveniently chosen units.

Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D

Food I 0.4 0.5 0.1
Food II 0.3 0.2 0.5
Food III 0.2 0.5 0
The above information can be expressed as a rectangular array having three rows
and three columns.

0.4 0.5 0.1

0.3 0.2 0.5
0.2 0.5 0
The above arrangement of numbers is a matrix of order 3 3. Matrices have
become an important an powerful tool in mathematics and have found
applications to a very large number of disciplines such as Economics, Physics,
Chemistry and Engineering.

In this Unit, we shall see how Matrices can be combined thought the arithematic
operations of addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The use of Matrices in
solving a system of linear equations will also be studied. In Unit 1 we have
already studied determinant. It must be noted that a matrix is an arrangement of
numbers whereas determinant is number itself. However, we can associate a
determinant to every square matrix i.e., to a matrix in which number of rows is
equal to the number of columns. 29
Algebra - I
2.1 OBJECTIVES

After studying this Unit, you should be able to :

define the term matrix;
add two or more Matrices;
multiply a matrix by a scalar;
multiply two Matrices;
find the inverse of a square matrix (if it exists); and
use the inverse of a square matrix in solving a system of linear equations.

2.2 MATRICES

We define a matrix as follows :

Def : A m n matrix A is a rectangular array of m n real (or complex

numbers) arranged in m horizontal rows an n vertical columns :

a11 a12 ……… a1j ……… a1n

a21 a22 ……… a2j ……… a2n
: : : :
: : : :
A = ai1 ai2 ……… aij ……… ain ith row
: :
: …(1)
am1 am2 ……… amj ……… amn
jth
column

As it is clear from the above definition, the ith row of A is (aij ai2 … ain)
(1 ≤ i ≤ m) and the jth column is
a1j
a2j
: (1 ≤ j ≤ n)
:
amj

We also note that each element a ij of the matrix has two indices : the row
index i and the column index j. a ij is called the (i,j )th element of the matrix.
For convenience, the Matrices will henceforward be denoted by capital
letters and the elements (also called entries) will be denoted by the
30 corresponding lower case letters.
The matrix in (1) is often written in one of the following forms : Matrices - I

A = [aij]; A = (aij), A = (a ij )m n or A = (a ij )m n

With i = 1, 2, ………….., m and j = 1, 2, …………, n

The dimension or order of a matrix A is determined by the number of rows

and columns of the matrix. If a matrix A has m rows and n columns we
denote its dimension or order by m n read “m by n”.

For example, A = is a 2 2 matrix and B = is a 2 3

order matrix.

Note a that an m n matrix has mn elements.

Type of Matrices

1. Square Matrix : A square matrix is one in which the number of rows

is equal to the number of columns. For instance,

A= , B= , C=

are square Matrices.

If a square matrix has n rows (and thus n columns), then A is said to be a

square matrix of order n.

2. Diagonal Matrix : A square matrix A[ ] n n for which

diagonal matrix.

For instance,
10 0 0 0
4 0 0
0 0 0 0
D= 0 2 0 and E =
0 0 3 0
0 0 6
0 0 0 5
are diagonal Matrices.

If A = [ ] n n is a square matrix of order n, then the numbers a 11 , a22, ,

… a nn are called diagonal elements, and are said to form the main
diagonal of A. Thus, a square matrix for which every term off the main
diagonal is zero is called a diagonal matrix.
31
Algebra - I 3. Scalar Matrix : A diagonal matrix A = [aij ] n n for which all the terms
on the main diagonal are equal, that is aij = k for i= j and aij = 0 for i ≠ j
is called a scalar matrix.

For instance

H=

are scalar Matrices.

4. Unit or Identity Matrix : A square matrix A = [a ij] n n is said to be the

unit matrix or identity matrix if

a ij = 0 if i ≠j
1 if i = j

Note that a unit matrix is a scalar matrix with is on the main diagonal.
We denote the unit matrix having n rows (and n columns) by In.
For example,

5. Row Matrix or Column Matrix : A matrix with just one row of

elements is called a row matrix or row vector. While a matrix with just
one column of elements is called a column matrix or column vector.

For instance, A = [2 5 −15] is a row matrix whereas B

is a column matrix.

6. Zero matrix or Null matrix : An m n matrix is called a zero matrix

or null matrix if each of its elements is zero.

We usually denote the zero matrix by Om n

and are example of zero matrices.

Equality of Matrices

Let A = [aij] m×n and B =[ b ij] r×s be two Matrices. We say that A and B
are equals if
32
1. m = r, i.e., the number of rows in A equals the number of rows in B.
 2. n = s, i.e., the number of columns in A equals the number of Matrices - I

columns in B.
3. aij = bij for I = 1, 2, ……. m and j = 1, 2, …….., n.

We then write A = B, read as “matrix A is equal to B” In other words,

two Matrices are equal if their order are equal and their corresponding
elements are equal.

Solution: Both the Matrices are of order 2 1. Therefore, by the definition

of equality of two Matrices, we have x + 2 = 4 − y and 3y − 7 =
x − 3. That is, x + y = 2 and x − 3y = − 4. Solving these two
equations. We get x = 1/2 and y = 3/2. We can check this
solution by substitution in A and B.

Transpose of a Matrix

Definition: Let A = [a ij] m n, be a matrix. The transpose of A, denoted

by A´, is the matrix A´ = [aij] m n, where bij = aji for each i and j.

The transpose of a matrix A is by definition, that matrix which is obtained

from A by interchanging its rows and columns.

So, if A = , then

its transpose is the matrix

A´ = .

Symmetric and Skew Symmetric Matrices

Definition : A square matrix A = [aij] n n , is said to be symmetric if

A'= A; it is skew symmetric if A' = −A. 33
Algebra - I
For example A = is symmetric and B = is a skew –
symmetric matrix.

Check Your Progress 1

1. Construct a 2 2 matrix A = [a ij ] 2 2 where elements are given by

(a) aij = (i + 2j)2 (b) a ij = (i −j)2

2. Find x, y when =

3. a, b, c and d such that

4. Find the transpose of following Matrices and find whether the matrix is
symmetric or skew symmetric.

(a) A=

(c)

2.3 OPERATION ON MATRICES

Addition

Let A = [a ij] m×n and B= [b ij] r×s be two Matrices. We say that A and B
are comparable for addition if m = r and n = s. That is, A and B are
comparable for addition if they have same order.

We define addition of Matrices as follows :

Definition : Let A =[ a ij] m×n and B = [bij ] m×n be two Matrices. The sum
of A and B is the m n matrix C =[cij] such that

C ij = aij + bij (1

That is, C is obtained by adding the corresponding elements of A an d B. We

usually denote C by A + B.

Note that

34
A + B = [cij ] m×n = [aij + b ij ] m×n
 Matrices - I
For example, if A = and B = , then

A+B= +

It must be noted that Matrices of different orders cannot be added. For

instance,
A= Cannot be added.

The following properties of matrix addition can easily be verified.

1. Matrix addition is commutative. That is, if A and B are two m n

matrices, then
A + B = B + A.
2. Matrix addition is associative. That is, if A, B and C are three m n
matrices, then

(A + B ) + C = A + (B + C)

3. If A [aij ] = is an m×n matrix, then

A + O m×n = O m×n + A = A,
. where O m×n is the m×n null matrix.

4. If A is an m n matrix, then we can find an m n matrix B such that

A+B=B+A =O m×n

The matrix B in above property is called „additive inverse‟ or „negative‟

of A and is denoted by − A.

Infact, if A = [aij] m×n then –A = [–a ij] m×n

Thus, property 4 can be written as

A + ( −A) = ( − A) + A = O m×n
We can now define difference of two Matrices.

Definition : Let A = [aij] m×n and B = [bij] m×n two matrices. We define the
difference A − B to be the m n matrix A + (−B).
Note that A − B is of dimension m×n and A – 35
Algebra - I
For example, if A = and B =

then A – B = =

Scalar Multiplication

Definition : Let A =[ ] m×n be a matrix and let K be a complex number.

The scalar multiplication KA of the matrix A and the number K (called the
scalar) is the m×n matrix KA [ka ij] m×n

For example, let A=

If K = 4, then kA = 4A =

Note that if k = −1, then (−1)A = − A.

This is one of the properties of scalar multiplication. We list some of these

properties without proof.

Properties of Scalar Multiplication

1. Let A = [ ] m×n be a matrix and let k1 and k2 be two scalars. Then

(i) (k1 + k2 ) A = k1 A + k2 A, and
(ii) k1 (k2 A ) = (k1 k2 )A.

2. Let A = [ ] m×n and B = [ ] m×n be two matrices and let k be a scalar.

Then
k (A + B ) = kA + k B.

Multiplication of two Matrices

Let A = [aij] m×n and B = [bij] r×s be two matrices. We say that A and B are
comparable for the product AB if n = r, that is, if the number of columns
of A is same as the number of rows of B.

36
Definition : Let A = [ ] m×n and B = [ ] n×p be two matrices. Their Matrices - I

product AB is the matrix C = [ ] m×p such that = ai1 bij +

ai2 b 2j + ai3 b3j +…………………………..+ a inb nj for i ≤ i ≤
m, 1 ≤ j ≤ p. Note that the order of AB is m p.

Example 2 : Let A = and B =

Obtain the product AB.

Solution : Since A is of order 2 and B is or order 2, therefore, the

product AB is defined. Order of AB is 2

AB =

Properties of Matrix Multiplication

Some of the properties satisfied by matrix multiplication are stated below

without proof.
1. (Associative Law) : If A = [ ] m×n , B = [ ] n×p and C = [ ] p×q are
three matrices, then
(AB) C = A (BC).
2. (Distributive Law): If A = [ ] m×n , B = [ ] n×p and C = [ ] n×p are
three matrices, then
A (B + C) = AB + AC.
3. If A = [ ] m×n and B = [ ] n×p are two matrices, and k is a complex
number, then
(kA ) B = A(kB) = k(AB).
4. If A = [ ] m×n is an m n matrix, then
Im A = AIn = A,
Where Im and In are unit matrices of order m and n respectively.

Example 3: Let A = and B = [ ]

Find AB and BA.

37
Algebra - I Solution : Since A is 3×1 matrix and B is a 1 3 matrix, therefore, AB is
defined and its order is 3 3.

If the number of columns of A is equal to the number of rows of B.

Also, BA is defined and a is 1× 1 matrix

BA =

This example illustrates that the matrix multiplication is not

commutative. Infact, it may happen that the product AB is defined but
BA is not, as in the following case :

A= and B =

We now point out two more matrix properties which run counter to our
experience to number systems.

1. It is possible that for two non-zero matrices and A and B, the product AB
is a zero matrix.
2. It is possible that for a non-zero matrix A, and two unequal matrices B
and C, we have, AB = AC. That is AB = AC, A ≠ 0 may not imply
B = C. In other words, cancellation during multiplication does not hold.

These properties can be seen in the following example.

Example 4 : Let A =

38
Solution : We have Matrices - I

AB= and
= O 2 2

AC=
= O 2 2

Therefore, AB = AC. We see however, that A ≠ O 2 2 and

B ≠ C. Thus, cancellation during multiplication does not hold.

Exponent of a Square Matrix

We now introduce the notion of the exponent of a square matrix.

To begin with, we define A m for any square matrix and for any
positive integer m.

Let A be a square matrix and m a positive integer. We define.

Am = AAA …….A
m times

More formally, the two equations A' = A and A m +1 = A m A define

Am recursively by defining it first for m = 1 and then m+1 after it has
been defined for m, for all m ≥ 1.

We also define A° = In , where A is a non−zero square matrix of order n.

The usual rules of exponent‟s namely

Am An = Am+n and (A m)n = A mn do hold for matrices if m and n are non-

negative integers.

Example 5 : Let A = and f(x) = – 4x + 7. Show that

f(A) = O 2 2. Use this result to find A 5 .

Solution : First, we note that by f(A) we mean A 2 −4A + 7I2 . That is, we
replace x by A and multiply the constant term by I, the unit
matrix. Therefore,
f(A) = A 2 – 4A + 7I2

= – +
39
Algebra - I
= – +

= = O2 2.

Hence, A2 – 4A – 7 I2 , from which we get

A3 = A2 A = (4A – 7I2 )A
= 4A 2 – 7I2 A = 4(4A – 7I2 ) − 7A [  I2 A = A]
= 9A − 28 I2
A5 = A2 A3 = (4A − 7I2 ) (9A − 28I2 )
= 36A 2 –63I2 A –112AI2 + 196 I2 I2 (Distributive Law)
= 36 (4A − 7I2 ) − 63A − 112A +196 I2
= 144A – 252 I2 −175 A +196 I2
= −31A −56 I2

= –31

= –

Check Your Progress – 2

1. If P = , find matrix R such that 5P + 3Q + 2R is a

null matrix.

2. If A = , B= and

3. If A = and B =

4. Let f (x) =

A= .

5. If A = , show that

6. If A and B are square matrices of the same order, explain why the
following may not hold good in general.
(a) (A + B ) (A– B) =
(b)
(c) .
40
 Matrices - I
2.4 INVERTIBLE MATRICES

In this section, we restrict our attention to square matrices and formulate the
notion of multiplicative inverse of a matrix.

Definition : An n n matrix A is said to be invertible or non-singular if

these exists an n n matrix or non singular if there exists an
n n matrix such that AB = BA =

The matrix B is called an inverse of A. If there exists no such

matrix B, then A is called non-invertible or singular.

Example 6 : Find whether A is invertible or not where

(a) A= (b) A = .

Solution : (a) We are asked whether we can find a matrix B = such

that AB = I2 . What we require is

= AB =

This would imply that c = 0, d = 1, a = 1 and b = –1, so that matrix

B=

does satisfy AB = I 2 . Moreover, it also satisfies the equation

BA = I2 . This can be verified as follows :

BA = = = = I2 .

This implies that A is invertible and B = is an inverse of A.

(b) Again we ask whether we can find a matrix B = such that

AB = I2 . What is required in this case is

= AB = .

This would imply that a=1, b = 0 and the absurdity that 1=0. So no
such B exists for this particular A. Hence, A is non invertible.

We will not show that if A is invertible, then B in the above

definition is unique.

41
Algebra - I Theorem : If a matrix has an inverse, then inverse is unique.

Proof : Let B and C be inverses of a matrix A. Then by definition.

AB = BA = In ..(1)

and AC = CA = In .. (2)

Now, B = BI n [property of identify matrix]

= B(AC) [(using 2)]

= (BA)C [associative law]

= In C [ using (1)]

= C. [property of identity matrix]

This means that we will always get the same inverse irrespective of the
method employed. We will write the inverse of A, if it exists, as A −1 . Thus

AA−1 + A−1 A = In .

Definition

Let A = (aij)n×n be a square matrix of dimension n×n. The cofactors matrix of

A is defined to be the matrix C = (aij)n×n where Aij denotes the cofactor of the
element aij in the matrix A.

For example, if A=

then A 11= (–1)1+1 =5

A 12= (–1)1+2 = 14 and

A 13= (–1)1+3 = 3.

Similarly, A 21 = 3, A 22= 2 A23 = –7, A 31 = 10, A32 = 2 and A 33 = 6.

Thus, the cofactor matrix of A is given by C = .

Definition

The adjoint of square matrix A = ( ) n×n is defined to be the transpose of the

cofactor matrix of A. It is denoted by adj A.
42
 Matrices - I
For example A = , then adj A =

The following theorem will enable us to calculate the inverse of a square

matrix. We state the theorem (without proof) for 3×3 matrices only, but it is
true for all square matrices of order n× n, where n ≥ 2.

Theorem : If A is a square matrix of order 3×3, then

A(adj)A = (adjA) A = |A|I3.

In view of this theorem, we note that if |A| ≠ 0, then

A = A = I3 .

Since, the inverse of a square matrix is unique, we see that if |A| ≠ 0, then

A acts as the inverse of A. That is,

= (adjA)

Also, a square matrix is invertible (non-singular) if and only if |A| ≠ 0.

Example 7 : Find the inverse of A =

Solution :

We have A 11 = (–1)1+1 |4| = 4 and A 12 = ( 1)1+2 |2| = 2.

We know that |A| = a 11 A11 + a12 A12 = (–3)(4) + 5(–2) = –22.

Since |A| ≠ 0 the matrix A is invertible, Also,

A21 = (–1)2+1 |5| = –5 and A 22 = (–1)2+2 |–3| = –3. Therefore,

adj A = =

Hence A −1 = adj A = =

Example 8 : If A = and B =

verify that (AB) –1 = B–1A–1 .

43
Algebra - I Solution : Since |A| = 8 A is invertible.

Similarly, |B| = 20 – 10 = 10 0, B is also invertible.

Let Aij denote the cofactor of aij – the (i,j)th element of A. Then

A11 = 0, A12= –4, A21 = –2 and A22 = 3.

Similarly, if Bij is cofactor of (i,j)th element of B, then

B11 = 5, B12= –2, B21 = –5 and B22 = 4

adj A = and adj B =

A–1 = adj A = =

and B–1 = adj B = =

Let C = AB = = =

We have

C11 = 20, C12= –16, C21 = –25 and C22 = 16

Also, |C| = 80 C is invertible.

Also, adj C =

Hence, B–1 A–1 =

= = C−1 = (AB) −1

Example 9 : Find the inverse of A =

and verify that A–1A = I3.

44
 Matrices - I
Solution : Evaluating the cofactors of the elements in the first row of A, we get

A11 = (−1)1+1 = 2, A12 = (−1)1+2 = 3,

and A13 = (–1)1+3 = ,

|A| = a11 A11+ a12 A12+ a13 A13

= (1)(2) + (2)(−3) + (5)(5) = 21

Since |A| ≠ 0, A is invertible. Also,

A21 = (–1)2+1 A22 = (–1)2+2

A23 = (–1)2+3 A31 = (–1)3+1

A32 = (–1)3+2 A33 = (–1)3+3

adj A = =

A–1 = adjA =

To verify that this is the inverse of A, we have

A–1A =

= = I3
45
Algebra - I Check Your Progress – 3

1. Find the adjoint of each of the following Matrices :

(i) (ii)

2. For A = , verify that

A (adj A) = (adj.A) A = |A| I3.

3. Find the inverse of A =

4. Let A = and B = , Verify that

(AB) –1 = B–1 A–1 .

5. If A = , show that A2 = A–1.

What is Adj A ?

6. Let A = Prove that A2 – 4A – 5I3 = 0.

Hence, obtain A–1

7. Find the condition under which

A= is invertible. Also obtain the inverse of A.

2.5 SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

We can use matrices to solve a system of linear equations. Let us consider

the following m linear equations in n unknowns :

a 11 x1 + a12 x2 +……………….a 1n xn = b1

a 21 x1 + a22 x2 +……………….a 2n xn = b2
.
.
.
. (1)
a m1 x1 + a m2 x2 +……………….+ a mn xn = b m

where b1, b2…….. b m are not all zero.

46
 Matrices - I
The m× n matrix is called the coefficient matrix of

the system of linear equations. Using it, we can now write these equations
as follows :

We can abbreviate the above matrix equation to AX = B, where

A =

and X and B are the n×1 column vectors.

X =

Recall that by a solution of (1) we mean a set of values x1 .x2 ……….xn which
satisfy all the equations in (1) simultaneously.

For example, x1 = 2, x2= –1 is a solution of the system of linear equations.

3x1 – 5x2 = 11
2x1 + 3x2 = 1

because 3(2) – 5(–1) = 11 and 2(2) +3(–1) = 1.

Also, recall that the system of linear equations (1) is said to be consistent if
it has at least one solution; it is inconsistent if it has no solution.

For example, the system of linear equations

3x +2y = 5
6x + 4y = 10 (2)

is consistent. In fact, x = k, y = (5–2k) ( k C) satisfies (2) for all values of

k C. However, the system of linear equations.

3x + 2y = 5
6x + 4 y = 11 (3)

is inconsistent. If this system has a solution x = x0, y = y0, then 3x0 + 2 y0 = 5

and 6x0 + 4 y0 = 11. Multiplying the first equation by 2 and subtracting from
the second equation, we get 0 =1, which is not possible. Thus, the system in
(3) has no solution and hence is an consistent. 47
Algebra - I Solution of AX= B (A non-singular)

Let us consider the system of linear equations AX = B, where A is an n

matrix. Suppose that A is non-singular. Then A–1 exists and we can pre
multiply AX = B by A–1 on both sides to obtain

A–1 (AX) = A–1 (B)

(A–1 A)X = A–1 B [associative law]
In X = A–1 B [property of law]
X = A –1 B [property of identity matrix]

Moreover, we have
A(A –1 B) = ( A A –1) B [associative law]
= InB [property of inverse]
= B.

That is A–1 B is a solution of AX = B. Thus, if A is non-singular, the system

of equations AX = B has a unique solution. This unique solution is given by
X = A –1 B.

Example 10 : Solve the following system of equations by the matrix

inverse method :
x+ 2y = 4 , 2x + 5 y = 9.

Solution : We can put the given system of equations into matrix notation as
follows :

Here the coefficient matrix is give by A = .

To check if exists, we note that A 11 = ( 1)1+1 |5| = 5 and

1+2
A12 = ( 1) |2| = 2.

|A| = a11 A11 + a12 A12 = (1)(5) + (2)( ) = 1 ≠ 0.

Since |A| ≠ 0 A is non- singular (invertible). We also have A 21 = ( 1)2+1 |2|

= 2. A22 = ( 1)2+2 |1| = 1. Therefore, the adjoint of A is

adj A =

X= = =

.
48
Example 11 : Solve the following system of equations by using matrix Matrices - I
inverse :

3x + 4 y +7z = 14, 2x – y + 3z = 4, 2x + 2y – 3z = 0

Solution : We can put the given system of equations into the single matrix
equation AX = B, where

,X= and B =

The cofactors of |A| are

A11 = ( 1)1+1 = 3 A12 = ( 1)1+2 =

and A 13 = ( 1)1+3 =

|A| = a11 A11 + a12 A12 + a 13 A13 = (3)(–3) + 4(9) + 7(5) = 62.

Since |A| ≠ 0, A is non−singular (invertible). Its remaining cofactors are

A21 = ( 1)2+1 = A22 = ( 1)2+2 = 16,

A23 = ( 1)2+3 = 2, A31 = ( 1)3+1 =

A32 = ( 1)3+2 = A33 = ( 1)3+3 = 11.

The adjoint of matrix A is given by

49
Algebra - I

Hence x =1, y = 1, z = 1 is the required solution.

Example 12 : If

are two square matrices, verify that AB = BA = 6I 3. Hence, solve the system
of linear equations : x – y =3, 2x+3y+4z = 17, y +2z = 7.

Solution :

AB =

=6 = 6I3

and BA =

=6 = 6I3

Thus, AB =BA = 6I3

50
 Matrices - I

or AX = C, where

X= and C =

Thus, x = 2, y = 1, z = 4 is the required solution.

Solution of a system of Homogeneous Linear Equations :

These are equations of the type AX = O. Let us consider the system of n

homogeneous equations in n unknowns

a11 x1 + a12 x2 +………………………+a 1n xn = 0

a21 x1 + a22 x2 +………………………+a 2n xn = 0

:
an1 x1 + an2 x2 +………………………+a nn xn = 0

We can write this system as follows

We now abbreviate the above matrix equation to AX = 0, where

A=

and X and O are the n 1 column vectors X =

51
Algebra - I If A is non-singular, then pre multiplying AX = O by A -1 , we get

A–1 (AX) = A –1 O

(A–1 A)X = O [associative law]

InX = O [property of inverse]

X=O [property of identity matrix]

x1 = 0, x2 = 0, ………. xn =0.

Also, note that x1 =0, x2 =0, ………. , xn = 0 clearly satisfy the given system of
homogeneous equations.

Thus, when A is non-singular AX = O has the unique solution. x1 =0, x2 =0,

………. xn =0. This is called the trivial solution.

Important Result

We now state the following results without proof :

1. If A is singular, then AX = O has an infinite number of solutions.

2. Conversely, if AX = 0 has an infinite number of solution, then A is a singular
matrix.

Example 13 : Solve the following system of homogeneous linear equations by the

matrix method :

2x – y + z = 0, 3x+2y – z =0 , x + 4y + 3 z = 0

Solution :

We can rewrite the above system of equations as the single matrix equation
AX =0, where

A=

The cofactors of |A| are

|A| =

Since |A|

52
Example 14 : Solve the following system of homogeneous linear equation by the Matrices - I
matrix method :

2x – y + 2z = 0, 5x + 3y – z = 0, x +5y –5 z = 0
Solution :

We can rewrite the above system of equations as the single matrix

equation AX =0, where

A=

The cofactors of |A| are

|A| =

Therefore, A is singular matrix. We can rewrite the first two equation as follows:
2x – y = –2z, 5x + 3y = z or in the matrix form as

Now, we have |3| = 3 and |5| = –5.

|2| = 2. Therefore, the adjoint of A is given by

Therefore, from X =

Let us check if these values satisfy the third equation. We have

53
Algebra - I Thus, all the equation are satisfied by the values

Where z is any complex number. Hence, the given system of equation has an
infinite number of solutions.

Solutions of AX = B (A Singular)

We state the following result without proof :

If A is a singular, that is |A| = 0, and

1. (adjA) B = 0, then AX = B has an infinite number of solutions

(consistent).
2. (adj A) B

Example 15 : Solve the following system of linear equation by the matrix

method :

2x – y + 3z = 5, 3x + 2y – z =7 , 4x + 5y − 5 z = 9
Solution :

We can rewrite the above system of equations as the single matrix equation
AX =0, where

A=

Here, |A| = 0

adj A =

Thus, AX = B has an infinite number of solutions. To find these solutions,

we write 2x – y = 5 –3z, 3x + 2y = 7 + z or as a single matrix equation

Here, |A| = 7 ≠ 0

Since |A| ≠ 0, A is an invertible matrix

Now, adj A =

54
 Matrices - I
Therefore, from X =

Let us check that these values satisfy the third equation. We have

Thus, the values

Satisfy, the given system which therefore has an infinite number of

solutions.

In the end, we summarize the results of this section for a square matrix A in
the form of a tree diagram.

AX = B

|A| = 0
|A|

(adj A)B ≠ 0
X= B (adj A)B = 0

Unique Infinite No
Solution Number Solution
of Solutions

Consistent
Consistent Inconsistent

55
Algebra - I Check Your Progress 4

1. Solve the following equations by matrix inverse method :

4x – 3y = 5, 3x – 5y = 1
2. Use the matrix inverse to solve the following system of equations :
(a) x + y – z = 3, 2x + 3y + z = 10, 3x – y – 7z = 1
(b) 8x + 4y + 3z = 18, 2x + y + z = 5, x + 2y + z = 5
3. Solve the following system of homogeneous linear equations by the matrix
method :
3x – y + 2z = 0, 4x + 3y + 3z = 0, 5 x + 7y + 4z = 0
4. Solve the following system of linear equations by the matrix method :
3x + y – 2z = 7
5x + 2y + 3 z = 8
8x + 3y + 8z = 11

2.6 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress – 1

1. Note that a 2×2 matrix is given by

A=

From the formulas given the elements, we have

(a) A=

(b) A=

2. From equality of matrices, we have,

x = 2x + y, y = x – y

Solving we get x = 0 , y = 0

3. We have
a–b=5 2c + d = 3
2a – b = 12 2a + d = 15
Solving we get a = 7, b = 2, c = 1 and d = 1.

4. (a) A’ = =A

(b) A’ = =–A

56
 Matrices - I
(c) A’ = = –A

Check Your Progress - 2

1. Since P and Q are matrices of order 2× 2, 5P + 3Q is a matrix of order 2×2

and therefore R must be a matrix or order 2 × 2.

Let R = . Then

5 P + 3Q + 2 R = 5 +3 +2

= + +

Since 5P + 3Q + 2 R = , we get

48 + 2a = 0, 20 + 2b = 0, 56 + 2c = 0, 76 + 2d = 0

Thus, R =

2. We have

= (A+ B ) A + ( A + B ) B (Distributive Law)

= A A + BA + AB + BB

Therefore,

Thus, we must find a and b such that BA + AB = 0.

We have BA = =

and AB = =
Therefore,

BA + AB = +
57
Algebra - I
=

But BA + AB = 0

2a – b + 2 = 0 , – a + 1= 0, 2 a – 2 = 0, – b + 4 = 0

a = 1, b = 4
3. In view of discussion in solution (2), it is sufficient to show that BA + AB = 0

We have BA =

and AB =

Thus, BA + AB = +

4. First, we note that by f(A) we mean

Therefore,

5. We have A =

Therefore,

and =

6. In general matrix multiplication is not commulative. Therefore, AB may not

be equal to BA, even though both of them exist.
Check Your Progress – 3

1. (i) Let A = . The cofactors are

58
 Matrices - I

adj A = .

(ii) Let A =

The cofactors of the elements of A are

adj A =

2. For the given matrix A, we have

adj A =

Now, A (adj A) =

= = –26

Similarly, (adj A) A =

59
Algebra - I
= –26

Also, |A| = – 26

So, A (adj A) = (adj A) A = |A|

3. Here, |A| = (2) (–1) + (–1) (–2) + (3) (1) = 3

and adj A = (see solution 1(ii))

4. We have |A| = –4 and |B| = 20. So, A and B are both invertible.
Also, adj A = and adj B =

Let C = AB = =

So, |C| = –80 and adj C =

Hence, =

60
5. We have Matrices - I

To show that . We
have

6. We have

Therefore,

–4

= =0

Also, |A| = 5 ≠ 0. Therefore, A is invertible pre− multiplying

0 by , we get

7. We have |A| = ad−bc. Recall that A is invertible if and only if |A| ≠ 0. That
is A = is invertible if and only if ad– bc ≠ 0.

Also, adj A =

61
Algebra - I Check Your Progress – 4

1. We can put the given system of equations into the single matrix equation.

= .

Here the coefficient matrix is given by A =

Cofactors of |A| are and

|A| =

Since |A| ≠ 0. A is non-singular (invertible). Also

= 4.

Hence x = 2, y = 1 is the required solution.

2. (a) We can put the above system of equation into the single matrix equation
AX = B, where

A= , X= and B =

The cofactors of |A| are

and

Since |A| ≠ 0, A is non- singular (invertible). The remaining cofactors are

62
 Matrices - I

Thus, x = 3, y = 1, z = 1 is the required solution.

2. (b) We can put the above system of equation into the single matrix
equation AX = B, where

A= , X= and B = .

The cofactors of |A| are

and

Since |A| ≠ 0, A is non−singular (invertible). The remaining cofactors are

63
Algebra - I

Thus, x = 1, y = 1, z = 2 is the required solution.

3. We can put the above system of equation into the single matrix equation
AX = 0, where

A= , X= and B =

The cofactors of |A| are

and

Therefore, A is a singular matrix. We can rewrite the first two equations as

follows :
3x – y = – 2z, 4x + 3y = –3z

or in the matrix form as

Now, we have

Thus, A is non- singular (invertible).

Also,

Therefore, from X = , we get

64
 Let us check if these values satisfy the third equation. We have Matrices - I

Thus, all the equations are satisfied by the values

4. We can write the given system of linear equation as the single matrix
equation.
AX = B,
Where

A= ,X= and B =

Here, |A| = 0

Therefore, A is a singular matrix.

Now adj A =

Since (adj A) B ≠ 0, the given system of equations has no solution

(inconsistent).

2.7 SUMMARY

In this unit, first of all, definition and notation of an m x n matrix, are given in
section 2.2. Next, in this section, special types of matrices, viz., square matrix,
diagonal matrix, scalar matrix, unit or identity matrix, row or column matrix and
zero or null matrix are also defined. Then, equality of two matrices, transpose of a
matrix, symmetric and skew matrices are defined. Each of the above concepts is
explained with a suitable example. In section 2.3, operations like addition,
subtraction, multiplication of two matrices and multiplication of a matrix with a
scalar are defined. Further, properties of these matrix operations are stated
without proof. Each of these operations is explained with a suitable example. In
section 2.4, the concepts of an invertible matrix, cofactors of a matrix, adjoint of a
square matrix are defined and explained with suitable examples. Finally, in
section 2.5, method of solving linear equations in n variables using matrices, is
given and illustrated with a number of suitable examples. Answers/Solutions to
questions/problems/exercises given in various sections of the unit are available in
section 2.6. 65