MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 1

+
1.1 Introduction
The knowledge of matrices is necessary in various areas of mathematics and in a wide
variety of other subjects. One of the most widely used mathematical concept is that of a
system of linear equations in certain unknowns. In such a system, a collection of values for
the unknowns that will satisfy all the equations is needed. However, in the language of
matrices, a system of linear equations can be written in a very simple form. The use of
matrices then makes the solution of the system easier to find. The other areas of mathemat-
ics where matrices occur include Probability and Statistics etc. Matrices are also used in
Sociology, Genetics and Electrical Engineering.
In this chapter, we shall study the fundamentals of the matrix algebra, determinants and
their application in solving systems of linear equations.
1.2 Matrices
Suppose we wish to express that Mukesh has 10 books. We may express it as [10] with the
understanding that the number inside [ ] denotes the number of books that Mukesh has.
Next, suppose we want to express that Mukesh has 10 books and 5 pencils. We may ex-
press it as [ 10 5] with the understanding that the first entry inside [ ] denotes the number
of books while the second entry, the number of pencils, possessed by Mukesh. Let us now
suppose that we have three children - Mukesh, Salma and Robert. Suppose Mukesh has 10
books, 5 pencils, Salma has 4 books, 6 pencils and Robert has 5 books, 8 pencils. This
information can be represented in the tabular form as follows:
Books Pencils
Mukesh 10 5
Salma 4 6
Robert 5 8
MATRICES AND
DETERMINANTS
1
2 MATHEMATICS
+
We can also briefly write these as follows :
First
Column
Second
Column
First row
Second row
Third row
10 5
4 6
5 8

This representation gives the following information.

(i) The entries in the first, second and third row represent the number of objects
(books and pencils) possessed by Mukesh, Salma and Robert, respectively.
(ii) The entries in the first and second column represent the number of books and the
number of pencils, respectively.
Thus, the entry in the third row and second column represents the number of pencils possessed
by Robert. Each entry in the above display can be interpreted similarly.
The above information can also be represented in the following way:
Mukesh Salma Robert
Books 10 4 5
Pencils 5 6 8
which can be expressed in two rows and three columns as given below:
10 4 5
5 6 8

1
]
1
In this case, the entries in the first row represent the number of books possessed by Mukesh,
Salma and Robert, respectively. The entries in the second row represent the number of
pencils possessed by Mukesh, Salma and Robert, respectively.
Definition 1 A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers, real or complex. The numbers are
called the elements of the matrix or entries in the matrix.
We usually denote matrices by capital letters. The following are some examples of
matrices.
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 3
+
A B

1
]
1

+
+

1
]
1
1 4
2 3
2 3 2
1 3 5
i
i
In the above examples, the horizontal lines of elements are said to constitute rows of the
matrix and the vertical lines of elements are said to constitute columns of the matrix. Thus,
A has 2 rows and 2 columns, B has 2 rows and 3 columns.
A matrix having m rows and n columns is called a matrix of order m n or simply
m n matrix (read as an m by n matrix). In general, an m n matrix has the form
A =
a a a a
a a a a
a a a
j n
j n
i i ij
11 12 1 1
21 22 2 2
1 2
... ...
... ...
... ..
M M M
M M M M
!
..
... ...
a
a a a a
in
m m mj mn 1 2

1
]
1
1
1
1
1
1
Thus, the i th row consists of the entries
a a a
i i in 1 2
, , ...,
while the j th column consists of the entries
a a a
j j mj 1 2
, , ... ,
The element a
ij
appears in the i th row and j th column of the matrix. We also call it the
(i, j ) th element of A. In the condensed notation A = [a
ij
] or A = (a
ij
) are used to denote the
matrix A. Clearly, a matrix of order m n has mn elements.
We shall follow the notation, namely A = [ a
ij
]. To indicate that A is of order
m n , we write A = [a
ij
]
m n
Example 1 A matrix has 12 elements. What are the possible orders it can have?
Solution We know that if a matrix is of order m n, it has mn elements. Thus, to find all
possible orders of a matrix with 12 elements, we will find all ordered pairs the product of
whose numbers is 12.
Thus, all possible ordered pairs are
(1, 12), (12, 1), (2, 6), (6, 2), (3, 4), (4, 3).
Hence, possible orders are
112, 121, 26, 62, 34, 43.
4 MATHEMATICS
+
Example 2 Let
A

1
]

1
]
1
1
1
a
ij
1 2 5
3 4 6
9 15 13
Find the order of the matrix. Also, find the elements a
23
and a
31
.
Solution Since the matrix A has 3 rows and 3 columns, it is of order 3 3. The element a
23
is the element in second row and third column which is 6. The element a
31
is the element
in third row and first column which is 9. Thus a
23
= 6 and a
31
= 9.
Example 3 Construct a 2 3 matrix whose elements are given by a
ij
= i + 2j.
Solution The general 2 3 matrix is given by
A

1
]
1
a a a
a a a
11 12 13
21 22 23
Now, since a
ij
= i + 2j, we have
a a a
a a a
11 12 13
21 22 23
1 2 3 1 4 5 1 6 7
2 2 4 2 4 6 2 6
+ + +
+ + +
, , ,
, , 88.
Hence, the required matrix is given by
A =
3 5 7
4 6 8

1
]
1
1.2.1 Types of matrices
In this sub-section, we shall define certain types of matrices.
Definition 2 (Row matrix ) A matrix is said to be a row matrix or row vector if it has only
one row and any number of columns.
For example, [ 5 0 3] is a row matrix of order 1 3 and [2] is a row matrix of order
1 1.
Definition 3 (Column matrix) A matrix is said to be a column matrix or column vector
if it has only one column and any number of rows.
For example
2
3
6

1
]
1
1
1
is a column matrix of order 3 1 and [ 2] is a column matrix of order
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 5
+
1 1. Observe that [2] is both a row matrix as well as a column matrix.
Definition 4 (Zero matrix ) A matrix is said to be a zero matrix or null matrix if all its
elements are zero.
For example 0 [ ],
0 0
0 0

1
]
1 ,
0 0 0
0 0 0

1
]
1 , 0 0 [ ] are all zero matrices, but of different
orders. We denote zero matrix by 0. Its order will be clear from the context.
Definition 5 (Square matrix) A matrix in which the number of rows is equal to the
number of columns, say n, is called a square matrix of order n n or just order n.
For example
5
2 3
5 0
3 2 5
0 6 1
7 5 2
[ ]

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
1
, ,
are all square matrices of orders 1 1, 2 2 and 3 3 or simply of orders 1, 2 and 3,
respectively.
Definition 6 (Diagonal matrix) A square matrix A = [ a
ij
] is said to be diagonal matrix
if a
ij
= 0 for i j.
For example
5
2 0
0 3
5 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 6
[ ]

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
1
, ,
are diagonal matrices of order 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
If A = [ a
ij
] is a square matrix of order n, then elements (entries) a
11
, a
22
, . . . , a
nn
are
said to constitute the main diagonal or just diagonal of the matrix A. Thus, if
A =
2 3 1
5 6 2
3 2 3

1
]
1
1
1
,
then the elements of the main diagonal of A are 2, 6, 3.
6 MATHEMATICS
+
Definition 7 (Identity matrix) A square matrix in which elements in the main diagonal
are all 1 and rest are all zero is called an identity matrix or unit matrix. Thus, the square
matrix A = [a
ij
] is an identity matrix if
a
i j
i j
ij

'

1
0
,
,
if
if
We denote the identity matrix of order n by I
n
. When order is clear from the context, we
simply write it as I.
For example
1
1 0
0 1
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1
[ ]

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
1
, ,
are identity matrices of order 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Definition 8 (Scalar matrix) A square matrix whose all non diagonal elements are zero
and diagonal elements are equal is called a scalar matrix. Thus, if A = [ a
ij
] is a square
matrix and

a
i j
ij

'

,
,
if
if i j 0
,
then A is a scalar matrix.
For example
2
1 0
0 1
5 0 0
0 5 0
0 0 5
[ ]

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
1
, ,
are scalar matrices of order 1, 2, and 3 respectively.
Note Unit matrix and null square matrices are also examples of scalar matrices.
1.3 Operations on Matrices
In this section, we shall define equality of matrices, multiplication of a matrix by a scalar,
addition, subtraction and multiplication of matrices.
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 7
+
1.3.1 Equality of matrices
Definition 9 Two matrices A = [a
ij
] and B = [b
ij
] are said to be equal if (i) they are of
same order and (ii) each element of A is equal to the corresponding element of B, i.e.,
a
ij
= b
ij
for all i and j.
For example, if
a b
c d
e f

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
5 1
1 0
3 4
then, a = 5, b = 1, c = 1, d = 0, e = 3, f = 4.
Example 4 If
x y z
x y w

1
]
1

1
]
1
2
1 4
0 5
,
find x, y, z, w.
Solution By the definition of equality of matrices, we have
x y = 1 (1)
2x y = 0 (2)
z = 4 (3)
w = 5 (4)
Solving (1) and (2), we get
x = 1, y = 2
Hence x = 1, y = 2, z = 4, w = 5
1.3.2 Multiplication of a matrix by a scalar
Definition 10 If A = [ a
ij
] is a matrix and k is a scalar , then kA is another matrix whose
(i, j) th element is k a
ij
for all possible values of i and j.
Thus, k A = [ k a
ij
]
Example 5 If A =
1 2 3
4 5 1
6 0 2

1
]
1
1
1
,
find 3 A.
8 MATHEMATICS
+
Solution We have
3 A = 3
1 2 3
4 5 1
6 0 2
3 6 9
12 15 3
18 0 6

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
.
Remark Let A = [a
ij
]. Then (1) A = ( )

1
]

1
]
1 a a
ij ij
. We write (1) A as A.
1.3.3 Addition (subtraction) of matrices
Definition 11 If A = [a
ij
] and B = [b
ij
] be two matrices of same order, their sum A+B is the
matrix whose (i, j)th element is a
ij
+ b
ij
. Thus, [a
ij
] + [b
ij
] = [a
ij
+ b
ij
], for all
i and j.
Example 6 If A =
1 4
2 6
1
5

1
]
1 and B =
3 2
2 0
6
7

1
]
1 , find A + B and A B.
Solution We have
A + B =
1 4
2 6
1
5

1
]
1 +
3 2
2 0
6
7

1
]
1
=
1 3 4 2
2 2 6 0
1 6
5 7
+
+ +

1
]
1 =
4 2
4 6
7
2

1
]
1
Again A B = A + (B) =
1 4
2 6
1
5

1
]
1 + ( 1)
3 2
2 0
6
7

1
]
1
=
1 4 1
2 6 5
3 2 6
2 0 7

1
]
1
+

1
]
1
=
1 3 4 2 1 6
2 2 6 0 5 7
2 6 5
0 6 12
+ +
+ +

1
]
1

1
]
1
Note If A and B are not of same order, then A + B and A B are not defined.
Theorem 1 If A, B and C are matrices of same order, then
(i) A + B = B + A (commutativity)
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 9
+
(ii) (A + B) + C = A + (B + C) (associativity)
Proof Let A = [a
ij
], B = [b
ij
] and C = [c
ij
]. Then
(i) A + B = [a
ij
] + [b
ij
] = [a
ij
+ b
ij
]
= [b
ij
+ a
ij
] (addition of numbers is commutative)
= [b
ij
] + [a
ij
] = B + A
(ii) (A + B) + C = a b c
ij ij ij

1
]
+

1
]
( )
+

1
]
= a b c
ij ij ij
+

1
]
+

1
]
= a b c
ij ij ij
+
( )
+

1
]
=
a b c
ij ij ij
+ +
( )

1
]
(addition of numbers is associative)
= a b c
ij ij ij

1
]
+ +

1
]
= a b c
ij ij ij

1
]
+

1
]
+

1
]
( )
= A + (B + C)
Theorem 2 If A, B are two matrices of the same order and k and l are numbers, then
(i) k (A + B) = k A + k B (ii) (k + l) A = k A + l A
Proof Let A = a
ij

1
]
and B = b
ij

1
]
.
(i) We have
k (A + B) = k [a
ij
+ b
ij
]
= [ k (a
ij
+ b
ij
)] = [ (k a
ij
) + (k b
ij
)]
= [k a
ij
] + [k b
ij
] = k A + k B.
(ii) We have
(k + l) A = (k + l) [a
ij
]
= [(k + l) a
ij
] = [(k a
ij
) + (l a
ij
)]
= [ k a
ij
] + [ l a
ij
] = k A + l A
10 MATHEMATICS
+
Example 7 If A =
2 3 4
1 0 6
2 1 5

1
]
1
1
1
,
B =
5 1 2
6 1 4
5 3 4

1
]
1
1
1
, find 2A 3B.
Solution We have
2A 3 B = 2A + ( 3) B
= 2
2 3 4
1 0 6
2 1 5

1
]
1
1
1
+ (3)
5 1 2
6 1 4
5 3 4

1
]
1
1
1
=
4 6 8
2 0 12
4 2 10

1
]
1
1
1
+

1
]
1
1
1
15 3 6
18 3 12
15 9 12
=

1
]
1
1
1
11 3 14
16 3 0
19 7 22
1.3.4 Multiplication of matrices
Definition 12 Let A be an m n matrix and B an n p matrix, that is, the number of
columns of A is equal to the number of rows of B. The product of the matrices A and B is
the matrix C of order m p. To get the (i, k)th element c
ik
of the matrix C, we take the
i th row of A and the k th column of B, multiply them element-wise and take the sum of all
these products.
Thus, if A = [a
ij
]
mn
, B = [b
jk
]
np
, then the i th row of A is [a
i1
a
i2
. . . a
in
] and the k th
column of B is
b
b
b
k
k
nk
1
2
!

1
]
1
1
1
1
1
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 11
+
and c
ik
= a
i1
b
1k
+ a
i2
b
2k
+ . . . + a
in
b
nk
=
a b
ij jk
j
n

1
Note If A is an m n matrix and B is an n p matrix, then AB is an m p matrix.
Example 8 Find A B if
A =
1 2 3
2 1 7

1
]
1 and B =
2 3 1
5 4 2
1 6 3

1
]
1
1
1
Solution The matrix A has 3 columns and the matrix B has 3 rows. Hence, AB is defined.
Also
AB =
1 2 3
2 1 7

1
]
1
2 3 1
5 4 2
1 6 3

1
]
1
1
1
=
1 2 2 5 3 1 1 3 2 4 3 6 1 1 2 2 3 3
2 2 1 5 7 1 2 3 1 4 7 6
+ + +
+ + + + 22 1 1 2 7 3 + +

1
]
1
=
9 7 4
8 40 21

1
]
1
Remark If AB is defined, then BA may or may not be defined. In the above example, AB
is defined but BA is not defined because B has 3 columns while A has only 2 (and not 3)
rows. If A is a matrix of order m n and B is a matrix of order k l, then AB and BA both
are defined if and only if n = k and l = m, respectively. In particular, both AB and BA are
defined for square matrices of the same order.
Now, we shall see by an example that even if AB and BA are both defined, it is not
necessary that AB = BA.
Example 9 If A =
1 2
3 4
5 6

1
]
1
1
1
and B =
4 5 6
7 8 2

1
]
1 , will AB be equal to BA? Also, find
AB and BA.
12 MATHEMATICS
+
Solution We observe that A is a 32 matrix and B is a 23 matrix. Hence, AB and BA are
both defined and are of orders 33 and 22, respectively. Since AB and BA are of different
orders, AB BA. Further, we have
AB =
1 2
3 4
5 6

1
]
1
1
1

4 5 6
7 8 2

1
]
1
=
1 4 2 7 1 5 2 8 1 6 2 2
3 4 4 7 3 5 4 8 3 6 4 2
5 4 6 7 5 5 6 8 5
+ +
+
+ 66 6 2 +

1
]
1
1
1
=
18 11 10
16 47 10
62 23 42

1
]
1
1
1
and
BA =
4 5 6
7 8 2

1
]
1
1 2
3 4
5 6

1
]
1
1
1
=
4 1 5 3 6 5 4 2 5 4 6 6
7 1 8 3 2 5 7 2 8 4 2 6
+ + +
+ + +

1
]
1 =
49 24
7 58

1
]
1
Example 10 Find AB, if A =
0 2
0 3

1
]
1 and B =
4 6
0 0

1
]
1
Solution We have
AB =
0 2
0 3
4 6
0 0
0 0
0 0

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
Note If the product of two matrices is a zero matrix, it is not necessary that one of the
matrices is a zero matrix.
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 13
+
Example 11 If A =
2 3 4
5 1 0
3 2 5

1
]
1
1
1
and I =
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1

1
]
1
1
1
, show that AI = IA = A
Solution We have
AI =
2 3 4
5 1 0
3 2 5

1
]
1
1
1

1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1

1
]
1
1
1
=
2 3 4
5 1 0
3 2 5

1
]
1
1
1
= A
and IA =
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1

1
]
1
1
1

2 3 4
5 1 0
3 2 5

1
]
1
1
1
=
2 3 4
5 1 0
3 2 5

1
]
1
1
1
= A.
Thus AI = IA = A.
We now state the following theorem without proof. Students are advised to verify them
by examples, taking suitable matrices A, B and C.
Theorem 3 Matrix multiplication is associative and it distributes over addition. In other
words,
(i) A (BC) = (AB) C
(ii) A (B + C) = AB + AC
(iii) (A + B) C = AC + BC
whenever both sides of the equality are defined.
Example 12 If 2 3 x [ ]
1 2
3 0

1
]
1
x
3

1
]
1 = 0, find x.
Solution We have
2 3 x [ ]
1 2
3 0

1
]
1
x
3

1
]
1 = 0
or 2 9 4 x x [ ]
x
3

1
]
1 = 0
14 MATHEMATICS
+
or [2x
2
9x + 12x] = 0
or 2x
2
+ 3x = 0, i.e., x (2x + 3) = 0
Hence x = 0 or x =

3
2
.
1.3.5 Transpose of a matrix
In this sub-section, we shall learn about transpose of a matrix and special types of matrices
such as symmetric and skew-symmetric matrices.
Definition 13 If A is an m n matrix, then the matrix obtained by interchanging the rows
and columns of A is called the transpose of A. Transpose of the matrix A is denoted by A
(or A
T
). If A = [a
ij
]
mn
, then A = [ a
ji
]
nm
:
For example, if
A =
a a a
a a a
a a a
11 12 13
21 22 23
31 32 33

1
]
1
1
1
, then
A =
a a a
a a a
a a a
11 21 31
12 22 32
13 23 33

1
]
1
1
1
We now state the following properties of transpose of the matrices without proof. These
may be verified by taking suitable examples.
Theorem 4 For any matrices A and B,
(i)
( ) A A (ii) (A + B) = A + B
(iii) (k A) = k A (iv) (A B) = B A
whenever both sides of the equality are defined.
Example 13 Find transpose of the matrix
A =
1 3
2 6
5 3

1
]
1
1
1
and verify that ( A ) = A
Solution From the definition of the transpose of a matrix,
A is obtained by interchanging
the rows and columns of the matrix A. Thus
A
=
1 2 5
3 6 3

1
]
1
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 15
+
Further, taking the transpose of the matrix
A , we have
(
A
)

=
1 3
2 6
5 3

1
]
1
1
1
= A
Hence

( ) A A.
Definition 14 A square matrix A is said to be symmetric if A = A, i.e., [a
ji
] = [a
ij
].
For example, the matrix
A =
a b c
b d e
c e f

1
]
1
1
1
is symmetric matrix as A = A.
Definition 15 A square matrix A = [a
ij
] is said to be skew-symmetric if A = A i.e.,
[a
ji
] = [ a
ij
]
For example, the matrix
A =
0
0
0
a b
a c
b c

1
]
1
1
1
is skew-symmetric since A = A
We shall now state and prove some properties of symmetric and skew-symmetric matrices.
Theorem 5 Elements in the main diagonal of a skew-symmetric matrix are all zero.
Proof Let A = [a
ij
] be a skew-symmetric matrix. Then
A = A. Hence
a
ji
= a
ij
for all i and j
Taking j = i, we get
a
ii
= a
ii
, i.e., 2 a
ii
= 0
or a
ii
= 0.
Since a
ii
are elements in the main diagonal, they are all zero.
16 MATHEMATICS
+
Theorem 6 A matrix which is both symmetric as well as skew-symmetric is a
zero matrix.
Proof Let A = [a
ij
] be a matrix which is both symmetric and skew-symmetric. Since A is
a skew-symmetric matrix, A = A. Hence, for all i and j, we have
a
ji
= a
ij
(1)
Since A is symmetric matrix, A = A. Hence, for all i and j, we have
a
ji
= a
ij
.
Therefore, from (1) and (2), we get (2)
a
ij
= a
ij
, for all i and j
or 2 a
ij
= 0, i.e., a
ij
= 0
Hence, all elements of A are zero, i.e., A is a zero matrix.
Theorem 7 For any square matrix A with real number entries, A + A is a symmetric
matrix and A A is a skew-symmetric matrix.
Proof Let us consider the matrix B expressed as B = A + A .
Then B = (A + A)
= A + (A) {by Theorem 4 (ii)},
= A + A {by Theorem 4 (i)}
= A + A = B
Therefore, B = A + A is symmetric matrix.
Now let C = A A be another matrix.
Then C = ( A A ) = A ( A )
= A A = (A A ) = C
Therefore C = A A is skew-symmetric matrix.
Theorem 8 Any square matrix can be expressed as the sum of a symmetric and a
skew-symmetric matrix.
Proof Let A be a square matrix. We can write
A
A A
2
A A
2

+
+

By Theorem 7, we know that (A + A ) is symmetric matrix and (A A ) is a
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 17
+
skew-symmetric matrix. Since for any matrix A, (k A) = k A, it follows that
A+A
2
is
symmetric matrix and
A A
2
is skew-symmetric matrix.
Note A visual criterion for the symmetry of a square matrix would, therefore, be that it is
symmetric about the main diagonal (in the sense that entries placed symmetrically with
reference to the main diagonal are equal), whereas the matrix would be skew-symmetric if
all the elements on the main diagonal are zero and the elements symmetric about the main
diagonal are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign.
Example 14 Express the matrix
A =
2 4 6
7 3 5
1 2 4

1
]
1
1
1
as the sum of a symmetric and a skew-symmetric matrix.
Solution We have
A =
2 4 6
7 3 5
1 2 4
2 7 1
4 3 2
6 5 4

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
, then A
.
Hence
A A
2
+
=
1
2

4 11 5
11 6 3
5 3 8
2
11
2
5
2
11
2
3
3
2
5
2
3
2
4

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
11
1
1
1
1
and
A A
2

=
1
2

0 3 7
3 0 7
7 7 0
0
3
2
7
2
3
2
0
7
2
7
2
7
2
0

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
1
1
11
1
1
.
18 MATHEMATICS
+
Therefore
A =
2 4 6
7 3 5
1 2 4
2
11
2
5
2
11
2
3
3
2
5
2
3
2
4

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
1
1
11
1
1
+

1
]
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
3
2
7
2
3
2
0
7
2
7
2
7
2
0
The first matrix on right hand side is symmetric and second matrix is skew-symmetric.
EXERCISE 1.1
1. If a matrix has 8 elements, what are the possible orders it can have? What if it has 5 elements?
2. Construct a 33 matrix whose elements are given by
(i) a
ij
= i + j (ii) a
ij
= i j
(iii) a
ij
= i j (iv) a
ij
= 2i 3j
3. If
x x y
x z y w
3
2 3

1
]
1
=
3 2
4 7

1
]
1
, find x, y, z, w.
4. If A =
2 3
1 4

1
]
1
, find (i) 2A (ii) 3A.
5. Compute the following sums :
(i)
2 1
3 5
4 3
1 2

1
]
1

1
]
1
(ii)
0 1 5
3 2 1
6 2 3
1 4 2
+

1
]
1

1
]
1
(iii)
2 3 1
5 1 2
0 3 5
1 2 3
3 1 5
6 2 0
+

1
]
1
1

1
]
1
1
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 19
+
6. If A =
2 1
4 2
4 3
2 1
2 3
1 2

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
, , B and C find each of the following :
(i) 2B + 3C (ii) 2A + (B + C)
(iii) (2A 3B) C (iv) A + (2B C)
(v) A + (B + C) (vi) (A+ B) + C
7. Compute the following products:
(i)
3 1 4
2 3 1
1 3 4
2 1 0
3 2 3

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
1
(ii)
1 3
2 1
4
1

1
]
1

1
]
1

(iii)
1 4 2
5 2 3
2 4
1 3
4 0

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
(iv) 1 2 3
2
4
6
[ ]

1
]
1
1
(v)
2
4
6
1 2 3

1
]
1
1
[ ]
8. If A =
1 2 3
1 0 2
1 3 1

1
]
1
1
, B=
4 5 6
1 0 1
2 1 2

1
]
1
1
and C =

1
]
1
1
1 2 1
1 2 3
1 2 2
,
verify each of the following :
(i) A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C
(ii) A (B+ C) = AB + AC
9. Evaluate each of the following :
(i)
1 3
1 4
3 2
1 1
1 3 5
2 4 6
+

1
]
1

1
]
1

_
,

1
]
1
(ii) 1 3 5
1 0 3
2 0 1
0 1 2
1
4
6
[ ]

1
]
1
1

1
]
1
1
20 MATHEMATICS
+
(iii)
1 1
0 2
2 3

1
]
1
1

1 0 2
2 0 1
0 1 3
1 0 2

1
]
1

1
]
1

_
,

(iv) 1 1 1
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1
4
4
4
[ ]

1
]
1
1

1
]
1
1
10. Show that
(i)

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
1 2
3 4
2 3
5 1
2 3
5 1
1 2
3 4
(ii)
1 2 3
0 1 0
1 1 0
1 1 0
0 1 1
2 3 4
1 1 0
0 1 1
2 3 4
1 2

1
]
1
1

1
]
1
1

1
]
1
1

33
0 1 0
1 1 0

1
]
1
1
11. Find x, if
x
x
1
1 0
2 3 3
0 [ ]

1
]
1

1
]
1


12. If A =
2 1
1 2

1
]
1
and B =
1 4
1 1

1
]
1
,
does ( A + B)
2
= A
2
+ 2AB +B
2
hold?
13. For the matrices A, B and C given by
A =
0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 0
0 5 7
0 0 6
0 0 0

1
]
1
1

1
]
1
1
, B
and C =

1
]
1
1
1 3 5
1 3 5
1 3 5
,
show that (i) A
2
= I, (ii) B
4
= 0, (iii) C
2
= C
14. If A =
cos sin
sin cos

1
]
1
, show that A
2
=
cos sin
sin cos
2 2
2 2

1
]
1
.
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 21
+
15. If A =
2 3
4 5

1
]
1
, verify that A
2
7A 2I = 0.
16. If A =
2 0 1
2 1 3
1 1 0

1
]
1
1
, find A
2
5A + 4I.
17. If A =
3 5
4 2
!
!
"
#
$
%
&
'
, show that A
2
5A 14I = 0.
18. If A =
1 0
1 7

1
]
1
, find k so that A
2
= 8A + k I.
19. If A =
3 2
4 2

1
]
1
, find k so that A
2
= kA 2I.
20. If A , B , C ,

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
5 1
6 7
2 1
3 4
1 3
1 4
verify each of the following:
(i) (A) = A
(ii) (A + B) = A + B
(iii) (3A) = 3A
(iv) (AB) = B A
21. If A =
2 1 3
4 1 0

1
]
1
, B =
1 1
0 2
5 0

1
]
1
1
, verify that (AB) = B A.
22. Express each of the following matrices as the sum of symmetric and skew-symmetric matrices.
(i)
6 1
3 4

1
]
1
(ii)
6 1 5
2 5 4
3 3 1

1
]
1
1
22 MATHEMATICS
+
1.4 Determinants
To every square matrix A = [a
ij
], we can associate a number called determinant of A
denoted by det A or A (sometimes denoted by also ). In this section, we shall learn how
to associate the number det A to the square matrix A. The matrices which are not square do
not have determinants. The determinant of 11 matrix [a] is defined to be a.
We now define the determinant of a 22 matrix A =
a a
a a
11 12
21 22

1
]
1
1
by
A = a
11
a
22
a
21
a
12
.
We also write
a a
a a
11 12
21 22
= a
11
a
22
a
21
a
12
For defining the determinant of a matrix of order 3 (or determinant of order 3), we shall first
define minors and cofactors of elements of the determinant.
Definition 16 The minor of an element a
ij
of determinant of a matrix A is the determinant
obtained by deleting the i
th
row and j
th
column in which the element a
ij
lies. The minor of the
element a
ij
is denoted by M
ij
. We observe that the minor of an element of a determinant of
order n is a determinant of order (n 1).
Note In this chapter, we shall consider the determinants of order upto three only.
Definition 17 The cofactor of an element a
ij
denoted by A
ij
is defined as
A
ij
= (1)
i+j
M
ij
Example 15 Find the minor and cofactor of the elements a
11
, a
13
and a
31
of the determinant
a a a
a a a
a a a
11 12 13
21 22 23
31 32 33
Solution By the definition of minors and cofactors, we have
M A M
11
22 23
32 33
11
1 1
11
22 23
32 33
1 ( )
+
a a
a a
a a
a a
,
M A M
13
21 22
31 32
13
1 3
13
21 22
31 32
1 ( )
+
a a
a a
a a
a a
,
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 23
+
M A M
31
12 13
22 23
31
3 1
31
12 13
22 23
1 ( )
+
a a
a a
a a
a a
,
Definition 18 If

a a a
a a a
a a a
11 12 13
21 22 23
31 32 33
,
then
( )
+


1
1
3
1
3
i j
ij ij ij
j
ij
j
a a M A
=
a a a
i i i i i i 1 1 2 2 3 3
A A A ( (
, for either i = 1 or i = 2 or i = 3.
Remark In the above definition, we have expanded the determinant along i
th
row. It can be
verified that the value of the determinant will remain the same if we expand it along any
row or any column. Let us verify this for the determinant
a a a
b b b
c c c
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
By expanding it along first row, first column and second column, we have
Along first row:
) * ! ( a
b b
c c
a
b b
c c
a
b b
c c
1
2 3
2 3
2
1 3
1 3
3
1 2
1 2
= a
1
b
2
c
3
a
1
c
2
b
3
a
2
b
1
c
3
+ a
2
c
1
b
3
+ a
3
b
1
c
2
a
3
c
1
b
2
Along first column:
) * ! ( a
b b
c c
b
a a
c c
c
a a
b b
1
2 3
2 3
1
2 3
2 3
1
2 3
2 3
= a
1
b
2
c
3
a
1
c
2
b
3
b
1
a
2
c
3
+ b
1
c
2
a
3
+ c
1
a
2
b
3
c
1
b
2
a
3
Along second column :
) * ! ( ! a
b b
c c
b
a a
c c
c
a a
b b
2
1 3
1 3
1 3
1 3
2
1 3
1 3
2
24 MATHEMATICS
+
= a
2
b
1
c
3
+ a
2
c
1
b
3
+ b
2
a
1
c
3
b
2
c
1
a
3
c
2
a
1
b
3
+ c
2
b
1
a
3
It is clear that all the three expressions for are equal.
Example 16 Evaluate the determinant
) *
!
2 3
5 7
Solution We have
) *
!
* + ! , -! + * !
2 3
5 7
2 7 5 3 29
.
Example 17 Find the minors and cofactors of elements of the determinant
5 2
3 7
!
.
Solution Minor of the element a
11
is M
11
= |7| =7, minor of the element a
12
is
M
12
= 3, minor of the element a
21
is M
21
= 2 and minor of the element a
22
is M
22
= 5.
Hence, A
11
= (1)
1+1
M
11
= 7, A
12
= (1)
1+2
M
12
= 3, A
21
= (1)
2+1
M
21
= 2 and
A
22
= (1)
2+2
M
22
= 5.
Example 18 Find the minor and cofactor of elements of the determinant
2 3 5
6 0 4
1 5 7
!
!
Solution We have
M A
11 11
0 4
5 7
0 20 20 20 *
!
* ! * ! * ! ,
M A
12 12
6 4
1 7
42 4 46 46 *
!
* ! ! * ! * ,
M A
13 13
6 0
1 5
30 0 30 30 * * ! * * ,
M A
21 21
3 5
5 7
21 25 4 4 *
!
!
* ! * ! * ,
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 25
+
M A
22 22
2 5
1 7
14 5 19 19 *
!
* ! ! * ! * ! ,
M A
23 23
2 3
1 5
10 3 13 13 *
!
* ( * * ! ,
M A
31 31
3 5
0 4
12 0 12 12 *
!
* ! ! * ! * ! ,
M A
32 32
2 5
6 4
8 30 22 22 * * ! * ! * ,
M A
33 33
2 3
6 0
0 18 18 18 *
!
* ( * * ,
Example 19 Evaluate the determinant
) *
!
!
2 3 5
6 0 4
1 5 7
Solution Expanding the determinant along the first row, we have

) *
!
! !
!
( , - 2
0 4
5 7
3
6 4
1 7
5
6 0
1 5
= 2 (0 20) + 3 ( 42 4) + 5 (30 0)
= 40 138 + 150 = 28.
1.4.1 Properties of determinants The following properties of determinants are true for
determinants of any order. However, we shall prove them for determinants of order 3 only.
These properties are often used to simplify the determinants before expanding it.
Theorem 9 The value of a determinant remains unchanged if its rows and columns are
interchanged.
Proof Let ) *
a a a
b b b
c c c
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
.
Then expanding along first row, we get
26 MATHEMATICS
+
= a
1
(b
2
c
3
c
2
b
3
) a
2
(b
1
c
3
c
1
b
3
) + a
3
(b
1
c
2
b
2
c
1
).
By interchanging the rows and columns of , we get the determinant
)
1
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
*
a b c
a b c
a b c
Expanding it along first column, we get
)
1 1 2 3 2 3 2 1 3 1 3 3 1 2 2 1
* ! , -! ! , -( ! , - a b c c b a b c c b a b c b c .
Hence ) ) *
1
.
Remark It follows from the above theorem that if A is a square matrix, then det A = det A.
Theorem 10 If two rows or columns of a determinant are interchanged, then the sign of
the determinant is changed.
Proof Let ) *
a a a
b b b
c c c
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
.
Let us interchange first and third rows. The new determinant after the interchange is given
by
)
1
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
*
c c c
b b b
a a a
Expanding the first determinant along first row, we have
) * ! , -! ! , -( ! , - a b c c b a b c c b a b c c b
1 2 3 2 3 2 1 3 1 3 3 1 2 1 2
Expanding the second determinant , along third row, we have
)
1 1 3 2 2 3 2 3 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 2
* ! , - ! ! , -( ! , - a b c b c a b c b c a b c b c
= [a
1
(b
2
c
3
b
3
c
2
) a
2
(b
1
c
3
b
3
c
1
) + a
3
(b
1
c
2
b
2
c
1
)]
It is clear that ) )
1
* !
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 27
+
Similarly, we can prove the result by interchanging any two columns.
Theorem 11 If any two rows or columns of a determinant are identical, then its value is
zero.
Proof If we interchange the identical rows (or columns) of the determinant ) , then )
does not change. However, from Theorem 10, it follows that ) has changed its sign. Thus,
) = ) . Therefore, ) = 0.
Theorem 12 If each element of a row or a column of a determinant is multiplied by a
constant k, then its value gets multiplied by k.
Proof Let ) =
a b c
a b c
a b c
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
.
Let )
1
be be the determinant obtained by multiplying the elements of the first row by k.
Then
)
1
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
*
ka kb kc
a b c
a b c
Expanding along first row, we get
)
1
= ka b c b c kb a c a c kc a b a b
1 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 3 2
! , -! ! , -( ! , -
= k a b c b c b a c a c c a b a b
1 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 3 2
! , -! ! , -( ! , - "
#
%
&
= k )
Remark Note that in case of matrices, k A is the matrix obtained when each entry of A has
been multiplied by k and hence if A is a square matrix of order n, then
k k
n
A A *
Corollary If two rows or columns of a determinant are proportional, then its value is zero.
Proof Let ) *
a a a
b b b
ka ka ka
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
.
28 MATHEMATICS
+
Then ) = k
a a a
b b b
a a a
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
(by Theorem 12)
= k. 0 = 0 (by Theorem 11)
Theorem 13 If some or all the elements of a row (or column) of a determinant are expressed
as sum of two (or more) terms, then the determinant can be expressed as sum of two or
more determinants. Thus
) *
( ( (
* (
a a a
b b b
c c c
a a a
b b b
c c c
b b
1 1 2 2 3 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1
. . . . . .
22 3
1 2 3
b
c c c
.
Proof Expanding the determinant on the left hand side along the first row, we get
) * ( , - ! , - ! ( , - ! , -( ( , - ! , - a b c c b a b c c b a b c b c
1 1 2 3 2 3 2 2 1 3 1 3 3 3 1 2 2 1
. . .
=
a b c c b a b c c b a b c b c b c c b
1 2 3 2 3 2 1 3 1 3 3 1 2 2 1 1 2 3 2 3
2
! , -! ! , -( ! , -( ! , -
!
.
. bb c c b b c b c
1 3 1 3 3 1 2 2 1
! , -( ! , - .
=
a a a
b b b
c c c
b b b
c c c
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
(
. . .
If the elements of any other row or column are expressed as the sum of two terms, we
get the same result by expanding it along that row or column.
Theorem 14 If to any row or column of a determinant, a multiple of another row or column
is added, the value of the determinant remains the same.
Proof Let ) *
a a a
b b
c c c
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
b . If we multiply the third row by a constant k and add to first
row, we get
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 29
+
)
1
1 1 2 2 3 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
*
( ( ( a kc a kc a kc
b b
c c c
b
By Theorem 12 and Theorem 13, we have
)
1
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
*
a a a
b b
c c c
b
+ k
c c c
b b
c c c
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
b
The second determinant on RHS is zero as first and third rows are identical (by
Theorem 11).
Hence, ) )
1
* .
Example 20 If is one of the imaginary cube roots of unity, find the value of

1
1
1
2
2
2



Solution Adding second and third columns to first column, i.e., C C C C
1 1 2 3
* ( ( , we have

+ +
+ +
+ +
1
1 1
1 1
2 2
2 2
2



(by Theorem 14)

0
0 1
0 1
2
2

(since 1
2
+ + = 0)
= 0 (expanding along the first column)
Example 21 Evaluate the determinant

42 1 6
28 7 4
14 3 2
30 MATHEMATICS
+
Solution We have

42 1 6
28 7 4
14 3 2
7 6 1 6
7 4 7 4
7 2 3 2
=
7
6 1 6
4 7 4
2 3 2
(Taking out 7 common from column 1)
= 7 0 = 0 (as C
1
= C
3
)
Example 22 Evaluate the determinant




a b b c c a
b c c a a b
c a a b b c
Solution Adding second and third columns to first column, i.e., C
1
= C
1
+ C
2
+ C
3
, we have




0
0
0
b c c a
c a a b
a b b c
= 0
Example 23 Show that

+ + +
+ + +
+ + +

a a b a b c
a a b a b c
a a b a b c
a 2 3 2 4 3 2
3 6 3 10 6 3
3
Solution By Theorem 13, we have

+ +
+ +
+ +
+
+ +
+ +
a a a b c
a a a b c
a a a b c
a b a b c
a b a b c
a b
2 3 4 3 2
3 6 10 6 3
2 2 4 3 2
3 3 110 6 3 a b c + +
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 31
+
The second determinant on the RHS is zero, since first and second columns are proportional.
Again, by expressing the first determinant as sum of three determinants, we have
+ +
a a a
a a a
a a a
a a b
a a b
a a b
a a c
a a c
a a c
2 3 4
3 6 10
2 3 3
3 6 6
2 3 2
3 6 3
=
a a a
a a a
a a a
2 3 4
3 6 10
(as second and third determinants are zero)
Now, taking a common from R
1
, R
2
and R
3
, we have

a
3
1 1 1
2 3 4
3 6 10
Applying C
2
= C
2
C
1
and C
3
= C
3
C
1
, we have
a
3
1 0 0
2 1 2
3 3 7
= a a
3 3
7 6 ( ) (expanding along first row)
Example 24 If x, y, z are different and

+
+
+

x x x
y y y
z z z
2 3
2 3
2 3
1
1
1
0,
show that 1 + x y z = 0.
Solution We have

+
+
+
x x x
y y y
z z z
2 3
2 3
2 3
1
1
1
32 MATHEMATICS
+

+
x x
y y
z z
x x x
y y y
z z z
2
2
2
2 3
2 3
2 3
1
1
1
(by Theorem 13)
+
x x
y y
z z
x y z
x x
y y
z z
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
(Why?)
( ) + 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
x x
y y
z z
x y z
x x
y y
z z
=
( ) + 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
x x
y y
z z
x y z
x x
y y
z z
=
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
+ ( ) xyz
x x
y y
z z
= 1
1
0
0
2
2 2
2 2
+ ( )

xyz
x x
y x y x
z x z x
(Applying R
2
= R
2
R
1
, R
3
= R
3
R
1
)
=
1
1
0
0
2
+ ( ) ( ) + ( )
( ) + ( )
xyz
x x
y x y x y x
z x z x z x
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 33
+
=
1
1
0 1
0 1
2
+ ( ) ( ) ( ) +
+
xyz y x z x
x x
y x
z x
= (1+ x y z) (y x) (z x) (z y)
Since = 0 and x, y, z are all different, we get 1 + x y z = 0.
EXERCISE 1.2
Evaluate the determinants in Exercises 1 to 4.
1.

2 3
4 9
2.
1
2
8
4 2
3.
cos sin
sin cos

4.
x x x
x x
2
1 1
1 1
+
+ +
Write the minor and cofactor of each element of the following determinants and also evaluate the
determinant in each case.
5.
5 10
0 3

6.
1 3 2
4 5 6
3 5 2

7.
1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1
8.
1 0 4
3 5 1
0 1 2

Evaluate each of the following using properties of determinants.

9.
1
1
1
a bc
b ca
c ab
10.
1
1
1
a b c
b c a
c a b
+
+
+
11.
x x x
x x x
x x x
+
+
+

12.
b c a a
b c a b
c c a b
+
+
+
34 MATHEMATICS
+
Using properties of determinants, prove the following:
13.
1
1
1
2
2
2
a a
b b
c c
= (a b) (b c) (c a)
14.
1 1 1
3 3 3
a b c
a b c
= (a b) (b c) (c a) (a + b + c)
15.

a ab ac
ba b bc
ac bc c
2
2
2
= 4 a
2
b
2
c
2
16.
x x yz
y y zx
z z xy
2
2
2
= (x y) (y z) (z x) (xy + yz + zx)
17.
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
+
+
+
a
b
c
= ab + bc + ca + abc
18.
1
1
1
2
2
2
x x
x x
x x
= (1 x
3
)
2
19.
b c c a a b
q r r p p q
y z z x x y
+ + +
+ + +
+ + +
= 2
a b c
p q r
x y z
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 35
+
20.
y z x y
z x z x
x y y z
+
+
+
= (x + y + z) (x z)
2
21.
1
1
1
bc a b c
ca b c a
ab c a b
( ) +
+
+
( )
( )
= 0
22.
a b c a a
b b c a b
c c c a b
a b c



+ +
2 2
2 2
2 2
3
( )
1.5 Adjoint and Inverse of a Matrix
In this section, we shall study about the adjoint and inverse of a matrix.
Definition 19 The adjoint of a square matrix A = [a
ij
] is defined as the transpose of the
matrix [A
ij
], where A
ij
is the cofactor of the element a
ij
. Adjoint of the matrix A is denoted
by adj A.
Definition 20 A square matrix A is said to be non-singular if A 0. If A = 0, then the
matrix is said to be a singular matrix. For example, the determinant of the matrix
2 2
3 3

1
]
1
is
2 2
3 3
0
, hence it is a singular matrix. Whereas the determinant of the matrix
4 3
2 1

1
]
1
is
4 3
2 1

= 10 0, hence it is a non-singular matrix.

Definition 21 A square matrix A is said to be invertible if there exists a square matrix B
such that
AB = BA = I,
where I is the identity matrix. The matrix B is called the inverse of A and vice versa. The
inverse of A is denoted by A
1
. It follows that
36 MATHEMATICS
+
AA A A I


1 1
.
We state the following theorems without proof.
Theorem 15 A square matrix A is invertible if and only if A is a non-singular matrix.
Theorem 16 If A and B are two non-singular square matrices of the same order, then AB
and BA are also non-singular matrices of the same order.
Theorem 17 If A, B, C are square matrices of the same order such that
AB = BA = I and AC = CA = I
then B = C
Proof We have
B = BI
= B (AC) [as AC = I]
= (BA) C [Associative property of multiplication]
= IC [ as BA = I]
= C
Remark It follows from the above theorem that if A is invertible, then it has a unique
inverse.
Theorem 18 If A and B are two invertible matrices of the same order, then
(AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
.
Proof From the definition of inverse of a matrix, we have
(AB) (AB)
1
= I
or A
1
(AB) (AB)
1
= A
1
I (Pre-multiplying both sides by A
1
)
or (A
1
A) B (AB)
1
= A
1
(since A
1
I = A
1
)
or I B (AB)
1
= A
1
or B (AB)
1
= A
1
or (B
1
B) (AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
or I (AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
or (AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
We state the following theorem without proof.
Theorem 19 If A = [a
ij
] is a non-singular square matrix, then A
1
=
1
A
adj A.
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 37
+
Thus if A =
a a a
a a a
a a a
11 12 13
21 22 23
31 32 33

1
]
1
1
,
then adj A =
A A A
A A A
A A A
11 21 31
12 22 32
13 23 33

1
]
1
1
and A
1
=
1
A

A A A
A A A
A A A
11 21 31
12 22 32
13 23 33

1
]
1
1
Example 25 Find the adjoint of the matrix
A =
2 3
1 4

1
]
1
Solution We have
A 4, A 1, A 3, A 2
11 12 21 22
.
Hence adj A =
A A
A A
11 21
12 22
4 3
1 2

1
]
1

1
]
1

.
Example 26 Find the inverse of the matrix
A =
1 3 3
1 4 3
1 3 4

1
]
1
1
Solution We have

A
= 1 (16 9) 3 (4 3) + 3 (3 4) = 1 0
Hence A
1
exists.
Now A
11
= 7, A
12
= 1, A
13
= 1
A
21
= 3, A
22
= 1, A
23
= 0
A
31
= 3, A
32
= 0, A
33
= 1.
38 MATHEMATICS
+
Therefore adj A

1
]
1
1
1
7 3 3
1 1 0
1 0 1
and
A
1
A
.adj A
1
1
7 3 3
1 1 0
1 0 1
1

1
]
1
1
1
=
7 3 3
1 1 0
1 0 1

1
]
1
1
1
Example 27 If A =
2 3
1 4

1
]
1 , B =
1 2
1 3

1
]
1 , verify that (AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
.
Solution We have
AB =
2 3
1 4

1
]
1
1 2
1 3

1
]
1 =

1
]
1
1 5
5 14
Since, AB = 11 0, (AB)
1
exists which is given by
(AB)
1
=
1
AB
. adj (AB) =
1
11

1
]
1
14 5
5 1
.
Further, A 11 0 and B 1 0. Therefore, A
1
and B
1
both exist and are given by
A B

1
]
1

1
]
1
1 1
1
11
4 3
1 2
3 2
1 1
,
Hence
B A
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
1
11
3 2
1 1
4 3
1 2
=

1
]
1
1
11
14 5
5 1
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 39
+
Therefore (AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
.
Example 28 Show that the matrix A =
2 3
1 2

1
]
1
satisfies the equation A
2
4 A + I = 0 and
hence find A
1
.
Solution We have
A
2
= A.A =
2 3
1 2
2 3
1 2
7 12
4 7

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1

Hence
A
2
4A + I =
7 12
4 7
8 12
4 8
1 0
0 1

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
+
=
0 0
0 0

1
]
1
= 0
ie., A
2
4A + I = 0
or A. A 4A = I
or A (A A
1
) 4 A A
1
= I A
1
or A I 4 I = A
1
or A
1
= 4 I A =
4 0
0 4
2 3
1 2
2 3
1 2

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1

Hence A
1
=
2 3
1 2

1
]
1
EXERCISE 1.3
Find the adjoint of each of the matrices given in Exercises 1 to 4 :
1.
1 2
3 4

1
]
1
2.
2 3
4 6

1
]
1
40 MATHEMATICS
+
3.
1 1 2
2 3 5
2 0 1

1
]
1
1
4.
1 1 2
3 0 2
1 0 3

1
]
1
1
Find the inverse of each of the matrices given in Exercises 5 to 10 :
5.
2 2
4 3

1
]
1
6.

1
]
1
1 5
3 2
7.
1 2 3
0 2 4
0 0 5

1
]
1
1
8.
1 0 0
3 3 0
5 2 1

1
]
1
1
9.
2 1 3
4 1 0
7 2 1

1
]
1
1
10.
1 1 2
0 2 3
3 2 4

1
]
1
1
11. Let A =
3 7
2 5

1
]
1
and B =
6 8
7 9

1
]
1
. Verify that (AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
.
12. If A =
3 1
1 2

1
]
1
, show that A
2
5A + 7I = 0. Hence find A
1
.
13. Find the inverse of the matrix A

1
]
1
1
1 1 2
3 1 1
1 3 4
14. For the matrix A =
3 2
1 1

1
]
1
, find the numbers a and b such that
A
2
+ aA + bI = 0. Hence find A
1
.
15. For the matrix A =
1 1 1
1 2 3
2 1 3

1
]
1
1
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 41
+
show that A
3
6A
2
+ 5A + 11 I = 0. Hence, find A
1.
16. If A =
2 1 1
1 2 1
1 1 2

1
]
1
1
, verify that A
3
6 A
2
+ 9 A 4 I = 0, and hence find A
1
.
17. If A =
2 2 1
2 1 2
1 2 2

1
]
1
1
and B =
1 3 2
1 1 1
2 3 1

1
]
1
1
,
verify that (AB)
1
= B
1
A
1
.
1.6 Applications
In this section, we shall discuss the application of determinants and matrices in solving the
system of linear equations in two and three variables. We shall also give an expression in
terms of determinants to find the area of a triangle when coordinates of its vertices are
given.
1.6.1 Area of a triangle In Class XI, we have learnt that the area of a triangle whose
vertices are (x
1
, y
1
), (x
2
, y
2
) and (x
3
, y
3
) is given by
( ) + ( )+ ( )
1
2
1 2 3 2 3 1 3 1 2
| | x y y x y y x y y
This expression can be written in the form of a determinant as


1
2
1
1
1
1 1
2 2
3 3
x y
x y
x y
Note Since the area is a positive quantity, we always take the absolute value of the above
determinant for area.
Example 29 Find the area of the triangle, whose vertices are (3, 1), (4, 3) and (5, 4).
Solution The area of the triangle is given by

1
2
3 1 1
4 3 1
5 4 1
42 MATHEMATICS
+
=
1
2
3 3 4 1 4 5 1 16 15 ( ) + ( )+ + ( )

1
]
=
1
2
3 9 31
19
2
+ [ ]
sq units
1.6.2 Solution of system of linear equations using determinants In this section, we shall
discuss the application of determinants in solving the system of linear equations in two and
three variables.
Consider the system of equations
a x b y c
1 1 1
+
a x b y c
2 2 2
+
Solving these equations by the method of elimination as studied in earlier classes, we get
x
b c b c
a b a b

2 1 1 2
1 2 2 1
,
y
a c a c
a b a b

1 2 2 1
1 2 2 1
(1)
provided a
1
b
2
a
2
b
1
0. If we denote
D

a b
a b
c b
c b
a c
a c
1 1
2 2
1
1 1
2 2
2
1 1
2 2
, , D D
i.e. D = a
1
b
2
a
2
b
1
, D
1
= b
2
c
1
b
1
c
2
, D
2
= a
1
c
2
a
2
c
1
Then, (1) may be rewritten as
x =
D
D
D
D
1 2
, y
, provided D 0.
Let us consider the following system of equations:
a x b y c z d
1 1 1 1
+ +
a x b y c z d
2 2 2 2
+ +
a x b y c z d
3 3 3 3
+ +
Let D =
a b c
a b c
a b c
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 43
+
Then x D =
a x b c
a x b c
a x b c
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
If x, y, z is a solution of the system of equations, multiplying the second column by y and
third column by z and adding these to the first column, we get
x D =
a x b y c z b c
a x b y c z b c
a x b y c z b c
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3
+ +
+ +
+ +
or x D =
d b c
d b c
d b c
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
= D
1
, say
Let D
2
=
a d c
a d c
a d c
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
and D
3
=
a b d
a b d
a b d
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
.
Now, in the same way, we can see that y D = D
2
and zD = D
3
. Thus
x y z
D
D
D
D
D
D
1 2 3
, , ,
provided D 0.
The method which we have used for solving a system of three equations in three unknowns
can be used in the same way for solving a system of n equations in n unknowns. This
method is known as Cramers Rule after the Swiss mathematician Gabriel Cramer
(1704 - 1752).
Remarks
(i) Cramers rule does not apply if D = 0.
(ii) If D = 0 and D
i
0 for some i, then system has no solution.
(iii) If D = 0 and D
i
= 0 for all i, then the system will have either infinite solutions or
no solution.
44 MATHEMATICS
+
(iv) If d
1
= d
2
= d
3
= 0, then the system of equations is called the system of Homoge-
neous Linear Equations. If D 0, the system has only the trivial solution, i.e.,
x = y = z = 0. If D = 0, the system of equations will have infinite solutions.
Example 30 Using Cramers Rule solve the system of equations
2x 3y = 7
3x + y = 5
Solution We have
D =
2 3
3 1
2 9 11

+
D
1
=
7 3
5 1
7 15 22

+
D
2
=
2 7
3 5
10 21 11
Since D 0, we have
x
D
D
1
22
11
2
and
y


D
D
2
11
11
1
Hence x = 2, y = 1 is the solution.
Example 31 Using Cramers rule, solve the system of equations
5x y + 4z = 5
2x + 3y + 5z = 2
5x 2y + 6z = 1
Solution We have
D =
5 1 4
2 3 5
5 2 6

= 5(18+10) + 1 (12 25) + 4( 4 15) = 51

MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 45
+
D
1
5 1 4
2 3 5
1 2 6
5 18 10 12 5 4 4 3 153

+ + + + + ( ) ( ) ( )
D
2
5 5 4
2 2 5
5 1 6
5 12 5 5 12 25 4 2 10 102

+ + ( ) ( ) ( )
D
3
5 1 5
2 3 2
5 2 1
5 3 4 1 2 10 5 4 15 102

+ + + ( ) ( ) ( )
Since D 0, we have by Cramers rule
x
D
D
1
153
51
3
y
D
D
2
102
51
2
z
D
D
3
102
51
2
Hence x = 3, y = 2, z = 2.
Example 32 Solve the following system of equations using Cramers rule.
x +y + 3z = 6
x 3y 3z = 4
5x 3y + 3z = 8
Solution We have
D =
1 1 3
1 3 3
5 3 3
1 9 9 1 3 15 3 3 15 0

+ + + ( ) ( ) ( )
46 MATHEMATICS
+
Since determinant of coefficient matrix is zero, Cramers rule, does not apply. However,
D
1
6 1 3
4 3 3
8 3 3
12 0

Hence, by the remark (ii) on Cramers, rule, since D = 0 and D
1
0, the system has no
solution.
Example 33 Solve:
2x y + z = 4 (1)
x + 3y + 2z = 12 (2)
3x + 2y + 3z = 16 (3)
Solution We have
D =
2 1 1
1 3 2
3 2 3
0

Since D = 0, Cramers rule does not apply.

However, we also observe that D
1
= D
2
= D
3
= 0. Therefore, by the Remark (iii) on
Cramers rule, the system of equations has infinite solutions or no solution. Now, consider
the first two equations and take z = k,
We get
2x y = 4 k
x + 3 y = 12 2 k
Solving these equations, by Cramers rule, we have
D

2 1
1 3
7
,
D
1

4 1
12 2 3
24 5
k
k
k
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 47
+
D
2

2 4
1 12 2
20 3
k
k
k
Hence, by Cramers rule, we have
x
k

D
D
1
24 5
7
y
k

D
D
2
20 3
7
By substituting the values of x, y and z in equation (3), we get,
LHS = 3 2 3 x y z + +
=
3 24 5
7
2 20 3
7
3
( ) ( )
+

+
k k
k
=16 = RHS.
Since equation (3) is satisfied
x
k
y
k
z k

24 5
7
20 3
7
, ,
,
gives the solution for each value of k. Hence, the system has infinite solutions.
Example 34 Solve
x y z + + 1 (1)
2 2 2 2 x y z + + (2)
3 3 3 4 x y z + + (3)
Solution We have
D
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
0
Since D = 0, Cramers rule does not apply. However, we also observe that D
1
= D
2
= D
3
= 0.
Therefore, system may have infinite solutions or no solution. Now, consider equations
(1) and (3) and let z = k. We have
48 MATHEMATICS
+
x y k + 1 (4)
3 3 4 3 x y k + (5)
Again
D
1 1
3 3
0
D
1
1 1
4 3 3
3 3 4 3 1 0

+
k
k
k k
Hence, by Remark (ii) of Cramers rule, system of equations given by (4) and (5) has no
solution. Therefore, system of given equations will have no solution.
Example 35 Solve the following system of homogenous equations.
3x 4y + 5z = 0
x + y 2z = 0
2x + 3y + z = 0
Solution We have
D

3 4 5
1 1 2
2 3 1
= 46 0
Since D 0, by Remark (iv) on Cramers Rule, the system of equations has only trivial
solution, i.e., x = y = z = 0
Example 36 Solve the following system of homogenous equations.
x + y 2z = 0 (1)
2x + y 3z = 0 (2)
5x + 4y 9z = 0 (3)
Solution We have
D

1 1 2
2 1 3
5 4 9
0
Since D = 0, by Remark (iv) on Cramers Rule, the system has infinite solutions. Consider
first two equations and take z = k,
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 49
+
x + y = 2k
2x + y = 3k
Solving these equations by Cramers rule, we have
D
1 1
2 1
1 0
D
1

2 1
3 1
k
k
k,

D
2

1 2
2 3
k
k
k
Hence, by Cramers rule, we have
x =
D
D
D
D
1 2
k y k ,
By substituting the values of x, y, z in equation (3), we observe that
LHS = 5x + 4y 9z
= 5k + 4k 9k = 0 = RHS
Since equation (3) is satisfied
x = k, y = k, z = k
gives the solution for each value of k.
We have seen that a system of linear equations may have unique solution, infinite solutions or
no solution. We have the following definition:
Definition 22 A system of linear equations is said to be consistent if it has a unique solution
or infinite solutions. If the system of equations has no solution, it is called an inconsistent
system of equations.
Example 37 Examine whether the system of equations
2x y = 5 (1)
4x 2y = 10 (2)
is consistent or inconsistent.
Solution We have
D

+
2 1
4 2
4 4 0
50 MATHEMATICS
+
Also
D D
1

5 1
10 2
0
2 5
4 10
0
2
,
.
Since D = D
1
= D
2
= 0, the system of equations will have either infinite solutions or no
solution. Now consider the first equation
2x y = 5
Let y = k. This gives us x =
5
2
+ k
.
Substituting the value of x in equation (2), we have
LHS = 4x 2y
=
4 5
2
2 10
+ ( )

k
k = RHS
Hence,
x
k

+ 5
2
, y = k is solution for each value of k. Therefore, system has infinite
solutions and hence is consistent.
Example 38 Verify whether the system of equations
3x y 2z = 2
2y z = 1
3x 5y = 3
is consistent or inconsistent.
Solution We have
D

( )+ ( ) ( )
3 1 2
0 2 1
3 5 0
3 5 1 3 2 6 0
D
1

( )+ ( ) ( )
2 1 2
1 2 1
3 5 0
2 5 1 3 2 5 6 5 0
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 51
+
Since D = 0 and D
1
0, the system of equations has no solution. Therefore, system of
equations is inconsistent.
EXERCISE 1.4
Find the area of the triangle with vertices at the points given in each of the following :
1. (0, 0), (6, 0), (4, 3) 2. (3, 8), ( 4, 2), (5, 1)
3. (2, 7), (1, 1), (10, 8) 4. (2, 3), (3, 2), (1, 8)
Using determinants, solve each of the following system of equations.
5. 2x + 3y = 9 6. x + 2y = 3
3x 2y = 7 4x + y = 5
7. 2x + 3y + z = 9 8. 6x + y 3z = 5
4x + y = 7 x + 3y 2z = 5
x 3y 7z = 6 2x + y + 4z = 8
Classify the following system of equations as consistent or inconsistent. If consistent, then solve
them.
9. x + y = 1 10. 3x 2y = 4
2x 3y = 8 6x 4y = 10
11. x + 2y = 5 12. x y + 3z = 6
3x + 6y = 15 x +3y 3z = 4
5x + 3y + 3z = 14
13. x y + 3z = 6 14. 2x + 5y z = 9
x + 3y 3 z = 4 3x 3y + 2z = 7
5x + 3y + 3z = 10 2x 4y + 3z = 1
Solve the following system of homogeneous linear equations.
15. 2x + 3y + 4z = 0 16. x + y z = 0
x + y + z = 0 x 2y + z = 0
2x y + 3z = 0 3x + 6y 5z = 0
17. 3x + y + z = 0
x 4y + 3z = 0
2x + 5y 2z = 0
52 MATHEMATICS
+
18. Find the value of for which the homogeneous system of equations:
2x + 3y 2z = 0
2x y + 3z = 0
7x + y z = 0
has non-trivial solution. Find the solution.
1.6.3 Solution of equations using inverse of a matrix In this section, we shall express the
system of linear equations as matrix equation and solve them using inverse of the coefficient
matrix. Consider the system of equations
a x b y c z d
1 1 1 1
+ +
a x b y c z d
2 2 2 2
+ +
a x b y c z d
3 3 3 3
+ +
Let A =
a b c
a b c
a b c
x
y
z
d
d
d
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
1
2
3

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1

, , X B
11
]
1
1
1
Then, the system of equations can be expressed in the form
a b c
a b c
a b c
x
y
z
d
d
d
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
1
2
3

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
i.e., A X = B
If A is non-singular matrix, then its inverse exists. Hence, we have
A AX A B
1 1
( )
X = A B
1
This matrix equation provides solution for the variables x, y and z.
Example 39 Solve the following system of equations using matrix method.
2x + 5y = 1
3x + 2y = 7
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 53
+
Solution The system of equations can be written in the form AX = B, where
A =
2 5
3 2
1
7

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
, , X= B
x
y
Now, A = 11 0. Hence, A is non-singular matrix and so its inverse exists. We have
A
11
= 2, A
12
= 3, A
21
= 5, A
22
= 2
Hence A
1

1
]
1
1
11
2 5
3 2
and X =
A B
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
11
2 5
3 2
1
7
or
x
y

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1
1
11
33
11
3
1
Hence x = 3, y = 1.
Example 40 Solve the following system of equations by matrix method.
3x 2y + 3z = 8
2x + y z = 1
4x 3y + 2z = 4
Solution The system of equations can be written in the form AX = B, where
A =
3 2 3
2 1 1
4 3 2
8
1
4

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
, , X B
x
y
z
We see that
A = 3 (2 3) + 2 (4 + 4) + 3 ( 6 4) = 17 0
Hence, A is non-singular and so its inverse exists. We have
A
11
= 1, A
12
= 8, A
13
= 10
A
21
= 5, A
22
= 6, A
23
= 1
A
31
= 1, A
32
= 9, A
33
= 7
54 MATHEMATICS
+
Hence
A
1

1
]
1
1
1
1
17
1 5 1
8 6 9
10 1 7
and X = A B
1

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
1
17
1 5 1
8 6 9
10 1 7
8
1
4
or
x
y
z

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1
1
17
17
34
51
1
2
3
Thus, we have x = 1, y = 2, z = 3.
EXERCISE 1.5
Solve the following system of equations by matrix method.
1. 5x + 2y = 4` 2. 2x y = 2
7x + 3y = 5 3x + 4y = 3
3. 4x 3y = 3 4. 5x + 2y = 3
3x 5y = 7 3x + 2y = 5
5. 2x + y + z = 1 6. x y + z = 4
x y z 2
3
2
2x + y 3z = 0
3y 5z = 9 x + y + z = 2
7. 2x + 3y + 3z = 5 8. x y + 2z = 7
x 2y + z = 4 3x + 4y 5z = 5
3x y 2z = 3 2x y + 3z = 12
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 55
+
9. If A

1
]
1
1
1
2 3 5
3 2 4
1 1 2
,
Find A
1
.

Using A
1
, solve the following system of linear equations.
2x 3y + 5z = 11,
3x + 2y 4z = 5,
x + y 2z = 3.
MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES
Example 41 Let A

1
]
1
cos sin
sin cos


. Show by mathematical induction that for every positive
integer n,

A
n
n n
n n

1
]
1
cos sin
sin cos


.
Solution We have
P( ) A n
n n
n n
n
:
cos sin
sin cos

1
]
1


We note that
P( ) A 1
1
:
cos sin
sin cos

1
]
1


Therefore, P (1) is true.
Assume that P (k) is true, i.e.,
P A ( ) :
cos sin
sin cos
k
k
k k
k k

1
]
1


We want to prove that P (k + 1) is true whenever P (k) is true, i.e.,
P A ( ) :
cos ( ) sin ( )
sin ( ) cos ( )
k
k
k k
k k
+
+

+ +
+ +

1
]
1
1
1
1 1
1 1


56 MATHEMATICS
+
Now
A A A
k k +

1
.
Since P (k) is true, we have

A
k
k k
k k
+

1
]
1
1
cos sin
sin cos



cos sin
sin cos

1
]
1
=
cos cos sin sin cos sin sin cos
sin cos cos sin
k k k k
k k


+
+

1
]
1
sin sin cos cos k k
=
cos sin
sin cos
k k
k k
+ +
+ +
( ) ( )
( ) ( )

1
]
1
1 1
1 1


Thus, P (k +1) is true whenever P (k) is true. Hence, P (n) is true for all n.
Example 42 Prove that

+
+
+
( ) b c a a
b c a b
c c a b
2
2 2
2 2 2
2 2
2
( )
( )
= 2abc (a + b + c)
3
Solution We have

+
+
+
( ) b c a a
b c a b
c c a b
2
2 2
2 2 2
2 2
2
( )
( )
=
b c a a a a
b c a c a b b
c c c a b a b
+
+ +
+ +
( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2
2 2 2 2
2
2 2
2 2
2 2 2
2 2
( ,
)
C C C
C C C
1


1 2
2 2 3
=
b c a b c a a
b c a b c a c a b c a b b
c a b c a
+ + +
+ + + + +
+ +
( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )
0
0
2
2
+ ( ) ( ) b a b
2
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 57
+
= (a + b + c)
2

b c a a
b c a c a b b
c a b a b
+
+
+ ( )
0
0
2
2
2
= (a + b + c)
2

b c a a
b c a c a b b
a b a ab
+
+
( )
0
2 2 2
2
2
[R
3
= R
3
(R
1
+ R
2
)]
= 2(a + b + c)
2

b c a a
b c a c a b b
a b a ab
+
+

0
2
2
= 2(a + b + c)
2

b c a a
c a b b
b a ab
+
+

0
0
2
2
(C
1
= C
1
+ C
2
)
Multiplying first column by a, second column by b and dividing the determinant by ab, we get
=
2
0
0
2
2
2
a b c
ab
a b c a a
b c a b b
ab ab ab
+ +
+
+

( )
( )
( )
=
+ +
+
+

( )
( )
( )
2
0
0
1 1 1
2
2
2
a b c ab
ab
a b c a a
b c a b b
= + +
+
+

( ) 2
0
0
1 1 1
2
a b c ab
b c a a
c a b b
58 MATHEMATICS
+
=
2
1 1 1
0
0
2
ab a b c c a b b
b c a a
+ +

+
+
( ) (Interchanging R
1
and R
3
)
=
2
0 0 1
2
ab a b c b c a b
b c a a
+ +

+
+
( )
C C C andC C C
1 1 3 2 2 3
+ + [ ]
= 2
2
ab a b c ab b c c a + + + + ( ) ( )( ) { }

1
]
= 2
2
2
ab a b c bc ab c ac ab + + + + + ( ) ( )
= 2
3
abc a b c + + ( )
= RHS
Example 43 If a, b, c are all positive and are pth, qth and rth terms of a G.P. then show that

log
log
log
a p
b q
c r
1
1
1
= 0
Solution Let first term of the G.P. be x and common ratio y. Then, we have
a x y
p
a x p y

+ ( )
1
1 log log log
b x y
q
b x q y

+ ( )
1
1 log log log
c x y
r
c x r y

+ ( )
1
1 log log log
Substituting the values of log a, log b and log c in the expression for , we get

+
+
+
( )
( )
( )
log log
log log
log log
x p y p
x q y q
x r y r
1 1
1 1
1 1
Expressing the determinant as the sum of three determinants, we get
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 59
+

log
log
log
x p
x q
x r
1
1
1
+
p y p
q y q
r y r
log
log
log
1
1
1
+

log
log
log
y p
y q
y r
1
1
1
=
log x
p
q
r
1 1
1 1
1 1
+
log y
p p
q q
r r
1
1
1
log y
p
q
r
1 1
1 1
1 1
= 0
Example 44 Find the value of x, if
1 1
1 2 3
4 5 6
3 2 5
1
2
3
0 x [ ]

1
]
1
1
1

1
]
1
1
1

Solution The given matrix equation can be written as

1 4 3 2 5 2 3 6 5
1
2
3
0 + + + + + + [ ]

1
]
1
1
1
x x x
or 4 4 5 4 6 8
1
2
3
0 x x x + + + [ ]

1
]
1
1
1
or 4x + 4 + 10x + 8 + 18x + 24 = 0
or 32x + 36 = 0
Hence x =
9
8
.
MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISE ON CHAPTER 1
1. Prove the following by the Principle of Mathematical Induction.
If A

1
]
1
3 4
1 1
, then A
n
n n
n n

1
]
1
1 2 4
1 2
, for all n N
60 MATHEMATICS
+
2. If A

1
]
1
1
1
1
0
2
2
0
tan
tan

and I =
1 0
0 1

1
]
1
,
show that I + A =
I A

( )

1
]
1
cos sin
sin cos


3. If A =
0 1
0 0

1
]
1 , using Principle of Mathematical Induction, show that
(aI + bA)
n
= a
n
I + n a
n1
bA, where a and b are constants.
4. Prove that the determinant
x
x
x
sin cos
sin
cos

1
1
is independent of .
Solve the matrix equations :
5.
x
y
x
y
2
2
3
2
2
9

1
]
1

1
]
1

1
]
1


6.
x
x
1
1 0
2 3 5
0 [ ]

1
]
1

1
]
1


7. Without expanding the determinants, prove that
a a bc
b b ca
c c ab
a a
b b
c c
2
2
2
2 3
2 3
2 3
1
1
1

8. Find a 2 2 matrix B such that

2 5
3 7

1
]
1

B =

17 1
47 13

1
]
1
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 61
+
9. If A
1
=
3 1 1
15 6 5
5 2 2

1
]
1
1
1
and B =
1 2 2
1 3 0
0 2 1

1
]
1
1
1
, find (AB)
1
.
10. Let A =
1 2 1
2 3 1
1 1 5

1
]
1
1
1
. Verify that
(i)
adj A adj A [ ]
( )

1 1
, (ii) A
1
A

( )
1
.
11. Let A =
2 1
3 4

1
]
1
, B =
5 2
7 4

1
]
1 , C =
2 5
3 8

1
]
1
Find a matrix D such that CD AB = 0.
Evaluate the following determinants :
12.
x y x y
y x y x
x y x y
+
+
+
13.
1
1
1
x y
x y y
x x y
+
+
Prove the following using properties of determinants :
14.
1 2 2
2 1 2
2 2 1
2 2
2 2
2 2
+
+

a b ab b
ab a b a
b a a b
= (1+ a
2
+ b
2
)
3
15.
+
+
+
+ +
2
2
2
( )( )( )( )
62 MATHEMATICS
+
16.
x x px
y y py
z z pz
2 3
2 3
2 3
1
1
1
+
+
+
= 1+ ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) pxyz x y y z z x
where p is any scalar.
17.
3
3
3
3
a a b a c
b a b b c
c a c b c
a b c ab bc ca
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ + + + ( ) ( )
18.
1 1 1
2 3 2 4 3 2
3 6 3 10 6 3
1
+ + +
+ + +
+ + +

p p q
p p q
p p q
19.
sin cos cos
sin cos cos ( )
sin cos cos ( )
+
+
+
0
( )
Solve the following system of equations :
20.
2 3 10
4
x y z
+ +
4 6 5
1
x y z
+
6 9 20
2
x y z
+
21. x y z + + 1
ax by cz k + +
ax by cz k + +
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS 63
+
HISTORICAL NOTE
Determinants owe their birth to the method of solving simultaneous linear equations. The
Chinese, as early as 100 B.C., solved two linear equations in two unknowns by a rule equivalent
to the present-day method of determinants. The first evidence of determinants is found in the
book Kai Fukudai no Ho written by the seventeenth century eminent Japanese mathematician
Seki Kowa in 1683. However, the theory of determinants may be said to have begun with G.W.
Leibnitz (1646 1716) who gave a rule for the solution of simultaneous linear equations equiva-
lent to that of the Chinese. This rule was simplified by G. Cramer (1704-1752), a Swiss mathema-
tician, in 1750. E. Bezout (1730-1783), a French mathematician simplified it further in 1764. How-
ever, the first systematic account of determinants was given by A.T. Vandermonde (1735-1796)
in 1771. P.S. Laplace (1749-1827), in 1772, gave the general method of expanding a determinant
in terms of minors. In 1773, J.L. Lagrange (1736-1813) treated determinants of order 2 and 3 and
used them for purposes other than the solution of equations. Carl F. Gauss (1777-1855) used
determinants in the theory of numbers.
A.L. Cauchy (1789-1857) was the first to use the word determinants in one of his papers which
he presented to the French Academy on November 30, 1812. Apart from Cauchy, the greatest
contributor to the theory of determinants was C.G.J. Jacobi (1804-1851). J.J. Sylvester (1814-
1897) and Arthur Cayley (1821-1895) also contributed much to this theory after Jacobi.
J.J. Sylvester, who was very fond of assigning imaginative names to his creations and inven-
tions, wrote down in 1850, certain terms and expressions in the form of a rectangular arrange-
ment. Sylvester gave this rectangular arrangement the name matrix. In particular, the names of
Sir William Rowan Hamilton, (1805-1865) and Arthur Cayley deserve special mention. Sir Hamilton,
in 1853, and Arthur Cayley, in 1858, made significant contributions to the theory of matrices.
This branch of mathematics has proved to be extremely useful not only to pure and applied
mathematicians but also to those who are primarily interested in diverse fields such as statis-
tics, physics, economics, psychology, etc.