Section 1.

4: The inverse of a square matrix

1-Definition: The identity matrix I is an n × n matrix with entires (δij ) the Kronecker delta

0 i 6= j
δij =
1 i=j

For any n×m matrix, we have AI = A and IA = A. If A is a square matrix then IA = AI = A.

2-Definition: Inverse of a square matrix.

Let A be an n × n matrix. If there exists an n × n matrix B such that AB = BA = I, then B
is the inverse of A.

3-Theorem: The inverse of a square matrix is unique and denoted by A−1 .

Proof.

1
How to compute the inverse of a square matrix?

2 × 2 Matrices:
   
a b d −b
If A = and ad − bc 6= 0 then A−1 = 1
c d detA −c a

2
n × n Matrices

3
n × n Matrices

4
4-Theorem: Let A and B be n × n invertible matrices. Then AB is invertible and

(AB)−1 = B −1 A−1

Proof.