Matrices Assignment MS, IB 1, Oct 2022 [85 

marks]
1a. [2 marks]

Let A =  (13 2
−1 )
and B =
3 0
−2 1
. ( )
Find A + B.

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
evidence of addition     (M1)
eg at least two correct elements

A + B =  ( 41 20)    A1    N2

[2 marks]
1b. [2 marks]
Find −3A. 

Markscheme
evidence of multiplication    (M1)
eg at least two correct elements

−3A = (−3
−9 3 )
−6
    A1    N2

[2 marks]
1c. [3 marks]
Find AB.

Markscheme
evidence of matrix multiplication (in correct order)   (M1)

eg  AB =  (3 1( 3()3+) +2(−1(−2) (−2) ) 1 ( 0 ) +2 ( 1 )

3 ( 0 )+ (−1 )( 1 ) )
1
AB = (−1
11 −1)
2
       A2  N3

[3 marks]
2. [4 marks]

If  A= (−42 pp 3p) and det  A=14, find the possible values of  p.
Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
2
2 p +12 p=14       (M1)(A1)

p2 +6 p−7=0
( p+7 ) ( p−1 ) =0       (A1)
p=−7 or  p=1      (A1) (C4)
Note: Both answers are required for the final (A1).
[4 marks]
3a. [3 marks]

()
3
Let A =  ( 1 x −1
3 1 4 )
and B = x .
2

Find AB.

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
Attempting to multiply matrices       (M1)

)( ) (
3
( 1 x −1
3 1 4
x =
2
3+ x 2−2
9+ x +8
¿
1+ x2
17+ x )( ( ))
        A1A1    N3

[3 marks]
3b. [3 marks]

2
The matrix C =  (2028) and 2AB = C. Find the value of x.
Markscheme
Setting up equation      M1

( )( )( )( )( )( )
2 2 2
1+ x 20 2+2 x 20 1+ x 10
eg  2 = ,   = ,   =
17+ x 28 34 +2 x 28 17+ x 14

34+ 2 x=28 ( 17+ x=14 )

2 2
2+2 x =20 1+ x =10
            (A1)

x=−3         A1    N2
[3 marks]
4. [6 marks]

Consider the matrix A  ¿ ( e x e− x

2+ e
x
1 ), where x ∈ R.

Find the value of x for which A is singular.

Markscheme
finding det A = e x −e−x ( 2+ e x ) or equivalent         A1

A is singular ⇒ det A = 0         (R1)

e −e ( 2+ e )=0
x −x x

2x x
e −e −2=0          A1
solving for e x          (M1)

e x > 0  (or equivalent explanation)         (R1)

x
e =2
x=¿ ln 2  (only)         A1   N0
[6 marks]
5. [4 marks]

A and B are 2 × 2 matrices, where  A= [ 52 20] and BA=[ 1144 28]. Find B

3
Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.

B=( BA ) A −1      (M1)

¿− ( )(
1 11 2 0 −2
4 44 8 −2 5
     (M1) )
¿− (
4 −16 −48)
1 −4 −12
      (A1)

¿(
4 12 )
1 3
      (A1)

OR

( ac db )(52 20)=( 1144 28)     (M1)

⇒
5 a+2 b=11
2 a=2 }
⇒ a=1,  b=3     (A1)

5 c+ 2 d=44
2 c=8 }
⇒ c =4 ,  d=12     (A1)

B= (14 123 )     (A1) (C4)

Note: Correct solution with inversion (ie AB instead of BA) earns FT marks, (maximum [3
marks]).
[4 marks]
6. [5 marks]

If A = (1k 2
−1 )
and A2 is a matrix whose entries are all 0, find k .

Markscheme

A2 = (1k )(
2 1 2
−1 k −1 )
          M1

4
¿ ( 1+02k 0
2 k +1 )
         A2

Note: Award A2 for 4 correct, A1 for 2 or 3 correct.

1+2 k=0          M1
−1
k=          A1
2
[5 marks]
7. [5 marks]

Given that M = (−32 −1

4 )
 and that M2 – 6M + kI = 0 find k.

Markscheme

M2 = (−32 )( −1 2 −1
4 −3 4 )(
=
7 −6
−18 19 )
          M1A1

⇒(
−18 19 ) ( −18 24 )
7 −6 12 −6
−  + kI = 0         (M1)

⇒ (−5 0 )  + kI = 0         (A1)

0 −5

⇒ k = 5         A1
[5 marks]
8a. [2 marks]

Consider the matrix A  ¿ ( 57 −21 ).

Write down the inverse, A–1.

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.
det A = 5(1) − 7(−2) = 19

( )
1 2
A–1 ¿
1 1 2
19 −7 5 (
= 19
−7 ) 19
5
       (A2)
19 19

5
Note: Award (A1) for  (−71 25), (A1) for dividing by 19.
OR

A–1 ¿ (−0.368
0.0526 0.105
0.263 )
                      (G2)

[2 marks]
8b. [2 marks]
B, C and X are also 2 × 2 matrices.
Given that XA + B = C, express X in terms of A–1, B and C.

Markscheme
XA + B = C ⇒ XA = C – Β        (M1)
X = (C – Β)Α–1   (A1)
OR
X = (C – B)A–1       (A2)
[2 marks]
8c. [2 marks]

Given that B ¿ ( 65 −27 ), and C ¿(−5

−8 7 )
0
, find X.

Markscheme

( )
1 2
(C – Β)Α–1 = (
−11 −7 19
−13 9 −7 ) 19
5
       (A1)
19 19

( )(
38 −57
⇒X=
19
−76
19 = 2 −3
19 −4 1
   (A1) )
19 19

OR

X= (−42 −3
1 )
       (G2)

6
Note: If premultiplication by A–1 is used, award (M1)(M0) in part (i) but award (A2)

( )
−37 11
19 19
for   in part (ii).
12 94
19 19

[2 marks]
9a. [2 marks]

( ) () ()
1 2 3 18 x
Let A = 3 1 2 ,  B = 23 ,  and X = y .
2 0 1 13 z

Write down the inverse matrix A−1.

Markscheme
* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences
in marking or structure.

( )
−1 2 −1
3 3 3

( )
−0.333 0.667 −0.333
−1 5 −7
A−1 =  or  −0.333 1.67 −2.33           A2 N2
3 3 3
0.667 −1.33 1.67
2 −4 5
3 3 3

[2 marks]
9b. [1 mark]
Consider the equation AX = B.
Express X in terms of A−1 and B.

Markscheme
X = A−1B        A1 N1
[1 mark]
9c. [3 marks]
Hence, solve for X.

7
Markscheme

()
5
X = 2         A3 N3
3

[3 marks]
10a. [3 marks]

Let M2 = M where M =  ( ac db ) ,bc ≠ 0. 

Show that a+ d=1.

Markscheme
Attempting to find M2           M1

( )
2
a +bc ab+ bd
M2 =             A1
ac+ cd bc+ d 2

b ( a+ d )=b or c ( a+d ) =c            A1

Hence a+ d=1   (as b ≠ 0 or c ≠ 0)      AG  N0
[3 marks]
10b. [2 marks]
Find an expression for bc in terms of a .

Markscheme
2
a + bc=a        M1
2
⇒ bc=a−a          A1  N1
[2 marks]
10c. [3 marks]
Hence show that M is a singular matrix.

Markscheme
METHOD 1
Using det M = ad−bc         M1
det M = ad−a ( 1−a ) or det M = a ( 1−a )−a (1−a )

8
(or equivalent)         A1
      ¿ 0 using a+ d=1 or d=1−a  to simplify their expression         R1
Hence M is a singular matrix         AG  N0
 
METHOD 2
Using bc=a (1−a ) and a+ d=1 to obtain bc=ad         M1A1
det M = ad−bc and ad−bc=0 as bc=ad          R1
Hence M is a singular matrix         AG  N0
 
[3 marks]
10d. [3 marks]
If all of the elements of M are positive, find the range of possible values for a .

Markscheme
a ( 1−a ) >0        (M1)

0 < a < 1        A1A1    N3

Note: Award A1 for correct endpoints and A1 for correct inequality signs.
[3 marks]
10e. [3 marks]
Show that (I − M)2 = I − M where I is the identity matrix.

Markscheme
METHOD 1
Attempting to expand (I − M)2      M1
(I − M)2 = I − 2M + M2      A1    
              = I − 2M + M          A1    
              = I − M         AG   N0
METHOD 2

( )
2
1−a −b
Attempting to expand (I − M)2 =    (or equivalent)      M1
−c 1−d

9
(I − M)2 =  ( ( 1−a )2+ bc
−c ( 1−a )−c ( 1−d )
−b ( 1−a )−b ( 1−d )
bc+ ( 1−d )2 )
(or equivalent)          A1  
Use of a+ d=1 and bc=a−a2 to show desired result.      M1

Hence (I − M)2 =  (1−a

−c
−b
1−d )
      AG   N0 

[3 marks]
11a. [5 marks]

Let A  ¿ ( 34 13 ).
Find the values of λ for which the matrix (A − λ I) is singular.

Markscheme

A −  λ I = (3−λ
4
1
3− λ )
           A1

If A −  λ I is singular then det (A −  λ I) = 0           (R1)

det (A −  λ I) ¿ ( 3− λ ) −4 ( ¿ λ 2−6 λ+5 )           (A1)

2

Attempting to solve ( 3−λ )2−4=0 or equivalent for  λ          M1

λ = 1, 5      A1  N2
Note: Candidates need both values of λ for the final A1.
[5 marks]

11b. [5 marks]

Let A2 + mA + n I = O where m, n ∈ Z and O = (00 00).

Find the value of m and of n .

Markscheme

( ) ( ) ( )( )
2
3 1 +m 3 1 + n 1 0 = 0 0
           A1
4 3 4 3 0 1 0 0

10
( ) ( )
2
3 1 = 13 6
           (A1)
4 3 24 13

Forming any two independent equations           M1

(eg 6+m=0, 13+3 m+n=0 or equivalent)
Note: Accept equations in matrix form.
Solving these two equations      (M1)
m=−6 and n=5      A1  N2
[5 marks]
11c. [4 marks]
1
Hence show that I = A (6I – A).
5
Markscheme
A2 − 6A + 5I = O        (M1)
5I = 6A − A2         A1
= A(6I − A)          A1A1
Note: Award A1 for A and A1 for (6I − A).
1
I = A(6I − A)     AG  N0
5
Special Case: Award M1A0A0A0 only for candidates following alternative methods.
[5 marks]
11d. [3 marks]
Use the result from part (b) (ii) to explain why A is non-singular.

Markscheme
METHOD 1
1 1
I = A(6I − A) = A ×  (6I − A)         M1
5 5
1
Hence by definition (6I − A) is the inverse of A.     R1
5
Hence A−1 exists and so A is non-singular       R1   N0
 METHOD 2
11
As det I = 1 (≠ 0), then          R1
1 1
det  A(6I − A) = det A × det (6I − A) (≠ 0)      M1
5 5
⇒ det A ≠ 0 and so A is non-singular.         R1   N0 
[3 marks]
11e. [5 marks]
Use the values from part (b) (i) to express A4 in the form pA+ q I where p, q ∈ Z .

Markscheme
METHOD 1
A2 = 6A − 5I              (A1)
A4 = (6A − 5I)2              M1
     = 36A2 − 60AI + 25I2              A1
     = 36(6A − 5I) − 60A + 25I              M1
     = 156A − 155I ( p = 156, q  = −155)              A1  N0
 METHOD 2
A2 = 6A − 5I              (A1)
A3 = 6A2 − 5A where A2 = 6A − 5I              M1
     = 31A − 30I              A1
A4 = 31A2 − 30A where A2 = 6A − 5I              M1
     = 156A − 155I ( p = 156, q  = −155)              A1  N0
 Note: Do not accept methods that evaluate A4 directly from A.
 [5 marks]

12