Lesson Name: Matrices

URL: https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/
Matrices
A rectangular array of m x n numbers (real or complex) in the form of m horizontal lines (called rows) and n
vertical lines (called columns), is called a matrix of order m by n, written as m x n matrix. Such an array is
enclosed by [ ] or ( ) |.

Table of Contents for Matrices

Introduction to Matrices
Types of Matrices (https://byjus.com/jee/types-of-matrices/)
Matrix Operations (https://byjus.com/jee/matrix-operations/)
Adjoint and Inverse of a Matrix (https://byjus.com/jee/adjoint-and-inverse-of-a-matrix/)
Rank of a Matrix and Special Matrices (https://byjus.com/jee/rank-of-a-matrix-and-special-matrices/)
Solving Linear Equations using Matrix (https://byjus.com/jee/solving-linear-equations-using-matrix/)

Introduction to Matrices
An m x n matrix is usually written as:

a11 a12 ….. a1n

⎡ ⎤

⎢ a21 a22 ….. a2n ⎥

A = ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⎥

⎣ ⎦
am1 am2 ….. amn
In brief, the above matrix is represented by A = [aij] mxn. The number a11, a12, ….. etc., are known as the
elements of the matrix A, where aij belongs to the ith row and jth column and is called the (i, j)th element of
the matrix A = [aij].

Important Formulas for Matrices 

If A, B are square matrices of order n, and In is a corresponding unit matrix
(https://byjus.com/maths/identity-matrix/), then

(a) A(adj.A) = | A | In = (adj A) A

(b) | adj A | = | A |n-1 (Thus A (adj A) is always a scalar matrix)

(c) adj (adj.A) = | A |n-2 A

2
(n−1)
(e) |adj (adj. A)| = |A|

(f) adj (AB) = (adj B) (adj A)

(g) adj (Am) = (adj A)m,

(h) adj(kA)
n−1
= k (adj. A), k ∈ R

(i) adj(I n ) = In

(j) adj 0 = 0

(k) A is symmetric ⇒adj A is also symmetric

(l) A is diagonal ⇒adj A is also diagonal

(m) A is triangular ⇒adj A is also triangular

https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/ 1/7
 Matrices Introduction - Definition, Properties, Types and Examples

(n) A is singular ⇒| adj A | = 0

Types of Matrices
(i) Symmetric Matrix: A square matrix A = [aij ] is called a symmetric matrix if aij = aji , for all i, j.

(ii) Skew-Symmetric Matrix: when aij = −aji

θ
(iii) Hermitian and skew – Hermitian Matrix: A = A (Hermitian matrix)

A
θ
= −A (skew-Hermitian matrix)

(iv) Orthogonal matrix: if AAT = In = A

T
A

2
(v) Idempotent matrix: if A = A

2 −1
(vi) Involuntary matrix: if A = I or A = A

P
(vii) Nilpotent matrix: if ∃ p ∈ N such that A = 0

Trace of matrix
(i) tr (λA) = λtr (A)

(ii) tr(A + B) = tr(A) + tr(B)

(iii) tr(AB) = tr(BA)

Transpose of matrix
T T T T T T
T T
(i)(A ) = A (ii)(A ± B) = A ± B (iii)(AB) = B A
T T T T t T T T
(iv)(kA) = k(A) (v)(A1 A2 A3 … … . An−1 An ) = An A …….A A A
n−1 3 2 1

T T
(vi)I = I (vii)tr(A) = t(A )

Properties of Matrix Multiplication

(i)AB ≠ BA (ii)(AB)C = A(BC ) (iii)A. (B + C ) = A. B + A. C

Adjoint of a Matrix
n−1
(i)A(adj A) = (adj A)A = |A|I n (ii)|adj A| = |A|

n−2
(iii)(adj AB) = (adj B)(adj A) (iv)adj (adj A) = |A|

Inverse of a Matrix
A-1 exists if A is non singular i.e. |A| ≠ 0

−1 −1 −1 T −1 −1 T −1 −1
1
(i)A = (Adj. A) (ii)A A = I n = AA (iii)(A ) = (A ) (iv)(A ) = A
|A|

−1 −1 1
(v)|A | = |A| =
|A|

Order of a Matrix
A matrix which has m rows and n columns is called a matrix of order (https://byjus.com/maths/determine-
the-order-of-matrix/) m x n

4 − 1 5
E.g. the order of [ ] matrix is 2 x 3.
6 8 − 7

https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/ 2/7
 Matrices Introduction - Definition, Properties, Types and Examples

Note: (a) The matrix is just an arrangement of certain quantities.

(b) The elements of a matrix may be real or complex numbers. If all the elements of a matrix are real, then
the matrix is called a real matrix.

(c) An m x n matrix has m.n elements.

Illustration 1: Construct a 3×4 matrix A = [aij], whose elements are given by aij = 2i + 3j.

Solution: In this problem, I and j are the number of rows and columns respectively. By substituting the
respective values of rows and columns in aij = 2i + 3j we can construct the required matrix.

We have A =.

Similarly, a13 = 11, a14=14, a21 = 7, a22=10, a23=13, a24=16,a31=9, a32=12, a33=15, a34=18

5 8 11 14
⎡ ⎤
∴A = ⎢7 10 13 16 ⎥ .
⎣ ⎦
9 12 18 18

Illustration 2: Construct a 3 x 4 matrix, whose elements are given by: aij = 2 |3i + j|
1

Solution:

Method for solving this problem is the same as in the above problem.

Since aij
1 1 1 1 2
= | − 3i + j|we have a11 = | − 3(1) + 1| = | − 3 + 1| = | − 2| = = 1
2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
a12 = | − 3(1) + 2| = | − 3 + 2| = | − 1| =
2 2 2 2
1 1 1
a13 = | − 3(1) + 3| = | − 3 + 3| = (0) = 0
2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 5
a14 = | − 3(1) + 4| = | − 3 + 4| = ; a21 | − 3(2) + 1| = | − 6 + 1| =
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 4 1 1 3
a22 = | − 3(2) + 2| = | − 6 + 2| = = 2; a23 | − 3(2) + 3| = | − 6 + 3| =
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 2 7 5
a24 = | − 3(2) + 4| = | − 6 + 4| = = 1; S imilarlya31 = 4, a32 = , a33 = 3, a34 =
2 2 2 2 2

1 1
1 0
⎡ 2 2 ⎤

Hence, the required matrix is given by A = ⎢

⎢
5
2
3
1 ⎥
⎥
2 2

⎣ 4 7 5 ⎦
3
2 2

Trace of a Matrix
Let A = [aij]nxn and B = [bij]nxn and λ be a scalar,

(i) tr(λA) = λ tr(A) (ii) tr(A + B) = tr(A) + tr(B) (iii) tr(AB) = tr(BA)

https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/ 3/7
 Matrices Introduction - Definition, Properties, Types and Examples

Transpose of Matrix
The matrix obtained from a given matrix A by changing its rows into columns or columns into rows is called
the transpose of matrix (https://byjus.com/maths/transpose-of-a-matrix/) A and is denoted by AT or A’.
From the de nition it is obvious that if the order of A is m x n, then the order of AT becomes n x m; E.g.
transpose of matrix

a1 b1
⎡ ⎤
a1 a2 a3
[ ] is⎢ a2 b2 ⎥ .
b1 b2 b3 2×3 ⎣ ⎦
a3 b3 3×2

Properties of Transpose of Matrix

(i) (AT)T= A (ii) (A + B)T = AT+ BT (iii) (AB)T = BTAT (iv) (kA)T = k(A)T

(v) (A1A2A3 ……An-1An)T = AT T

n A n−1 …..A
T
3
A
T
2
A
T
1
(vi) IT = I (vii) tr(A) = tr(AT)

Problems on Matrices
1 3
⎡ ⎤
1 −2 3
Illustration 3: If A = [ ] andB = ⎢ −1 0⎥ . then prove that (AB)T = BTAT.
−4 2 5 ⎣ ⎦
2 4

Solution:

By obtaining the transpose of AB i.e. (AB)T and multiplying BT and AT we can easily get the result.

https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/ 4/7
 Matrices Introduction - Definition, Properties, Types and Examples

Here, AB =
1 3
⎡ ⎤
1 −2 3 1(1) − 2(−1) + 3(2) 1(3) − 2(0) + 3(4)
A = [ ] andB = ⎢ −1 0⎥ = [ ] .
−4 2 5 ⎣ ⎦ −4(1) + 2(−1) + 5(2) −4(3) + 2(0) + (4)
2 4

9 15
= [ ]
4 8

1 −4
⎡ ⎤
T
9 4 T T
1 −1 2
∴ (AB) = [ ];B A == [ ] ⎢ −2 2 ⎥
15 8 3 0 4 ⎣ ⎦
3 5

1(1) − 1(−2) + 2(3) 1(−4) − 1(2) + 2(5) 9 4 T

= [ ] = [ ] = (AB)
3(1) + 0(−2) + 4(3) 3(−4) + 0(2) + 4(5) 15 8

5 −1 3 0 2 3
Illustration 4: If A =A = [ ] andB = [ ] . then what is is equal to?
0 1 2 1 −1 4

Solution:

In this problem, we use the properties of the transpose of a matrix to get the required result.

5 0
⎡ ⎤
′ ′ ′ 0 2 3 7 8
We have =(B ′
) A = BA = [ ] ⎢ −1 1⎥ = [ ] .
1 −1 4 ⎣ ⎦ 18 7
3 2

3 − x 2 2
⎡ ⎤
Illustration 5: If the matrix A = ⎢ 2 4 − x 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
−2 −4 −1 − x

is a singular matrix then nd x. Verify whether AAT = I for that value of x.

Solution:

Using the condition of a singular matrix, i.e. |A| = 0, we get the value of x and then substituting the value of x
in matrix A and multiplying it to its transpose we will obtain the required result.

∣3 − x 2 2 ∣
∣ ∣
Here, A is a singular matrix if |A| = 0, i.e., 2 4 − x 1 = 0
∣ ∣
∣ −2 −4 −1 − x ∣

∣3 − x 2 2 ∣ ∣3 − x 0 2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
or 2 4 − x 1 = 0, u sin g R3 → R3 + R2 or 2 3 − x 1 = 0, u sin g C2
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ 0 −x −x ∣ ∣ 0 0 −x ∣

→ C2 − C3

orx(3x)2 = 0, x = 0, 3.

3 2 2
⎡ ⎤
When x = 0, A = ⎢ 2 4 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
−2 −4 −1

3 2 2 3 2 −2
⎡ ⎤⎡ ⎤
T
∴ AA = ⎢ 2 4 1 ⎥⎢2 4 −4 ⎥
⎣ ⎦⎣ ⎦
−2 −4 −1 2 1 −1

https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/ 5/7
 Matrices Introduction - Definition, Properties, Types and Examples

17 16 −16
⎡ ⎤
=⎢ 16 21 −21 ⎥ ≠ I
⎣ ⎦
−16 −21 21

0 2 2
⎡ ⎤
When x = 3, A = ⎢ 2 1 1 ⎥;
⎣ ⎦
−2 −4 −4

0 2 2 0 2 −2 8 4 −16
⎡ ⎤⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤
T
∴ AA = ⎢ 2 1 1 ⎥⎢2 1 −4 ⎥ = ⎢ 4 6 −12 ⎥ ≠ I
⎣ ⎦⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
−2 −4 −4 2 1 −4 −16 −12 36

Note: simple way to solve is that if A is a singular matrix then |A| = 0 and |AT| = 0. But |I| is 1.

Hence, AAT ≠ I if |A| = 0.

a b c
⎡ ⎤
Illustration 6: If the matrix A = ⎢ b c a⎥
⎣ ⎦
c a b

where a, b, c, are positive real numbers such that abc = 1 and ATA = I then nd the value of a3 + b3 + c3.

Solution:

a b c a b c
⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤
T
Here, A= ⎢ b c a ⎥ . S o, A = ⎢b c a⎥,
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
c a b c a b

Interchanging rows and columns.

2
a b c
⎡ ⎤
T 2
⇒A A = ⎢b c a⎥ = A

⎣ ⎦
c a b

T 2 T
⇒ |A A| = |A |; ButA A = I (given).

2 2
∴ |I | = |A| ⇒ 1 = |A|

∣a b c ∣ ∣ 1 1 1∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
Now, |A| = b c a = (a + b + c) b c a , R1 → R1 + R2 + R3
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ c a b ∣ ∣ c a b ∣

∣ 1 0 0 ∣
∣ ∣ C2 → C2 − C1
= (a + b + c) b c − b a − b ,
∣ ∣
C3 → C3 − C1
∣ c a − c b − c∣

= (a + b + c) {(c b) (b c) – (a b) (a c)} = (a + b +c) (b2c2 + 2bca2 + ac + abbc)

= (a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2bccaab) =(a3 + b3 + c33 abc)

= (a3 + b3 + c33) (abc = 1) |A|2 = 1(a3 + b3 +c33)2 = 1 …..(i)

3 3 3 −−−− −
a +b +c
As a, b, c are positive, 3
3 3 3
> √a b c

Since, abc=1 ∴ {{a}^{3}}+{{b}^{3}}+{{c}^{3}}>3\) (i) 3 3 3

⇒ a + b + c − 3 = 1

https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/ 6/7
 Matrices Introduction - Definition, Properties, Types and Examples
3
∴  a3 + b + c
3
= 4

https://byjus.com/jee/matrices/ 7/7