Matrices Questions with Solutions

A matrix is a rectangular arrangement of numbers in rows and columns. This topic covers types of matrices (square, diagonal, scalar, identity, symmetric and skew-symmetric), matrix operations (addition, scalar multiplication and matrix multiplication), the transpose, determinants and their properties, minors and cofactors, the adjoint, and the inverse of a matrix. It also covers solving systems of linear equations using the inverse method and elementary row and column transformations. Remember that matrix multiplication is not commutative, so AB need not equal BA, and that the inverse exists only when the determinant is not zero. Useful results include |AB| = |A||B|, (AB)^-1 = B^-1 A^-1, and |kA| = k^n |A| for a matrix of order n. These properties solve many questions without heavy calculation. Practise the matrices questions below, each with a step-by-step solution.