Find:
- \(A+B\)
- \(A-B\)
- \(3A-C\)
- \(AB\)
- \(BA\)
Concept/Theory
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This question tests the fundamental operations on matrices: matrix addition, matrix subtraction, scalar multiplication and matrix multiplication. These operations follow specific rules, so the order and dimensions of the matrices must be checked before performing any calculation.
1. Addition of Matrices
Two matrices can be added only when they have the same order. The corresponding elements are added.
2. Subtraction of Matrices
Two matrices can be subtracted only when they have the same order. The corresponding elements are subtracted.
3. Scalar Multiplication
When a matrix is multiplied by a scalar, every element of the matrix is multiplied by that scalar.
4. Matrix Multiplication
If \(A\) is of order \(m\times n\) and \(B\) is of order \(n\times p\), then the product \(AB\) is defined and has order \(m\times p\).
In matrix multiplication, each element is obtained by multiplying the corresponding elements of a row of the first matrix by a column of the second matrix and then adding the products.
A crucial property is that matrix multiplication is generally not commutative.
Step-by-step Plan
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Verify that \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) have compatible orders.
For \(A+B\), add corresponding elements.
For \(A-B\), subtract corresponding elements carefully, particularly when negative entries occur.
For \(3A-C\), first multiply every element of \(A\) by \(3\), then subtract \(C\).
For \(AB\), multiply each row of \(A\) by each column of \(B\).
For \(BA\), reverse the order and multiply each row of \(B\) by each column of \(A\).
Compare \(AB\) and \(BA\) to observe whether the matrices commute.
Complete Solution
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Given — Matrices \[A=\begin{bmatrix}2 & 4\\3 & 2\end{bmatrix},\quad B=\begin{bmatrix}1 & 3\\-2 & 5\end{bmatrix},\quad C=\begin{bmatrix}-2 & 5\\3 & 4\end{bmatrix}\]
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All three matrices are of order \(2\times2\). Therefore, addition, subtraction and scalar multiplication are defined. Also, both products \(AB\) and \(BA\) are defined and will each be of order \(2\times2\).
- (i) Find \(A+B\)
- We add the corresponding elements of \(A\) and \(B\).\[\begin{aligned}A+B&=\begin{bmatrix}2 & 4\\3 & 2\end{bmatrix}+ \begin{bmatrix}1 & 3\\-2 & 5\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}2+1 & 4+3\\3+(-2) & 2+5\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}3 & 7\\1 & 7\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- (ii) Find \(A-B\)
- To subtract \(B\) from \(A\), subtract each corresponding element of \(B\) from the corresponding element of \(A\).\[\begin{aligned}A-B&=\begin{bmatrix}2 & 4\\3 & 2\end{bmatrix}-\begin{bmatrix}1 & 3\\-2 & 5\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}2-1 & 4-3\\3-(-2) & 2-5\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}1 & 1\\5 & -3\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- (iii) Find \(3A-C\)
- First multiply every element of \(A\) by \(3\).\[\begin{aligned}3A&=3\begin{bmatrix}2 & 4\\3 & 2\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}3(2) & 3(4)\\3(3) & 3(2)\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}6 & 12\\9 & 6\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- Now subtract \(C\)\[\begin{aligned}3A-C&=\begin{bmatrix}6 & 12\\9 & 6\end{bmatrix}-\begin{bmatrix}-2 & 5\\3 & 4\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}6-(-2) & 12-5\\9-3 & 6-4\end{bmatrix}\\[8pt] &=\begin{bmatrix}8 & 7\\6 & 2\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- (iv) Find \(AB\)
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Since both \(A\) and \(B\) are \(2\times2\) matrices, the product \(AB\) is defined and will be a \(2\times2\) matrix
- \[\begin{aligned}AB&=\begin{bmatrix}2 & 4\\3 & 2\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}1 & 3\\-2 & 5\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- The \((1,1)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the first row of \(A\) by the first column of \(B\):\[(AB)_{11}=2(1)+4(-2)=2-8=-6\]
- The \((1,2)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the first row of \(A\) by the second column of \(B\):\[(AB)_{12}=2(3)+4(5)=6+20=26\]
- The \((2,1)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the second row of \(A\) by the first column of \(B\):\[(AB)_{21}=3(1)+2(-2)=3-4=-1\]
- The \((2,2)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the second row of \(A\) by the second column of \(B\):\[(AB)_{22}=3(3)+2(5)=9+10=19\]
- Therefore,\[\begin{aligned}AB&=\begin{bmatrix}-6 & 26\\-1 & 19\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- (v) Find \(BA\)
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Matrix multiplication is order-sensitive, so \(BA\) must be calculated separately. We cannot assume that \(BA=AB\).
- \[\begin{aligned}BA&=\begin{bmatrix}1 & 3\\-2 & 5\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}2 & 4\\3 & 2\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- The \((1,1)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the first row of \(B\) by the first column of \(A\):\[(BA)_{11}=1(2)+3(3)=2+9=11\]
- The \((1,2)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the first row of \(B\) by the second column of \(A\):\[(BA)_{12}=1(4)+3(2)=4+6=10\]
- The \((2,1)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the second row of \(B\) by the first column of \(A\):\[(BA)_{21}=(-2)(2)+5(3)=-4+15=11\]
- The \((2,2)\)-entry is obtained by multiplying the second row of \(B\) by the second column of \(A\):\[(BA)_{22}=(-2)(4)+5(2)=-8+10=2\]
- Therefore,\[\begin{aligned}BA&=\begin{bmatrix}11 & 10\\11 & 2\end{bmatrix}\end{aligned}\]
- Comparison of \(AB\) and \(BA\)
- \[AB=\begin{bmatrix}-6 & 26\\-1 & 19\end{bmatrix}\]\[BA=\begin{bmatrix}11 & 10\\11 & 2\end{bmatrix}\]
- Clearly,\[\boxed{AB\neq BA}\]
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Thus, this example demonstrates that matrix multiplication is generally not commutative.
Exam Significance
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This problem covers the basic matrix operations that form the foundation of the Class 12 Mathematics chapter on Matrices. Questions involving addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication and matrix multiplication are frequently used as direct-mark questions as well as intermediate steps in longer problems.
- Always check the order of matrices before performing an operation.
- For addition and subtraction, corresponding elements are operated upon.
- For scalar multiplication, the scalar multiplies every element.
- For matrix multiplication, use the row-by-column rule.
- Do not interchange \(AB\) and \(BA\).
- Write intermediate calculations clearly to avoid sign and multiplication errors.
- Negative entries require particular attention during subtraction and multiplication.
Significance for Competitive Entrance Examinations
Matrix operations are fundamental for competitive examinations such as JEE and other engineering entrance examinations. Problems may test not only direct multiplication but also order conditions, matrix identities, non-commutativity and algebraic manipulation involving several matrices.
A common competitive-exam trap is to treat matrices like ordinary numbers. In particular,
in general. Therefore, the order of multiplication must always be preserved. Careful row-by-column multiplication is essential for avoiding calculation errors in time-bound examinations.
Key Takeaways
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Two matrices can be added or subtracted only when they have the same order.
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Matrix addition is performed element by element.
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Matrix subtraction is also performed element by element.
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A scalar multiplies every element of a matrix.
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If \(A\) is \(m\times n\) and \(B\) is \(n\times p\), then \(AB\) exists and is of order \(m\times p\).
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Every entry of a matrix product is obtained using the row-by-column rule.
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Matrix multiplication is generally not commutative.
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For the given matrices,
\[ AB= \begin{bmatrix} -6 & 26\\ -1 & 19 \end{bmatrix} \] -
For the given matrices,
\[ BA= \begin{bmatrix} 11 & 10\\ 11 & 2 \end{bmatrix} \] -
Hence,
\[ AB\neq BA. \] -
Sign errors and incorrect row-column pairing are among the most common mistakes in matrix multiplication.