Master matrix fundamentals with visual diagrams, step-by-step solutions with marking scheme, MCQs, Assertion-Reasoning, and previous year questions.
What is a matrix? Let's visualize it.
A matrix is an ordered rectangular array of numbers or functions. The numbers or functions are called elements or entries of the matrix.
A matrix is an ordered rectangular array of numbers (or functions) enclosed in brackets $[ \ ]$ or $( \ )$.
We denote matrices by capital letters like A, B, C, etc. A matrix with $m$ rows and $n$ columns is called an $m \times n$ matrix.
If a matrix has $m$ rows and $n$ columns, its order is $m \times n$ (read as "m by n").
Total number of elements in an $m \times n$ matrix = $m \times n$
Always write order as Rows × Columns (R × C).
Elements are denoted by $a_{ij}$ where $i$ = row number, $j$ = column number. So $a_{23}$ means the element in 2nd row and 3rd column.
See how matrices look and behave
Learn all 9 types with conditions and examples
| Type | Condition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Row Matrix | Only 1 row ($1 \times n$) | $[1 \ \ 2 \ \ 3]$ |
| Column Matrix | Only 1 column ($m \times 1$) | $\begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix}$ |
| Square Matrix | Rows = Columns ($m = n$) | $\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}$ |
| Diagonal Matrix | Non-diagonal elements = 0 | $\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 5 \end{bmatrix}$ |
| Scalar Matrix | Diagonal has same value $k \neq 0$ | $\begin{bmatrix} 3 & 0 \\ 0 & 3 \end{bmatrix}$ |
| Identity Matrix | Diagonal = 1, rest = 0 | $\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$ |
| Zero Matrix | All elements = 0 | $\begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$ |
| Symmetric | $A^T = A$ | $\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 3 \end{bmatrix}$ |
| Skew-Symmetric | $A^T = -A$ (diagonal = 0) | $\begin{bmatrix} 0 & 2 \\ -2 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$ |
Addition, Scalar Multiplication, Multiplication, Transpose
Two matrices can be added only if they have the same order. The result is obtained by adding corresponding elements.
If $k$ is a scalar (real number), then $kA$ is obtained by multiplying every element of A by $k$.
Negative of a matrix: $-A = (-1)A$
The product $AB$ is defined only when columns of A = rows of B.
The $(i,k)$ element of $AB$ is:
If $A$ is $m \times n$, then $A^T$ is $n \times m$ obtained by interchanging rows and columns.
$A^T = A$, i.e., $a_{ij} = a_{ji}$ for all $i, j$.
$A^T = -A$, i.e., $a_{ij} = -a_{ji}$ for all $i, j$. All diagonal elements = 0.
A square matrix $A$ of order $n$ is invertible if there exists a matrix $B$ such that:
Then $B = A^{-1}$ (called the inverse of A).
Memorize these for board exams
Speed techniques for board exams
"Row first, Column second"
"Inner dimensions must match"
Whenever you take transpose of a product, REVERSE the order:
"Mirror check" — Look at elements across the main diagonal:
For any product-based operation:
Remember: "Flip and Reverse"
For any positive integer $n$: $I^n = I$
Unlike real numbers:
Multiplication of diagonal matrices of same order is commutative:
Any square matrix A can be split into:
For rotational matrices $A = \begin{bmatrix} \cos\theta & \sin\theta \\ -\sin\theta & \cos\theta \end{bmatrix}$:
Click "Show Answer" to reveal step-by-step solutions with marks
Q1. If a matrix has 8 elements, what are the possible orders it can have?
If a matrix has order $m \times n$, then total elements = $mn$.
Given: $mn = 8$.
Factor pairs of 8: $(1, 8), (2, 4), (4, 2), (8, 1)$.
Possible orders: $1 \times 8, \ 2 \times 4, \ 4 \times 2, \ 8 \times 1$.
Q2. Construct a $3 \times 2$ matrix whose elements are given by $a_{ij} = \frac{1}{2}|i - 3j|$.
$A = \begin{bmatrix} a_{11} & a_{12} \\ a_{21} & a_{22} \\ a_{31} & a_{32} \end{bmatrix}$ with $i = 1, 2, 3$ and $j = 1, 2$.
$a_{11} = \frac{1}{2}|1 - 3| = \frac{1}{2}(2) = 1$
$a_{12} = \frac{1}{2}|1 - 6| = \frac{1}{2}(5) = \frac{5}{2}$
$a_{21} = \frac{1}{2}|2 - 3| = \frac{1}{2}(1) = \frac{1}{2}$
$a_{22} = \frac{1}{2}|2 - 6| = \frac{1}{2}(4) = 2$
$a_{31} = \frac{1}{2}|3 - 3| = 0$
$a_{32} = \frac{1}{2}|3 - 6| = \frac{1}{2}(3) = \frac{3}{2}$
$A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 5/2 \\ 1/2 & 2 \\ 0 & 3/2 \end{bmatrix}$
Q3. If $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -1 & 3 \\ -1 & 0 & 2 \end{bmatrix}$, find $2A - B$.
$2A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 4 & 6 \\ 4 & 6 & 2 \end{bmatrix}$
$2A - B = \begin{bmatrix} 2-3 & 4-(-1) & 6-3 \\ 4-(-1) & 6-0 & 2-2 \end{bmatrix}$
$= \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 5 & 3 \\ 5 & 6 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$
Select your answer and click "Check Answers"
Each question has an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R). Choose the correct option.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true, but R is false.
(D) A is false, but R is true.
Frequently asked questions in board exams
Q. Find the values of $x$ and $y$ if $\begin{bmatrix} x+2 & 3 \\ 5 & 2y-1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 3 \\ 5 & 7 \end{bmatrix}$.
By equality of matrices: $x + 2 = 5$ and $2y - 1 = 7$.
$x = 3$ and $2y = 8 \Rightarrow y = 4$.
Q. If $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 4 & 3 \end{bmatrix}$, find $AB$.
$AB = \begin{bmatrix} 1(2)+2(4) & 1(1)+2(3) \\ 3(2)+4(4) & 3(1)+4(3) \end{bmatrix}$
$= \begin{bmatrix} 2+8 & 1+6 \\ 6+16 & 3+12 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 10 & 7 \\ 22 & 15 \end{bmatrix}$
Q. Show that the matrix $A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 & -1 \\ -1 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & -1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$ is skew-symmetric.
$A^T = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & -1 \\ -1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$
$-A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & -1 \\ -1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} = A^T$ ✓
Also diagonal = 0 ✓
Q. Express the matrix $B = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -2 & -4 \\ -1 & 3 & 4 \\ 1 & -2 & -3 \end{bmatrix}$ as sum of a symmetric and a skew-symmetric matrix.
$B^T = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -1 & 1 \\ -2 & 3 & -2 \\ -4 & 4 & -3 \end{bmatrix}$
$P = \frac{1}{2}(B + B^T) = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -3/2 & -3/2 \\ -3/2 & 3 & 1 \\ -3/2 & 1 & -3 \end{bmatrix}$
$Q = \frac{1}{2}(B - B^T) = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -1/2 & -5/2 \\ 1/2 & 0 & 3 \\ 5/2 & -3 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$
Q. If $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 4 & 3 \end{bmatrix}$, then verify $(AB)^T = B^T A^T$.
$AB = \begin{bmatrix} 10 & 7 \\ 22 & 15 \end{bmatrix}$
$(AB)^T = \begin{bmatrix} 10 & 22 \\ 7 & 15 \end{bmatrix}$
$B^T A^T = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 4 \\ 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 3 \\ 2 & 4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 10 & 22 \\ 7 & 15 \end{bmatrix}$
LHS = RHS ✓
Q. Find $x$, $y$, $z$ if $2\begin{bmatrix} x & 3 \\ 4 & y \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 6 \\ z & 8 \end{bmatrix}$.
$\begin{bmatrix} 2x & 6 \\ 8 & 2y \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 6 \\ z & 8 \end{bmatrix}$
$2x = 4 \Rightarrow x = 2$; $2y = 8 \Rightarrow y = 4$; $z = 8$.
Q. If $A = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -2 \\ 4 & -2 \end{bmatrix}$ and $I = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$, find $k$ so that $A^2 = kA - 2I$.
$A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 9-8 & -6+4 \\ 12-8 & -8+4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ 4 & -4 \end{bmatrix}$
$kA - 2I = \begin{bmatrix} 3k-2 & -2k \\ 4k & -2k-2 \end{bmatrix}$
Equate: $3k - 2 = 1 \Rightarrow k = 1$. Check others: $-2k = -2 \Rightarrow k = 1$ ✓
Q. If $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 3 & -2 & 1 \\ 4 & 2 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$, show that $A^3 - 23A - 40I = O$.
$A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 19 & 4 & 8 \\ 1 & 12 & 8 \\ 14 & 6 & 15 \end{bmatrix}$
$A^3 = \begin{bmatrix} 63 & 46 & 69 \\ 69 & -6 & 23 \\ 92 & 46 & 63 \end{bmatrix}$
$23A + 40I = \begin{bmatrix} 63 & 46 & 69 \\ 69 & -6 & 23 \\ 92 & 46 & 63 \end{bmatrix} = A^3$
So $A^3 - 23A - 40I = O$ ✓