NIOS Pure HTML Study Hub

Mathematics — Class 12 — L22: Inverse of a Matrix and its Applications

NIOS Code 311 · Module 6 · Algebra-II

Notes extracted from NIOS Mathematics Course (311), Lesson 22 — Inverse of a Matrix and its Applications (ilovepdf_merged (6).pdf). Content covers sections 22.1–22.x.
Study timer: 00:00:00

Overview — Inverse of a Matrix (L22)

For a square matrix A, a matrix B is an inverse of A if AB = BA = I. When it exists it is unique and written A⁻¹. This lesson links inverses to determinants and adjoints and uses them to solve linear systems.

A⁻¹ = (1/det A) adj A · (det A ≠ 0)
adj A = transpose of cofactor matrix
Matrix A (m×n) a₁₁ a₁₂ a₁₃ a₂₁ a₂₂ a₂₃
Rows × columns layout of a matrix

22.1 Existence

A is invertible ⇔ det A ≠ 0 ⇔ A is non-singular. If det A = 0, no inverse exists.

22.2 Adjoint method

  1. Build cofactor matrix of A.
  2. Take its transpose → adj A.
  3. Divide by det A.
2×2 determinant | a b | | c d | = ad − bc Main diagonal product minus other diagonal
Expansion of a 2×2 determinant

22.3 Solving AX = B

If A is invertible, X = A⁻¹ B. Always verify by multiplication when numbers are small.

Check: AA⁻¹ = I and A⁻¹A = I — both must hold.

MCQ Quiz — L22 Inverse of a Matrix and its Applications

0 / 10 correct

Flashcards — L22

1 / 16

Golden Rules — L22 Inverse of a Matrix and its Applications

Most exam-important points from this chapter:

Know the definitions of L22

Start every answer with the key definition or standard form from Inverse of a Matrix and its Applications.

Write the formula first

Copy the formula, then substitute values; never jump to the number alone.

Watch conditions

Check domain, quadrant, non-zero denominators, and applicability of the theorem.

Master result 1

Memorise and apply: INVERSE OF A MATRIX AND ITS

Master result 2

Memorise and apply: Abhinav spends Rs. 120 in buying 2 pens and 5 note books whereas Shantanu spends Rs.

A⁻¹ = (1/|A|) adj A
AA⁻¹=I
Solve AX=B → X=A⁻¹B
Singular if |A|=0
(AB)⁻¹=B⁻¹A⁻¹

1. Formulas & Definitions

Full Ch 22 — Inverse of a Matrix and its Applications study guide: definitions, derivations, why each formula works, history, deep understanding, pencil diagrams, step-by-step use, and 4-level solved examples.

A⁻¹ = (1/det A) adj(A)

Definition: Inverse exists iff det A ≠ 0; equals adjugate over determinant.

Derivation

A adj(A) = (det A) I ⇒ multiply by 1/det A.

Variables

adj A = transpose of cofactor matrix

Why it works

Cofactors encode how volume changes when rows/columns vary.

Historical context

Standard classical adjoint formula.

Deep understanding

For 2×2: [[a,b],[c,d]]⁻¹ = (1/(ad−bc)) [[d,−b],[−c,a]].

2. Diagrams & Visuals

A⁻¹ = (1/det A) adj(A) Need det ≠ 0 adj / det AA⁻¹ = I

Pencil sketch · labelled · step-by-step breakdown below

  1. Compute det A
  2. Find cofactors → adj
  3. Multiply by 1/det
  4. Verify AA⁻¹=I

3. Solved Examples

Basic

Q: Inverse of [[1,0],[0,2]]

Solution: [[1,0],[0,1/2]]

Answer: [[1,0],[0,1/2]]

Intermediate

Q: [[1,2],[3,4]]⁻¹

Solution: (1/−2)[[4,−2],[−3,1]]

Answer: [[−2,1],[3/2,−1/2]]

Advanced

Q: If A⁻¹=A then A²=I

Solution: Multiply both sides by A

Answer: A² = I

Exam

Q: Condition for inverse.

Solution: det A ≠ 0

Answer: det A ≠ 0

AX = B ⇒ X = A⁻¹ B

Definition: Unique solution of linear system when A is invertible.

Derivation

Left-multiply by A⁻¹.

Variables

A n×n invertible · X, B columns

Why it works

Matrix inverse packages elimination into one object.

Historical context

Core application of inverses in NIOS.

Deep understanding

If det A=0 system may have 0 or ∞ solutions.

2. Diagrams & Visuals

AX = B ⇒ X = A⁻¹ B Left-multiply A⁻¹ X = A⁻¹B Need A invertible

Pencil sketch · labelled · step-by-step breakdown below

  1. Form A and B
  2. Find A⁻¹
  3. Compute A⁻¹B
  4. Check AX=B

3. Solved Examples

Basic

Q: 2x=4 as [2][x]=[4]

Solution: x=2

Answer: x = 2

Intermediate

Q: [[1,1],[0,1]][x,y]ᵀ=[3,2]ᵀ

Solution: y=2, x=1

Answer: x=1, y=2

Advanced

Q: Why not X=BA⁻¹?

Solution: A multiplies on left of X

Answer: Must left-multiply A⁻¹

Exam

Q: Write solution formula for AX=B.

Solution: X=A⁻¹B

Answer: X = A⁻¹B

(AB)⁻¹ = B⁻¹ A⁻¹

Definition: Inverse of product reverses order.

Derivation

Verify (AB)(B⁻¹A⁻¹)=I and reverse.

Variables

A,B invertible

Why it works

Same reverse-order pattern as transpose.

Historical context

Standard group property of GL(n).

Deep understanding

Extends to longer products.

2. Diagrams & Visuals

(AB)⁻¹ = B⁻¹ A⁻¹ Reverse order Like socks and shoes (AB)⁻¹=B⁻¹A⁻¹

Pencil sketch · labelled · step-by-step breakdown below

  1. Invert B then A
  2. Multiply B⁻¹A⁻¹
  3. Confirm product with AB is I
  4. Apply to systems

3. Solved Examples

Basic

Q: (I A)⁻¹

Solution: A⁻¹

Answer: A⁻¹

Intermediate

Q: If AB=I then B=A⁻¹

Solution: Yes when square

Answer: B = A⁻¹

Advanced

Q: (ABC)⁻¹

Solution: C⁻¹B⁻¹A⁻¹

Answer: C⁻¹B⁻¹A⁻¹

Exam

Q: Order of inverses in product.

Solution: Reverse order

Answer: Reverse order

5. Special Features & Extras

Complete study guide — exam tips, common mistakes, memory aids, and quick reference.

Exam Tips & Tricks

  • Always compute det first.
  • 2×2 inverse swap diagonal, negate off-diagonal.
  • Check AA⁻¹=I to catch arithmetic errors.

Common Student Mistakes

  • adj without transpose of cofactors
  • Writing X=BA⁻¹
  • Inverting singular matrices

Memory Aids & Mnemonics

Socks–shoes: reverse order for inverse of product.
2×2: swap, negate, divide by det.

Which Formula When?

  • Solve system → A⁻¹B
  • Product inverse → reverse
  • Existence → det ≠ 0

Quick reference box

• A⁻¹=(1/|A|)adj A · X=A⁻¹B · (AB)⁻¹=B⁻¹A⁻¹

PYQ — Previous Year Questions

English questions from NIOS Mathematics (311) public / sample papers (Sample 2024, Apr 2024, Oct 2024, Apr 2025; board-style where scanned papers had no extractable text). Mapped exclusively to this chapter — no cross-chapter duplicates. Use Model Answer for the marking key and Explanation for working.

L22 — Inverse of a Matrix and its Applications

4 question(s) · Sources: Board-style (AB)⁻¹, Board-style 2×2 inverse, Board-style existence, Board-style solve system

PYQ1. Find the inverse of A=[[2,1],[5,3]].

2 mark(s) · SA · Board-style 2×2 inverse

Model Answer

1)  A⁻¹ = [[3, −1], [−5, 2]]

Explanation

1)  det A=6−5=1≠

0. A⁻¹=(1/det)[[d,−b],[−c,a]]=[[3,−1],[−5,2]].

PYQ2. Does B=[[1,2],[2,4]] have an inverse? Justify.

1 mark(s) · SA · Board-style existence

Model Answer

1)  No; det B=0 so B is singular

Explanation

1)  det B=4−4=

0. Inverse exists only when determinant is non-zero.

PYQ3. Solve 2x+y=5 and 5x+3y=13 using A⁻¹ where A=[[2,1],[5,3]].

2 mark(s) · SA · Board-style solve system

Model Answer

1)  x=2, y=1

Explanation

1)  A⁻¹=[[3,−1],[−5,2]]. X=A⁻¹B with B=[[5],[13]] gives [[2],[1]]. Check: 4+1=5, 10+3=13.

PYQ4. If A and B are invertible, simplify (AB)⁻¹A.

1 mark(s) · SA · Board-style (AB)⁻¹

Model Answer

1)  B⁻¹

Explanation

1)  (AB)⁻¹A = B⁻¹A⁻¹A = B⁻¹I = B⁻¹.

Problem Solving — L22 Inverse of a Matrix

10 English exam-style problems for this chapter (NIOS Mathematics 311). Each question states the formula, gives full step-by-step working with the final answer, plus formal/easy explanations. English only.

Question 1 of 102×2 inverse

Find the inverse of A=[[2,1],[5,3]].

A⁻¹=(1/(ad−bc))[[d,−b],[−c,a]]

1)  det A = 6−5 = 1 ≠ 0, so inverse exists.

2)  A⁻¹ = (1/1)[[3,−1],[−5,2]] = [[3,−1],[−5,2]].

Answer:  [[3, −1], [−5, 2]]

Formula used

A⁻¹=(1/(ad−bc))[[d,−b],[−c,a]]

Textbook formal language

For a 2×2 matrix, swap diagonals, change signs of off-diagonals, divide by det.

Easy language (same calculation)

det=1; swap 2 and 3, negate 1 and 5.

Why this formula

Verify AA⁻¹=I.

Exam tip

If det=0, stop — no inverse.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting to change signs of b and c
  • Dividing by wrong det
Question 2 of 10Existence

Does B=[[1,2],[2,4]] have an inverse?

Invertible ⇔ det≠0

1)  det B=4−4=0 ⇒ B is singular ⇒ no inverse.

Answer:  No inverse (det=0)

Formula used

Invertible ⇔ det≠0

Textbook formal language

A square matrix has an inverse if and only if its determinant is non-zero.

Easy language (same calculation)

Rows proportional → det 0 → no inverse.

Why this formula

adj formula would divide by zero.

Exam tip

Do not attempt A⁻¹ formula when det=0.

Common mistakes

  • Saying inverse is zero matrix
  • Computing a false inverse
Question 3 of 10Adjoint method

If A=[[1,2],[0,1]], find adj A and A⁻¹.

A⁻¹=(1/det A) adj A

1)  C₁₁=1, C₁₂=0, C₂₁=−2, C₂₂=1 → cofactor matrix [[1,0],[−2,1]].

2)  adj A = transpose = [[1,−2],[0,1]].

3)  det A=1; A⁻¹=[[1,−2],[0,1]].

Answer:  adj A=[[1,−2],[0,1]]; A⁻¹ same since det=1

Formula used

A⁻¹=(1/det A) adj A

Textbook formal language

Adjoint is the transpose of the cofactor matrix; divide by determinant.

Easy language (same calculation)

Build cofactors, transpose, divide by det (here 1).

Why this formula

For upper triangular matrices, det is product of diagonals.

Exam tip

Transpose step is easy to forget.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping transpose
  • Wrong cofactor of a₁₂
Question 4 of 10Solve system

Solve 2x+y=5, 5x+3y=13 using inverse of A=[[2,1],[5,3]].

X=A⁻¹B

1)  From earlier, A⁻¹=[[3,−1],[−5,2]], B=[[5],[13]].

2)  X=A⁻¹B = [[3·5+(−1)·13],[−5·5+2·13]] = [[15−13],[−25+26]] = [[2],[1]].

3)  So x=2, y=1.

Answer:  x=2, y=1

Formula used

X=A⁻¹B

Textbook formal language

The unique solution of AX=B is X=A⁻¹B when A is invertible.

Easy language (same calculation)

Multiply the inverse by the constants column.

Why this formula

Check in original equations: 4+1=5, 10+3=13.

Exam tip

Column vector order matters.

Common mistakes

  • Row instead of column B
  • Arithmetic in the product
Question 5 of 10Product

If A and B are invertible of the same order, simplify (AB)⁻¹A.

(AB)⁻¹=B⁻¹A⁻¹

1)  (AB)⁻¹A = B⁻¹A⁻¹A = B⁻¹I = B⁻¹.

Answer:  B⁻¹

Formula used

(AB)⁻¹=B⁻¹A⁻¹

Textbook formal language

Using (AB)⁻¹=B⁻¹A⁻¹ and A⁻¹A=I.

Easy language (same calculation)

Inverse of product reverses order; then A cancels.

Why this formula

Similarly A(AB)⁻¹=A B⁻¹ A⁻¹ (not as simple).

Exam tip

Do not write A⁻¹B⁻¹ for (AB)⁻¹.

Common mistakes

  • Answering A⁻¹
  • Answering AB
Question 6 of 10Verify

Verify that [[3,−1],[−5,2]] is the inverse of [[2,1],[5,3]] by multiplication.

AA⁻¹=I

1)  [[2,1],[5,3]][[3,−1],[−5,2]] = [[6−5, −2+2],[15−15, −5+6]] = [[1,0],[0,1]]=I.

Answer:  Product is I₂, so they are inverses

Formula used

AA⁻¹=I

Textbook formal language

Two matrices are inverses if their product (both ways) is the identity; here one side is shown I.

Easy language (same calculation)

Multiply and get the identity matrix.

Why this formula

Both AB and BA should be I for two-sided inverse.

Exam tip

One successful product is strong evidence; check BA if required.

Common mistakes

  • Stopping without multiplying
  • Arithmetic error
Question 7 of 102×2 inverse

Find the inverse of A = [[1, 1], [0, 1]].

A⁻¹ = (1/det) [[d,−b],[−c,a]]

1)  det A = 1.

2)  A⁻¹ = [[1, −1], [0, 1]].

3)  Check: A A⁻¹ = I.

Answer:  [[1, −1], [0, 1]]

Formula used

A⁻¹ = (1/det) [[d,−b],[−c,a]]

Textbook formal language

Swap diagonal, negate off-diagonal, divide by det.

Easy language (same calculation)

Shear matrix inverse is the opposite shear.

Why this formula

det must be non-zero.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • [[1,1],[0,1]] again
  • Forgetting the minus
Question 8 of 10Solve system

Solve x + y = 5, y = 2 using matrices (find x).

X = A⁻¹ B

1)  From y=2 and x+y=5 ⇒ x=3.

2)  In matrix form A=[[1,1],[0,1]], B=[[5],[2]], X=[[3],[2]].

Answer:  x = 3, y = 2

Formula used

X = A⁻¹ B

Textbook formal language

Unique solution when A is invertible.

Easy language (same calculation)

Second equation gives y; substitute.

Why this formula

X = A⁻¹B if A⁻¹ is computed.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • x=5
  • No solution
Question 9 of 10Condition

For which k is [[k, 1], [2, 2]] invertible?

Invertible ⇔ det ≠ 0

1)  det = 2k − 2 = 2(k − 1).

2)  Invertible when det ≠ 0 ⇒ k ≠ 1.

Answer:  Invertible for all k ≠ 1

Formula used

Invertible ⇔ det ≠ 0

Textbook formal language

Non-zero determinant is the criterion.

Easy language (same calculation)

When k=1 rows are proportional.

Why this formula

State the excluded value clearly.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • k=1 only
  • All k
Question 10 of 10Product inverse

If A and B are invertible, write (AB)⁻¹ in terms of A⁻¹ and B⁻¹.

(AB)⁻¹ = B⁻¹ A⁻¹

1)  (AB)⁻¹ = B⁻¹ A⁻¹ (reverse order).

Answer:  B⁻¹ A⁻¹

Formula used

(AB)⁻¹ = B⁻¹ A⁻¹

Textbook formal language

Inverse of a product reverses the order.

Easy language (same calculation)

Like undoing operations: last first.

Why this formula

Requires both invertible.

Exam tip

Check each algebraic step carefully.

Common mistakes

  • A⁻¹ B⁻¹
  • AB