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TUTORIAL 1
MATRIX ALGEBRA

Q(1) If a matrix A is 5 × 3 and the product AB is 5 × 7, what is the size of B?

Answer: 3 × 7
" # " #
2 5 4 −5
Q(2) Let A = and B = . What value(s) of k will make AB = BA ?
−3 1 3 k
Answer: k=5
" # " # " #
2 −3 8 4 5 −2
Q(3) Let A = ,B= and C = . Verify that AB = AC and yet
−4 6 5 5 3 1
B 6= C.
" #
3 −6
Q(4) Let A = . Construct a 2 × 2 matrix B such that AB is the zero matrix. Use two
−1 2
non-zero columns for B.
" # " #
1 −2 −1 2 −1
Q(5) If A = and AB = , determine the first and second columns
−2 5 6 −9 3
of B. " # " #
7 −8
Answer: b1 = , b2 =
4 −5

Q(6) Find the inverses of the matrices below using adjoint method, if they exist.
   
1 0 −2 1 −2 1
A =  −3 1 4  B =  4 −7 3 
   

2 −3 4 −2 −6 −4

Verify your results using a calculator.

Q(7) Compute the determinants of the following matrices using cofactor expansion across the
first row and across the second column in each case.
   
3 0 4 2 −4 3
P= 2 3 2  Q= 3 1 2 
   

0 5 −1 1 4 −1

Confirm your results using a calculator.

MAT1123 TUTORIAL 1
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Q(8) Combine the methods of row reduction and cofactor expansion to compute the determi-
nants of the following matrices. Choose the shortest way possible to get to your answers.
   
2 5 −3 −1 2 5 4 1
   
 3 0 1 −3   4 7 6 2 
M=   N=  
 − 6 0 − 4 9 
  6 − 2 − 4 0 

4 10 −4 −1 −6 7 7 0
Answer: det(M) = 120, det(N) = 6

Q(9) Use just one elementary row operation on the matrix below to prove that its determinant is
zero.
 
3 −1 2 −5
 
 0 5 −3 −6 
A=  
 −6 7 −7 4 

−5 −8 0 9
Answer: R13 (2)

Q(10) Find the values for x for which det(A) = 0, where

 
1 x x
A= x 1 x 
 

x x 1
Answer: x = 1 or x = − 21
 
a b c
Q(11) If det  p q r  = −1, compute the determinants of
 

x y z
   
−x −y −z −2a −2b −2c
M =  3p + a 3q + b 3r + c  N =  2p + x 2q + y 2r + z 
   

2p 2q 2r 3x 3y 3z
Answer: det(M) = 2, det(N) = 12

Q(12) Solve the following system of linear equations using Cramer’s rule. After which verify your
answers using a calculator.

4x − y + 3z = 1
6x + 2y − z = 0
3x + 3y + 2z = −1

MAT1123 TUTORIAL 1