Class 12 Matrix Extra Questions

5 0 4 3
Question 1. If 3A – B = [ ] and B = [ ] then find the value of matrix A.
1 1 2 5
Answer:

Question 2. Find the value of x – y, if

2[1 3] + [𝑦 0] = [5 6]
0 𝑥 1 2 1 8
Answer:
Given that,

Here, both matrices are equal, so we equate the corresponding elements,

2 + y = 5 and 2x + 2 = 8
⇒ y = 3 and 2x = 6 ⇒ x = 3
Therefore, x – y = 3 – 3 = 0
Question 3. If A is a square matrix such that A2 = I, then find the simplified value of (A – I)3 +
(A + I)3 – 7A.
Answer: Given, A2 = I ……. (i)
Now, (A – I)3 + (A + I)3 – 7A
= (A3 – 3A2I + 3AI2 – I) + (A3 + 3A2I + 3AI2 + I3) – 7A
= A3 – 3A2 + 3AI – I + A3 + 3A2 + 3AI + I – 7A
[∵ A2I = A2 and I3 = I3 = I]
= 2A3 + 6AI – 7A = 2A2 A + 6A – 7A [∵ AI = A]
= 2IA – A [from Eq. (1)]
= 2A – A = A [∵ IA = A]
Question 4. Write the number of all possible matrices of order 2 × 2 with each entry 1, 2 or 3.
Answer: We know that, a matrix of order 2 × 2 has 4 entries. Since, each entry has 3
choices, namely 1, 2 or 3, therefore number of required matrices
34 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81.

−1 0 −1 1
Question 5. If [2 1 3] [−1 1 0 ] [ 0 ] = A, then write the order of matrix A.
0 1 1 −1
Answer:

= [- 3 – I] = [- 4]1 × 1
∴ Order of matrix A is 1 × 1.
Question 6. Write the element a of a 3 × 3 matrix A = [aij], whose elements are given by
aij = |i−j|/2
Answer: Given, A = [aij]3 × 3
where, aij = |i−j|/2
Now, a23 = |2−3|/2=|−1|/2=1/2
[put i = 2 and j = 3]
1 2 𝑥
Question 7. If [2𝑥 3] [ ] [ ] = 0, find x.
−3 0 3
Answer: Given, matrix equation is

⇒ [2x2 – 9x + 12x] = [0]

⇒ 2x2 + 3x = 0
⇒ x(2x + 3) = 0
∴ x = 0 or x = – 3/2
3 4 1 𝑦
Question 8. If 2[ ] +[ ] =[7 0
] , then find (x – y).
5 𝑥 0 1 10 5
Answer:

On equating the corresponding elements, we get

8 + y = 0 and 2x + 1 = 5
⇒ y = – 8 and x = 5−12 = 2
∴ x – y = 2 – (-8) = 10
Question 9. Solve the following matrix equation for x.
1 0
[x 1] [ ] = 0 (Delhi 2014)
−2 0
1 0
Answer: Given, [x 1] [ ] =0
−2 0
By using matrix multiplication, we get
[x – 2 0] = [0 0]
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
x–2=0
⇒x=2
Question 10. If A is a square matrix such that A2 = A, then write the value of 7A — (I + A)3,
where I is an identity matrix.
Answer: Given, A2 = A
Now, 7A – (I + A)3 = 7A – [I3 + A3 + 3I4(I + A)]
[∵ (x + y)3 = x3 + y3 + 3xy (x + y)]
= 7A – [I + A2.A + 3A(I + A)]
[∵ I3 = I and IA = A]
= 7A – (I + A . A + 3AI + 3A2)
[∵ A2 = A]
= 7A – (I + A + 3A + 3A)
[∵AI = A and A2 = AI]
= 7A – (I + 7A) = – 1

𝑥−𝑦 2𝑥 − 𝑦 −1 0
Question 11. If [ ] =[ ] then find the value of x + y.
𝑧 𝑤 4 5
Answer: Given
𝑥 − 𝑦 2𝑥 − 𝑦 −1 0
[ ] =[ ]
𝑧 𝑤 4 5
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
x – y = – 1 …… (i)
and 2x – y = 0 …… (ii)
On solving the Eqs.(i) and (ii), we get
x = 1 and y = 2
∴x+y=1+2=3
𝑎+4 8 2𝑎 + 2 8
Question 12. If [ ] =[ ] , then write the value of a – 2b.
3𝑏 −6 𝑏 + 2 𝑎 − 8𝑏
Answer: Given,
𝑎+4 8 2𝑎 + 2 8
[ ] =[ ]
3𝑏 −6 𝑏 + 2 𝑎 − 8𝑏
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
∴ a + 4 = 2a+ 2 ……… (i)
3b = b + 2 ……. (ii)
and – 6 = a – 8b ……… (iii)
On solving the Eqs. (i), (ii) and (iii), we get
a = 2 and b = 1
Now, a – 2b= 2 – 2(1) = 2 – 2 = 0
𝑥−𝑦 𝑧+6 8 0
Question 13. If [ ] =[ ], then write the value of (x + y + z).
4 𝑥+𝑦 𝑤 6
Answer: Given,
𝑥−𝑦 𝑧+6 8 0
[ ] =[ ]
4 𝑥+𝑦 𝑤 6
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
∴ x – y = 8 ……. (i)
Z+6=0
⇒ z = – 6 ……… (ii)
and x + y = 6 ……… (iii)
Now, on adding Eqs. (ii) and (iii), we get
x + y + z = 6 + (- 6) = 0
Question 14. The elements a of a 3 × 3 matrix are given by aij = 12|- 3i + j|. Write the value of
element a32.
Answer: 72
𝑥
Question 15. If [2x 4] [ ] = 0, then find the positive value of x.
−8
Answer: Given,
𝑥
[2x 4] [ ] = 0
−8
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
⇒ 2x2 – 32 = 0
⇒ 2x2 = 32
⇒ x2 =16
⇒ x = ±4
∴ Positive value of x is 4.
1 3 𝑦 0 5 6
Question 16. If 2[ ] +[ ] =[ ] then find the value of(x + y).
0 𝑥 1 2 1 8
Answer: 8
Question 17. Find the value of a, if
𝑎 − 𝑏 2𝑎 + 𝑐 −1 5
[ ] = [ ]
2𝑎 − 𝑏 3𝑐 + 𝑑 0 13
Answer: 1
9 −1 4 1 2 −1
Question 18. If [ ] =A+[ ] , then find the matrix A.
−2 1 3 0 4 9
Answer: Given, matrix equation can be rewritten as

NOTE: Two matrices can be subtracted only when their orders are same.
 1 −1
Question 19. If matrix A = [ ] and A2 = kA. then write the value of k.
−1 1
Answer:

2 −2
Question 20. If matrix A = [ ] and A2 = pA. then write the value of p.
−2 2
Answer: 19
3 −3
Question 21. If matrix A = [ ] and A2 = λA, then write the value of λ.
−3 3
Answer: 19
Question 22. Simplify
cos θ sin θ sin θ −cos θ
cos θ [ ] + sin θ [ ]
−sin θ cos θ cos θ sin θ
Answer: First, multiply each element of the first matrix by cos θ and second matrix by sin θ
and then use the matrix addition.

2 3
Question 23. If [ ] [
1 −3
] = [−4 6] , write the value of x.
5 7 −2 4 −9 𝑥
Answer: Given matrix equation is
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
x = 13
Question 24. Find the value of y – x from following equation.
𝑥 5 3 −4 7 6
2 [ ] +[ ] = [ ]
7 𝑦−3 1 2 15 14
Answer: 7
2 −1 10
Question 25. If x [ ]+y[ ]=[ ], then write the value of x.
3 1 5
Answer:

On equating the corresponding elements, we get

2x – y = 10 …… (i)
and 3x + y = 5 …… (ii)
On adding Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get
5x = 15
∴x=3
5 0 4 3
Question 26. If 3A – B = [ ] and B = [ ] , then find the matrix A.
1 1 2 5
Answer:
Question 27. Write the value of x – y + z from following equation.
𝑥+𝑦+𝑧 9
[ 𝑥 + 𝑧 ] = [5]
𝑦+𝑧 7
Answer:
Given matrix equation is
𝑥+𝑦+𝑧 9
[ 𝑥 + 𝑧 ] = [5]
𝑦+𝑧 7
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
x + y+ z = 9 …… (i)
x + z = 5 …….. (ii)
and y + z = 7 ……. (iii)
On putting the value of x + z from Eq. (ii) in Eq. (i), we get
y+5=9⇒y=4
On putting y = 4 in Eq. (iii), we get z = 3
Again, putting z = 3 in Eq. (ii), we get x = 2
∴x–y+z=2–4+3=1
Question 28. Write the order of product matrix
1
[2] [2 3 4]
3
Answer:
Use the fact that if a matrix A has order m × n and other matrix B has order n × z, then the
matrix AB has order m × z.
1
Let A = [2] and B = [2 3 4]
3
Here, order of matrix A = 3 × 1
and order of matrix B = 1 × 3
∴ Order of product matrix AB = 3 × 3
Question 29. If a matrix has 5 elements, then write all possible orders it can have.
Answer: Use the result that if a matrix has order m × n, then total number of elements in that
matrix is mn.
Given, a matrix has 5 elements. So, possible order of this matrix are 5 × 1 and 1 × 5.

Question 30. For a 2 × 2 matrix, A = [aij] whose elements are given by aij = i/j, write the value
of a12.
Answer: 12
𝑥 𝑥−𝑦 3 1
Question 31. If [2𝑥 + 𝑦 7 ] = [8 7] then find the value of y.
Answer: Given,
𝑥 𝑥−𝑦 3 1
[2𝑥 + 𝑦 7 ] = [8 7]
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
x = 3 and x – y = 1
⇒y=x–1=3–1=2
Question 32. From the following matrix equation, find the value of x.
𝑥+𝑦 4 3 4
[ ] =[ ]
−5 3𝑦 −5 6
Answer: Given
 𝑥+𝑦 4 3 4
[ ] =[ ]
−5 3𝑦 −5 6
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
x + y = 3 … (i)
and 3y = 6 …. (ii)
From Eq. (ii), we get
y=2
On substituting y = 2 in Eq. (i), we get
x+2=3
⇒x=1
Question 33. Find x from the matrix equation
1 3 𝑥 5
[ ][ ] =[ ]
4 5 2 6
Answer: First, determine the multiplication of matrices in . LHS and then equate the
corresponding elements of both sides.
Given matrix equation is

On equating the corresponding elements, we get

x+6⇒5x=–1
3 4 𝑥 19
Question 34 If [ ] [ ] = [ ] , then find the value of x.
2 𝑥 1 15
Answer: 5
cos 𝑎 − sin 𝑎
Question 35.If A = [ ] then for what value of α, A is an identity matrix?
sin 𝑎 cos 𝑎
Answer: First, put the given matrix A equal to an identity matrix and then equate the
corresponding elements to get the value of α.

On equating the element a11 of both matrices, we get

cos α = 1
⇒ cos α = cos 0° [∵ cos 0° = 1]
∴α=0
Hence, for α = 0, A is an identity matrix.
[∵ sin 0 = 0]
1 2 3 1 7 11
Question 36. If [ ][ ] =[ ] then write the value of k.
3 4 2 5 𝑘 23
Answer: 17
Question 37. If A is a matrix of order 3 × 4 and B is a matrix of order 4 × 3, then find order of
matrix (AB).
Answer: 3 × 3

𝑥+𝑦 1 7 1
Question 38. If [ ] =[ ] ,then find the value of x. (Delhi 2010C)
2𝑦 5 4 5
Answer: x = 5
 2𝑥 + 𝑦 3𝑦 6 0
Question 39. If [ ] =[ ] , then find the value of x.
0 4 0 4
Answer:
x=3
3𝑦 − 𝑥 −2𝑥 5 −2
Question 40. If [ ] =[ ] , then find the value of y.
3 7 3 7
Answer:
y=2
4 2
Question 41. If A = [ ] , show that (A – 2I) (A – 3I) = 0.
−1 1
Answer:

−2 2 0
Question 42. Find a matrix A such that 2A – 3B + 5C = 0, where B = [ ] and C
3 1 4
2 0 −2
=[ ] .
7 1 6
Answer:
Given, 2A – 3B + 5C = 0 ⇒ 2A = 3B – 5C
 2 0 1
Question 43. If A = [2 1 3] then find the values of (A2 – 5A).
1 −1 0
Answer:

Question 44. Find matrix A such that

2 −1 −1 −8
[1 0 ] A = [ 1 −2]
−3 4 9 22
Answer: Let the order of A is m × n ∴ m = 2, n = 2
On equating corresponding elements both sides, we get
2x – s = – 1, x = 1, y = – 2 and 2y – t = – 8
At x = 1, 2x – s = – 1 ⇒ 2 × 1 – s = – 1
⇒ – s = – 1 – 2 = s = 3 and at y = – 2, 2y – t = – 8,
⇒ 2 × (- 2) – t = – 8
⇒–4–t=–8
⇒t=4
On putting x = 1, y = – 2, s = 3 and t = 4 in Eq. (i),
1 −2
we get A = [ ]
3 4
2 −1 5 2 2 5
Question 45. Let A = [ ],B=[ ],C=[ ] , find a matrix D such that CD – AB =
3 4 7 4 3 8
0.
Answer:
 2 0 1
Question 46. If A = [2 1 3] , then find A2 – 5A + 4I and hence find a matrix X such that
1 −1 0
A2 – 5A + 4I + X = 0.
Answer:

1 −1 𝑎 1
Question 47. If A = [ ],B=[ ] and (A + B)2 = A2 + B2, then find the values of a
2 −1 𝑏 −1
and b.
Answer:
On equating the corresponding elements, we get
a2 + 2a + I = a2 + b – 1 ⇒ 2a – b = – 2
a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 1 ….. (ii)
2a – b + ab – 2 = ab – b
⇒ 2a – 2 = 0 ⇒ a = 1 ….. (iii)
and b = 4 …….(iv)
Since, a = 1 and b = 4 also satisfy Eq. (1). therefore
a = 1 and b = 4
2 0 1
Question 48. If A = [2 1 3] then find value of A2 – 3A + 2I.
1 −1 0
Answer:
1 −1 −1
[ 3 −3 −4]
−3 2 0
1 0 2
Question 49. If A = [0 2 1] and A3 – 6A2 + 7A + kI3 = 0, find the value of k.
2 0 3
Answer:
Transpose of a Matrix, Symmetric and Skew-Symmetric Matrices

1 2 2
Question 1. If A = [ 2 1 𝑥 ] is a matric satisfying AA’ = 9I, find x.
−2 2 −1
Answer:

On equating the corresponding elements, we get

4 + 2x = 0 and 5 + x2 = 9
⇒ x = – 2 and x2 = 4
⇒ x = – 2 and x = ±2
∴ The value of x is -2
0 𝑎 −3
Question 2. If the matrix A = [2 0 −1] is skew-symmetric, find the values of ‘a’ and ‘b’.
𝑏 1 0
Answer:
 0 2𝑏 −2
Question 3. Matrix A = [ 3 1 3 ] is given to be symmetric, find the values of a and b.
3𝑎 3 −1
Answer:

cos 𝑎 sin 𝑎
Question 4. If A = [ ] then find a satisfying 0 < a < π/2 when A + AT = √2 I2;
− sin 𝑎 cos 𝑎
where AT is transpose of A.
Answer:
 3 5
Question 5. If A = [ ] is written as A = P + Q, where P is a symmetric matrix and Q is
7 9
skew-symmetric matrix, then write the matrix P.
3 5
Answer: We have A = [ ] and A = P + Q. where P is symmetric matrix and Q is skew-
7 9
symmetric matrix.

Question 6.
Write 2 × 2 matrix which is both symmetric and skew-symmetric.
Answer: A null matrix of order 2 × 2, is both symmetric and skew-symmetric.
Question 7. For what value of x, is the matrix a skew-symmetric
matrix?

Answer: If A is a skew-symmetric matrix, then A = – AT, where AT is transpose of matrix A.

Question 8.
then find AT – BT
Answer: First, find the transpose of matrix B and then subtract the corresponding elements of
both matrices AT and BT.

Question 9
If A = [1 2], then find A + A’.
[3 4]
Answer:

Question 10.
If , then find the value of x.

Answer:

We know that, if two matrices are equal, then their corresponding elements are equal.
∴ 2x + y = 6 ….. (i)
and 3y = 6 ….. (ii)
From Eq. (ii), we get
y=2
On substituting y = 2 in Eq. (i), we get
2x+ 2 = 6
⇒ x +1 = 3
∴x=2
Question 11. Show that all the diagonal elements of a skew-symmetric matrix are zero.
Answer:
Let A = [aij] be a skew-symmetric matrix.
Then, aij = – aij for all i, j
Now, put i = j, we get
⇒ aii = – aii for all values of i
⇒ 2 aii = 0
⇒ aii = 0 for all values of i
∴ a11 = a22 = a33 = ….. = ann = 0
Hence, all the diagonal elements of a skew symmetric matrix are zero.
Hence proved.

Question 12. Express the matrix A= as the sum of a symmetric and

skew-symmetric matrix.

Answer:
Any square matrix A can be expressed as the sum of a symmetric matrix and skew-
symmetric matrix, i.e.
A = (A+A′)/2+ (A−A′)/2, where (A+A′)/2 and (A−A′)/2 are symmetric and skew-symmetric
matrices, respectively.
Thus, matrix A is expressed as the sum of symmetric matrix and skew-symmetric matrix.
Question 13. For the following matrices A and B, verify that [AB]’ = B’A’;
Answer:

Question 14 Express the following matrix as a sum of a symmetric and a skew-symmetric

matrices and verify your result:

Answer: