All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

If \(A = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right],\) then the expression A 3- 2A 2is

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2019 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2019)
The correct answer is

a null matrix

Solving Matrix Expression \(A^3 - 2A^2\)

We are given a matrix \(A = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right]\) and asked to evaluate the expression \(A^3 - 2A^2\).

Step 1: Calculate \(A^2\)

To find \(A^2\), we multiply matrix \(A\) by itself:

\(A^2 = A \times A = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right] \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right]\)

Performing the matrix multiplication:

Element Calculation Result
(1,1) \((1)(1) + (-1)(-1)\) \(1 + 1 = 2\)
(1,2) \((1)(-1) + (-1)(1)\) \(-1 - 1 = -2\)
(2,1) \((-1)(1) + (1)(-1)\) \(-1 - 1 = -2\)
(2,2) \((-1)(-1) + (1)(1)\) \(1 + 1 = 2\)

So, \(A^2 = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 2&{ - 2}\\ { - 2}&2 \end{array}} \right]\). Notice that \(A^2 = 2 \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right] = 2A\).

Step 2: Calculate \(A^3\)

To find \(A^3\), we multiply \(A^2\) by \(A\):

\(A^3 = A^2 \times A = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 2&{ - 2}\\ { - 2}&2 \end{array}} \right] \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right]\)

Performing the matrix multiplication:

Element Calculation Result
(1,1) \((2)(1) + (-2)(-1)\) \(2 + 2 = 4\)
(1,2) \((2)(-1) + (-2)(1)\) \(-2 - 2 = -4\)
(2,1) \((-2)(1) + (2)(-1)\) \(-2 - 2 = -4\)
(2,2) \((-2)(-1) + (2)(1)\) \(2 + 2 = 4\)

So, \(A^3 = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 4&{ - 4}\\ { - 4}&4 \end{array}} \right]\). Alternatively, since \(A^2 = 2A\), we have \(A^3 = A^2 \times A = (2A) \times A = 2(A \times A) = 2A^2\). Substituting \(A^2 = 2A\) again, we get \(A^3 = 2(2A) = 4A\). \(4A = 4 \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 4&{ - 4}\\ { - 4}&4 \end{array}} \right]\), which matches our direct calculation.

Step 3: Calculate \(2A^2\)

We found \(A^2 = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 2&{ - 2}\\ { - 2}&2 \end{array}} \right]\). Now we multiply \(A^2\) by the scalar 2:

\(2A^2 = 2 \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 2&{ - 2}\\ { - 2}&2 \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 2 \times 2&{ 2 \times (-2)}\\ {2 \times (-2)}&{2 \times 2} \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 4&{ - 4}\\ { - 4}&4 \end{array}} \right]\).

Step 4: Evaluate \(A^3 - 2A^2\)

Now we subtract \(2A^2\) from \(A^3\):

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 4&{ - 4}\\ { - 4}&4 \end{array}} \right] - \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 4&{ - 4}\\ { - 4}&4 \end{array}} \right]\)

Subtracting the corresponding elements:

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 4-4&{ - 4-(-4)}\\ { - 4-(-4)}&{4-4} \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 0&{ 0}\\ { 0}&{0} \end{array}} \right]\).

Conclusion

The result of the expression \(A^3 - 2A^2\) is the matrix \(\left[ {\begin{array}{c} 0&{ 0}\\ { 0}&{0} \end{array}} \right]\). This matrix is known as the null matrix (or zero matrix).

Comparing our result to the given options:

  • a null matrix - Matches our result.
  • an identify matrix - The identity matrix for 2x2 is \(\left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&0\\ 0&1 \end{array}} \right]\), which is not our result.
  • equal to A - Our result \(\left[ {\begin{array}{c} 0&{ 0}\\ { 0}&{0} \end{array}} \right]\) is not equal to \(A = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right]\).
  • equal to -A - \(-A = -\left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} -1&{ 1}\\ { 1}&{-1} \end{array}} \right]\), which is not our result.

The expression \(A^3 - 2A^2\) is a null matrix.

Matrix Calculation Revision Table

Concept Description Example
Matrix Multiplication Multiplying two matrices \(M_1 (m \times n)\) and \(M_2 (n \times p)\) results in \(M_3 (m \times p)\). The element at position \((i, j)\) in \(M_3\) is the sum of the products of corresponding elements from row \(i\) of \(M_1\) and column \(j\) of \(M_2\). \(\left[ {\begin{array}{c} a&b\\ c&d \end{array}} \right]\left[ {\begin{array}{c} e&f\\ g&h \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} ae+bg&af+bh\\ ce+dg&cf+dh \end{array}} \right]\)
Matrix Power For a square matrix \(A\), \(A^n\) is the result of multiplying \(A\) by itself \(n\) times (\(A \times A \times ... \times A\), \(n\) times). \(A^1 = A\). \(A^2 = A \times A\)
Scalar Multiplication Multiplying a matrix by a scalar \(k\) involves multiplying every element of the matrix by \(k\). \(k \left[ {\begin{array}{c} a&b\\ c&d \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} ka&kb\\ kc&kd \end{array}} \right]\)
Matrix Subtraction Subtracting matrix \(B\) from matrix \(A\) (if they have the same dimensions) involves subtracting corresponding elements. \(\left[ {\begin{array}{c} a&b\\ c&d \end{array}} \right] - \left[ {\begin{array}{c} e&f\\ g&h \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} a-e&b-f\\ c-g&d-h \end{array}} \right]\)
Null Matrix A matrix where all elements are zero. Denoted by \(\mathbf{0}\). The size of the null matrix is usually implied by the context. \(\left[ {\begin{array}{c} 0&0\\ 0&0 \end{array}} \right]\)
Identity Matrix A square matrix with ones on the main diagonal and zeros elsewhere. Denoted by \(I\) or \(I_n\) for size \(n \times n\). \(AI = IA = A\). \(I_2 = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&0\\ 0&1 \end{array}} \right]\)

Additional Matrix Information

In this problem, we observed that \(A^2 = 2A\). This type of relationship is interesting for a matrix. It means the matrix \(A\) satisfies the polynomial equation \(x^2 - 2x = 0\). By the Cayley-Hamilton theorem, every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation. For matrix \(A = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right]\), the characteristic equation is \(\det(A - \lambda I) = 0\).

\(\det\left(\left[ {\begin{array}{c} 1-\lambda&{ - 1}\\ { - 1}&1-\lambda \end{array}} \right]\right) = (1-\lambda)(1-\lambda) - (-1)(-1) = (1-\lambda)^2 - 1 = (1 - 2\lambda + \lambda^2) - 1 = \lambda^2 - 2\lambda\).

Setting the determinant to zero gives \(\lambda^2 - 2\lambda = 0\), which is the characteristic equation. By Cayley-Hamilton, substituting \(A\) for \(\lambda\) gives \(A^2 - 2A = \mathbf{0}\). Rearranging, we get \(A^2 = 2A\), which matches our earlier observation.

Using this property, the expression \(A^3 - 2A^2\) can be evaluated more simply:

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = A \times A^2 - 2A^2\)

Since \(A^2 = 2A\), substitute this into the expression:

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = A \times (2A) - 2(2A)\)

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = 2(A \times A) - 4A\)

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = 2A^2 - 4A\)

Substitute \(A^2 = 2A\) again:

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = 2(2A) - 4A\)

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = 4A - 4A\)

\(A^3 - 2A^2 = \mathbf{0}\) (the null matrix).

This confirms our result and shows how matrix properties derived from the characteristic equation can simplify calculations.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Consider the following in respect of matrices A, B and C of same order:

    1) (A + B + C)' = A' + B’ + C’

    2) (AB)’ = A’B’

    3) (ABC)’ = C’B’A’

    Where A’ is the transpose of the matrix A.

    Which of the above are correct?
  2. If \({\rm{A}} = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 1&0&{ - 2}\\ 2&{ - 3}&4 \end{array}} \right]\) , then the matrix X for which 2X + 3A = 0 holds true is

  3. Let \(A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 2 \\ -2 & 0 \end{bmatrix}\)  and (mI + nA) 2= A where m, n are positive real numbers and I is the identify matrix. What is (m + n) equal to?

  4. Let \({\rm{A}} = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\rm x + y}& \rm y\\ {\rm 2x}&{\rm x - y} \end{array}} \right],\;\rm B = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 2\\ { - 1} \end{array}} \right]\)  and \(\rm C = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 3\\ 2 \end{array}} \right]\) . If AB = C, then what is the value of the determinant of the matrix A?

  5. If \(A = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 1&2\\ 2&3\\ 3&4 \end{array}} \right)\) and \(B = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 1&2\\ 2&1 \end{array}} \right),\)  then which one of the following is correct?

  6. A square matrix A is called orthogonal if_______ where A’ is the transpose of A.

  7. Consider the following in respect of matrices A and B of same order:

    1) A 2– B 2= (A + B) (A – B)

    2) (A – I) (I + A) = O ⇔ A 2= I

    Where I is the identity matrix and O is the null matrix.

    Which of the above is/are correct?
  8. If \({\rm{f}}\left( {\rm{x}} \right) = \left[ {\begin{array}{c} {\cos {\rm{x}}}&{ - \sin {\rm{x}}}&0\\ {\sin {\rm{x}}}&{\cos {\rm{x}}}&0\\ 0&0&1 \end{array}} \right]\) , then which of the following are correct?

    1. f(θ) × f(ϕ) = f(θ + ϕ)

    2. The value of the determinant of the matrix f(θ) × f(ϕ) is 1

    3. The determinant of f(x) is an even function.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:    

  9. Consider the following in respect of the matrices:

    A = [m n], B = [-n -m] & \( C = \begin{bmatrix} m \\ -m\end{bmatrix} \)

    1. CA = CB

    2. AC = BC

    3. C(A + B) = CA + CB

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  10. If A is a matrix of order 3 × 5 and B is a matrix of order 5 × 3, then the order of AB and BA will respectively be


Important Questions from Operations on Matrices

  1. The adjoint of matrix \(\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} a&b\\ c&d \end{array}} \right]\)is

  2. Consider the following in respect of matrices A, B and C of same order:

    1) (A + B + C)' = A' + B’ + C’

    2) (AB)’ = A’B’

    3) (ABC)’ = C’B’A’

    Where A’ is the transpose of the matrix A.

    Which of the above are correct?
  3. If \({\rm{A}} = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 1&0&{ - 2}\\ 2&{ - 3}&4 \end{array}} \right]\) , then the matrix X for which 2X + 3A = 0 holds true is

  4. Find a matrix X such that 2A + B + X = 0 , where

    \(A=\begin{bmatrix} -1 & 2 \\\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix} \ \text{and} \;\rm B =\ \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -2 \\\ 1 & 5 \end{bmatrix} \ ?\)

  5. The solution of the matrix equation \(\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 2&{ - 1}&3\\ 1&1&1\\ 1&{ - 1}&1 \end{array}} \right]\left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} x\\ y\\ z \end{array}} \right] = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 9\\ 6\\ 2 \end{array}} \right]\)  is:

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
NDA img
Defence
NDA 2026 Mock Test Series (Latest Pattern)
526 Tests 1 Tests Free
1164 Attempts
4.7(159)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App