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Question

If A is m * n matrix such that AB & BA both are defined, then B is a matrix of order

The correct answer is

n * m

Matrix Multiplication Principles

To find the order of matrix B, we first need to understand the fundamental condition for matrix multiplication. For the product of two matrices, say P and Q (i.e., PQ), to be defined, the number of columns in the first matrix (P) must be equal to the number of rows in the second matrix (Q).

Matrix AB Definition

We are given that matrix A is an \(m \times n\) matrix. This means:

  • Matrix A has \(m\) rows.
  • Matrix A has \(n\) columns.

Let's assume the order of matrix B is \(p \times q\). This means:

  • Matrix B has \(p\) rows.
  • Matrix B has \(q\) columns.

For the product AB to be defined, the number of columns in A must be equal to the number of rows in B.

\[ \text{Number of columns in A} = \text{Number of rows in B} \] \[ n = p \]

So, from the condition that AB is defined, we know that matrix B must have \(n\) rows. Its order can be provisionally written as \(n \times q\).

Matrix BA Definition

Next, we are also given that the product BA is defined. Now, consider B as the first matrix and A as the second matrix in this product.

  • Matrix B (first in BA) has an order of \(n \times q\), meaning it has \(q\) columns.
  • Matrix A (second in BA) has an order of \(m \times n\), meaning it has \(m\) rows.

For the product BA to be defined, the number of columns in B must be equal to the number of rows in A.

\[ \text{Number of columns in B} = \text{Number of rows in A} \] \[ q = m \]

So, from the condition that BA is defined, we know that matrix B must have \(m\) columns.

Determining Matrix B's Order

By combining both conditions:

  • From AB being defined, we found that matrix B must have \(n\) rows.
  • From BA being defined, we found that matrix B must have \(m\) columns.

Therefore, the order of matrix B must be \(n \times m\).

Summary of Matrix Multiplication Conditions
Product Order of First Matrix Order of Second Matrix Condition for Definition
AB \(A_{m \times n}\) \(B_{p \times q}\) \(n = p\)
BA \(B_{p \times q}\) \(A_{m \times n}\) \(q = m\)

Since \(n=p\) and \(q=m\), the order of matrix B (which is \(p \times q\)) becomes \(n \times m\).

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Important Questions from Matrix Algebra

  1. If A = \( \left[\begin{array}{cc}0 & 1 \\ −1 & 0\end{array}\right]\)  and (aI 2  + bA)2  = A, then
  2. If A = \(\left[\begin{array}{cc}2 & −3 \\3 & 5\end{array}\right]\), then which of the following statements are correct?

    A. A is a square matrix

    B. A−1 exists

    C. A is a symmetric matrix

    D. |A| = 19

    E. A is a null matrix

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

  3. If A is Square Matrix of order 3, then product of A and its transpose is

  4. What is the transformation matrix M that transforms a square in the xy-plane defined by (1, 1) T, (-1, 1) T, (-1, -1) T and (1, -1) T to a parallelogram whose corresponding vertices are (2, 1) T, (0, 1) T, (-2, -1) T and (0, -1) T?

  5. Let \(A = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 1&1&0\\ 0&1&0\\ 1&1&0\\ 0&0&1 \end{array}} \right]\) and  \(B = \left[ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 1&0&0&0\\ 0&1&1&0\\ 1&0&1&1\\ \end{array}} \right]\) Find the boolean product A ⊙ B of the two matrices.

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