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Question

Let A and B be two non zero square matrics and AB and BA both are defined. It means

The correct answer is

Both matrices (A) and (B) have same order

Understanding Matrix Multiplication and Order

This question asks about the implications when two non-zero square matrices, A and B, can be multiplied in both orders, meaning both AB and BA are defined. Let's break down the conditions required for matrix multiplication.

For two matrices, say P and Q, to be multiplied to form the product PQ, the number of columns in matrix P must be equal to the number of rows in matrix Q.

Applying the Conditions to Matrices A and B

Let's assume the order of matrix A is $m \times n$ and the order of matrix B is $p \times q$.

  • For the product AB to be defined, the number of columns in A ($n$) must be equal to the number of rows in B ($p$). Mathematically, this means $\mathtt{n = p}$. The resulting matrix AB will have the order $m \times q$.
  • For the product BA to be defined, the number of columns in B ($q$) must be equal to the number of rows in A ($m$). Mathematically, this means $\mathtt{q = m}$. The resulting matrix BA will have the order $p \times n$.

Considering Square Matrices

The problem statement specifies that A and B are square matrices. A square matrix is a matrix where the number of rows equals the number of columns.

  • Since A is a square matrix of order $m \times n$, we must have $m = n$. So, A is actually an $m \times m$ matrix.
  • Since B is a square matrix of order $p \times q$, we must have $p = q$. So, B is actually a $p \times p$ matrix.

Combining Square Matrix Property and Multiplication Conditions

Now let's use the information that A is $m \times m$ and B is $p \times p$ along with the conditions for AB and BA being defined:

  • AB is defined: Number of columns of A = Number of rows of B. This means $m = p$.
  • BA is defined: Number of columns of B = Number of rows of A. This means $p = m$.

Both conditions lead to the same conclusion: the number of rows (and thus columns, since they are square) of matrix A must be equal to the number of rows (and columns) of matrix B. This means matrix A and matrix B must have the same order.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine the given options based on our conclusion:

Option Statement Analysis
1 No. of columns of A $\ne$ No. of rows of B If this were true, AB would not be defined. This contradicts the problem statement.
2 No. of rows of A $\ne$ No. of columns of B If this were true, BA would not be defined. This contradicts the problem statement.
3 Both matrices (A) and (B) have same order Our analysis shows that if A is $m \times m$ and B is $p \times p$, and both AB and BA are defined, then $m=p$. This means they have the same order. This aligns with our findings.
4 Both matrices (A) and (B) does not have same order This contradicts our finding that they must have the same order.

Based on the analysis, the only statement that must be true is that both matrices A and B have the same order.

Conclusion on Matrix Order

When two square matrices A and B are such that both the products AB and BA are defined, it necessarily implies that the matrices A and B must be of the same order. If matrix A is of order $m \times m$ and matrix B is of order $p \times p$, then the condition for both AB and BA to be defined forces $m=p$.

Revision Table: Matrix Multiplication Conditions

Operation Condition for definition Order of resulting matrix (if A is $m \times n$, B is $p \times q$)
A $\times$ B (AB) Number of columns of A = Number of rows of B ($n=p$) $m \times q$
B $\times$ A (BA) Number of columns of B = Number of rows of A ($q=m$) $p \times n$

Additional Information on Square Matrices

Square matrices are important in linear algebra because they have special properties, particularly when their order is the same. For example, if two square matrices A and B of the same order are multiplied, the resulting matrix (AB or BA) is also a square matrix of the same order. If A is $m \times m$ and B is $m \times m$, then:

  • AB is defined because the number of columns of A ($m$) equals the number of rows of B ($m$). The order of AB is $m \times m$.
  • BA is defined because the number of columns of B ($m$) equals the number of rows of A ($m$). The order of BA is $m \times m$.

This confirms that if A and B are square matrices of the same order, both AB and BA are always defined.

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Important Questions from Matrices

  1. Let A be a skew-symmetric matrix of order 3.

    What is the value of det(4A4) - det(3A3) + det(2A2) - det(A) + det(-I)  where I is the identity matrix of order 3?

  2. The system of linear equations

    x + 2y + z = 4, 2x + 4y + 2z = 8 and 3x + 6y + 3z = 10 has  

  3. Let AX = B be a system of 3 linear equations with 3-unknowns. Let X 1 and X 2  be its two distinct solutions. If the combination  aX 1  + bX 2  is a solution of AX = B; where a, b are real numbers, then which one of the following is correct ? 
  4. An ordered pair $(\alpha, \beta)$ for which the system of linear equations

    $\alpha x + (\beta+1)y + z = 2$
    $2\alpha x + (\beta+2)y + z = 3$
    $\alpha x + \beta y + 2z = 2$ has a unique solution, is

  5. For what value of k is the matrix \(\begin{bmatrix} 2\cos 2\theta & 2\cos 2\theta & 6 \\ 1 -2 \sin^2\theta & 2 \cos^2\theta -1 & 3 \\ k & 2k & 1 \end{bmatrix}\)  singular?

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