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The inverse of a matrix A is given by \(\rm \begin{bmatrix} -2 & 1 \\ \frac{3}{2} & -\frac{1}{2} \end{bmatrix}\)  What is A equal to?

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2021 GAT Previous Year Paper (18-Apr-2021)
The correct answer is \(\rm \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\)

Let the given matrix inverse be denoted as \(A^{-1}\). We are given:

\(A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} -2 & 1 \\ \frac{3}{2} & -\frac{1}{2} \end{bmatrix}\)

The question asks us to find the original matrix A. A fundamental property of matrix inverses is that the inverse of the inverse of a matrix is the original matrix itself. Mathematically, this is expressed as \((A^{-1})^{-1} = A\).

Therefore, to find matrix A, we need to calculate the inverse of the given matrix \(A^{-1}\).

Finding the Original Matrix using Inverse Property

To find the inverse of a 2x2 matrix \(M = \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix}\), we use the formula:

\(M^{-1} = \frac{1}{\det(M)} \begin{bmatrix} d & -b \\ -c & a \end{bmatrix}\)

where the determinant of the matrix M is \(\det(M) = ad - bc\). The inverse exists only if \(\det(M) \neq 0\).

Let the given matrix \(A^{-1}\) be represented as \(\begin{bmatrix} a' & b' \\ c' & d' \end{bmatrix}\), where \(a' = -2\), \(b' = 1\), \(c' = \frac{3}{2}\), and \(d' = -\frac{1}{2}\).

First, we calculate the determinant of \(A^{-1}\):

\(\det(A^{-1}) = a'd' - b'c'\)

\(\det(A^{-1}) = (-2) \times \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) - (1) \times \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)\)

\(\det(A^{-1}) = 1 - \frac{3}{2}\)

\(\det(A^{-1}) = \frac{2}{2} - \frac{3}{2}\)

\(\det(A^{-1}) = -\frac{1}{2}\)

Since the determinant \(-\frac{1}{2}\) is not zero, the inverse of \(A^{-1}\) exists.

Next, we find the adjugate of \(A^{-1}\) by swapping the diagonal elements and negating the off-diagonal elements:

Adjugate of \(A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} d' & -b' \\ -c' & a' \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -\frac{1}{2} & -1 \\ -\frac{3}{2} & -2 \end{bmatrix}\)

Now, we calculate the inverse of \(A^{-1}\), which is equal to A:

\(A = (A^{-1})^{-1} = \frac{1}{\det(A^{-1})} \begin{bmatrix} d' & -b' \\ -c' & a' \end{bmatrix}\)

\(A = \frac{1}{-\frac{1}{2}} \begin{bmatrix} -\frac{1}{2} & -1 \\ -\frac{3}{2} & -2 \end{bmatrix}\)

\(A = -2 \begin{bmatrix} -\frac{1}{2} & -1 \\ -\frac{3}{2} & -2 \end{bmatrix}\)

Now, multiply each element inside the matrix by the scalar \(-2\):

\(A = \begin{bmatrix} (-2) \times (-\frac{1}{2}) & (-2) \times (-1) \\ (-2) \times (-\frac{3}{2}) & (-2) \times (-2) \end{bmatrix}\)

\(A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\)

Comparing Result with Options

Let's compare our calculated matrix A with the given options:

  • Option 1: \(\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\)
  • Option 2: \(\begin{bmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ -3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\)
  • Option 3: \(\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & -4 \end{bmatrix}\)
  • Option 4: \(\begin{bmatrix} -1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\)

Our calculated matrix \(A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\) matches Option 1.

Matrix Inverse Calculation Summary

Step Description Calculation
1 Identify the given inverse matrix \(A^{-1}\) \(A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} -2 & 1 \\ \frac{3}{2} & -\frac{1}{2} \end{bmatrix}\)
2 Recall property \((A^{-1})^{-1} = A\) Need to find the inverse of \(A^{-1}\)
3 Calculate the determinant of \(A^{-1}\) \(\det(A^{-1}) = (-2)(-\frac{1}{2}) - (1)(\frac{3}{2}) = 1 - \frac{3}{2} = -\frac{1}{2}\)
4 Find the adjugate of \(A^{-1}\) \(\begin{bmatrix} -\frac{1}{2} & -1 \\ -\frac{3}{2} & -2 \end{bmatrix}\)
5 Calculate \(A = (A^{-1})^{-1}\) using the formula \(A = \frac{1}{-1/2} \begin{bmatrix} -\frac{1}{2} & -1 \\ -\frac{3}{2} & -2 \end{bmatrix} = -2 \begin{bmatrix} -\frac{1}{2} & -1 \\ -\frac{3}{2} & -2 \end{bmatrix}\)
6 Perform scalar multiplication \(A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\)

Revision Table: Key Matrix Inverse Concepts

Concept Description
Inverse Matrix ($A^{-1}$) A matrix $A^{-1}$ such that $A A^{-1} = A^{-1} A = I$, where $I$ is the identity matrix.
Determinant ($\det(A)$) A scalar value calculated from the elements of a square matrix. For a 2x2 matrix $\begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix}$, $\det(A) = ad - bc$.
Singular Matrix A square matrix whose determinant is zero. A singular matrix does not have an inverse.
Non-Singular Matrix A square matrix whose determinant is non-zero. A non-singular matrix has an inverse.
Adjugate Matrix ($\text{adj}(A)$) The transpose of the cofactor matrix. For a 2x2 matrix $\begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix}$, $\text{adj}(A) = \begin{bmatrix} d & -b \\ -c & a \end{bmatrix}$.
Inverse Formula (2x2) $A^{-1} = \frac{1}{\det(A)} \text{adj}(A)$, provided $\det(A) \neq 0$.
Property $(A^{-1})^{-1}$ The inverse of the inverse of a matrix is the original matrix: $(A^{-1})^{-1} = A$.

Additional Information: Properties of Matrix Inverses

Understanding the properties of matrix inverses is crucial for solving matrix-related problems. Here are a few important ones:

  • Uniqueness of Inverse: If a matrix has an inverse, it is unique.
  • Inverse of a Product: The inverse of a product of two invertible matrices is the product of their inverses in reverse order: \((AB)^{-1} = B^{-1}A^{-1}\).
  • Inverse of a Transpose: The inverse of the transpose of a matrix is equal to the transpose of its inverse: \((A^T)^{-1} = (A^{-1})^T\).
  • Inverse of a Scalar Multiple: If \(k\) is a non-zero scalar and \(A\) is an invertible matrix, then \((kA)^{-1} = \frac{1}{k} A^{-1}\).
  • Inverse of the Inverse: As used in this problem, \((A^{-1})^{-1} = A\). This property allows us to find the original matrix A when its inverse is given.

These properties simplify many matrix calculations and are fundamental concepts in linear algebra.

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Similar Questions

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Important Questions from Adjoint and Inverse of a Square Matrix

  1. What should be the value of x so that the matrix \(\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 2&4\\ { - 8}&{\rm{x}} \end{array}} \right)\) does not have an inverse?

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