Q.Transpose of a column matrix is a column matrix.
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Matrix Transpose
The transpose is one of the simplest yet most useful operations on a matrix: you flip the matrix across its main diagonal, so that its rows become columns and its columns become rows.
The intuition
Picture writing a table of marks with students down the rows and subjects across the columns. If instead you want subjects down the rows and students across the columns, you don't recollect the data — you just turn the table on its side. That turn is the transpose.
The precise definition
If A=[aij] is a matrix of order m×n, its transpose, written A′ (or AT), is the n×m matrix obtained by interchanging rows and columns:
A′=[aji],so the (i,j) entry of A′ is the (j,i) entry of A.
The entry in row i, column j of A moves to row j, column i of A′.
A worked look
A=[205314]2×3⟹A′=2510343×2.
The first row (2,5,1) of A has become the first column of A′.
Properties you must know
For matrices A,B of suitable orders and a scalar k:
- (A′)′=A — transposing twice returns the original.
- (kA)′=kA′ — a scalar comes straight through.
- (A+B)′=A′+B′ — transpose distributes over addition.
- (AB)′=B′A′ — the reversal law: the transpose of a product reverses the order of the factors. …
The key idea is that the transpose of a column matrix (a matrix with a single column) is a row matrix, not a column matrix.
- A column matrix of size m×1 has m rows and 1 column.
- The transpose operation swaps rows and columns. So the transpose of an m×1 matrix becomes a 1×m matrix.
- A 1×m matrix has one row and m columns — that is a row matrix, not a column matrix. …
The transpose of a column matrix is a row matrix, not a column matrix. The given statement is false.
Why This Matters: The Core Idea of Transpose
The transpose operation flips a matrix over its main diagonal — rows become columns, and columns become rows. This is a fundamental transformation in linear algebra, and getting it right is essential for matrix multiplication, solving systems, and understanding vector spaces.
A column matrix (also called a column vector) has only one column and any number of rows. For example:
A=a1a2a3
has dimensions 3×1 (3 rows, 1 column).
When you transpose it, every element that was in row i, column 1 moves to row 1, column i. So the result has 1 row and as many columns as the original had rows — that's a row matrix.
Step-by-Step Reasoning
-
Recall the definition of transpose.
If A is an m×n matrix, its transpose AT is an n×m matrix where (AT)ij=Aji. In plain language: the first row of AT is the first column of A, the second row of AT is the second column of A, and so on.
-
Apply this to a column matrix.
Let C be a column matrix of size m×1:
C=c1c2⋮cm
Here m is the number of rows, and there is exactly 1 column.
- Perform the transpose. The first (and only) column of C becomes the first row of CT. So:
CT=[c1c2…cm]
This is a 1×m matrix — exactly one row and m columns.
- Check the dimensions. Original: m×1 → Transpose: 1×m. A 1×m matrix is called a row matrix (or row vector), not a column matrix. …
Method: Determining the Order (Shape) of a Transposed Matrix
Use this for any statement about what kind of matrix results from transposing. The transpose swaps the roles of rows and columns, so track the order carefully.
Steps
Step 1: Write the definition of transpose in terms of order.
If A has order m×n, then A′ (or AT) has order n×m, with (A′)ij=aji. Rows become columns and columns become rows.
Step 2: Substitute the given shape.
Express the described matrix as an order. A column matrix has one column, so it is m×1. Its transpose is therefore 1×m. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking the shape is unchanged by transposing.
Why it's wrong: transpose swaps rows and columns, so an m×1 column becomes a 1×m row. Correct approach: always convert the shape to its order and swap the two numbers.
Mistake 2: Confusing a column matrix with a row matrix by name. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If A=1−24−13−42−35 is the given matrix and AT represents the transpose of A, then AAT−A−AT= (A) 4812816−2812−2847 (B) 4−812−816−2812−2847 (C) 4−812−81628122847 (D) 4−8−12−816−28−12−2847
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct matrix computation: build AT, use the row-dot-product shortcut for AAT, then subtract A+AT entrywise. The answer is the matrix in option (B).
Concept and Intuition
For any matrix A, the entry (AAT)ij equals (row i of A) ⋅ (row j of A), because transposing turns the columns of AT back into the rows of A. This is much faster than multiplying full matrices out mechanically, and it also guarantees AAT is symmetric — a useful self-check.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rows of A: R1=(1,−1,2), R2=(−2,3,−3), R3=(4,−4,5).
- Compute all pairwise dot products: R1⋅R1=1+1+4=6 R1⋅R2=−2−3−6=−11 R1⋅R3=4+4+10=18 R2⋅R2=4+9+9=22 R2⋅R3=−8−12−15=−35 R3⋅R3=16+16+25=57 So AAT=6−1118−1122−3518−3557 (symmetric, as expected).
- Compute AT=1−12−23−34−45, then A+AT entrywise: (1,1):1+1=2, (1,2):−1−2=−3, (1,3):2+4=6 (2,2):3+3=6, (2,3):−3−4=−7, (3,3):5+5=10 So A+AT=2−36−36−76−710.
- Subtract entrywise: AAT−(A+AT): (1,1):6−2=4, (1,2):−11−(−3)=−8, (1,3):18−6=12 (2,2):22−6=16, (2,3):−35−(−7)=−28 (3,3):57−10=47 …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-04-AN1 markMCQQ.If A=[2−4−31], then (AT)2+(12A)T= (A) 5[8−9125] (B) 5[8−12−95] (C) [4060−4525] (D) [40−45−6025]
›Reveal solutionSolution
Direct computation of (AT)2 and (12A)T and adding them gives [40−45−6025].
Concept and Intuition
(kA)T=kAT for a scalar k, and matrix squaring/transposing here is just direct 2×2 arithmetic — no shortcut is needed beyond careful multiplication.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A=[2−4−31]⇒AT=[2−3−41].
- Compute (AT)2=AT⋅AT:
- Row1: [2(2)+(−4)(−3), 2(−4)+(−4)(1)]=[4+12, −8−4]=[16,−12]
- Row2: [−3(2)+1(−3), −3(−4)+1(1)]=[−6−3, 12+1]=[−9,13] So (AT)2=[16−9−1213].
- Compute (12A)T=12AT=[24−36−4812]. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.If A is a non-singular matrix such that A.AT=AT.A and B=A−1.AT then (A) A.BT=I (B) B.BT=I (C) AT.BT=I (D) B−1.BT=I
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the given normality condition AAT=ATA, direct substitution shows B=A−1AT
satisfies BBT=I — i.e. B is itself an orthogonal matrix.
Concept and Intuition
A matrix satisfying AAT=ATA is called normal; this symmetry is exactly what's needed
to let ATA and AAT be swapped freely inside an algebraic manipulation. Since B is built
from A−1 and AT, testing BBT naturally produces a chain that can be simplified using
this swap, collapsing to the identity.
Step-by-Step Solution
- B=A−1AT.
- BT=(A−1AT)T=(AT)T(A−1)T=A(A−1)T.
- Since (A−1)T=(AT)−1 (transpose and inverse commute), BT=A(AT)−1.
- BBT=(A−1AT)(A(AT)−1)=A−1(ATA)(AT)−1.
- Substitute the given condition ATA=AAT: …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQQ.Let A=[10−1324], B=[4−10−2−3−3], C=25−1−3−100−40123. what is ATB=? (A) 4−740−6−8−3−6−18 (B) ATB is not defined (C) 40−3−7−6124−86 (D) ATB=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Computing AT (3×2) and multiplying by B (2×3) gives a well-defined 3×3 matrix, worked out row by row, matching option (A).
Concept and Intuition
Matrix multiplication PQ is defined only when the number of columns of P equals the number of rows of Q. Here A is 2×3, so AT is 3×2; multiplying AT (3×2) by B (2×3) gives a valid 3×3 product (inner dimensions 2 match), computed entry-by-entry as row·column dot products.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A=[10−1324], so transposing rows/columns: AT=1−12034 (3 rows, 2 columns).
- B=[4−10−2−3−3] (2 rows, 3 columns). Since AT has 2 columns and B has 2 rows, ATB is defined and will be 3×3.
- Row 1 of AT is (1,0). Dot with each column of B: col1 (4,−1): 1(4)+0(−1)=4; col2 (0,−2): 1(0)+0(−2)=0; col3 (−3,−3): 1(−3)+0(−3)=−3. So row 1 of the product is (4,0,−3).
- Row 2 of AT is (−1,3). Dot: col1: −1(4)+3(−1)=−4−3=−7; col2: −1(0)+3(−2)=−6; col3: −1(−3)+3(−3)=3−9=−6. Row 2: (−7,−6,−6). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-FN1 markMCQQ.If A and B are two square matrices with detA=5 and det(BT.AT)=−15, then detB is equal to (A) 3 (B) -3 (C) 0 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
det(AT)=det(A) always, and determinants of a product multiply — so this reduces to a one-line equation for detB.
Concept and Intuition
Two determinant facts make this immediate: (1) transposing a matrix never changes its determinant, det(MT)=det(M); (2) the determinant of a product of square matrices equals the product of their determinants, det(PQ)=det(P)det(Q). Combining these collapses the given expression to a simple product of the original (non-transposed) determinants.
Step-by-Step Solution
- det(BTAT)=det(BT)⋅det(AT) (product rule).
- det(BT)=det(B) and det(AT)=det(A) (transpose rule).
- So det(BTAT)=det(B)⋅det(A). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-AN1 markMCQQ.Let A, B, C, D be square real matrices such that CT=DAB, DT=ABC, S=ABCD then S2 is equal to (A) S (B) BCD (C) ST (D) (ST)2=(S2)T
›Reveal solutionSolution
A concrete scalar example satisfying the given matrix relations shows options (A), (B), (C) all fail numerically, while (D) is a universally true transpose identity — (S2)T=(ST)2 for any square matrix, which is exactly what the problem is (perhaps deceptively) testing recognition of.
Concept and Intuition
When a matrix-relation problem gives several plausible-looking "S2 equals ___" options, it's worth checking whether one of them is actually a general algebraic identity true for any matrix, independent of the specific conditions given — sometimes exam options include exactly this kind of "always true" statement as the intended answer, especially when the other options would require additional unstated assumptions (like orthogonality) to hold. Here, (ST)2=(S2)T follows purely from the transpose-reversal rule (XY)T=YTXT, with no special conditions needed at all.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Treat A,B,C,D as 1×1 matrices (scalars) to build a concrete, valid test case (transpose of a scalar is itself).
- The conditions become C=DAB and D=ABC. Substituting the second into the first: C=(ABC)(AB)=A2B2C, so (for C=0) A2B2=1, i.e. AB=±1.
- Choose A=1,B=1 (so AB=1). Then D=ABC=C, so set C=D=5 (any nonzero value works, consistent with both original relations: C=DAB=5⋅1⋅1=5 ✓, D=ABC=1⋅1⋅5=5 ✓).
- Compute S=ABCD=1⋅1⋅5⋅5=25, so S2=625.
- Test each option against S2=625: (A) S=25=625. (B) BCD=1⋅5⋅5=25=625. (C) ST=S=25 (scalars are self-transpose) =625. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If A=opp2qq−qr−rr and AAT=I3, then (A) ∣p∣=∣q∣∣r∣ (B) ∣r∣=2∣p∣∣q∣ (C) ∣q∣=∣p∣∣r∣ (D) ∣p∣+∣q∣=∣r∣
›Reveal solutionSolution
The condition AAT=I3 forces the rows of A to be orthonormal vectors. By computing the dot products of the rows and equating them to the identity matrix, we derive relations among p,q,r that lead to ∣q∣=∣p∣∣r∣, which is option (C).
We are given
A=opp2qq−qr−rr
and told that AAT=I3. This is a classic orthogonality condition: the rows of A are orthonormal (each row has length 1, and distinct rows are orthogonal). The matrix AT is the transpose, so AAT gives the matrix of dot products of rows.
Why this approach works
Instead of blindly multiplying matrices, we think geometrically: AAT=I means the rows of A form an orthonormal basis. That gives us three equations (one for each row’s norm) and three equations for pairwise dot products. Since the matrix has symbolic entries, these equations become algebraic relations among p,q,r. Solving them will reveal which of the given options holds.
Step-by-step reasoning
Let the rows of A be:
- Row 1: R1=(o,2q,r)
- Row 2: R2=(p,q,−r)
- Row 3: R3=(p,−q,r)
The condition AAT=I3 means:
- Each row has norm 1
R1⋅R1=o2+(2q)2+r2=o2+4q2+r2=1(1)
R2⋅R2=p2+q2+(−r)2=p2+q2+r2=1(2)
R3⋅R3=p2+(−q)2+r2=p2+q2+r2=1(3)
Notice (2) and (3) are identical, so they give the same equation.
- Distinct rows are orthogonal
R1⋅R2=o⋅p+(2q)(q)+r(−r)=op+2q2−r2=0(4)
R1⋅R3=o⋅p+(2q)(−q)+r⋅r=op−2q2+r2=0(5)
R2⋅R3=p⋅p+q(−q)+(−r)(r)=p2−q2−r2=0(6)
Now we have a system of equations (1)–(6). Let’s solve them.
From (6):
p2−q2−r2=0⇒p2=q2+r2(7)
From (2) and (3):
p2+q2+r2=1
Substitute (7) into this:
(q2+r2)+q2+r2=1⇒2q2+2r2=1⇒q2+r2=21(8)
Then from (7), p2=21.
Now use (4) and (5):
Add (4) and (5):
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If 3A=12a2122−2b and AAT=I, then ba+ab= (A) −25 (B) 613 (C) −613 (D) 25
›Reveal solutionSolution
AAT=I forces the rows of 3A to be mutually orthogonal vectors of length 3; solving the two orthogonality equations gives a=−2,b=−1, so ba+ab=25.
Concept and Intuition
If AAT=I, then A is an orthogonal matrix: its rows form an orthonormal set (each row has unit length, and any two distinct rows have zero dot product). Scaling every entry by 3 (as in 3A) scales row lengths by 3 (so squared length becomes 9) but preserves orthogonality (dot products of different rows of 3A are still zero, since they're 9× the original zero dot products).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rows of 3A: R1=(1,2,2), R2=(2,1,−2), R3=(a,2,b).
- Check R1⋅R1=1+4+4=9 ✓ and R2⋅R2=4+1+4=9 ✓ (consistent with each row having squared length 9).
- R3⋅R3=a2+4+b2=9⇒a2+b2=5.
- Orthogonality R1⋅R3=0: 1⋅a+2⋅2+2⋅b=a+4+2b=0⇒a+2b=−4.
- Orthogonality R2⋅R3=0: 2⋅a+1⋅2+(−2)⋅b=2a+2−2b=0⇒a−b=−1⇒a=b−1.
- Substitute into a+2b=−4: (b−1)+2b=−4⇒3b=−3⇒b=−1, then a=b−1=−2.
- Verify: a2+b2=4+1=5 ✓ (matches step 3). …
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