Skip to content
Exercise 3.3 · Q7

Q.(i) Show that the matrix A=[1−15−121513]A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 & 5 \\ -1 & 2 & 1 \\ 5 & 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix} is a symmetric matrix.

(ii) Show that the matrix A=[01−1−1011−10]A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 & -1 \\ -1 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & -1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} is a skew symmetric matrix.
CBSENCERTSubjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
24% · 44/182 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

A matrix is symmetric if it equals its own transpose (AT=AA^T = A), and skew symmetric if it equals the negative of its transpose (AT=−AA^T = -A). For part (i), AT=AA^T = A holds, so AA is symmetric. For part (ii), AT=−AA^T = -A holds, so AA is skew symmetric.

The idea is straightforward: transpose the matrix and compare it with the original. For a symmetric matrix, the entry at (i,j)(i,j) must equal the entry at (j,i)(j,i) — the matrix is mirrored across the main diagonal. For a skew symmetric matrix, the entry at (i,j)(i,j) must be the negative of the entry at (j,i)(j,i), and the diagonal entries must all be zero.

Let's check each case.

Part (i): A=[1−15−121513]A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 & 5 \\ -1 & 2 & 1 \\ 5 & 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

  1. Write down the transpose. The transpose swaps rows and columns: the first row becomes the first column, the second row becomes the second column, and so on.

AT=[1−15−121513]A^T = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 & 5 \\ -1 & 2 & 1 \\ 5 & 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

  1. Compare ATA^T with AA. Look at each position:

    • (1,1)(1,1): 1=11 = 1
    • (1,2)(1,2): −1=−1-1 = -1
    • (1,3)(1,3): 5=55 = 5
    • (2,1)(2,1): −1=−1-1 = -1
    • (2,2)(2,2): 2=22 = 2
    • (2,3)(2,3): 1=11 = 1
    • (3,1)(3,1): 5=55 = 5
    • (3,2)(3,2): 1=11 = 1
    • (3,3)(3,3): 3=33 = 3

    Every entry matches exactly. So AT=AA^T = A.

Note

A symmetric matrix is always square, and its entries are symmetric about the main diagonal. Here, the off-diagonal pairs like (1,2)(1,2) and (2,1)(2,1) are both −1-1, confirming the symmetry.

Part (ii): A=[01−1−1011−10]A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 & -1 \\ -1 & 0 & 1 \\ 1 & -1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

  1. Write the transpose:

AT=[0−1110−1−110]A^T = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & -1 \\ -1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

  1. Now check if AT=−AA^T = -A. First compute −A-A:

−A=[0−1110−1−110]-A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & -1 \\ -1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

  1. Compare ATA^T and −A-A entry by entry:
    • (1,1)(1,1): 0=00 = 0
    • (1,2)(1,2): −1=−1-1 = -1
    • (1,3)(1,3): 1=11 = 1
    • (2,1)(2,1): 1=11 = 1 …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.