Q.The inverse of [0110] is (A) [1111] (B) [0110] (C) [1001] (D) None of these
Concept understanding — Inverse of a Matrix
For a square matrix A of order m, another square matrix B of the same order is called the inverse of A if AB=BA=I, the identity matrix of order m; B is written A−1, and by the same relation A is equally the inverse of B, so A=B−1. A matrix is called invertible exactly when such a B exists, which happens if and only if A is non-singular, ∣A∣=0. The inverse, when it exists, is always unique: if B and C were both inverses of A, then B=BI=B(AC)=(BA)C=IC=C, so B=C. Two standard routes compute A−1 — the elementary-transformation method and the adjoint-formula method — and both must agree, since the inverse is unique. Beyond direct computation, the defining relation AA−1=A−1A=I is itself a powerful algebraic tool: a matrix equation such as AX=B (with A square and non-singular) is solved by pre-multiplying both sides by A−1, giving X=A−1B; an equation XA=B is instead solved by post-multiplying by A−1, giving X=BA−1 — the side on which A−1 is applied must match the side on which A originally multiplies X, since matrix multiplication is not commutative. For two invertible matrices A,B of the same order, the product AB is also invertible with (AB)−1=B−1A−1 (the order reverses). A diagonal matrix is invertible exactly when every diagonal entry is nonzero, and its inverse is again diagonal, with each entry replaced by its reciprocal; the inverse of a symmetric matrix is itself symmetric. Also, det(A−1)=detA1 for any invertible A.
The matrix is its own inverse.
Option (B) [0110]
Step 1: A=[0110], ∣A∣=0(0)−1(1)=−1=0.
Step 2: Using the 2×2 shortcut A−1=∣A∣1[d−c−ba]=−11[0−1−10]=[0110].
Step 3: So A−1=A itself -- this particular matrix is its own inverse (it swaps the two coordinates, and swapping twice returns to the start, i.e. A2=I).
A−1=[0110] -- Option (B).
This matrix is a simple row/column swap of the identity; compute its inverse directly via the 2×2 shortcut.
- Assuming the inverse of a nontrivial-looking matrix can never just be the matrix itself
- Sign error in the 2×2 shortcut, landing on option (D) or a wrong matrix
- Confusing this with the identity matrix (option C), which is a different matrix entirely
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If the inverse of the matrix [21−6−2] is [−1−213α], then what is the value of α?(a) 2(b) 1(c) -1(d) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Computing the inverse directly gives α=1.
Let A=[21−6−2].
Step 1 — determinant:
detA=(2)(−2)−(−6)(1)=−4+6=2
Step 2 — adjoint: for a 2×2 matrix [acbd], the adjoint is [d−c−ba]:
adjA=[−2−162]
Step 3 — inverse:
A−1=detA1adjA=21[−2−162]=[−1−2131]
Comparing with the given inverse [−1−213α], we get α=1.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) α=1.
- CBSE 2025Set A1 markQ.Write True or False: Inverse of a square matrix, if it exists, is unique.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The uniqueness of the matrix inverse is a standard theorem provable by contradiction.
Suppose A has two inverses B and C, so AB=BA=I and AC=CA=I. Then:
B=BI=B(AC)=(BA)C=IC=C
So B=C, proving the inverse (when it exists) is unique.
✓Final answerTrue.
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The number of multiplicative inverses of a non-singular square matrix is ____. Choices given: [0, 1, 2, infinite]
›Reveal solutionSolution
A non-singular (invertible) square matrix has one and only one inverse — uniqueness of the matrix inverse is a standard theorem.
If A is a non-singular square matrix, A−1 exists and is unique: if B and C both satisfy AB=BA=I and AC=CA=I, then B=BI=B(AC)=(BA)C=IC=C.
So the number of multiplicative inverses of a non-singular square matrix is exactly 1. None of "0", "21" or "infinite" is correct — this looks like a gap in the supplied choice list (the correct choice "1" appears to be missing from what was extracted), so the honestly correct fact is given directly.
✓Final answerExactly 1 (unique).
- CBSE 2019Set ANNUAL1 markQ.If matrix A=[cosθ−sinθsinθcosθ], then find A−1.
›Reveal solutionSolution
A is an orthogonal (rotation) matrix with ∣A∣=1, so A−1 equals its adjoint, which equals AT.
∣A∣=cosθ⋅cosθ−sinθ⋅(−sinθ)=cos2θ+sin2θ=1
Cofactors: A11=cosθ, A12=sinθ, A21=−sinθ, A22=cosθ
adj(A)=[cosθsinθ−sinθcosθ]
A−1=∣A∣1adj(A)=[cosθsinθ−sinθcosθ]
✓Final answerA−1=[cosθsinθ−sinθcosθ].
- CBSE 2018Set ANNUAL1 markQ.If A=[3142], then find A−1.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Compute ∣A∣, then the adjoint, then A−1=∣A∣1adj(A).
A=[3142]
∣A∣=3×2−4×1=6−4=2.
The adjoint matrix (swap diagonal entries, negate off-diagonal entries) is:
adj(A)=[2−1−43]
So:
A−1=21[2−1−43]=[1−21−223]
✓Final answerA−1=[1−21−223].
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