Matrices

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SAT Math › Matrices

Questions 1 - 10
1

If , what is ?

Explanation

You can treat matrices just like you treat other members of an equation. Therefore, you can subtract the matrix

from both sides of the equation. This gives you:

Now, matrix subtraction is simple. You merely subtract each element, matching the correlative spaces with each other:

Then, you simplify:

Therefore,

2

If , what is ?

Explanation

You can treat matrices just like you treat other members of an equation. Therefore, you can subtract the matrix

from both sides of the equation. This gives you:

Now, matrix subtraction is simple. You merely subtract each element, matching the correlative spaces with each other:

Then, you simplify:

Therefore,

3

Let

Which of the following values of makes a matrix without an inverse?

None of these

Explanation

A matrix lacks an inverse if and only if its determinant is equal to zero. The determinant of is

.

We seek the value of that sets this quantity equal to 0. Setting it as such then solving for :

,

the correct response.

4

What is ?

Explanation

You can begin by treating this equation just like it was:

That is, you can divide both sides by :

Now, for scalar multiplication of matrices, you merely need to multiply the scalar by each component:

Then, simplify:

Therefore,

5

What is ?

Explanation

You can begin by treating this equation just like it was:

That is, you can divide both sides by :

Now, for scalar multiplication of matrices, you merely need to multiply the scalar by each component:

Then, simplify:

Therefore,

6

Define .

Give .

is not defined.

Explanation

The inverse of a 2 x 2 matrix , if it exists, is the matrix

First, we need to establish that the inverse is defined, which it is if and only if determinant .

Set , and check:

The determinant is equal to 0, so does not have an inverse.

7

.

Explanation

A matrix lacks an inverse if and only if its determinant is equal to zero. The determinant of is

Set this equal to 0 and solve for :

,

the correct response.

8

Let equal the following:

.

Which of the following real values of makes a matrix without an inverse?

has an inverse for all real values of

There are two such values: or

There are two such values: or

There are two such values: or

There is one such value:

Explanation

A matrix lacks an inverse if and only if its determinant is equal to zero. The determinant of is

, so

Since the square of all real numbers is nonnegative, this equation has no real solution. It follows that the determinant cannot be 0 for any real value of , and that must have an inverse for all real .

9

If , what is ?

Explanation

Begin by distributing the fraction through the matrix on the left side of the equation. This will simplify the contents, given that they are factors of :

Now, this means that your equation looks like:

This simply means:

and

or

Therefore,

10

If , what is ?

Explanation

Begin by distributing the fraction through the matrix on the left side of the equation. This will simplify the contents, given that they are factors of :

Now, this means that your equation looks like:

This simply means:

and

or

Therefore,

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