MODULE 5

LESSON 9
INVERSE OF A MATRIX
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Solve the inverse of a matrix using two methods, and

2. Apply the concept of inverse of a matrix to solve systems of linear

algebraic equations.

Recall the concept of a multiplicative inverse in the real number system. For any
nonzero number 𝑎, there exists a number 𝑏 such that 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑏𝑎 = 1. The
number 𝑏 is called the multiplicative inverse of the number 𝑎, and is oftentimes
denoted by 𝑎 −1.

Extending this concept to matrices, for any square matrix 𝑨, there exists a matrix
𝑩 of the same order as 𝑨 such that 𝑨𝑩 = 𝑩𝑨 = 𝑰, where 𝑰 is the identity
matrix. If this is the case, we say that the matrix 𝑨 is nonsingular or invertible.
Also, the matrix 𝑩 is said to be the the inverse of 𝑨.

Properties of the Inverse of a Matrix

Let 𝑨 and 𝑩 be nonsingular matrices; then

1. (𝑨−1 )−1 = 𝑨
2. (𝑨𝑩)−1 = 𝑩−1 𝑨−1
3. (𝑨𝑇 )−1 = (𝑨−1 )𝑇

Solving the Inverse of a Matrix

1. Adjoint Method. Let 𝑨 be an 𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 matrix. If det 𝑨 ≠ 0, then

1
𝑨−1 = ( ) (adj 𝑨)
det 𝑨

where adj 𝑨 is the adjoint of matrix 𝑨.

 Adjoint Matrix. Let 𝑨 be an 𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 matrix. The ajoint of 𝑨 is the
matrix that is the transpose of the matrix of cofactors corresponding to
the entries of 𝑨.

𝐶11 𝐶12 ⋯ 𝐶1𝑛 𝑇 𝐶11 𝐶21 ⋯ 𝐶𝑛1

𝐶 𝐶22 ⋯ 𝐶2𝑛 𝐶 𝐶22 ⋯ 𝐶𝑛2
adj 𝑨 = [ 21 ] = [ 12 ]
⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮
𝐶𝑛1 𝐶𝑛2 ⋯ 𝐶𝑛𝑛 𝐶1𝑛 𝐶2𝑛 ⋯ 𝐶𝑛𝑛

2. Row Operations Method. If an 𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 matrix 𝑨 can be transformed

into the 𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 identity matrix 𝑰 by a sequence of elementary row
operations, then 𝑨 is said to be nonsingular. In solving for the inverse
using this method, the augmented matrix [𝑨 | 𝑰] should be transformed
into the augmented matrix [𝑰 | 𝑨−1 ] via row operations.

Example Solve the inverse of the following matrices using the two methods
9.1. discussed above.

1 2
1. 𝑨 = [ ]
3 4

(a) Adjoint Method

Get the determinant of 𝑨 first.

1 2
det 𝑨 = | |
3 4
= 1(4) − 2(3)
=4−6
= −2

Get the cofactor matrix.

1 2
𝐶11 = (−1)1+1 | |
3 4
= (−1)2 (4)
=4

1 2
𝐶12 = (−1)1+2 | |
3 4
= (−1)3 (3)
= −3
 1 2
𝐶21 = (−1)2+1 | |
3 4
= (−1)3 (2)
= −2

1 2
𝐶22 = (−1)2+2 | |
3 4
= (−1)4 (1)
=1

𝐶11 𝐶12
Cofactor 𝑨 = [ ]
𝐶21 𝐶22
4 −3
=[ ]
−2 1

Get the adjoint of 𝑨.

adj 𝑨 = [Cofactor 𝑨]𝑇
4 −2
=[ ]
−3 1

Solve for the inverse of matrix 𝑨.

1
𝑨−1 = (det 𝑨) (adj 𝑨)
1 4 −2
= (−2) [ ]
−3 1
1 4 −2
= −2[ ]
−3 1
−2 1
=[ 3 −2 ]
1
2

(b) Row Operations Method.

Start with the augmented matrix [𝑨 | 𝑰].

1 2 1 0
[ ]
3 4 0 1

Transform the augmented matrix [𝑨 | 𝑰] into

[𝑰 | 𝑨−1 ] using row operations.
1 2 1 0
[ ]
3 4 0 1
 𝑅2 ∗ = 𝑅2 − 3𝑅1
1 2 1 0
[ ]
0 −2 −3 1
1
𝑅2 ∗ = − 2 𝑅2

1 2 13 0
[ − 2]
1
0 1 2

𝑅1 ∗ = 𝑅1 − 2𝑅2
1 0 −2 1
[ 3
− 2]
1
0 1 2

We already have the augmented matrix [𝑰 | 𝑨−1 ].

Therefore,
−2 1
𝑨−1 = [ 3 − ].
1
2 2

2 1 2
2. 𝑨 = [3 4 7]
8 1 −5

(a) Adjoint Method

Get the determinant of 𝑨 first.

2 1 2
det 𝑨 = |3 4 7|
8 1 −5
2 1 2 2 1
= |3 4 7 3 4|
8 1 −5 8 1
(Use basketweave method)
= [2(4)(−5) + 1(7)(8) + 2(3)(1)] −
[2(4)(8) + 2(7)(1) + 1(3)(−5)]
 = (−40 + 56 + 6) − (64 + 14 − 15)
= 22 − 63
= −41

Get the cofactor matrix.

2 1 2
𝐶11 = (−1)1+1 | 3 4 7 |
8 1 −5
4 7
= (−1)2 | |
1 −5
= (4(−5) − 7(1))
= −20 − 7
= −27

2 1 2
(−1)1+2
𝐶12 = | 3 4 7 |
8 1 −5
3 7
= (−1)3 | |
8 −5
= −(3(−5) − 7(8))
= −(−15 − 56)
= 71

2 1 2
𝐶13 = (−1)1+3 | 3 4 7|
8 1 −5
3 4
= (−1)4 | |
8 1
= (3(1) − 4(8))
= 3 − 32
= −29
 2 1 2
𝐶21 = (−1)2+1 | 3 4 7 |
8 1 −5
1 2
= (−1)3 | |
1 −5
= −(1(−5) − 2(1))
= −(−5 − 2)
=7

2 1 2
(−1) 2+2
𝐶22 = | 3 4 7 |
8 1 −5
2 2
= (−1)4 | |
8 −5
= (2(−5) − 2(8))
= −10 − 16
= −26

2 1 2
𝐶23 = (−1)2+3 | 3 4 7|
8 1 −5
2 1
= (−1)5 | |
8 1
= −(2(1) − 1(8))
= −(2 − 8)
=6

2 1 2
𝐶31 = (−1)3+1 | 3 4 7 |
8 1 −5
1 2
= (−1)4 | |
4 7
= (1(7) − 2(4))
= (7 − 8)
= −1

2 1 2
𝐶32 = (−1)3+2 | 3 4 7 |
8 1 −5
 2 2
= (−1)5 | |
3 7
= −(2(7) − 2(3))
= −(14 − 6)
= −8

2 1 2
𝐶33 = (−1)3+3 | 3 4 7|
8 1 −5
2 1
= (−1)6 | |
3 4
= (2(4) − 1(3))
= (8 − 3)
=5

𝐶11 𝐶12 𝐶13

Cofactor 𝑨 = [𝐶21 𝐶22 𝐶23 ]
𝐶31 𝐶32 𝐶33
−27 71 −29
=[ 7 −26 6 ]
−1 −8 5

Get the adjoint of 𝑨.

adj 𝑨 = [Cofactor 𝑨]𝑇

−27 7 −1
= [ 71 −26 −8]
−29 6 5

Solve for the inverse of matrix 𝑨.

1
𝑨−1 = (det 𝑨) (adj 𝑨)
 −27 7 −1
1
= (−41) [ 71 −26 −8]
−29 6 5
−27 7 −1
1
= − 41 [ 71 −26 −8]
−29 6 5
27 7 1
− 41
41 41
71 26 8
= − 41 41 41
29 6 5
[ − 41 − 41 ]
41

(b) Row Operations Method.

Start with the augmented matrix [𝑨 | 𝑰].

2 1 2 1 0 0
[3 4 7 0 1 0 ]
8 1 −5 0 0 1

Transform the augmented matrix [𝑨 | 𝑰] into

[𝑰 | 𝑨−1 ] using row operations.
2 1 2 1 0 0
[3 4 7 0 1 0 ]
8 1 −5 0 0 1
1
𝑅1 ∗ = 2 𝑅1
1 1
1 2 1 2 0 0
[3 4 7 0 1 0 ]
8 1 −5 0 0 1

𝑅2 ∗ = 𝑅2 − 3𝑅1
1 1
1 1 0 0
2 2
[0 5
4 − 1
3
0]
2 2
8 1 −5 0 0 1

𝑅3 ∗ = 𝑅3 − 8𝑅1
1 1
1 1 0 0
2 2
[0 5
4 −2 1
3
0]
2
0 −3 −13 −4 0 1
 2
𝑅2 ∗ = 𝑅
5 2
1 1
1 1 0 0
2 2
[0 1
8
−5
3 2
0]
5 5
0 −3 −13 −4 0 1
1
𝑅1 ∗ = 𝑅1 − 𝑅2
2
1 4 1
1 0 −5 0
5 5
[0 1
8
−
3 2
0]
5 5 5
0 −3 −13 −4 0 1

𝑅3 ∗ = 𝑅3 + 3𝑅2
1 4 1
1 0 −5 0
5 5
8 3 2
0 1 −5 0
5 5
41 29 6
[0 0 − 5
− 5 5
1]

5
𝑅3 ∗ = − 𝑅
41 3
4 1
1 0
1 −5 0
5
5 3 2
0 1
8 −5 0
5
5 29 6 5
[0 0 1 − 41 − 41]
41

1
𝑅1 ∗ = 𝑅1 − 𝑅3
5
27 7 1
− 41
1 0 0 41 41
8 3 2
0 1 −5 0
5 5
0 0 1 29
−
6
− ]
5
[ 41 41 41

8
𝑅1 ∗ = 𝑅2 − 𝑅3
5
 27 7 1
− 41
1 0 0 41 41
71 26 8
0 1 0 − 41 41 41
0 0 1 29 6 5
[ − 41 − 41]
41

We already have the augmented matrix [𝑰 | 𝑨−1 ].

Therefore,
27 7 1
− 41
41 41
−1 71 26 8
𝑨 = − 41 41 41
29 6 5
[ − − ]
41 41 41

Using Inverse of a Matrix to Solve Systems of Equations

A system of 𝑚 linear equations in 𝑛 variables

𝑎11 𝑥1 + 𝑎12 𝑥2 + ⋯ + 𝑎1𝑛 𝑥𝑛 = 𝑏1

𝑎21 𝑥1 + 𝑎22 𝑥2 + ⋯ + 𝑎2𝑛 𝑥𝑛 = 𝑏2
⋮ ⋮
𝑎𝑚1 𝑥1 + 𝑎𝑚2 𝑥2 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛 = 𝑏𝑚

can be written as a matrix equation 𝑨𝑿 = 𝑩 where

𝑎11 𝑎12 ⋯ 𝑎1𝑛 𝑥1 𝑏1

𝑎21 𝑎22 ⋯ 𝑎2𝑛 𝑥2 𝑏2
⋮ ], 𝑿=[ ⋮ ],
𝑨=[ ⋮ 𝑩=[ ]
⋮
𝑎𝑚1 𝑎𝑚2 ⋯ 𝑎𝑚𝑛 𝑥𝑛 𝑏𝑚

For a nonsingular 𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 matrix 𝑨, the equation 𝑨𝑿 = 𝑩 can be

multiplied with 𝑨−1 to solve for the unknown matrix 𝑩. This is illustrated
below.

𝑨−1 𝑨𝑿 = 𝑨−1 𝑩
(𝑨−1 𝑨)𝑿 = 𝑨−1 𝑩
𝑰𝑿 = 𝑨−1 𝑩 where 𝑰 is the identity matrix
𝑿 = 𝑨−1 𝑩
It is useful to understand some properties of the Identity Matrix, 𝑰.

1. An identity matrix is always a square matrix.

2. Multiplying any matrix by the identity matrix gives the matrix itself.

𝑨𝑰 = 𝑰𝑨 = 𝑨
3. Multiplying a matrix by its inverse results in an identity matrix.
𝑨𝑨−1 = 𝑨−1 𝑨 = 𝑰

Example Solve the following systems of equations using the concept of

9.2. inverse of a matrix.

1. 4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 7
2𝑥 − 5𝑦 = 1

The matrix equation 𝑨𝑿 = 𝑩 is given below.

4 3 𝑥 7
[ ][ ] = [ ]
2 −5 𝑦 1
4 3 𝑥 7
where 𝑨 = [ ] , 𝑿 = [𝑦] , and 𝑩 = [ ].
2 −5 1

To compute for the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦, we have 𝑿 =

𝑨−1 𝑩.

Solve for 𝑨−1 . Using adjoint method,

4 3
det 𝑨 = | |
2 −5
= 4(−5) − 3(2)
= −20 − 6
= −26
For the cofactor matrix,
4 3
𝐶11 = (−1)1+1 | |
2 −5
= (−1)2 (−5)
= −5
 4 3
𝐶12 = (−1)1+2 | |
2 −5
= (−1)3 (2)
= −2

4 3
𝐶21 = (−1)2+1 | |
2 −5
= (−1)3 (3)
= −3

4 3
𝐶22 = (−1)2+2 | |
2 −5
= (−1)4 (4)
=4

−5 −2
Cofactor 𝑨 = [ ]
−3 4

−5 −3
adj 𝑨 = [ ]
−2 4
1 −5 −3
𝑨−1 = −26 [ ]
−2 4
5 3
26 26
= [1 2]
13
− 13

Solve for 𝑿.
𝑿 = 𝑨−1 𝑩
5 3
26 7
= [26
1 2 ] [1]
−
13 13
5 3
(7) + (1)
= [26
1
26
2 ]
(7) − (1)
13 13
 19

= [13
5]
13

19
𝑥
𝑿 = [𝑦] = [13
5]
13

19 5
Therefore, 𝑥 = 13 and 𝑦 = 13.

2. 𝑎 + 𝑐 = −4
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 =0
5𝑎 − 𝑏 = 6

The matrix equation 𝑨𝑿 = 𝑩 is given below.

1 0 1 𝑎 −4
[1 1 1] [𝑏 ] = [ 0 ]
5 −1 0 𝑐 6
1 0 1 𝑎 −4
where 𝑨 = [1 1 1] , 𝑿 = [𝑏 ] , and 𝑩 = [ 0 ].
5 −1 0 𝑐 6

To compute for the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐, we have 𝑿 =

𝑨−1 𝑩.
Solve for 𝑨−1 . Using row operations method,

The augmented matrix [𝑨 | 𝑰] is

1 0 1 1 0 0
[1 1 1 0 1 0 ]
5 −1 0 0 0 1

Transform the augmented matrix [𝑨 | 𝑰] into

[𝑰 | 𝑨−1 ].
1 0 1 1 0 0
[1 1 1 0 1 0 ]
5 −1 0 0 0 1
𝑅2 ∗ = 𝑅2 − 𝑅1
1 0 1 1 0 0
[0 1 0 −1 1 0]
5 −1 0 0 0 1
𝑅3 ∗ = 𝑅3 − 5𝑅1
1 0 1 1 0 0
[0 1 0 −1 1 0]
0 −1 −5 −5 0 1

𝑅3 ∗ = 𝑅3 + 𝑅2
1 0 1 1 0 0
[0 1 0 −1 1 0]
0 0 −5 −6 1 1
1
𝑅3 ∗ = − 𝑅3
5
1 0 1 1 0 0
[0 1 0 −1 1 0]
6 1 1
0 0 1 −5 −5
5

𝑅1 ∗ = 𝑅1 − 𝑅3
1 1 1
1 0 0 −5 5 5
[0 1 0 −1 1 0]
6 1 1
0 0 1 −5 −5
5
 1 1 1
−5 5 5
−1
𝑨 = [−1 1 0]
6 1 1
5
−5 −5

Solve for 𝑿.
𝑿 = 𝑨−1 𝑩
1 1 1
−5 −4
5 5
= [−1 1 0] [ 0]
6 1 1
−5 − 6
5 5
1 1 1
− 5 (−4) + 5 (0) + 5 (6)
= [ −1(−4) + 1(0) + 0(6) ]
6 1 1
(−4) − (0) − (6)
5 5 5
2
= [ 4]
−6
𝑎 2
𝑿 = [𝑏 ] = [ 4 ]
𝑐 −6

Therefore, 𝑎 = 2 , 𝑏 = 4 and 𝑐 = −6.

Example Solve for [𝑨]. Given [𝑨] [

3 3
] + [𝑨] = [
2 3
].
9.3. 4 5 5 1

[𝑨] [3 3 2 3
] + [𝑨] = [ ]
4 5 5 1

Rewrite the given. Use Property No. 2 of Identity matrix.

[𝑨] [3 3 1 0 2 3
] + [𝑨] [ ]=[ ]
4 5 0 1 5 1
[𝑨] ([3 3 1 0 2 3
]+[ ]) = [ ]
4 5 0 1 5 1
[𝑨] [4 3 2 3
]=[ ]
4 6 5 1

Use Property No. 3 of Identity matrix.

 3 4 3 −1 2 3 4 3 −1
[𝑨] [4 ][ ] =[ ][ ]
4 6 4 6 5 1 4 6
3 4 3 −1
[𝑨] [1 0 2
]=[ ][ ]
0 1 5 1 4 6
3 −1
[𝑨] = [2 3] [4 ]
5 1 4 6

4 3 −1
Evaluate the inverse matrix [ ] first.
4 6
4 3 1 0
[ ]
4 6 0 1
1
𝑅1 ∗ = 4 𝑅1
3 1
1 0
[ 4 ] 4
4 6 0 1

𝑅2 ∗ = 𝑅2 − 4𝑅1
3 1
1 0
[ 4 ] 4
0 3 −1 1
1
𝑅2 ∗ = 3 𝑅2
1
3
1 4 0
4
[ 1 1]
0 1 −3 3

3
𝑅1 ∗ = 𝑅1 − 4 𝑅2
1 1
1 0 −4
2
[ 1]
0 1 −1
3 3
1 1
4 3 −1 −4
Therefore, [ ] = [ 21 1]
4 6 −3 3

Solving for [𝑨],

3 −1
[𝑨] = [2 3] [4 ]
5 1 4 6
 1 1
−4
[𝑨] = [2 3] [ 21 1]
5 1 −
3 3
1 1 1 1
2 (2) + 3 (− 3) 2 (− 4) + 3 (3)
[𝑨] = [ 1 1 1 1
]
5 (2) + 1 (− 3) 5 (− 4) + 1 (3)
1
0 2
[𝑨] = [13 11]
− 12
6