National University of Singapore
Department of Mathematics
Semester 1, 2025/26 MA2001 Linear Algebra I Tutorial 2
Questions in this tutorial sheet will be discussed in the tutorial classes in Week 4 (1/9-
5/9).
You are advised to revise Sections 2.1-2.3 before attempting the questions.
Questions
1. Let A = (aij ) be a n × n matrix such that
{
1 if (i, j) = (1, 2), (2, 3), . . . , (n − 1, n), (n, 1)
aij =
0 otherwise.
By computing the (i, j) entry of AAT , show that A is invertible.
(Learning objectives: To be able to write down the (i, j)-entry of the product
of two matrices. To be able to analyse specific entries (in terms of i and j) in the
product.)
2. Let Jn be the n × n matrix whose entries are all 1. Show that for all n ≥ 2,
(In − Jn ) is invertible and
1
(In − Jn )−1 = In − Jn .
n−1
(Learning objectives: To show that a matrix is invertible by ’testing’ a given
’candidate’. Look at, for example Theorem 2.3.9.)
3. Let A = (aij )n×n be an square matrix. The trace of A, denoted by tr(A), is
defined to be the sum of the entries on the diagonal of A, i.e.
∑
n
tr(A) = a11 + a22 + · · · + ann = aii .
i=1
(a) Find the trace of each of the following square matrices.
1 0 0 0
1 0 1 −1 3 −4
1 3 0 0
(i) 0 1 1, (ii) 2 4 1 , (iii) .
1 3 5 0
1 1 0 −4 2 −9
1 3 5 7
(b) Let A and B be any square matrices of the same size. Show that
tr(A + B) = tr(A) + tr(B).
1
(c) Let A be any square matrix and c a scalar. Show that
tr(cA) = c tr(A).
(d) Let C and D be m × n and n × m matrices respectively. Show that
tr(CD) = tr(DC).
(e) Show that there are no square matrices A and B such that AB − BA = I.
(Learning objectives: To understand the definition of the trace of a square
matrix. To establish some basic properties of the trace of a matrix.)
4. Determine which of the following statements are true. Justify your answer.
(a) If A and B are diagonal matrices of the same size, then AB = BA.
(b) If A is a square matrix, then 12 (A + AT ) is symmetric.
(c) If A and B are square matrices of the same size, (A+B)2 = A2 +B 2 +2AB.
(d) If A and B are symmetric matrices of the same size, then A−B is symmetric.
(e) If A and B are symmetric matrices of the same size, then AB is symmetric.
(Learning objectives: Understand basic properties of symmetric matrices. To
be able to write simple proofs involving matrices or construct simple counter ex-
amples.)
