Linear Algebra · Lesson 6

Inverse Matrices

The inverse of a matrix A is another matrix A⁻¹ such that A·A⁻¹ = I. It "undoes" the transformation encoded by A — the matrix equivalent of dividing by a number.

Quick Check

1. A matrix has an inverse only when:

It is symmetric
Its determinant is non-zero
It is a square matrix with all positive entries
det = 1

2. For A = [[2, 0], [0, 3]], what is A⁻¹?

[[2, 0],[0, 3]]
[[1/2, 0],[0, 1/3]]
[[3, 0],[0, 2]]
[[−2, 0],[0, −3]]

3. (AB)⁻¹ equals:

A⁻¹B⁻¹
B⁻¹A⁻¹
(BA)⁻¹
A⁻¹+B⁻¹

4. If det(A) = 4, then det(A⁻¹) = ?

4
1/4
−4
16