Shortcut Methods

JEE Mains:

1. Finding the inverse of a matrix:

Shortcut:

  • Use the formula for 2x2 matrix in finding inverse of matrix A. $$A^{-1} =\frac{1}{|A|}A^{adj}$$

2. Determining the rank of a matrix:

Shortcut:

  • Echelon form of the matrix can be directly used in finding the rank of a matrix. The count of non zero rows in echelon form is the required rank.

3. Solving a system of linear equations using matrices: Shortcut:

  • To solve a system of linear equations using matrices, you can use the formula $$X= A^{-1}B$$ Where X is column matrix of variables to be determined i.e. $$ X=\begin{bmatrix} x \\ y \end{bmatrix} $$ matrix A is the coefficient matrix which is of order (n x n ) i.e $$ A=\begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix} $$ matrix B is column matrix of constants i.e $$B=\begin{bmatrix} e \\ f \end{bmatrix}$$

4. Finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix:

  • Use the characteristic equation and determinants in order to find the Eigen values and corresponding Eigen vectors.

5. Calculating the determinant of a matrix: Shortcut:

  • Sarrus Rule.
  • Formula for 3x3 determinant (expansion along the first row).

CBSE Boards:

1. Solving linear equations using matrices:

  • Use the formula : $$X= A^{-1}B$$ Where X is column matrix of variables to be determined i.e. $$ X=\begin{bmatrix} x \\ y \end{bmatrix} $$ matrix A is the coefficient matrix which is of order (n x n ) i.e $$ A=\begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix} $$ matrix B is column matrix of constants i.e $$B=\begin{bmatrix} e \\ f \end{bmatrix}$$

2. Finding the multiplicative inverse of a matrix:

  • Use the formula for 2x2 matrix in finding multiplicative inverse. $$A^{-1} =\frac{1}{|A|}A^{adj}$$

3. Transposing a matrix: Shortcut:

  • For Transpose of a matrix. Just take the mirror image of the matrix about the principal diagonal.

4. Calculating the determinant of a square matrix: Shortcut:

  • For 3x3 matrices , determinant can be expanded along C1.
  • Matrix of order nxn determinant can be expanded along any row or column.

5. Finding the adjoint of a matrix: Shortcut:

  • For 2x2 matrices Adjoint is equal to the transpose of cofactors matrix.


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