Elementary Operations (Transformations) of

a Matrix
An elementary row transformation is a
transformation of any of the following 3
types,
i) Ri ⟷ Rj
ii) Ri ⟶ kRi
iii) Ri ⟶ Ri + k Rj
Similarly we have 3 types of
elementary column transformations.

i) Ci ⟷ Cj
ii) Ci ⟶ kCj
iii) Ci ⟶ Ci + kCj
Inverse of a square matrix using
elementary row transformations
To find A-1, using elementary row
transformations, first write
& applying row transformations, till
we get where B = A-1 .
Note
It will be convenient if we follow the following
order in the case of row operations.
In the case of 2 × 2 matrices, we follow the
following order

In the case of 3 × 3 matrices, we

follow the following order.
Pr.
Using elementary row operations find the
inverse of the following matrices?

Sol.
R2 ⟶ R2 − 2R1

R1 ⟶ R1 − 2R2
 Sol.

R2 ⟶ R2 − 4R1

As the matrix on the L.H.S contains all the elt.s

as zeroes in the second row, A-1 does not
exist.
Note
While we do row transformations, if the
matrix on the L.H.S contains all the elt.s as
zeroes in any row, A-1 does not exist.
Column Transformations(operations)
In order to use column operations, let
& applying a sequence of column
transformations till we get
where B = A-1.
Note
It will be convenient if we follow the following order
in the case of column operations.

In the case of 2×2 matrices

In the case of 3×3 matrices

Pr.
1) Find A-1 using elementary column operations
for the matrix
Sol.

C2 ⟶ C2 – 2C1
C1 ⟶ C1 – 2C2
2) Find A-1 using elementary row operations,

Sol.
R1 ⟶ R1 + R2 – R3

R2 ⟶ R2 – 2R1
R3 ⟶ R3 – 3R1
R2 ⟷ R3
R2 ⟶ R2 – 2R3
R1 ⟶ R1 – 4R3

R1 ⟶ R1 – R2