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Symmetric Matrix:A square matrix A=(a ij) or A=[a ji] will be called symmetric if for
all values of i and j
a ij=a ji.

i.e. every i-jth element = j-ith element.

( )
0 e f
−e 0 g
Example: −f −g 0

**Necessary and sufficient condition for a matrix A to be symmetric is A’=A or At =A.

Example 1: Show that A is a symmetric matrix. A = ( 34 111 )

Solution: Given matrix is A = ( 34 111 )
Transpose of A is

A' = (31 114 )

=> A ≠ A'

Therefore A is not a symmetric matrix.

Example 2: A and B are symmetric matrices. Prove that A + B is a symmetric. 

A =   (13 31) and B = (02 25 )

Solution: A + B =  (13 31 ) +(02 25)
(1+0
= 
3+ 2
3+2
1+5 )
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= (15 56)
Now Transpose of (A + B) is

(A + B)' =  (15 56 ) = (A+B)

Hence Proved.

Skew Symmetric Matrix: A square matrix A=(a ij) or A=[a ij] will be called skew
symmetric if for all values of i and j.
a ij=-a ji .

i.e. every i-jth element =j-ith element.

( )
0 −6 3
6 0 −1
A= −3 1 0

**Necessary and sufficient condition for a matrix A is to be skew symmetric is

A=- At .

Example 3:

( )
0 −5 4
5 0 −1
A = −4 1 0

( )
0 5 −4
A
t −5 0 1
= 4 −1 0
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 0 5 4 
 
¿ ,− At =¿  5 0  1
 4 1 0 


A=- At .(showed)

Orthogonal Matrix: A square matrix a is said to be orthogonal if At A = I.

Example 4:

( )
−1 2 2
1 2 −1 2
3
Prove that A= 2 2 −1 is orthogonal.

Soln:

( )
−1 2 2
t 1 2 −1 2
A
3
= 2 2 −1

( )
−1 2 2 1 2 2
 
t 1 2 −1 2 1  2 1 2 
A
3 3 2 2  1
xA= 2 2 −1 X 

( )
9 0 0
1 0 9 0
9
= 0 0 9

( )
1 0 0
0 1 0
= 0 0 1 =I

AA=I
t
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i.e. A is orthogonal

(proved)
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Example 5:

Prove that A= 3 2(
1 −1 2
)
−1 is orthogonal.

Soln:

(
1 −1 2
A = 3 2 −1
t
)
(
1 −1 2
) (
1 −1 2
At xA= 3 2 −1 x 3 2 −1 )
( )
1 9 0
=9 0 9

(1 0 )
=0 1

AA=I
t

i.e. A is orthogonal

(proved)
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Example 6:

( 1 4)
Prove that A= 4 1 is a symmetric matrix

Soln:

A=
t
( 14 41)
A =A
t

i.e A is a symmetric matrix

(proved).

Example 7:

( )
1 2 2
3 3 3
2 1 2
−
3 3 3
2 2 −1
3 3 3
Prove that A= is orthogonal.

Soln:

( )
1 2 −2
3 3 3
t
2 1 2
A 3 3 3
2 2 −1
−
3 3 3
=

( )
1 2 −2 1 2 2 
 
3 3 3 3 3 3 
2 1 2 2 1 2
 
At 3 3 3 3 3 3
2 2 −1 2 2 
−  1 
3 3 3 3
xA= x 3 3
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( )
9
0 0
9
9
0 0
9
9
0 0
9
=

1 0 0
 
0 1 0
 
=  0 0 1  =I

AA=I
t

i.e. A is orthogonal

(proved)

Example 7:

( )
1 2
3 3
Prove that A= 2 1
is orthogonal.
3 3

Soln:

( )
1 2
3 3
At = 2 1
3 3

( )( )
1 2 1 2
3 3 x 3 3
A xA= 2
t
1 2 1
3 3 3 3

( )
9
0
9
= 9
0
9
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(1 0 )
=0 1

AA=I
t

i.e. A is orthogonal

(proved)