CSEC Maths – Matrices Questions (2015 – 2021)

January 2015
i) Write the following simultaneous equations

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = − 1

5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 6
in the form AX = B, where A, X and B are matrices.

ii) Use a matrix method to solve for 𝑥 and 𝑦.

June 2015
1 2 1 2
i) Calculate the matrix product AB where A = ( ) and B = ( ).
2 3 0 1
ii) Show that the matrix product of ‘A’ and ‘B’ is NOT commutative, that is,
AB ≠ BA.

iii) Find, A-1, the inverse the A.

2𝑥 2
iv) Given that M = ( ), calculate the value(s) of 𝑥 for which |M| = 0.
9 3
January 2016
2𝑝 −3
b) The matrix M is defined as M = ( ).
4 1
Determine the value of ‘p’ for which the matrix ‘M’ is singular.
1 2
c) ‘A’ and ‘B’ are two 2 × 2 matrices such that A = ( ) and B =
−4 3
5 −1
( ).
0 3
i) Calculate 2A + B

ii) Determine B-1, the inverse of B.

5 −1 𝑥 9
iii) Given that ( ) (𝑦) = ( )
0 3 3
June 2016
3 𝑥
(b) Determine the value of 𝑥 for which the matrix ( ) is singular.
2 4
4 1 1 5
(c) N and P are 2 × 2 matrices such that N = ( ) and P = ( ).
3 2 2 1
(i) Determine NP.
19 11
(ii) Given that PN = ( ), determine whether matrix multiplication is
11 4
commutative.

(iii) Determine N-1, the inverse of N.

4 1 𝑥 1
(iv) Hence, calculate the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 for which ( ) (𝑦 ) = ( ) .
3 2 2
June 2017
a) Matrices A and B are such that
3 2 4 0
A=( ) and B = ( )
5 4 3 −1
i) Show by multiplying A and B, that AB ≠ BA.

ii) Find A-1, the inverse of A.

iii) Write down the 2 × 2 matrix representing the matrix product AA -1.

b) i) Write the following pair of simultaneous equations as a matrix equation.

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 1.

5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 5.
January 2018
−3 2
−1 0
c) The matrices ‘A’ and ‘B’ are given as A = ( ) and B = ( 1 1).
3 2
4 6
i) Determine, A-1, the inverse of A.

ii) Show that A-1 A = I, the identity matrix.

iii) Determine the matrix A2.

iv) a) Explain why the matrix product AB is not possible.

b) Without calculating, state the order of the matrix product BA.

January 2019
Three matrices are given as follows:
−1 2 a 11
P=( ) , Q = ( ) and R = ( ) .
0 5 b 15
i) Using a calculation to support your answer, explain whether matrix P is a
singular or a non-singular matrix.

iii) State the reason why the matrix product QP is not possible.
July 2021
5 4 2 1 −4
a) i) Calculate the matrix product ( )( ).
−3 −2 0 3 6
ii) State why the two matrices in (a) (i) are conformable for multiplication.
5 4
b) Determine the inverse of ( ).
−3 −2