LESSON 3: ADJOINT AND INVERSE OF A MATRIX

MELC 9: Solve for the adjoint of a matrix.

MELC 10: Find the inverse of a matrix.

ADJOINT OF A MATRIX

Let 𝐴 = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ] be a square matrix of order 𝑛. The adjoint of a matrix 𝐴 is the

transpose of the cofactor matrix of 𝐴. It is denoted by 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴. An adjoint matrix is also called
an adjugate matrix.

Example:

Find the adjoint of the matrix.

3 1 −1
𝐴 = [2 −2 0]
1 2 −1
To find the adjoint of a matrix, first find the cofactor matrix of the given matrix.
Then find the transpose of the cofactor matrix.
−2 0
Cofactor of 3 = 𝐴11 = | |=2
2 −1
2 0
Cofactor of 1 = 𝐴12 = − | |=2
1 −1
2 −2
Cofactor of −1 = 𝐴13 = | |=6
1 2
1 −1
Cofactor of 2 = 𝐴21 = − | | = −1
2 −1
3 −1
Cofactor of −2 = 𝐴22 = | | = −2
1 −1
3 1
Cofactor of 0 = 𝐴23 = − | | = −5
1 2
1 −1
Cofactor of 1 = 𝐴31 = | | = −2
−2 0
3 −1
Cofactor of 2 = 𝐴32 = − | | = −2
2 0
3 1
Cofactor of −1 = 𝐴33 = | | = −8
2 −2

2 2 6
The cofactor matrix of 𝐴 is [𝐴𝑖𝑗 ] = [−1 −2 −5].
−2 −2 −8
Now find the transpose of 𝐴𝑖𝑗.

𝑇
2 −1 −2
𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 = (𝐴𝑖𝑗 ) = [2 −2 −2].
6 −5 −8
INVERSE OF A MATRIX

For a square matrix 𝐴, the inverse is written 𝐴−1 . When 𝐴 is multiplied by 𝐴−1 , the
result is the identity matrix 𝐼. Non square matrices do not have inverses.

Note: Not all square matrices have inverses. A square matrix which has an inverse is called
invertible or nonsingular, and a square matrix without an inverse is called non invertible
or singular. 𝐴−1 is only possible if |𝐴| ≠ 0.

Inverse of a 2 x 2 Matrix
3 2
Find the inverse of 𝐴 = [ ].
1 4
First, check if |𝐴| ≠ 0.

|𝐴| = |3 2
| = (3 ∙ 4) − (2 ∙ 1) = 10
1 4
Since |𝐴| ≠ 0, Inverse of 𝐴 is possible.

Next, find the adjoint of 𝐴.

4 −2
𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 = [ ]
−1 3
Last, find the inverse of 𝐴.
1
𝐴−1 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴
|𝐴|
1 4 −2
𝐴−1 = [ ]
10 −1 3
2 1
−
𝐴−1 =[ 5 5]
1 3
−
10 10

Inverse of a 3 x 3 Matrix
9 2 1
Find the inverse of 𝐴 = [5 −1 6 ].
4 0 −2
First, check if |𝐴| ≠ 0.
9 2 1
|𝐴| = |5 −1 6 | = 90
4 0 −2
Since |𝐴| ≠ 0, Inverse of 𝐴 is possible.

Next, find the adjoint of 𝐴.

2 4 13
𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 = [34 −22 −49]
4 8 19
Last, find the inverse of 𝐴.
1
𝐴−1 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴
|𝐴|
 1 2 4 13
𝐴−1 = [34 −22 −49]
90
4 8 19
1 2 13
45 45 90
17 −11 −49
𝐴−1 =
45 45 90
2 4 −19
[45 45 90 ]