Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 3 Ex 3.2 – Operations on Matrices | Boundless Maths
Ex 3.2 Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions · Chapter 3 Matrices

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 3 Ex 3.2 – Operations on Matrices

This Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 3 Ex 3.2 page covers all 22 questions, solved step-by-step — addition, scalar multiplication, subtraction and multiplication of matrices, solving matrix equations for unknown entries, and proving matrix identities, exactly the way CBSE Matrices answers are marked.

22Questions
Easy–HardDifficulty Mix
2026-27CBSE Syllabus

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 3 Ex 3.2 — All 22 Questions

1

Let A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 4 \\ 3 & 2 \end{bmatrix},\ B = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 3 \\ -2 & 5 \end{bmatrix},\ C = \begin{bmatrix} -2 & 5 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}. Find each of the following:
(i) A+B  
(ii) A-B  
(iii) 3A-C  
(iv) AB  
(v) BA

Easy +
Solution

(i) A+B = \begin{bmatrix} 2+1 & 4+3 \\ 3-2 & 2+5 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 7 \\ 1 & 7 \end{bmatrix}

(ii) A-B = \begin{bmatrix} 2-1 & 4-3 \\ 3+2 & 2-5 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 5 & -3 \end{bmatrix}

(iii) 3A = \begin{bmatrix} 6 & 12 \\ 9 & 6 \end{bmatrix}\ \Rightarrow\ 3A-C = \begin{bmatrix} 6-(-2) & 12-5 \\ 9-3 & 6-4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 8 & 7 \\ 6 & 2 \end{bmatrix}

(iv) AB = \begin{bmatrix} 2(1)+4(-2) & 2(3)+4(5) \\ 3(1)+2(-2) & 3(3)+2(5) \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -6 & 26 \\ -1 & 19 \end{bmatrix}

(v) BA = \begin{bmatrix} 1(2)+3(3) & 1(4)+3(2) \\ -2(2)+5(3) & -2(4)+5(2) \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 11 & 10 \\ 11 & 2 \end{bmatrix}

Note: AB \neq BA, confirming that matrix multiplication is not commutative in general.
2

Compute the following:
(i) \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ -b & a \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ b & a \end{bmatrix}  
(ii) \begin{bmatrix} a^2+b^2 & b^2+c^2 \\ a^2+c^2 & a^2+b^2 \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} 2ab & 2bc \\ -2ac & -2ab \end{bmatrix}  
(iii) \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 4 & -6 \\ 8 & 5 & 16 \\ 2 & 8 & 5 \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} 12 & 7 & 6 \\ 8 & 0 & 5 \\ 3 & 2 & 4 \end{bmatrix}  
(iv) \begin{bmatrix} \cos^2x & \sin^2x \\ \sin^2x & \cos^2x \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} \sin^2x & \cos^2x \\ \cos^2x & \sin^2x \end{bmatrix}

Easy +
Solution

(i) \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ -b & a \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ b & a \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 2a & 2b \\ 0 & 2a \end{bmatrix}

(ii) Adding corresponding entries and grouping as perfect squares:

= \begin{bmatrix} a^2+2ab+b^2 & b^2+2bc+c^2 \\ a^2-2ac+c^2 & a^2-2ab+b^2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} (a+b)^2 & (b+c)^2 \\ (a-c)^2 & (a-b)^2 \end{bmatrix}

(iii) = \begin{bmatrix} -1+12 & 4+7 & -6+6 \\ 8+8 & 5+0 & 16+5 \\ 2+3 & 8+2 & 5+4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 11 & 11 & 0 \\ 16 & 5 & 21 \\ 5 & 10 & 9 \end{bmatrix}

(iv) Using \sin^2x+\cos^2x = 1 in every entry:

= \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}
3

Compute the indicated products:
(i) \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ -b & a \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} a & -b \\ b & a \end{bmatrix}  
(ii) \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}  
(iii) \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ 2 & 3 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 3 & 1 \end{bmatrix}  
(iv) \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 3 & 4 & 5 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 1 & -3 & 5 \\ 0 & 2 & 4 \\ 3 & 0 & 5 \end{bmatrix}  
(v) \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & 2 \\ -1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 1 \\ -1 & 2 & 1 \end{bmatrix}  
(vi) \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -1 & 3 \\ -1 & 0 & 2 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & -3 \\ 1 & 0 \\ 3 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

(i) \begin{bmatrix} a^2+b^2 & -ab+ab \\ -ab+ab & b^2+a^2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} a^2+b^2 & 0 \\ 0 & a^2+b^2 \end{bmatrix}

(ii) \begin{bmatrix} 1(2) & 1(3) & 1(4) \\ 2(2) & 2(3) & 2(4) \\ 3(2) & 3(3) & 3(4) \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 4 & 6 & 8 \\ 6 & 9 & 12 \end{bmatrix}

(iii) Row 1: [1(1)+(-2)(2),\ 1(2)+(-2)(3),\ 1(3)+(-2)(1)] = [-3,-4,1]; Row 2: [2(1)+3(2),\ 2(2)+3(3),\ 2(3)+3(1)] = [8,13,9]

= \begin{bmatrix} -3 & -4 & 1 \\ 8 & 13 & 9 \end{bmatrix}

(iv) Multiplying row by column for each entry:

= \begin{bmatrix} 14 & 0 & 42 \\ 18 & -1 & 56 \\ 22 & -2 & 70 \end{bmatrix}

(v) = \begin{bmatrix} 2(1)+1(-1) & 2(0)+1(2) & 2(1)+1(1) \\ 3(1)+2(-1) & 3(0)+2(2) & 3(1)+2(1) \\ -1(1)+1(-1) & -1(0)+1(2) & -1(1)+1(1) \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 & 5 \\ -2 & 2 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

(vi) = \begin{bmatrix} 3(2)+(-1)(1)+3(3) & 3(-3)+(-1)(0)+3(1) \\ -1(2)+0(1)+2(3) & -1(-3)+0(0)+2(1) \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 14 & -6 \\ 4 & 5 \end{bmatrix}

(i) \begin{bmatrix} a^2+b^2 & 0 \\ 0 & a^2+b^2 \end{bmatrix}   (ii) \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 4 & 6 & 8 \\ 6 & 9 & 12 \end{bmatrix}   (iii) \begin{bmatrix} -3 & -4 & 1 \\ 8 & 13 & 9 \end{bmatrix}   (iv) \begin{bmatrix} 14 & 0 & 42 \\ 18 & -1 & 56 \\ 22 & -2 & 70 \end{bmatrix}   (v) \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 & 5 \\ -2 & 2 & 0 \end{bmatrix}   (vi) \begin{bmatrix} 14 & -6 \\ 4 & 5 \end{bmatrix}
4

If A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & -3 \\ 5 & 0 & 2 \\ 1 & -1 & 1 \end{bmatrix},\ B = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -1 & 2 \\ 4 & 2 & 5 \\ 2 & 0 & 3 \end{bmatrix} and C = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 1 & 2 \\ 0 & 3 & 2 \\ 1 & -2 & 3 \end{bmatrix}, then compute (A+B) and (B-C). Also, verify that A+(B-C)=(A+B)-C.

Medium +
Solution

A+B = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 1 & -1 \\ 9 & 2 & 7 \\ 3 & -1 & 4 \end{bmatrix}    B-C = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & -2 & 0 \\ 4 & -1 & 3 \\ 1 & 2 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

A+(B-C) = \begin{bmatrix} 1-1 & 2-2 & -3+0 \\ 5+4 & 0-1 & 2+3 \\ 1+1 & -1+2 & 1+0 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 & -3 \\ 9 & -1 & 5 \\ 2 & 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

(A+B)-C = \begin{bmatrix} 4-4 & 1-1 & -1-2 \\ 9-0 & 2-3 & 7-2 \\ 3-1 & -1+2 & 4-3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 & -3 \\ 9 & -1 & 5 \\ 2 & 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Since both sides equal \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 & -3 \\ 9 & -1 & 5 \\ 2 & 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}, A+(B-C)=(A+B)-C is verified.
5

If A = \begin{bmatrix} \tfrac{2}{3} & 1 & \tfrac{5}{3} \\ \tfrac{1}{3} & \tfrac{2}{3} & \tfrac{4}{3} \\ \tfrac{7}{3} & 2 & \tfrac{2}{3} \end{bmatrix} and B = \begin{bmatrix} \tfrac{2}{5} & \tfrac{3}{5} & 1 \\ \tfrac{1}{5} & \tfrac{2}{5} & \tfrac{4}{5} \\ \tfrac{7}{5} & \tfrac{6}{5} & \tfrac{2}{5} \end{bmatrix}, then compute 3A-5B.

Easy +
Solution

Multiplying every entry of A by 3 clears the denominator of 3, and multiplying every entry of B by 5 clears the denominator of 5:

3A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 & 5 \\ 1 & 2 & 4 \\ 7 & 6 & 2 \end{bmatrix}    5B = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 & 5 \\ 1 & 2 & 4 \\ 7 & 6 & 2 \end{bmatrix}

Since 3A and 5B turn out to be identical:

3A-5B = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix} = O
6

Simplify \cos\theta\begin{bmatrix} \cos\theta & \sin\theta \\ -\sin\theta & \cos\theta \end{bmatrix} + \sin\theta\begin{bmatrix} \sin\theta & -\cos\theta \\ \cos\theta & \sin\theta \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

= \begin{bmatrix} \cos^2\theta & \cos\theta\sin\theta \\ -\cos\theta\sin\theta & \cos^2\theta \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} \sin^2\theta & -\sin\theta\cos\theta \\ \sin\theta\cos\theta & \sin^2\theta \end{bmatrix}

= \begin{bmatrix} \cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta & \cos\theta\sin\theta-\sin\theta\cos\theta \\ -\cos\theta\sin\theta+\sin\theta\cos\theta & \cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: the expression simplifies to the identity matrix I = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}.
7

Find X and Y, if
(i) X+Y = \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 0 \\ 2 & 5 \end{bmatrix} and X-Y = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 0 \\ 0 & 3 \end{bmatrix}  
(ii) 2X+3Y = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 0 \end{bmatrix} and 3X+2Y = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -2 \\ -1 & 5 \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

(i) Adding the two equations: 2X = \begin{bmatrix} 10 & 0 \\ 2 & 8 \end{bmatrix} \Rightarrow X = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 0 \\ 1 & 4 \end{bmatrix}

Subtracting: 2Y = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 0 \\ 2 & 2 \end{bmatrix} \Rightarrow Y = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: X = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 0 \\ 1 & 4 \end{bmatrix},   Y = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

(ii) Multiply the first equation by 2 and the second by 3, then subtract to eliminate Y:

4X+6Y = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 6 \\ 8 & 0 \end{bmatrix},\quad 9X+6Y = \begin{bmatrix} 6 & -6 \\ -3 & 15 \end{bmatrix}

Subtracting: 5X = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -12 \\ -11 & 15 \end{bmatrix} \Rightarrow X = \begin{bmatrix} \tfrac{2}{5} & -\tfrac{12}{5} \\ -\tfrac{11}{5} & 3 \end{bmatrix}

Substituting back into 2X+3Y = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 0 \end{bmatrix} and solving for Y:

Answer: X = \begin{bmatrix} \tfrac{2}{5} & -\tfrac{12}{5} \\ -\tfrac{11}{5} & 3 \end{bmatrix},   Y = \begin{bmatrix} \tfrac{2}{5} & \tfrac{13}{5} \\ \tfrac{14}{5} & -2 \end{bmatrix}
8

Find X, if Y = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 1 & 4 \end{bmatrix} and 2X+Y = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ -3 & 2 \end{bmatrix}

Easy +
Solution

2X = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ -3 & 2 \end{bmatrix} - \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 1 & 4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -2 & -2 \\ -4 & -2 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: X = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & -1 \\ -2 & -1 \end{bmatrix}
9

Find x and y, if 2\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 3 \\ 0 & x \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} y & 0 \\ 1 & 2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 6 \\ 1 & 8 \end{bmatrix}

Easy +
Solution

\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 6 \\ 0 & 2x \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} y & 0 \\ 1 & 2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 2+y & 6 \\ 1 & 2x+2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 6 \\ 1 & 8 \end{bmatrix}

Comparing entries: 2+y=5 \Rightarrow y=3, and 2x+2=8 \Rightarrow x=3.

Answer: x = 3,\ y = 3
10

Solve the equation for x, y, z and t, if 2\begin{bmatrix} x & z \\ y & t \end{bmatrix} + 3\begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 \\ 0 & 2 \end{bmatrix} = 3\begin{bmatrix} 3 & 5 \\ 4 & 6 \end{bmatrix}

Easy +
Solution

2\begin{bmatrix} x & z \\ y & t \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 9 & 15 \\ 12 & 18 \end{bmatrix} - \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -3 \\ 0 & 6 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 6 & 18 \\ 12 & 12 \end{bmatrix}

\begin{bmatrix} x & z \\ y & t \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 9 \\ 6 & 6 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: x = 3,\ y = 6,\ z = 9,\ t = 6
11

If x\begin{bmatrix} 2 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix} + y\begin{bmatrix} -1 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 10 \\ 5 \end{bmatrix}, find the values of x and y.

Easy +
Solution

Comparing entries gives two equations: 2x-y=10  ...(1) and 3x+y=5  ...(2).

Adding (1) and (2): 5x = 15 \Rightarrow x = 3. Substituting in (2): 9+y=5 \Rightarrow y = -4.

Answer: x = 3,\ y = -4
12

Given 3\begin{bmatrix} x & y \\ z & w \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} x & 6 \\ -1 & 2w \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} 4 & x+y \\ z+w & 3 \end{bmatrix}, find the values of x, y, z and w.

Medium +
Solution

Comparing corresponding entries:

3x = x+4 \Rightarrow 2x = 4 \Rightarrow x = 2

3y = 6+(x+y) \Rightarrow 2y = 6+x = 6+2 = 8 \Rightarrow y = 4

3w = 2w+3 \Rightarrow w = 3

3z = -1+(z+w) \Rightarrow 2z = -1+w = -1+3 = 2 \Rightarrow z = 1

Answer: x = 2,\ y = 4,\ z = 1,\ w = 3
13

If F(x) = \begin{bmatrix} \cos x & -\sin x & 0 \\ \sin x & \cos x & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}, show that F(x)F(y) = F(x+y).

Medium +
Solution

Multiplying F(x) and F(y):

F(x)F(y) = \begin{bmatrix} \cos x\cos y-\sin x\sin y & -\cos x\sin y-\sin x\cos y & 0 \\ \sin x\cos y+\cos x\sin y & -\sin x\sin y+\cos x\cos y & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Using the compound angle identities \cos x\cos y-\sin x\sin y = \cos(x+y), \sin x\cos y+\cos x\sin y = \sin(x+y), and -(\cos x\sin y+\sin x\cos y) = -\sin(x+y):

F(x)F(y) = \begin{bmatrix} \cos(x+y) & -\sin(x+y) & 0 \\ \sin(x+y) & \cos(x+y) & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} = F(x+y)

Hence F(x)F(y) = F(x+y) is proved.
14

Show that
(i) \begin{bmatrix} 5 & -1 \\ 6 & 7 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix} \neq \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 5 & -1 \\ 6 & 7 \end{bmatrix}  
(ii) \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} -1 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 2 & 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix} \neq \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 2 & 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

(i) \begin{bmatrix} 5 & -1 \\ 6 & 7 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 1 \\ 33 & 34 \end{bmatrix}, while \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 5 & -1 \\ 6 & 7 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 16 & 5 \\ 39 & 25 \end{bmatrix}.

Since \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 1 \\ 33 & 34 \end{bmatrix} \neq \begin{bmatrix} 16 & 5 \\ 39 & 25 \end{bmatrix}, the two products are unequal.

(ii) Multiplying in the order given (first matrix × second matrix):

\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} -1 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 2 & 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 8 & 14 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \\ -1 & 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Multiplying in the reverse order:

\begin{bmatrix} -1 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \\ 2 & 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & -1 & -3 \\ 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 6 & 11 & 6 \end{bmatrix}

Since the two resulting matrices are different, this confirms once more that matrix multiplication is not commutative.
15

Find A^2-5A+6I, if A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 & 1 \\ 2 & 1 & 3 \\ 1 & -1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

Hard +
Solution

First compute A^2 = A \cdot A:

A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & -1 & 2 \\ 9 & -2 & 5 \\ 0 & -1 & -2 \end{bmatrix}

Now form 5A = \begin{bmatrix} 10 & 0 & 5 \\ 10 & 5 & 15 \\ 5 & -5 & 0 \end{bmatrix} and 6I = \begin{bmatrix} 6 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 6 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 6 \end{bmatrix}.

A^2-5A+6I = \begin{bmatrix} 5-10+6 & -1-0+0 & 2-5+0 \\ 9-10+0 & -2-5+6 & 5-15+0 \\ 0-5+0 & -1+5+0 & -2-0+6 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: A^2-5A+6I = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 & -3 \\ -1 & -1 & -10 \\ -5 & 4 & 4 \end{bmatrix}
16

If A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 2 \\ 0 & 2 & 1 \\ 2 & 0 & 3 \end{bmatrix}, prove that A^3-6A^2+7A+2I = 0

Hard +
Solution

First compute A^2 = A\cdot A = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 0 & 8 \\ 2 & 4 & 5 \\ 8 & 0 & 13 \end{bmatrix}.

Then A^3 = A\cdot A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 21 & 0 & 34 \\ 12 & 8 & 23 \\ 34 & 0 & 55 \end{bmatrix}.

Now form 6A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 30 & 0 & 48 \\ 12 & 24 & 30 \\ 48 & 0 & 78 \end{bmatrix}, 7A = \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 0 & 14 \\ 0 & 14 & 7 \\ 14 & 0 & 21 \end{bmatrix}, and 2I = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 2 \end{bmatrix}.

A^3-6A^2+7A+2I = \begin{bmatrix} 21-30+7+2 & 0 & 34-48+14+0 \\ 12-12+0+0 & 8-24+14+2 & 23-30+7+0 \\ 34-48+14+0 & 0 & 55-78+21+2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

Since every entry reduces to 0, A^3-6A^2+7A+2I = O is proved.
17

If A = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -2 \\ 4 & -2 \end{bmatrix} and I = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}, find k so that A^2 = kA-2I

Medium +
Solution

A^2 = A\cdot A = \begin{bmatrix} 9-8 & -6+4 \\ 12-8 & -8+4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ 4 & -4 \end{bmatrix}

kA-2I = \begin{bmatrix} 3k-2 & -2k \\ 4k & -2k-2 \end{bmatrix}

Equating entries: 3k-2=1 \Rightarrow k=1; -2k=-2 \Rightarrow k=1; 4k=4 \Rightarrow k=1; -2k-2=-4 \Rightarrow k=1. All four give the same value.

Answer: k = 1
18

If A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -\tan\tfrac{\alpha}{2} \\ \tan\tfrac{\alpha}{2} & 0 \end{bmatrix} and I is the identity matrix of order 2, show that I+A = (I-A)\begin{bmatrix} \cos\alpha & -\sin\alpha \\ \sin\alpha & \cos\alpha \end{bmatrix}

Hard +
Solution

Let t = \tan\tfrac{\alpha}{2}, so I+A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -t \\ t & 1 \end{bmatrix} and I-A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & t \\ -t & 1 \end{bmatrix}.

Multiplying out the right-hand side:

(I-A)\begin{bmatrix} \cos\alpha & -\sin\alpha \\ \sin\alpha & \cos\alpha \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} \cos\alpha+t\sin\alpha & -\sin\alpha+t\cos\alpha \\ \sin\alpha-t\cos\alpha & t\sin\alpha+\cos\alpha \end{bmatrix}

Using the half-angle substitutions \cos\alpha = \dfrac{1-t^2}{1+t^2} and \sin\alpha = \dfrac{2t}{1+t^2}, each entry simplifies as follows:

\cos\alpha+t\sin\alpha = \dfrac{1-t^2+2t^2}{1+t^2} = \dfrac{1+t^2}{1+t^2} = 1

-\sin\alpha+t\cos\alpha = \dfrac{-2t+t(1-t^2)}{1+t^2} = \dfrac{-t(1+t^2)}{1+t^2} = -t

\sin\alpha-t\cos\alpha = \dfrac{2t-t(1-t^2)}{1+t^2} = \dfrac{t(1+t^2)}{1+t^2} = t

t\sin\alpha+\cos\alpha = \dfrac{2t^2+1-t^2}{1+t^2} = \dfrac{1+t^2}{1+t^2} = 1

So the product equals \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -t \\ t & 1 \end{bmatrix}, which is exactly I+A.

Hence I+A = (I-A)\begin{bmatrix} \cos\alpha & -\sin\alpha \\ \sin\alpha & \cos\alpha \end{bmatrix} is proved.
19

A trust fund has ₹30,000 that must be invested in two different types of bonds. The first bond pays 5% interest per year, and the second bond pays 7% interest per year. Using matrix multiplication, determine how to divide ₹30,000 among the two types of bonds if the trust fund must obtain an annual total interest of:
(a) ₹1800  
(b) ₹2000

Medium +
Solution

Let ₹x be invested in the first bond (5%) and ₹(30000 − x) in the second bond (7%). The interest earned is given by the matrix product

\begin{bmatrix} x & 30000-x \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 0.05 \\ 0.07 \end{bmatrix} = 0.05x + 0.07(30000-x)

(a) Total interest ₹1800: 0.05x+0.07(30000-x)=1800 \Rightarrow 2100-0.02x=1800 \Rightarrow x = 15000.

Answer: ₹15,000 in the first bond (5%) and ₹15,000 in the second bond (7%).

(b) Total interest ₹2000: 0.05x+0.07(30000-x)=2000 \Rightarrow 2100-0.02x=2000 \Rightarrow x = 5000.

Answer: ₹5,000 in the first bond (5%) and ₹25,000 in the second bond (7%).
20

The bookshop of a particular school has 10 dozen chemistry books, 8 dozen physics books, 10 dozen economics books. Their selling prices are ₹80, ₹60 and ₹40 each respectively. Find the total amount the bookshop will receive from selling all the books using matrix algebra.

Easy +
Solution

Number of books: chemistry = 10\times12=120, physics =8\times12=96, economics =10\times12=120.

Writing quantities as a row matrix and prices as a column matrix and multiplying:

\begin{bmatrix} 120 & 96 & 120 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 80 \\ 60 \\ 40 \end{bmatrix} = 120(80)+96(60)+120(40) = 9600+5760+4800

Answer: the bookshop will receive a total of ₹20,160.
21

MCQ. Assume X, Y, Z, W and P are matrices of order 2\times n,\ 3\times k,\ 2\times p,\ n\times3 and p\times k, respectively. The restriction on n, k and p so that PY+WY will be defined are:   (A) k=3,\ p=n   (B) k is arbitrary, p=2   (C) p is arbitrary, k=3   (D) k=2,\ p=3

Medium +
Solution

P has order p\times k and Y has order 3\times k. For the product PY to be defined, the number of columns of P must equal the number of rows of Y, so k=3.

With k=3, PY has order p\times3.

Also, W has order n\times3 and Y (now 3\times3) is compatible with W, so WY has order n\times3.

For PY+WY to be defined, PY and WY must have the same order, so p\times3 = n\times3 \Rightarrow p=n.

Answer: (A) k=3,\ p=n
22

MCQ. If n=p, then the order of the matrix 7X-5Z is:   (A) p\times2   (B) 2\times n   (C) n\times3   (D) p\times n

Easy +
Solution

X has order 2\times n and Z has order 2\times p. For 7X-5Z to be defined, X and Z must have the same order, so n=p (which is given).

With n=p, both matrices are 2\times n, and so is their combination 7X-5Z.

Answer: (B) 2\times n

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Common Questions

FAQs — Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 3 Ex 3.2

How many questions are there in Exercise 3.2?

Exercise 3.2 has 22 questions (20 short-answer/proof questions plus 2 MCQs), covering addition, scalar multiplication, subtraction and multiplication of matrices, along with their algebraic properties.

What concept does Exercise 3.2 test?

It tests the four basic operations on matrices — addition, scalar multiplication, subtraction and multiplication — including solving matrix equations for unknown entries, proving matrix identities such as A³ − 6A² + 7A + 2I = O, and showing that matrix multiplication is not commutative in general.

Where can I find the official NCERT textbook for this exercise?

Exercise 3.2 is from Chapter 3, Matrices, in the NCERT Class 12 Mathematics textbook (Part I), published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and prescribed by CBSE. You can download the official textbook PDF directly from ncert.nic.in, NCERT's official website — the solutions on this page follow the questions exactly as they appear there.

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