Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 4 Ex 4.4 – Adjoint and Inverse of a Matrix | Boundless Maths
Ex 4.4 Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions · Chapter 4 Determinants

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 4 Ex 4.4 – Adjoint and Inverse of a Matrix

This Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 4 Ex 4.4 page covers all 18 questions, solved step-by-step — finding the adjoint of a matrix, verifying A(\text{adj }A)=(\text{adj }A)A=|A|I, finding the inverse using A^{-1}=\dfrac{1}{|A|}\text{adj }A, and deriving A^{-1} from matrix polynomial identities, exactly the way CBSE Determinants answers are marked.

18Questions
Easy–HardDifficulty Mix
2026-27CBSE Syllabus

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 4 Ex 4.4 — All 18 Questions

1

Find adjoint of the matrix \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{bmatrix}

Easy +
Solution

For a 2\times2 matrix \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix}, the adjoint is \begin{bmatrix} d & -b \\ -c & a \end{bmatrix} (swap the diagonal entries, negate the off-diagonal entries).

Answer: \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & -2 \\ -3 & 1 \end{bmatrix}
2

Find adjoint of the matrix \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 & 2 \\ 2 & 3 & 5 \\ -2 & 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

The adjoint is the transpose of the cofactor matrix. Computing all nine cofactors:

A_{11}=\begin{vmatrix} 3 & 5 \\ 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix}=3,\quad A_{12}=-\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 5 \\ -2 & 1 \end{vmatrix}=-12,\quad A_{13}=\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ -2 & 0 \end{vmatrix}=6

A_{21}=-\begin{vmatrix} -1 & 2 \\ 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix}=1,\quad A_{22}=\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ -2 & 1 \end{vmatrix}=5,\quad A_{23}=-\begin{vmatrix} 1 & -1 \\ -2 & 0 \end{vmatrix}=2

A_{31}=\begin{vmatrix} -1 & 2 \\ 3 & 5 \end{vmatrix}=-11,\quad A_{32}=-\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 5 \end{vmatrix}=-1,\quad A_{33}=\begin{vmatrix} 1 & -1 \\ 2 & 3 \end{vmatrix}=5

The cofactor matrix is \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -12 & 6 \\ 1 & 5 & 2 \\ -11 & -1 & 5 \end{bmatrix}; taking its transpose gives the adjoint.

Answer: \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 1 & -11 \\ -12 & 5 & -1 \\ 6 & 2 & 5 \end{bmatrix}
3

Verify A(\text{adj }A)=(\text{adj }A)A=|A|I for A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ -4 & -6 \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

|A| = 2(-6)-3(-4) = -12+12 = 0, and \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} -6 & -3 \\ 4 & 2 \end{bmatrix}.

A(\text{adj }A) = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ -4 & -6 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} -6 & -3 \\ 4 & 2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -12+12 & -6+6 \\ 24-24 & 12-12 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

(\text{adj }A)A = \begin{bmatrix} -6 & -3 \\ 4 & 2 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ -4 & -6 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -12+12 & -18+18 \\ 8-8 & 12-12 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

Since |A|=0, both products equal the zero matrix, which is exactly |A|I = 0 \cdot I. Verified.
4

Verify A(\text{adj }A)=(\text{adj }A)A=|A|I for A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 & 2 \\ 3 & 0 & -2 \\ 1 & 0 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

Hard +
Solution

Expanding along R_1: |A| = 1(0-0)-(-1)(9+2)+2(0-0) = 0+11+0 = 11

Computing all cofactors gives the cofactor matrix \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -11 & 0 \\ 3 & 1 & -1 \\ 2 & 8 & 3 \end{bmatrix}, so \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 3 & 2 \\ -11 & 1 & 8 \\ 0 & -1 & 3 \end{bmatrix} (its transpose).

Multiplying out A(\text{adj }A) row by row gives \begin{bmatrix} 11 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 11 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 11 \end{bmatrix}, and multiplying (\text{adj }A)A gives the same result.

Since both products equal 11I = |A|I, this is verified.
5

Find the inverse of the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -2 \\ 4 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

Easy +
Solution

|A| = 2(3)-(-2)(4) = 6+8 = 14, and \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ -4 & 2 \end{bmatrix}.

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{|A|}\text{adj }A = \dfrac{1}{14}\begin{bmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ -4 & 2 \end{bmatrix}
6

Find the inverse of the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 5 \\ -3 & 2 \end{bmatrix}

Easy +
Solution

|A| = -1(2)-5(-3) = -2+15 = 13, and \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -5 \\ 3 & -1 \end{bmatrix}.

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{13}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & -5 \\ 3 & -1 \end{bmatrix}
7

Find the inverse of the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 2 & 4 \\ 0 & 0 & 5 \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

Since A is upper triangular, |A| = 1\times2\times5 = 10.

Computing the cofactor matrix gives \begin{bmatrix} 10 & 0 & 0 \\ -10 & 5 & 0 \\ 2 & -4 & 2 \end{bmatrix}, so \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} 10 & -10 & 2 \\ 0 & 5 & -4 \\ 0 & 0 & 2 \end{bmatrix}.

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{10}\begin{bmatrix} 10 & -10 & 2 \\ 0 & 5 & -4 \\ 0 & 0 & 2 \end{bmatrix}
8

Find the inverse of the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 3 & 3 & 0 \\ 5 & 2 & -1 \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

Since A is lower triangular, |A| = 1\times3\times(-1) = -3.

Computing the cofactor matrix gives \begin{bmatrix} -3 & 3 & -9 \\ 0 & -1 & -2 \\ 0 & 0 & 3 \end{bmatrix}, so \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} -3 & 0 & 0 \\ 3 & -1 & 0 \\ -9 & -2 & 3 \end{bmatrix}.

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{-3}\begin{bmatrix} -3 & 0 & 0 \\ 3 & -1 & 0 \\ -9 & -2 & 3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ -1 & \tfrac{1}{3} & 0 \\ 3 & \tfrac{2}{3} & -1 \end{bmatrix}
9

Find the inverse of the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 & 3 \\ 4 & -1 & 0 \\ -7 & 2 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

Hard +
Solution

Expanding along R_1: |A| = 2(-1-0)-1(4-0)+3(8-7) = -2-4+3 = -3

Computing all nine cofactors gives the cofactor matrix \begin{bmatrix} -1 & -4 & 1 \\ 5 & 23 & -11 \\ 3 & 12 & -6 \end{bmatrix}, so \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 5 & 3 \\ -4 & 23 & 12 \\ 1 & -11 & -6 \end{bmatrix}.

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{-3}\begin{bmatrix} -1 & 5 & 3 \\ -4 & 23 & 12 \\ 1 & -11 & -6 \end{bmatrix}
10

Find the inverse of the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -1 & 2 \\ 0 & 2 & -3 \\ 3 & -2 & 4 \end{bmatrix}

Hard +
Solution

Expanding along R_1: |A| = 1(8-6)-(-1)(0+9)+2(0-6) = 2+9-12 = -1

Computing all nine cofactors gives the cofactor matrix \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -9 & -6 \\ 0 & -2 & -1 \\ -1 & 3 & 2 \end{bmatrix}, so \text{adj }A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 & -1 \\ -9 & -2 & 3 \\ -6 & -1 & 2 \end{bmatrix}.

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{-1}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 & -1 \\ -9 & -2 & 3 \\ -6 & -1 & 2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -2 & 0 & 1 \\ 9 & 2 & -3 \\ 6 & 1 & -2 \end{bmatrix}
11

Find the inverse of the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \cos\alpha & \sin\alpha \\ 0 & \sin\alpha & -\cos\alpha \end{bmatrix}

Medium +
Solution

Expanding along R_1: |A| = 1(-\cos^2\alpha-\sin^2\alpha) = -1

Computing the cofactors gives the cofactor matrix \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -\cos\alpha & -\sin\alpha \\ 0 & -\sin\alpha & \cos\alpha \end{bmatrix}, which happens to be symmetric, so \text{adj }A equals this same matrix.

A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{-1}\begin{bmatrix} -1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -\cos\alpha & -\sin\alpha \\ 0 & -\sin\alpha & \cos\alpha \end{bmatrix}

Answer: A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \cos\alpha & \sin\alpha \\ 0 & \sin\alpha & -\cos\alpha \end{bmatrix} = A — this matrix is its own inverse, since A^2=I.
12

Let A = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 7 \\ 2 & 5 \end{bmatrix} and B = \begin{bmatrix} 6 & 8 \\ 7 & 9 \end{bmatrix}. Verify that (AB)^{-1}=B^{-1}A^{-1}

Hard +
Solution

|A| = 15-14 = 1 \Rightarrow A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & -7 \\ -2 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

|B| = 54-56 = -2 \Rightarrow B^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{-2}\begin{bmatrix} 9 & -8 \\ -7 & 6 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -\tfrac{9}{2} & 4 \\ \tfrac{7}{2} & -3 \end{bmatrix}

AB = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 7 \\ 2 & 5 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 6 & 8 \\ 7 & 9 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 67 & 87 \\ 47 & 61 \end{bmatrix}, with |AB| = 67(61)-87(47) = -2

(AB)^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{-2}\begin{bmatrix} 61 & -87 \\ -47 & 67 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -\tfrac{61}{2} & \tfrac{87}{2} \\ \tfrac{47}{2} & -\tfrac{67}{2} \end{bmatrix}

Now compute B^{-1}A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} -\tfrac{9}{2} & 4 \\ \tfrac{7}{2} & -3 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} 5 & -7 \\ -2 & 3 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -\tfrac{61}{2} & \tfrac{87}{2} \\ \tfrac{47}{2} & -\tfrac{67}{2} \end{bmatrix}

Since both matrices are identical, (AB)^{-1}=B^{-1}A^{-1} is verified.
13

If A = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 1 \\ -1 & 2 \end{bmatrix}, show that A^2-5A+7I=O. Hence find A^{-1}.

Medium +
Solution

A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 8 & 5 \\ -5 & 3 \end{bmatrix}, 5A = \begin{bmatrix} 15 & 5 \\ -5 & 10 \end{bmatrix}, 7I = \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 0 \\ 0 & 7 \end{bmatrix}

A^2-5A+7I = \begin{bmatrix} 8-15+7 & 5-5+0 \\ -5+5+0 & 3-10+7 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix} = O

Multiplying the identity A^2-5A+7I=O by A^{-1} throughout: A-5I+7A^{-1}=O \Rightarrow A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{7}(5I-A)

5I-A = \begin{bmatrix} 5-3 & 0-1 \\ 0+1 & 5-2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -1 \\ 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{7}\begin{bmatrix} 2 & -1 \\ 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix}
14

For the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}, find the numbers a and b such that A^2+aA+bI=O

Medium +
Solution

A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 9+2 & 6+2 \\ 3+1 & 2+1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 11 & 8 \\ 4 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

A^2+aA+bI = \begin{bmatrix} 11+3a+b & 8+2a \\ 4+a & 3+a+b \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}

From the (1,2) entry: 8+2a=0 \Rightarrow a=-4. Substituting into the (1,1) entry: 11+3(-4)+b=0 \Rightarrow b=1.

Checking against the (2,1) and (2,2) entries: 4+(-4)=0 ✓ and 3+(-4)+1=0 ✓ — both consistent.

Answer: a = -4,\ b = 1
15

For the matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 & -3 \\ 2 & -1 & 3 \end{bmatrix}, show that A^3-6A^2+5A+11I=O. Hence find A^{-1}.

Hard +
Solution

Computing A^2 = A\cdot A = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 2 & 1 \\ -3 & 8 & -14 \\ 7 & -3 & 14 \end{bmatrix} and then A^3 = A\cdot A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 8 & 7 & 1 \\ -23 & 27 & -69 \\ 32 & -13 & 58 \end{bmatrix}.

Substituting into A^3-6A^2+5A+11I, every entry cancels to 0, confirming the identity.

Multiplying A^3-6A^2+5A+11I=O by A^{-1}: A^2-6A+5I+11A^{-1}=O \Rightarrow A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{11}(6A-A^2-5I)

6A-A^2-5I = \begin{bmatrix} 6-4-5 & 6-2+0 & 6-1+0 \\ 6+3+0 & 12-8-5 & -18+14+0 \\ 12-7+0 & -6+3+0 & 18-14-5 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} -3 & 4 & 5 \\ 9 & -1 & -4 \\ 5 & -3 & -1 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{11}\begin{bmatrix} -3 & 4 & 5 \\ 9 & -1 & -4 \\ 5 & -3 & -1 \end{bmatrix}
16

If A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -1 & 1 \\ -1 & 2 & -1 \\ 1 & -1 & 2 \end{bmatrix}, verify that A^3-6A^2+9A-4I=O and hence find A^{-1}

Hard +
Solution

Computing A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 6 & -5 & 5 \\ -5 & 6 & -5 \\ 5 & -5 & 6 \end{bmatrix} and then A^3 = \begin{bmatrix} 22 & -21 & 21 \\ -21 & 22 & -21 \\ 21 & -21 & 22 \end{bmatrix}.

Substituting into A^3-6A^2+9A-4I, every entry cancels to 0, confirming the identity.

Multiplying by A^{-1}: A^2-6A+9I-4A^{-1}=O \Rightarrow A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{4}(A^2-6A+9I)

A^2-6A+9I = \begin{bmatrix} 6-12+9 & -5+6+0 & 5-6+0 \\ -5+6+0 & 6-12+9 & -5+6+0 \\ 5-6+0 & -5+6+0 & 6-12+9 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 1 & -1 \\ 1 & 3 & 1 \\ -1 & 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix}

Answer: A^{-1} = \dfrac{1}{4}\begin{bmatrix} 3 & 1 & -1 \\ 1 & 3 & 1 \\ -1 & 1 & 3 \end{bmatrix}
17

MCQ. If A is an invertible matrix of order 2, then \det(A^{-1}) is equal to:   (A) \det(A)   (B) \dfrac{1}{\det(A)}   (C) 1   (D) 0

Easy +
Solution

Since AA^{-1}=I, taking determinants of both sides: \det(A)\det(A^{-1}) = \det(I) = 1

So \det(A^{-1}) = \dfrac{1}{\det(A)}, which holds for an invertible matrix of any order, not just order 2.

Answer: (B) \dfrac{1}{\det(A)}
18

MCQ. If A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & \tan x \\ -\tan x & 1 \end{bmatrix}, then the value of \det(A'A^{-1}) is:   (A) \cos 2x   (B) \sec 2x   (C) 1   (D) none of these

Hard +
Solution

For any square matrix, the transpose has the same determinant as the original matrix: \det(A') = \det(A).

Also, for an invertible matrix, \det(A^{-1}) = \dfrac{1}{\det(A)} (as shown in Question 17).

Using the product rule for determinants: \det(A'A^{-1}) = \det(A')\cdot\det(A^{-1}) = \det(A)\cdot\dfrac{1}{\det(A)} = 1

Answer: (C) 1 — this result holds regardless of the specific entries of A, as long as A is invertible.

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Common Questions

FAQs — Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 4 Ex 4.4

How many questions are there in Exercise 4.4?

Exercise 4.4 has 18 questions (16 short-answer/proof questions plus 2 MCQs), covering the adjoint of a matrix, verifying A(adj A) = (adj A)A = |A|I, finding the inverse of matrices of order 2 and 3, verifying (AB)⁻¹ = B⁻¹A⁻¹, and using matrix polynomial identities to find an inverse.

What concept does Exercise 4.4 test?

It tests finding the adjoint of a square matrix (the transpose of its cofactor matrix), the identity A(adj A) = (adj A)A = |A|I, the formula A⁻¹ = (1/|A|) adj A for a non-singular matrix, and deriving A⁻¹ algebraically from a matrix polynomial identity such as A² − 5A + 7I = O.

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

Exercise 4.4 is from Chapter 4, Determinants, 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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