Question:medium

If \( A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 1 & -4 \end{bmatrix} \) and \( B = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ -1 & 3 \end{bmatrix} \), then \( B^{-1} A^{-1} \) is equal to:

Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • \( -\frac{1}{11} \begin{bmatrix} 14 & 5 \\ 5 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \)
  • \( \frac{1}{11} \begin{bmatrix} 15 & 11 \\ 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} \)
  • \( \frac{1}{11} \begin{bmatrix} 14 & 5 \\ 5 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \)
  • \( -\frac{1}{11} \begin{bmatrix} 15 & 11 \\ 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} \)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

To determine \( B^{-1} A^{-1} \), the inverses of matrices \( A \) and \( B \) must be calculated first. For a 2x2 matrix \( M = \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix} \), the inverse is \( M^{-1} = \frac{1}{ad-bc} \begin{bmatrix} d & -b \\ -c & a \end{bmatrix} \), provided that \( ad-bc eq 0 \).

Step 1: Calculate \( A^{-1} \)

Given \( A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 1 & -4 \end{bmatrix} \).

The determinant of \( A \) is: \[ \text{det}(A) = (2)(-4) - (3)(1) = -8 - 3 = -11 \]

Therefore, \( A^{-1} = \frac{1}{-11} \begin{bmatrix} -4 & -3 \\ -1 & 2 \end{bmatrix} = \frac{1}{11} \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 3 \\ 1 & -2 \end{bmatrix} \).

Step 2: Calculate \( B^{-1} \)

Given \( B = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & -2 \\ -1 & 3 \end{bmatrix} \).

The determinant of \( B \) is: \[ \text{det}(B) = (1)(3) - (-2)(-1) = 3 - 2 = 1 \]

Thus, \( B^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \).

Step 3: Compute \( B^{-1} A^{-1} \)

Multiply \( B^{-1} \) by \( A^{-1} \): \[ B^{-1} A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} \frac{4}{11} & \frac{3}{11} \\ \frac{1}{11} & -\frac{2}{11} \end{bmatrix} \]

Performing matrix multiplication:

\[ B^{-1} A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix} (3 \times \frac{4}{11}) + (2 \times \frac{1}{11}) & (3 \times \frac{3}{11}) + (2 \times -\frac{2}{11}) \\ (1 \times \frac{4}{11}) + (1 \times \frac{1}{11}) & (1 \times \frac{3}{11}) + (1 \times -\frac{2}{11}) \end{bmatrix} \]

\[ = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{12}{11} + \frac{2}{11} & \frac{9}{11} - \frac{4}{11} \\ \frac{4}{11} + \frac{1}{11} & \frac{3}{11} - \frac{2}{11} \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{14}{11} & \frac{5}{11} \\ \frac{5}{11} & \frac{1}{11} \end{bmatrix} \]

This result simplifies to: \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{11} \begin{bmatrix} 14 & 5 \\ 5 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \).

The final answer is: \( \frac{1}{11} \begin{bmatrix} 14 & 5 \\ 5 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \).

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