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Cofactors of a 2×2 Matrix

Math Doubts > Matrices > Cofactors

Each minor of a two by two matrix with a sign is called the cofactor of an entry in a square matrix of the order two.

Introduction
In a two by two matrix, the cofactor of an entry is calculated by multiplying the following two factors.

The negative one raised to the power of sum of the number of the row and the number of the column of the corresponding element.

The minor of the respective entry.

Let us learn how to find the cofactor of every entry for the following example matrix.

𝐵 = [𝑏𝑏 11 𝑏
𝑏
12
]
21 22

It is essential to learn how to find the minors of entries in a square matrix of the order two.

Cofactor of an entry in the first row and the first column

𝑏 is the entry in the first row and the first column. Now, find the minor of this element.
11

𝑀 = |𝑏 |
11 22

∴ 𝑀 =𝑏 11 22

The cofactor of the element 𝑏 is denoted by 𝐶 . 11 11

For the element 𝑏 , the number of the row is 1 and

11

the number of the column is 1.

The cofactor of the entry 11 is calculated by 𝑏

multiplying the minor of this entry with the negative
one raised to the power of the sum of 1 and 1.

𝐶 11 −
= ( 1) 1+1 × 𝑀 11

⟹ 𝐶11 −
= ( 1)
1+1
× 𝑏 22

⟹ 𝐶11 = (−1) 2
× 𝑏 22

Ad removed.
⟹ 𝐶11 = 1×𝑏 22
Show details
 ∴ 𝐶 11 = 𝑏 22

Therefore, the cofactor of the element 𝑏 11 in the

𝐵
matrix is positive 22 . 𝑏
Cofactor of an entry in the first
row and the second column
𝑏12 is the entry at the first row and the second

column. Now, let’s find the minor of this element.

𝑀 = |𝑏 |
12 21

∴ 𝑀 =𝑏 12 21

The cofactor of the element 12 is denoted by 12 . 𝑏 𝐶

𝑏
For the element 12 , the number of the row is 1 and
the number of the column is 2.

The cofactor of the entry 12 is evaluated by 𝑏

multiplying the minor of this element with the
negative one raised to the power of the sum of 1 and
2.

𝐶 12 −
= ( 1) 1+2 × 𝑀 12

⟹ 𝐶12 − 𝑏 = ( 1) 1+2 × 21

⟹ 𝐶12 = (−1) × 𝑏
3
21

⟹ 𝐶12 = (−1) × 𝑏 21

∴ 𝐶 = −𝑏 12 21

Therefore, the cofactor of the element 𝑏 12 in the

matrix 𝐵 is negative 𝑏 21 .

Cofactor of an entry in the

second row and the first
column
𝑏21 is the entry at the second row and the first
column. Now, let us evaluate the minor of this entry.

𝑀 = |𝑏 |
21 12

∴ 𝑀 =𝑏 21 12

The cofactor of the element 𝑏 21 is denoted by 𝐶 21 . For the entry 𝑏 21 , the number of the row is 2 and the number of the column is 1.

The cofactor of the entry 𝑏 21 is evaluated by multiplying the minor of this element with the negative one raised to the power of the sum of 2
and 1.

𝐶 21 −
= ( 1) 2+1 × 𝑀 21

⟹ 𝐶21 − 𝑏 = ( 1) 2+1 × 12

⟹ 𝐶21 = (−1) × 𝑏 3
12

⟹ 𝐶21 = (−1) × 𝑏 12

∴ 𝐶 = −𝑏 21 12

Therefore, the cofactor of the entry 𝑏 21 in the matrix 𝐵 is negative 𝑏 12 .

Cofactor of an entry in the second row and the second column

𝑏 22 is the entry in the second row and the second column. Now, let us evaluate the minor of this entry.

𝑀 22 = | 𝑏 11 |
∴ 𝑀 22 = 𝑏 11

The cofactor of the element 22 is represented by 𝑏

𝐶 𝑏
22 . For the entry 22 , the number of the row is 2 and

the number of the column is 2.

The cofactor of the entry 22 is calculated by 𝑏

multiplying the minor of this entry with the negative
one raised to the power of the sum of 2 and 2.

𝐶 22 = ( 1)− 2+2
× 𝑀 22

⟹ 𝐶22 − = ( 1) 2+2
× 𝑏 11

⟹ 𝐶22= (−1) 4
× 𝑏 11

⟹ 𝐶22= 1×𝑏 11

∴ 𝐶 =𝑏 22 11

Therefore, the cofactor of the element 𝑏 22 in the

matrix 𝐵 is positive 𝑏 11 .

Signs
A sign technique can be used as a shortcut method
while finding the cofactors of entries in a 2 × 2
matrix.

+ –
⎡
⎢𝑏11 𝑏12 ⎤ ⎥
𝐵 = ⎢ – +⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎣𝑏 21 𝑏 22 ⎦
In the first row, write a plus sign above the first
element and a negative sign over the second
element.
In the second row, write a minus sign above the
first element and a positive sign over the
second element.

Now, let’s find the cofactors of the elements for the

above matrix.

𝐶11 = +𝑀11 = + |𝑏22 | = 𝑏22

𝐶12 = −𝑀12 = − |𝑏21 | = −𝑏21
𝐶21 = −𝑀21 = − |𝑏12 | = −𝑏12
𝐶22 = +𝑀22 = + |𝑏11 | = 𝑏11
Remember that this shortcut method is recommendable to use for verifying our fundamental process and also to get the result quickly.

Example
𝐴 = [−52 36]
Let’s find the cofactors of the entries in the the matrix 𝐴 of the order 2.
(1). 𝐶 11 −
= ( 1) 1+1 |6| = + |6| = 6

The cofactor of the entry five is positive six.

(2). 𝐶 12 −
= ( 1) 1+2 | 2| = − − |−2| = −(−2) = 2
The cofactor of the entry three is positive two.
(3). 𝐶 21 −
= ( 1) 2+1 |3| = − |3| = −3
The cofactor of the entry negative two is negative three.

(4). 𝐶 22 −
= ( 1) 2+2 |6| = + |5| = 5

The cofactor of the entry six is positive five.

In this way, the cofactor of every element can be calculated in a square matrix of the order two.

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Solving System of Equations using Inverse of

Matrices
Last Updated : 28 Aug, 2025

In mathematics, a matrix is an array of numbers arranged in a rectangular

pattern and separated into rows and columns. They're commonly
depicted by enclosing all of the integers within square brackets.

A 3×3 matrix

The Matrix method is used to find the solution of the system of

equations. In the equations, all of the variables should be written in the
proper order. On the appropriate sides, write the variables, their
coefficients, and constants.

Key Terms:

Below are some terms that are essential to finding the inverse of a
matrix:
 Determinant: A matrix's determinant is the scalar value produced for
a given square matrix. The determinant is dealt with in linear algebra,
and it is computed using the elements of a square matrix.
Minors: The matrix created after eliminating the row and column of
the matrix in which that specific element lies is defined as the minor of
the matrix.
Cofactors: The cofactor of an element in matrix A is produced by
multiplying the element's minor Mij by (-1)i+j.
Adjoint: A matrix A's adjoint is the transpose of A's cofactor matrix.

Inverse of a matrix
A square matrix A is invertible if and only if A is a nonsingular matrix.
The inverse of a matrix may be obtained by dividing the adjoint of a
matrix by the determinant of the matrix. The inverse of a matrix may be
computed by following the steps below:

Step 1: Determine the minor of the provided matrix.

Step 2: Convert the acquired matrix into the cofactor matrix.
Step 3: Finally, the adjugate, and
Step 4: Multiply it by the determinant's reciprocal.

⎡a11 ​ a12 ​ a13 ⎤

​

Let A = a21
⎣a31 a33 ⎦
​
​
​
a22 ​
​
a23​
​ ​

​
a32 ​ ​

⎡A11 ​
A12 ​
A13 ⎤ ​

A23 =
⎣A31 A33 ⎦
Adjoint of A = Transpose of A21 ​ ​ ​ A22 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

A32
⎡A11 A21 A31 ⎤
​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​

⎣A13 A23 A33 ⎦

A12 A22 A32
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​

⎡A11 ​ A21 ​ A31 ⎤​

1
Inverse of matrix A = A{-1}=
⎣A13 A33 ⎦
∣A∣
​ A12 ​ ​ ​ A22 ​ ​ A32 ​ ​ ​

​ A23 ​ ​
Now, let's look at how determinants and matrices may be used to solve
systems of linear equations in two or three variables and to assess the
system's consistency.

Consistent System: A system of equations is considered to be

consistent if it has (one or more) solutions.
Inconsistent System: If the solution to a system of equations does not
exist, the system is said to be inconsistent.

Representing Linear Systems with Matrix Equations

An augmented matrix can be used to represent a system of equations.
Each row in an augmented matrix represents one of the system's
equations, while each column represents a variable or the constant
terms. We can see that augmented matrices are a shortcut for
formulating systems of equations in this way.

Augmented Matrix

Let's suppose the equation is: a1 x + a2 y + a3 z = d1

​ ​ ​ ​

b1 x + b2 y + b3 z = d2
​ ​ ​ ​

c1 x + c2 y + c3 z = d3
​ ​ ​ ​

Let A be the coefficient matrix, X be the variable matrix, and B be the

constant matrix to solve a system of linear equations with an inverse
matrix. As a result, we'd want to solve the system AX = B. Take a look at
the equations below as an example.

⎡a1 x + a2 y + a3 z ⎤ ⎡d1 ⎤
​ ​ ​ ​

b1 x + b2 y + b3 z = d2
⎣ c1 x + c2 y + c3 z ⎦ ⎣d3 ⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​

⎡a1 ​ a2 ​ a3 ⎤ ⎡x⎤ ⎡d1 ⎤

​ ​

y = d2
⎣ c1 ⎦ ⎣ z ⎦ ⎣d3 ⎦
b1
​ ​ ​ b2 ​ b3
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ c2 ​ c3
​ ​

Example: Write the following system of equations as an augmented

matrix.

x - 2y = 5

4x - 3y - z = 3

5y - 7z = 9

Let's write the following matrix in augmented form. If a variable

term is not given in the matrix, it is considered that the coefficient of
that term is ' 0 '.
(1)x + (-2)y + (0)z = 5
(4)x + (-3)y + (-1)z = 3
(0)x + (5)y + (-7)z = 9

⎡1 −2 0 5⎤
The following augmented matrix is: 4 −3 −1 3
⎣0 9⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

5 −7

Steps to Solve Linear Systems with Matrix

The method of determining the inverse is used to solve a system of linear
equations, and it requires two additional matrices. The variables are
represented by Matrix X. The constants are represented by Matrix B.
Using matrix multiplication, a system of equations with the same number
of equations as variables is defined as,

AX = B
A system of equations is solved using the inverse of a matrix by the
following steps:

Step 1: Finding the Inverse of the Matrix

To find the inverse of a matrix, we first compute its determinant:

A matrix's determinant is the scalar value produced for a given square

matrix. A determinant is a scalar value or number calculated using a
square matrix n × n.

Determinant of 2×2 matrix: [ ]=a×d−b ×c

a b
c d
​ ​

⎡a b c⎤
f = a(ei − f h) − b(di −
⎣g i⎦
Determinant of 3×3 matrix: d ​ ​ e ​ ​ ​

h
gf ) + c(dh − ge)
Then we will compute the Minors and Cofactors

The matrix created after eliminating the row and column of the matrix in
which that specific element lies is defined as the minor of the matrix.

⎡a11 a12 ​ a13 ⎤

​

⎣a31 a33 ⎦
Let A = a21 ​ a22 ​
​ a23​
​ ​

a32 ​ ​

[ ]
a21 a23
The minor of the element a12 is M12 =
​ ​

a31 a33
​ ​

​ ​

The cofactor of an element in matrix A is produced by multiplying the

element's minor Mij by (-1)i+j. Cij is the symbol for an element's cofactor. If
the minor of a matrix is Mij, then the cofactor of the element would be Cij
i+j
= (-1) Mij. The cofactor matrix is the matrix created by the cofactors of
the matrix's components.
 ⎡ M11 ​ −M12 ​ M13 ⎤ ⎡C11
​ ​ C12 ​ C13 ⎤
Cofactor Matrix : −M21 −M23 = C21
⎣ M31 M33 ⎦ ⎣C31 C33 ⎦
​ ​ ​ M22 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ C22 ​ ​ C23 ​

​ −M32 ​ ​ ​ C32 ​

Then we will compute the Adjoint of the matrix

A matrix A's adjoint is the transpose of A's cofactor matrix.

⎡a11 a12 ​
a13 ⎤ ​

LetA = a21
⎣a31 a33 ⎦
​ a22 ​ ​ a23 ​ ​ ​

a32 ​ ​

⎡C11 ​ C21 ​ C31 ⎤ ​

⎣C13 C33 ⎦
Adjoint of A=Transpose of Cofactor Matrix = C12 ​ ​ ​ C22 ​ ​ C32 = ​ ​ ​

C23
⎡A11 A21 A31 ⎤
​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​

⎣A13 A23 A33 ⎦

A12 A22 A32
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​

Then we will find the Inverse of the matrix.

A square matrix A is invertible if and only if A is a nonsingular

matrix(Matrix should have a non-zero determinant). The inverse of a
matrix is obtained by dividing the adjoint of a matrix by the determinant
of the matrix. Multiplying the Adjoint of the matrix by the determinant's
reciprocal will yield the inverse of a matrix.

⎡a11 ​ a12 ​ a13 ⎤ ​

⎣a31 a33 ⎦
Let A = a21 ​
​
​ a22 ​
​ a23 ​
​ ​

​
a32 ​ ​

⎡A11 ​ A21 ​ A31 ⎤ ​

⎣A13 A33 ⎦
Adjoint of A = A12 ​ ​ ​ A22 ​ ​ A32 ​ ​ ​

​ A23 ​ ​

1
⎡A11 ​ A21 ​ A31 ⎤ ​

-1
⎣A13 A33 ⎦
Inverse of matrix A = A = ∣A∣ ​ A12
​ ​ ​ A22 ​ ​ A32 ​ ​ ​

​ A23 ​ ​
Step 2: Computing the X Matrix

AX = B

⎡a1 ​ a2 ​ a3 ⎤ ​

⎡x⎤ ⎡d1 ⎤ ​

Where: A = b1 b3 , X = y , B = d2
⎣ c1 c3 ⎦ ⎣z ⎦ ⎣d3 ⎦
​
​
​
b2 ​
​
​
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
​
​ ​

​
c2 ​ ​ ​

Case 1: If A is a nonsingular matrix(has a non-zero determinant), it has

an inverse.

Let A be the coefficient matrix, X be the variable matrix, and B be the

constant matrix to solve a system of linear equations with an inverse
matrix.
AX=B.

Multiply both sides by the inverse of A.

(A-1) AX = (A-1)B
[A-1A] X = A-1B
IX = A-1B =>

X = A-1B

As the inverse of a matrix is unique, this matrix equation offers a unique

solution to the given system of equations. The Matrix Method is a
method for solving systems of equations.

Case 2: If A is a singular matrix, then | A| = 0. In this case, calculate (adj

A) B.

If (adj A) B ≠ O, (O being zero matrices), then the solution does not exist,
and the system of equations is called inconsistent.
If (adj A) B = O, then the system may be either consistent or inconsistent
- the system has either infinitely many solutions or no solution.

Solved Examples
Question 1: Find the following of the given matrix A =
⎡3 2 −1⎤
−5 0 −2
⎣3 −1⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

4
determinant of matrix A
cofactor matrix A
adjoint of matrix A
inverse of matrix A

Solution:

⎡3 2 −1⎤
The given matrix is A = −5 0 −2
⎣3 −1⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

4
Determinant of the A = 3(0 × (−1) − 4 × (−2)) + 5(2 ×
(−1) − 4 × (−1)) + 3(2 × (−2) − 0 × (−1))

= 3(0+8)+5(-2+4)+3(-4)
= 3 × 8 + 5 × 2 + 3 × (-4)
= 24 + 10 - 12 units
Cofactor of matrix A =

C11​= 0 × (-1) -4 × (-2) = 0 + 8 = 8

C12 ​= -((-5) × (-1) -3 × (-2)) = -(5 + 6) = -11
C13 ​= (-5) × 4 -3 × 0 = -20
C21 = −(2 × (-1) -4 × (-1)) = -(-2 + 4) = -2
C22 ​= 3 × (-1) -3 × (-1) = -3 + 3 = 0
C23 ​= -(3 × 4 - 3 × 2) = -(12 - 6) = -6
C31​= 2 × (-2) - 0 × (-1) = -4
C32 ​= -(3 × (-2) - (-5) × (-1)) = -(-6 - 5) = 11
C33​= 3 × 0 - (-5) × 2 = 10

⎡8 −11 −20⎤
Cofactor matrix of A = C = −2 0 −6
⎣−4 10 ⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

11
 Adjoint of matrix A = transpose of cofactor matrix C

⎡8 −20⎤
′
−11
C = −2 0 −6
⎣−4 10 ⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

11

⎡ 8 −2 −4⎤
A = −11 0 11
⎣−20 10 ⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

−6
Inverse of matrix A = A−1 = ∣A∣
1
adj.A ​

⎡ 8 −2 −4⎤
1
−11 0 11
⎣−20 10 ⎦
= 22 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

−6

⎡ 11 ⎤
4 −1 −2
11 11
​ ​ ​

−1 1
0
⎣ −10 5 ⎦
= 2
​ ​ ​ ​

2
​ ​ ​

−3
11 11 11
​ ​ ​

Question 2: Ram is hired for a job with a monthly payment of a specific

amount and an annual increase of a predetermined amount. Find his
beginning pay and yearly increase if his salary was $300 per month at
the end of the first month after 1 year of service and $600 per month at
the end of the first month after 3 years of service.

Solution:

Let "x" and "y" represent the monthly salary and a yearly increase
of a certain amount, respectively.
According to the question;
x + y = 300 ⇢ (i)
x + 3y = 600 ⇢ (ii)
This can be written as AX = B, where
1 1 300
A=[ ],X = [ ],B = [ ]
x
1 3 y 600
​ ​ ​ ​
 Determinant of A = 1 × 3 - 1 × 1 = 3 - 1 = 2
3 −1
Adjoin of A = [ ]
−1 1
​ ​

Thus, A−1 = ∣A∣

1
adj.A ​

3 −1
A−1 = 1
[ ]
2 −1 1
​ ​ ​

Using Matrix Inverse,

X = A-1B
3 −1 300
X= 1
[ ][ ]
2 −1 1 600
​ ​ ​ ​

3 × 300 + (−1) × 600

X= 1
[ ]
2 (−1) × 300 + 1 × 600
​ ​

300
X= 1
[ ]
2 300
​ ​

150
X=[ ]
150
​

Therefore; x = $150, y = $150

So, the monthly salary is $150 and the annual increment is $150.

Question 3: The sum of three numbers is 3. If we multiply the second

number by 2 and add the first number to it, we get 10. If we multiply the
third number by 4 and add the second number to it, we get 6.
Represent it algebraically and find the numbers using the matrix method
Solution:

Let x, y, and z represent the first, second, and third numbers,

respectively. Then, according to the question, we have

c Algebra1.
x +xySet
++ yTheory
z+= 3z = 3Probability Statistics Geometry Calculus Logarith Sign In
x + 2y = 10
2. xy++2y = 66
4z =
3. y + 4z = 10
 ⎡1 1 1⎤
This can be written as AX = B, where A = 1 2 0 ,X =
⎣0 4⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1
⎡x⎤ ⎡3⎤
y , B = 10
⎣z ⎦ ⎣6⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Here, |A|= 1(8 - 0) - 1(4 - 0) + 1(1 - 0) = 8 - 4 + 1 = 5 ≠ 0. Now, find

adj A.
A11 = 8 - 0 = 8, A12 = -(4 - 0) = -4, A13 = 1 - 0 = 1
A21 = -(4 - 1) = -3, A22 = 4 - 0 = 4, A23 = -(1 - 0) = -1
A31 = 0 - 2 = -2, A32 = -(0 - 1) = 1, A33 = 2 - 1 = 1

⎡8 −3 −2⎤
Adj. A = −4 4 1
⎣1 1⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

−1

⎡8 −3 −2⎤
−1 1 1
= = −4 4 1
⎣1 1⎦
Thus, A ∣A∣ [Link] A
​

5
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

−1
X = A-1B

1
⎡8 −3 −2⎤ ⎡ 3 ⎤
X= −4 4 1 10
⎣1 1 ⎦⎣ 6 ⎦
5
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

−1

⎡x⎤ ⎡ 24 − 30 − 12 ⎤ ⎡−18⎤ ⎡ 5 ⎤
−18
1 1 34
y = −12 + 40 + 6 = 34 =
⎣z ⎦ ⎣ 3 − 10 + 6 ⎦ ⎣ −1 ⎦ ⎣ −1 ⎦
5 5 5
​
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

5
​

Therefore;
−18 34 −1
X= 5
,Y ​ = 5
,Z = 5
​

Question 4: Assume Joe, Max, and Polly went shopping at the mall. Joe
pays 45/- for 4 kg of apples, 7 kg of bananas, and 6 kg of guavas. Max
pays 30/- for 2 kg of apples and 5 kg of guavas, and Polly pays 35/- for 3
kg of apples, 1 kg of bananas, and 4 kg of guavas. How much do apples,
bananas, and guavas cost per kilogram?

Solution:

Let x, y, and z represent the number of apples, bananas, and

guavas, respectively.
In accordance to the question:
4x + 7y + 6z = 45
2 x + 5 z = 30
3x + y + 4z = 35

Matrix A contains the kg of apples, bananas, and guavas bought by

Joe, Max, and Polly. Matrix B contains the prices paid by the three
and matrix X contains the variables.

⎡4 7 6⎤ ⎡x⎤ ⎡45⎤
A= 2 0 5 , X = y , B = 30
⎣3 4⎦ ⎣z ⎦ ⎣35⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1
The solution of the given system of equations be X = A-1 B.
In order to find the inverse of A, we will first find the determinant of
A.

⎡4 7 6⎤ ⎡x⎤ ⎡45⎤
A= 2 0 5 , X = y , B = 30
⎣3 4⎦ ⎣z ⎦ ⎣35⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1
1
A−1 = ∣A∣
adj.A
​

Determinant of A = |A| = 4(0 × 4 - 1 × 5) - 7(2 × 4 - 5 × 3) + 6(2 × 1

- 3 × 0)
= 4(0 - 5) - 7(8 - 15) + 6(2 - 0)
= -20 - 7(-7) + 12
= -20 + 49 + 12 = 41

⎡−5 −22 35 ⎤
7 −2 −6
⎣2 −14⎦
Adj. of A = ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

17
A−1 = 1
41
adj.A
​
 1
⎡−5 −22 35 ⎤ ⎡45⎤
−1
X=A B= 7 −2 −6 × 30
⎣2 −14⎦ ⎣35⎦
41
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

17

⎡340⎤ ⎡8.3⎤
1
X = 41 45 = 1.1
⎣110⎦ ⎣2.7⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

The cost of apples per kg = 8.3/-

The cost of bananas per kg = 1.1/-
The cost of guavas per kg = 2.7/-

Question 5: The cost of 2 kg of potatoes, 3 kg of tomatoes, and 2 kg of

flour is 50. The cost of 5 kg of potatoes, 1 kg of tomatoes, and 6 kg of
flour is 40. The cost of 4 kg of potatoes, 6 kg of tomatoes, and 3 kg of
flour is 60. Find the cost of each item per kg by the inverse of a matrix.

Solution:

Let x, y, and z represent the kg of potatoes, tomatoes, and flour,

respectively.
In accordance to the question:
2x + 3y + 2z = 50
5x + 1y + 6z = 40
4x + 6y + 3z = 60

Matrix A contains the kg of potatoes, tomatoes and flour. Matrix B

contains the prices paid and matrix X contains the variables. This
⎡2 3 2⎤
can be written as AX = B, where A = 5 1 6 ,X =
⎣4 3⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

6
⎡x⎤ ⎡50⎤
y , B = 40
⎣z ⎦ ⎣60⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​
 The solution of the given system of equations is X = A-1B. In order
to find the inverse of A, we will first find the determinant of A.
Determinant of A |A| = 2(3 - 36) - 3(15 - 24) + 2(30 - 4) = 2 × (-33)
- 3(-9) + 2(26) = -66 + 27 + 52 = 13
Now, find the adjoint of A to get the inverse of A.
A11 = 3 - 36 = -33, A12 = -(15 - 24) = 9, A13 = 30 - 4 = 26
A21 = -(9 - 12) = 3, A22 = 6 - 8 = -2, A23 = -(12 - 12) = 0

1 1
⎡ −33 3 16 ⎤
A{-1}=A−1 = ∣A∣ adj.A = 13 9 −2 −2
⎣ 26 −13⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

0
A31 = 18 - 2 = 16, A32 = -(12 - 10) = -2, A33 = 2 - 15 = -13

⎡−33 3 16 ⎤
Thus, Adj.A = 9 −2 −2
⎣ 26 −13⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

0
X = A-1B

⎡−33 3 16 ⎤ ⎡50⎤
1
X = 13 9 −2 −2 40
⎣ 26 −13⎦ ⎣60⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

⎡x⎤ 1
⎡ −33 × 50 + 3 × 40 + 16 × 60⎤
y = 13 9 × 50 − 2 × 40 − 2 × 60 =
⎣z ⎦ ⎣ 26 × 50 + 0 × 40 − 13 × 60 ⎦
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

1
⎡ −570⎤ ⎡−43.8⎤
250 = 19.2
⎣ 520 ⎦ ⎣ 40 ⎦
13
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

x = 43.8, y = 19.2, z = 40

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Practice Problems
Question 1: Solve the following system of equations using the inverse of
matrices:

3x + 4y = 5
2x - y = 1

Question 2: Solve this system of equations:

x + 2y + 3z = 9
2x + 3y +z = 8
3x + y + 2z = 7

Question 3: Solve the system of equations given below:

2x + y = 4
4x + 2y = 8

Question 4: Determine whether the following system has a solution:

x+y+z=2
2x + 3y - z = 1
3x + 4y + z = 3

Solutions:

1. x = 9/11, y = 7/11
2. x = 2/3, y = 5/3, z = 5/3
3. Infinite Solutions x=t, y = 4-2t
4. x = 5, y = -3, z = 0

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