MATRICES FORMULA SHEET

1) Characteristic Equation:
i) For a 3 3 matrix λ3  1λ 2  2λ  3  0 is the characteristic equation where
1 = sum of the leading diagonal elements,
2 = sum of the minors of the leading diagonal elements, 3 = A
ii) For a 2  2 matrix   1  2  0 is the characteristic equation where
2

1 = sum of the leading diagonal elements, 2 = A

Eigen values : roots of the Characteristic equation.Can be obtained from calculator.

 x1 
 
x
Eigen vectors: a nonzero vector X=  2  satisfies the equation (A–I)X = 0.
x 
 3
2) Cross Rule ( Use only for two distinct equations)
a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  0
a2 x  b2 y  c2 z  0
x y z
x y z
b1 c1 a1 b1 then  
b2 c2 a2 b2 b1c2  b2 c1 a2 c1  a1c2 a1b2  a2 b1

3) If 1, 2 , 3 are the eigen values of A then

1 1 1 -1
(i) K1, K2 , K3 are the eigen values of KA. (ii)  ,  ,  are the eigen values of A .
1 2 3

A A A
(iii) 1p , 2p , 3p are the eigen values of Ap (iv) , , are the eigen values of adjA.
1 2 3

(v) 1  K , 2  K , 3  K are the eigen values of  A-KI  .

4) (i) Sum of the eigen values = Sum of the leading diagonal elements.
(ii) Product of the eigen values = A .

5. (i) If A is a triangular matrix then the eigen values are its diagonal elements.
(ii)If A is a singular matrix ( i.e. A  0 ) then one of the eigen values is 0.

6. (i)If A is an orthogonal matrix then AAT = ATA = I.(ii) If A is symmetric matrix then A = AT
7) Conditions for orthogonal transformation:
A real symmetric matrix A with
(i) eigen vectors X1,X2,X3 are linearly independent. i.e.) X1 X 2 X 3  0 and
(ii) eigen vectors X1,X2,X3 are pair wise orthogonal. i.e.) X1.X2T = 0, X2.X3T = 0 and X3. X1T = 0

Note: If the eigen values of real symmetric matrix are distinct then the eigen vectors are linearly
independent and pair wise orthogonal
8) Diagonalisation: The process of transforming a square matrix A in to a diagonal matrix D.
A real symmetric matrix is said to be orthogonal diagonalizable if there exist an orthogonal matrix N
such that NTAN = D.

9) Quadratic form: A homogeneous polynomial of second degree in any number of variables.

Matrix form of the Q.F: Every quadratic form can be expressed as XTAX , where A is a symmetric
matrix with aii = coefficient of xi2 and aij =   coefficient of xi x j  = aji
1
2 
10) Canonical form = sum of squares of any number of variable.
Matrix form of the C.F: Every canonical form can be expressed as YTDY, where D is a diagonal
matrix.

11) Orthogonal reduction: The orthogonal transformation: X=NY reduces the quadratic form to
canonical form provided NTAN = D where N is normalized modal (orthogonal) matrix.
Proof: Q.F= XTAX = (NY)TA(NY) = (YTNT )A(NY) = YT(NTAN)Y = YT(D)Y = C.F.

12) Rank (r) of the Quadratic form: The number of nonzero terms in the resulting canonical form is
called rank of the quadratic form.

13) Index (p) of the Quadratic form: The number of positive terms in the resulting canonical
form is called index of the quadratic form.

14) Signature of the Quadratic form: s = 2p-r

15) Nature of the Quadratic form

S.No. If the eigen values are not

Nature
1 Positive definite
2 Negative definite
3 Positive semi definite
4 Negative semi definite
5 Indefinite
a11
where D1 = a11  a11 D2 =
a21 a22
If the eigen values are known
known
All the eigen values are positive D1,D2,D3 are positive
D1, D3 are negative D2 is
All the eigen values are negative
positive
All the eigen values are positive D1  0 , D2  0 D3  0 and
and atleast one is zero atleast one is zero
All the eigen values are negative D1  0 , D3  0 , D2  0
and atleast one is zero and atleast one is zero
eigen values are positive and
All the other cases
negative
a11 a12 a13
a12
D3 = a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33