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UPSC NDA I 2025 Mathematics Paper

Question : 27 of 120

Marks: +1, -0

A=\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 2 \\ 2 & 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 2 & 1 \end{bmatrix}

A^{2}−4A

equal to?

Solution:

Concept:

Matrix multiplication and scalar multiplication are used to compute

A^2

and

4A

, then subtract element-wise.

Explanation:

First, compute

A^2 = A \times A

A^2 = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 2 \\ 2 & 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 2 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \times \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 2 \\ 2 & 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 2 & 1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 9 & 8 & 8 \\ 8 & 9 & 8 \\ 8 & 8 & 9 \end{bmatrix}

Next, compute

4A

by multiplying each entry of

A

by 4:

4A = 4 \times \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 2 \\ 2 & 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 2 & 1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 8 & 8 \\ 8 & 4 & 8 \\ 8 & 8 & 4 \end{bmatrix}

Now subtract the two matrices:

A^2 - 4A = \begin{bmatrix} 9 & 8 & 8 \\ 8 & 9 & 8 \\ 8 & 8 & 9 \end{bmatrix} - \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 8 & 8 \\ 8 & 4 & 8 \\ 8 & 8 & 4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 5 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 5 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 5 \end{bmatrix}

The result is 5 times the identity matrix of order 3, i.e.,

5I_3

Answer:

A^2 - 4A = 5I_3

, which corresponds to option D.

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