If A is a square matrix, then there exists a matrix B such that AB equals the identity matrix.

Question

owlfred · Answer

Hoot! You just asked your first question! Hang tight while I find people to answer it for you. You can thank people who give you good answers by clicking the 'Good Answer' button on the right!

amistre64 · Answer

i dont think every matrix has an inverse ....

anonymous · Answer

so that means this is a false statement?

amistre64 · Answer

a square matrix has an inverse iff the determinant |A| not= 0

amistre64 · Answer

i wanna say its false, but my memory likes to play tricks on me :)

amistre64 · Answer

http://www.mathwords.com/i/inverse_of_a_matrix.htm

anonymous · Answer

but i thought that square matrices always have inverses

amistre64 · Answer

not all square mates have inverses

amistre64 · Answer

then you thought wrong :)

anonymous · Answer

yes i did :) thank you

amistre64 · Answer

just so you know, it was either you or me being wrong, and my bets were on me ;)

anonymous · Answer

Inverses are only DEFINED for square matrices. But if the determinant is zero then there is no inverse.

anonymous · Answer

no i just answered it and it and you were correct. the math worlds link really did my hypothesis in

anonymous · Answer

ok so I was mixing up square matrices being "defined" as them having inverses. thank you guys