JEE Main2014MathematicsMatricesActual
Let A and B be any two 3 × 3 matrices. If A is symmetric and B is skew symmetric, then the matrix A B - B A is
Options
- Askew symmetric
- BI or -   I , where I is an identity matrix
- Csymmetric
- Dneither symmetric nor skew symmetric
Correct answer
C. symmetric
Step-by-step solution
A square matrix P is said to be a symmetric matrix, if P T = P and it is said to be a skew symmetric matrix, if P T = - P . Given A T = A ,   B T = - B Now, A B - B A T = A B T - B A T = B T A T - A T B T = ( - B ) A - A ( - B ) = A B - B A ⇒ A B - B A is a symmetric matrix.