Finite Math Examples

$A^{- 1} = [\begin{array}{c} x & y \\ z & w \end{array}]$

Step 1

The inverse of a $2 \times 2$ matrix can be found using the formula $\frac{1}{a d - b c} [\begin{array}{c} d & - b \\ - c & a \end{array}]$ where $a d - b c$ is the determinant.

Step 2

The determinant of a $2 \times 2$ matrix can be found using the formula $| \begin{array}{c} a & b \\ c & d \end{array} | = a d - c b$ .

$x w - z y$

Step 3

Since the determinant is non-zero, the inverse exists.

Step 4

Substitute the known values into the formula for the inverse.

$\frac{1}{x w - z y} [\begin{array}{c} w & - y \\ - z & x \end{array}]$

Step 5

Multiply $\frac{1}{x w - z y}$ by each element of the matrix.

$[\begin{array}{c} \frac{1}{x w - z y} w & \frac{1}{x w - z y} (- y) \\ \frac{1}{x w - z y} (- z) & \frac{1}{x w - z y} x \end{array}]$

Step 6

Simplify each element in the matrix.

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Step 6.1

Combine $\frac{1}{x w - z y}$ and $w$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} \frac{w}{x w - z y} & \frac{1}{x w - z y} (- y) \\ \frac{1}{x w - z y} (- z) & \frac{1}{x w - z y} x \end{array}]$

Step 6.2

Rewrite using the commutative property of multiplication.

$[\begin{array}{c} \frac{w}{x w - z y} & - \frac{1}{x w - z y} y \\ \frac{1}{x w - z y} (- z) & \frac{1}{x w - z y} x \end{array}]$

Step 6.3

Combine $y$ and $\frac{1}{x w - z y}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} \frac{w}{x w - z y} & - \frac{y}{x w - z y} \\ \frac{1}{x w - z y} (- z) & \frac{1}{x w - z y} x \end{array}]$

Step 6.4

Rewrite using the commutative property of multiplication.

$[\begin{array}{c} \frac{w}{x w - z y} & - \frac{y}{x w - z y} \\ - \frac{1}{x w - z y} z & \frac{1}{x w - z y} x \end{array}]$

Step 6.5

Combine $z$ and $\frac{1}{x w - z y}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} \frac{w}{x w - z y} & - \frac{y}{x w - z y} \\ - \frac{z}{x w - z y} & \frac{1}{x w - z y} x \end{array}]$

Step 6.6

Combine $\frac{1}{x w - z y}$ and $x$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} \frac{w}{x w - z y} & - \frac{y}{x w - z y} \\ - \frac{z}{x w - z y} & \frac{x}{x w - z y} \end{array}]$