The cofactor of an element aᵢⱼ in a matrix is defined as
A
The element itself
B
The transpose of the element
C
(−1)^(i+j) × Minor of aᵢⱼ
D
Always positive minor
Analysis & Theory
Cofactor is obtained by multiplying the minor with (−1)^(i+j).
The difference between minor and cofactor is
A
Minor includes sign, cofactor does not
B
Cofactor includes sign factor, minor does not
C
Both are the same
D
Cofactor is always negative
Analysis & Theory
Cofactor = (−1)^(i+j) × Minor; minor has no sign adjustment.
If A = [[1, 2], [3, 4]], the cofactor of element a₁₁ (i.e., 1) is
A
4
B
-4
C
3
D
-3
Analysis & Theory
Minor of a₁₁ = 4. Since (−1)^(1+1) = +1, Cofactor = +4.
If A = [[1, 2], [3, 4]], the cofactor of element a₁₂ (i.e., 2) is
A
3
B
-3
C
1
D
-1
Analysis & Theory
Minor of a₁₂ = 3. Since (−1)^(1+2) = -1, Cofactor = -3.
Cofactors are mainly used in calculating
A
Trace
B
Determinant
C
Rank
D
Transpose
Analysis & Theory
Determinants are expanded using cofactors (Laplace expansion).
The adjoint of a square matrix is the
A
Transpose of cofactor matrix
B
Inverse of matrix
C
Transpose of minor matrix
D
Square of determinant
Analysis & Theory
Adjoint = transpose of cofactor matrix.
The determinant of a matrix can be expanded along
A
Only first row
B
Only first column
C
Any row or column using cofactors
D
Only diagonal elements
Analysis & Theory
By Laplace expansion, determinant can be expanded along any row or column using cofactors.
For a 3×3 matrix, the cofactor of an element is the determinant of a
A
2×2 submatrix with a sign factor
B
3×3 submatrix
C
1×1 submatrix
D
Transpose matrix
Analysis & Theory
Cofactor = determinant of a 2×2 submatrix (minor) with a sign factor.
If all cofactors of a row (or column) are zero, then
A
Determinant is zero
B
Matrix is diagonal
C
Matrix is symmetric
D
Matrix is identity
Analysis & Theory
If all cofactors of any row/column are zero, determinant = 0.
Cofactors are essential in finding the inverse of a matrix because
A
A⁻¹ = adj(A)/|A| where adj(A) is formed from cofactors
B
Inverse is equal to cofactor matrix
C
Cofactors are equal to transpose
D
Inverse does not require cofactors
Analysis & Theory
Inverse formula: A⁻¹ = adj(A)/|A|, where adj(A) is the transpose of the cofactor matrix.