Question Details

If A is a m × n matrix such that AB and BA are both defined, then B is an

Options

A

m × n matrix

B

n × m matrix

C

n × n matrix

D

m × m matrix

Correct Answer :

n × m matrix

Solution :

The correct option is "n × m matrix".

To understand why this is correct, let us analyze the conditions under which matrix multiplication is defined.
Recall that for two matrices X and Y, the product XY is defined if and only if the number of columns in X is equal to the number of rows in Y. If X has dimensions p×q, then Y must have dimensions q×r for the multiplication XY to be possible.

We are given that A is a matrix of size m×n (having m rows and n columns). Let the dimensions of matrix B be x×y (having x rows and y columns).

First, we are told that the product AB is defined.
Since A has dimensions m×n and B has dimensions x×y, the number of columns of A must equal the number of rows of B. Therefore, we must have:
n=x

Second, we are told that the product BA is also defined.
Since B has dimensions x×y and A has dimensions m×n, the number of columns of B must equal the number of rows of A. Therefore, we must have:
y=m

Combining these two results, we find that matrix B has x=n rows and y=m columns.
Thus, the size of matrix B is n×m.

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