Q. $If\ A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}\ and\ I = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix},$ Then which one of the following holds for all $n \geq 1$, by the principle of mathematical induction?

A) $A^{n} = 2^{n - 1}A + (n - 1)I$
B) $A^{n} = nA + (n - 1)I$
C) $A^{n} = 2^{n - 1}A - (n - 1)I$
D) $A^{n} = nA - (n - 1)I$
Explanation

(d)
$A^{2} = \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
1 & 1
\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
1 & 1
\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
2 & 1
\end{bmatrix}$
$A^{3} = \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
2 & 1
\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
1 & 1
\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
3 & 1
\end{bmatrix}$
$\cdots$ $\cdots\ \ \ \ \cdots\ \ \ \cdots\ \ \cdots\ \ \cdots$
$\cdots$ $\cdots\ \ \ \cdots\ \ \ \cdots\ \ \ \ \cdots\ \ \ \cdots$
$A^{n} = \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
1 & 1
\end{bmatrix}$ Can be verified by induction. Now, taking option
$(b)\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
n & 1
\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}
n & 0 \\
n & n
\end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix}
n - 1 & 0 \\
0 & n - 1
\end{bmatrix}$
$\Longrightarrow \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
n & 1
\end{bmatrix} \neq \begin{bmatrix}
2n - 1 & 0 \\
1 & 2n - 1
\end{bmatrix}$
$(d)nA - (n - 1)I = \begin{bmatrix}
n & 0 \\
n & n
\end{bmatrix} - \begin{bmatrix}
n - 1 & 0 \\
1 & n - 1
\end{bmatrix}$
$= \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0 \\
n & 1
\end{bmatrix}{= A}^{n}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.