Finding the Adjugate of a 4x4 Matrix

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the adjugate of a 4x4 matrix, specifically addressing the formula for the adjugate and its relationship to the inverse of the matrix. The correct formula for the adjugate is given by adj(A) = transpose(C), where C is the cofactor matrix defined as C_{ij} = (-1)^{i+j}A_{ij}. The user encountered issues with the inverse calculation, A^{-1} = adj(A)/det(A), leading to incorrect results when verifying A*A^{-1} = I, where I is the identity matrix.

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  • Understanding of matrix operations, including multiplication and transposition.
  • Familiarity with determinants and their calculation for 4x4 matrices.
  • Knowledge of cofactor expansion and its application in matrix theory.
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  • Study the calculation of determinants for 4x4 matrices to ensure accurate results.
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Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those studying linear algebra, as well as anyone needing to compute adjugates and inverses of matrices in applied fields such as engineering and physics.

Philosophaie
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I need to find the adj(A) for a 4x4 Matrix.

A = \begin{array} a11 & a12 & a13 & a14 \\ a21 & a22 & a23 & a24 \\ a31 & a32 & a33 & a34 \\ a41 & a42 & a43 & a44 \end{array}

I have tried:

adj(A_{ij}) = (-1)^{i+j}*A_{ji}

but I get the wrong answer for the inverse:

A^{-1} = \frac{adj(A)}{det(A)}

and this does not work:

A*A^{-1} = I

where

I= \begin{array} 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}
 
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##C_{ij}=(-1)^{i+j}A_{ij}## ... gives you ##\text{C}## - the cofactor matrix.
The adjugate matrix is the transpose of the cofactor matrix.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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