18. Let


What is the entry on the first column of the third row of A-1 ?

A. -3B. -1 C. -1/2D. 1 E. 2

Solution The answer is C.

To start, let


where the asterisks denote values of no importance to this problem. Computing the third row of A-1 A we have


That is, since A-1A is the identity matrix


Next, since b = 0, the first and third equation imply that c = 1. Finally, a = -1/2.