Question:

If \[ A= \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -3 & 4 \\ 2 & -3 & 4 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}, \] then \(AA^T\) is a

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For any matrix \(A\), the matrix \[ AA^T \] is always symmetric because \[ (AA^T)^T=AA^T. \]
Updated On: Jun 22, 2026
  • Symmetric matrix
  • Skew-Symmetric matrix
  • Singular matrix
  • Inverse of \(A\)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the given expression.
We are given a matrix \[ A= \begin{bmatrix} 3 & -3 & 4 \\ 2 & -3 & 4 \\ 0 & -1 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \] We need to identify the nature of \[ AA^T \] where \(A^T\) represents the transpose of matrix \(A\).

Step 2: Use the transpose property.
For any matrix \(A\), consider \[ AA^T \] Now take transpose on both sides: \[ (AA^T)^T \] Using the property \[ (AB)^T=B^TA^T, \] we get \[ (AA^T)^T=(A^T)^T A^T \] Since \[ (A^T)^T=A, \] therefore, \[ (AA^T)^T=AA^T \]

Step 3: Apply the definition of symmetric matrix.
A matrix \(M\) is called symmetric if \[ M^T=M \] Here, if \[ M=AA^T, \] then \[ M^T=(AA^T)^T=AA^T=M \] So, \[ AA^T \] is a symmetric matrix.

Step 4: Check why other options are not correct.
A skew-symmetric matrix satisfies \[ M^T=-M \] but here \[ (AA^T)^T=AA^T \] so it is not skew-symmetric.
A singular matrix must have determinant zero, but the question asks the general nature of \(AA^T\), and the standard property is that \(AA^T\) is symmetric.
Also, \[ AA^T \] cannot be called the inverse of \(A\) unless it satisfies \[ AA^T=I, \] which is not given here.

Step 5: Final conclusion.
Thus, \[ AA^T \] is a symmetric matrix.
Therefore, \[ \boxed{\text{Symmetric matrix}} \]
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