M HYPE SPLASH
// general

does a rectangular matrix have an inverse?

By John Campbell
$\begingroup$

I know all square matrices have easily to identify inverses, but does that continue on with rectangular matrices?

$\endgroup$ 2

2 Answers

$\begingroup$

If $A$ is an $m\times n$ matrix with $m\neq n$, then $A$ cannot be both one-to-one and onto (by rank-nullity). So $A$ might have a left inverse or a right inverse, but it cannot have a two-sided inverse.

$\endgroup$ $\begingroup$

Actually, not all square matrices have inverses. Only the invertible ones do. For example, $\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 6 \end{bmatrix}$ does not have an inverse.

And no, non-square matrices do not have inverses in the traditional sense.

There is the concept of a generalized inverse. To very briefly summarize the link, an $n \times m$ matrix $A$ has an $m \times n$ generalized inverse, denoted $A^g$, if $A^g$ satisfies $A A^g A = A$.

$\endgroup$ 2

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password

Post as a guest

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy