If A is a square matrix such that $A^2 = A$ and $(I+A)^n = I +λA$, then λ =
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
We have,
$A^2 = A$
$∴(I+A)^2 = (I + A) (I+A) = I + 2A + A^2 = I + 3A$
and, $(I + A)^3 = (I + A)^2 (I + A)$
$= (I + 3A) (I + A)$ $[∵ (I+A)^2 = I + 3A]$
$= I + 4A + 3A^2 = I +7A$ $[∵ A^2 = A]$
Thus, we have
$(I + A)^2 = I + 3A$ and $(I + A)^3 = I +7A$
$⇒(I + A)^2 = I + (2^2 −1) A$ and $(I + A)^3 = I + (2^3-1) A$
Hence, $(I+A)^n = I +(2^n -1) A$
$∴(I+A)^n =I+λA⇒ λ=2^n-1$