If A is a square matrix such that $A^2 = A$ then which of the following statements are TRUE? (Where I is an identity matrix of same order as A)
(A) $(I+A)^4 = I + 15A$
(B) $(I+A)^2 = I + 3A$
(C) $(I+A)^6 = I + 30A$
(D) $(I+A)^3 = I + 7A$
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B) and (D) only **
Given condition: $A^2 = A$.
For any power $k \ge 1$,
$A^k = A$.
Expand $(I + A)^n$ without using any binomial symbols:
$(I + A)^n = I + (\text{sum of all coefficients of }A \text{ in expansion})\cdot A$.
The total of all coefficients of $A$ (except the first $I$ term) in expansion of $(I + A)^n$ is:
$2^n - 1$.
Therefore:
$(I + A)^n = I + (2^n - 1)\,A$.
Now check options:
(A) $(I + A)^4 = I + (2^4 - 1)A = I + 15A$ ✔
(B) $(I + A)^2 = I + (2^2 - 1)A = I + 3A$ ✔
(C) $(I + A)^6 = I + (2^6 - 1)A = I + 63A$, not $30A$ ✘
(D) $(I + A)^3 = I + (2^3 - 1)A = I + 7A$ ✔
Correct statements: (A), (B), (D)