In a square matrix of order 4, the element a33 = 33. This square matrix cannot be skew hermitian.
True
By definition of skew hermitian matrix we have, aij=−¯¯¯¯¯¯¯aji
Lets see if its applied to a diagonal element what will be the result.
Let,
aii = p + iq.
We have ,
aij=−¯¯¯¯¯¯¯aji
i.e, p + iq = - (p – iq)
= - p + iq
⇒P = -p
2p = 0
P = 0
So the diagonal element of a skew hermitian matrix will always be purely imaginary or will be zero.
In this case its given that a diagonal element is equalto 33 which is a real number and violates the aforementioned condition. So the matrix cannot be skew hermitian and the given statement is correct.