1. **State the problem:** Find the inverse of the matrix $$A = \begin{bmatrix}1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 4 & 5 \\ 6 & 7 & 8\end{bmatrix}$$. 2. **Formula and rules:** The inverse of a matrix $A$ exists only if $\det(A) \neq 0$. The inverse is given by $$A^{-1} = \frac{1}{\det(A)} \mathrm{adj}(A)$$ where $\mathrm{adj}(A)$ is the adjugate matrix. 3. **Calculate the determinant:** $$\det(A) = 1 \times \begin{vmatrix}4 & 5 \\ 7 & 8\end{vmatrix} - 2 \times \begin{vmatrix}0 & 5 \\ 6 & 8\end{vmatrix} + 3 \times \begin{vmatrix}0 & 4 \\ 6 & 7\end{vmatrix}$$ Calculate each minor: $$\begin{vmatrix}4 & 5 \\ 7 & 8\end{vmatrix} = 4 \times 8 - 5 \times 7 = 32 - 35 = -3$$ $$\begin{vmatrix}0 & 5 \\ 6 & 8\end{vmatrix} = 0 \times 8 - 5 \times 6 = 0 - 30 = -30$$ $$\begin{vmatrix}0 & 4 \\ 6 & 7\end{vmatrix} = 0 \times 7 - 4 \times 6 = 0 - 24 = -24$$ So, $$\det(A) = 1 \times (-3) - 2 \times (-30) + 3 \times (-24) = -3 + 60 - 72 = -15$$ Since $\det(A) \neq 0$, the inverse exists. 4. **Find the matrix of cofactors:** Calculate each cofactor $C_{ij} = (-1)^{i+j} M_{ij}$ where $M_{ij}$ is the minor. $$C_{11} = (-1)^{2} \times (-3) = -3$$ $$C_{12} = (-1)^{3} \times (-30) = 30$$ $$C_{13} = (-1)^{4} \times (-24) = -24$$ $$C_{21} = (-1)^{3} \times \begin{vmatrix}2 & 3 \\ 7 & 8\end{vmatrix} = -1 \times (2 \times 8 - 3 \times 7) = -1 \times (16 - 21) = 5$$ $$C_{22} = (-1)^{4} \times \begin{vmatrix}1 & 3 \\ 6 & 8\end{vmatrix} = 1 \times (1 \times 8 - 3 \times 6) = 1 \times (8 - 18) = -10$$ $$C_{23} = (-1)^{5} \times \begin{vmatrix}1 & 2 \\ 6 & 7\end{vmatrix} = -1 \times (1 \times 7 - 2 \times 6) = -1 \times (7 - 12) = 5$$ $$C_{31} = (-1)^{4} \times \begin{vmatrix}2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5\end{vmatrix} = 1 \times (2 \times 5 - 3 \times 4) = 1 \times (10 - 12) = -2$$ $$C_{32} = (-1)^{5} \times \begin{vmatrix}1 & 3 \\ 0 & 5\end{vmatrix} = -1 \times (1 \times 5 - 3 \times 0) = -5$$ $$C_{33} = (-1)^{6} \times \begin{vmatrix}1 & 2 \\ 0 & 4\end{vmatrix} = 1 \times (1 \times 4 - 2 \times 0) = 4$$ 5. **Form the cofactor matrix:** $$\mathrm{Cof}(A) = \begin{bmatrix}-3 & 30 & -24 \\ 5 & -10 & 5 \\ -2 & -5 & 4\end{bmatrix}$$ 6. **Find the adjugate matrix:** Transpose the cofactor matrix: $$\mathrm{adj}(A) = \begin{bmatrix}-3 & 5 & -2 \\ 30 & -10 & -5 \\ -24 & 5 & 4\end{bmatrix}$$ 7. **Calculate the inverse:** $$A^{-1} = \frac{1}{-15} \begin{bmatrix}-3 & 5 & -2 \\ 30 & -10 & -5 \\ -24 & 5 & 4\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}\frac{1}{5} & -\frac{1}{3} & \frac{2}{15} \\ -2 & \frac{2}{3} & \frac{1}{3} \\ \frac{8}{5} & -\frac{1}{3} & -\frac{4}{15}\end{bmatrix}$$ **Final answer:** $$A^{-1} = \begin{bmatrix}\frac{1}{5} & -\frac{1}{3} & \frac{2}{15} \\ -2 & \frac{2}{3} & \frac{1}{3} \\ \frac{8}{5} & -\frac{1}{3} & -\frac{4}{15}\end{bmatrix}$$