Matrices

1. Let A be a 5 × 8 matrix, then each column of A contains

(1) 5 elements (2) 8 elements (3) 40 elements (4) 13 elements
Sol. Answer (1)

2. If A is a matrix of order 10 × 15, then each row of A contains

(1) 25 elements (2) 15 elements (3) 10 elements (4) 150 elements
Sol. Answer (2)

3. The number of all possible matrices of order 2 × 3 with each entry 1 or –1 is

(1) 32 (2) 12 (3) 6 (4) 64
Sol. Answer (4)

4. If A is of order m × n and B is of order p × q, then AB is defined only if

(1) m = q (2) m=p (3) n=p (4) n=q
Sol. Answer (3)

5. If P is of order 2 × 3 and Q is of order 3 × 2, then PQ is of order

(1) 2 × 3 (2) 2×2 (3) 3×2 (4) 3×3
Sol. Answer (2)

⎡0 0 0 ⎤
6.
⎢ ⎥
If A = ⎢0 0 0 ⎥ , then
⎢⎣ 1 0 0 ⎥⎦

(1) A2 = 0 (2) A2 = A (3) A3 = A (4) A2 = 2A

Sol. Answer (1)
 Matrices 139

⎡a h g ⎤
If A =  x z , B  ⎢⎢ h b f ⎥⎥ , C       , then ABC is
T
7. y
⎢⎣g f c ⎥⎦

(1) Not defined (2) Is a 3 × 3 matrix (3) Is a 1 × 1 matrix (4) Is a 3 × 2 matrix

Sol. Answer (3)

⎡1 0 ⎤ ⎡ 1 1⎤
8. If A + B = ⎢ ⎥ and A – 2B = ⎢ 0 1⎥ , then A is equal to
⎣1 1 ⎦ ⎣ ⎦

1 ⎡ 1 1⎤ 1 ⎡ 2 1⎤ ⎡ 1 1⎤ ⎡1 1⎤
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3 ⎢⎣ 2 1⎥⎦ 3 ⎢⎣ 1 2 ⎥⎦ ⎢2 1⎥
⎣ ⎦
⎢1 1⎥
⎣ ⎦

Sol. Answer (1)

⎡ 2 1⎤ ⎡ 1 1⎤
9. If X  ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ , then ‘X’ is equal to
⎣ 6 1⎦ ⎣0 1⎦

⎡0 1⎤ ⎡0 1⎤ ⎡ 1 0 ⎤ ⎡1 0⎤
(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢ 0 6 ⎥ (3) ⎢ 6 0 ⎥ (4) ⎢6 0 ⎥
⎣0 6 ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦

Sol. Answer (3)

⎡ 1 2 3⎤ ⎡ 4 5 9 ⎤
10. If A  ⎢ ⎥ and 2A – 3B = ⎢ ⎥ , then B is equal to
⎣ 2 5 7 ⎦ ⎣ 1 2 3⎦

1 ⎡ 2 1 15 ⎤ ⎡2 1 15 ⎤ ⎡ 2 1 15 ⎤ 1 ⎡2 1 15 ⎤
(1) (2) (3) (4)  ⎢
3 ⎢⎣ 5 8 11⎥⎦ ⎢5 8 11⎥
⎣ ⎦
⎢5 8 11⎥
⎣ ⎦ 3 ⎣5 8 11⎥⎦

Sol. Answer (4)

⎡ x 1⎤ ⎡ y 1⎤ ⎡ 1 2 ⎤
11. If ⎢
 1  y ⎥  ⎢ 3 x ⎥  ⎢ 2 1⎥ , then
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦

(1) x = –1, y = 0 (2) x = 1, y = 0 (3) x = 0, y = 1 (4) x = 1, y = 1

Sol. Answer (2)

⎡2 3 5 ⎤
⎢ ⎥
12. Let A  ⎢ 1 0 2⎥ and A + B – 4I = 0, then B is equal to
⎢⎣3 4 5 ⎥⎦

⎡ 2 3 5 ⎤ ⎡2 3 5 ⎤ ⎡ 2 3 5 ⎤ ⎡ 2 3 5⎤
1⎢
⎢
(1) ⎢ 1 4 2⎥
⎥
(2)
⎢ 1 4 2⎥
(3) 1 4 2⎥⎥ (4)
⎢ 1 4 2⎥
⎢ ⎥ 4⎢ ⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ 3 4 1⎥⎦ ⎢⎣3 4 1⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 3 4 1⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 3 4 1⎥⎦

Sol. Answer (1)

140 Matrices

⎡ 1 2⎤
⎢ ⎥
13. If A  ⎢ 1 8 ⎥ and X + A = 0, then X is equal to
⎣⎢ 4 9 ⎥⎦

⎡ 1 2⎤ ⎡ 1 2⎤ ⎡ 1 2⎤ ⎡ 1 2⎤
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ 1 8⎥ ⎢ 1 8 ⎥ ⎢ 1 8 ⎥
(1) ⎢ 1 8 ⎥ (2) ⎢ ⎥ (3) ⎢ ⎥ (4) ⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ 4 9 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 4 9 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 4 9 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 4 9 ⎥⎦

Sol. Answer (4)

⎡ xy y  z ⎤ ⎡3 1⎤
14. If ⎢  , then
⎣z  2x y  x ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 1 1⎥⎦

(1) x = 2, y = 1, z = 3 (2) x = 3, y = 1, z = 2
(3) x = 1, y = 2, z = 3 (4) x = 1, y = 3, z = 2
Sol. Answer (3)

⎡ 1 3 2 ⎤ ⎡ 2 1 1⎤
15. If A  ⎢ ⎥ ,B  ⎢ ⎥ . The matrix ‘C’ such that A + B + C is null matrix, is
⎣2 0 2⎦ ⎣ 1 0 1⎦

⎡ 3 4 1⎤ ⎡ 1 2 3⎤ ⎡ 1 2 3 ⎤ ⎡3 4 1⎤
(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢ 1 2 3 ⎥ (3) ⎢ 1 2 3 ⎥ (4) ⎢3 0 1⎥
⎣ 3 0 1⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦

Sol. Answer (1)

16. If A is a matrix of order [x – 1] ×3 and B is a matrix of order 3 × [y – 2], where [ ] represents greatest integer
function, such that AB is a matrix of order 4 × 5, then

(1) x  [5, 6) (2) x  [5, 6] (3) y  [7, 8] (4) y  [8, 9]

Sol. Answer (1)

[x – 1] = 4  4  x – 1 < 5  5  x < 6

[y – 2] = 5  5  y – 2 < 6  7  y < 8

17. If a diagonal matrix is commutative with every matrix of the same order then it is necessarily

(1) A diagonal matrix with atleast two diagonal elements different

(2) A scalar matrix
(3) A unit matrix
(4) A diagonal matrix with exactly two diagonal elements different
Sol. Answer (2)

⎡a 0 0 ⎤ ⎡ x1 x2 x3 ⎤
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ x 6 ⎥⎥
Let, A  ⎢0 b 0⎥ , and B  ⎢ x 4 x5
⎢⎣0 0 c ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ x 7 x8 x 9 ⎥⎦
 Matrices 141

⎡ ax 1 ax 2 ax 3 ⎤ ⎡ ax 1 bx 2 cx 3 ⎤
AB  ⎢⎢bx 4 bx 5 bx 6 ⎥⎥ and BA  ⎢ax
⎢ 4 bx 5 cx 6 ⎥⎥
⎢⎣ cx 7 cx 8 cx 9 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ax 7 bx 8 cx 9 ⎥⎦

AB = BA, if a = b = c,

⎡a 0 0 ⎤
⎢
then, A  ⎢0 a 0 ⎥
⎥
⎢⎣0 0 a ⎥⎦

which is a scalar matrix.

⎡1 0 ⎤ 2008 is equal to
18. If A = ⎢ ⎥ , then A
⎣1 1⎦

⎡ 2008 0 ⎤ ⎡ 1 0⎤ ⎡1 0 ⎤ ⎡1 0 ⎤
(1) ⎢ (2) (3) (4) 2007 ⎢
⎣ 1 1⎥⎦ ⎢ 2008 1⎥
⎣ ⎦
⎢1 2008 ⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣1 1⎦
⎥

Sol. Answer (2)

19. If for a matrix A, A2 + I = 0, where I is the identity matrix, then A equals

⎡1 0⎤ ⎡i 0 ⎤ ⎡ 1 2⎤ ⎡ 1 0 ⎤
(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢0 i ⎥ (3) ⎢ 1 1⎥ (4) ⎢ 0 1⎥
⎣ 0 1⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦

Sol. Answer (2)

20. If A and B are two matrices such that AB = B and BA = A, then A2 + B2 is equal to
(1) 2AB (2) 2BA (3) AB (4) A+B
Sol. Answer (4)

⎡3⎤
⎡7 1 2 ⎤ ⎢ ⎥ ⎡4⎤
21. ⎢9 2 1⎥ ⎢ 4 ⎥  2 ⎢ 5 ⎥ is equal to
⎣ ⎦⎢ ⎥ ⎣ ⎦
⎣5⎦

⎡ 45 ⎤ ⎡ 43 ⎤ ⎡ 44 ⎤ ⎡ 43 ⎤
(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢ 45 ⎥ (3) ⎢ 43 ⎥ (4) ⎢ 50 ⎥
⎣ 44 ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦

Sol. Answer (4)

⎡ 1 2⎤
22. If f(x) = x2 + 4x – 5 and A = ⎢ ⎥ , then f(A) is equal to
⎣ 4 3 ⎦

⎡ 0 4 ⎤ ⎡ 2 1⎤ ⎡1 1⎤ ⎡8 4 ⎤
(1) ⎢ (2) (3) (4)
⎣8 8 ⎥⎦ ⎢2 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
⎢1 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
⎢8 0 ⎥
⎣ ⎦

Sol. Answer (4)

142 Matrices

Types of Matrices and their Properties

23. If A is a square matrix such that A2 = I, then A–1 is equal to
(1) I (2) 0 (3) A (4) I+ A
Sol. Answer (3)

⎡ cos  sin  ⎤ ⎡ sin   cos  ⎤

24. cos  ⎢ ⎥  sin  ⎢ ⎥ is equal to
⎣  sin  cos  ⎦ ⎣cos  sin  ⎦

⎡ 1 0 ⎤ ⎡ 1 0⎤ ⎡1 1⎤ ⎡1 1⎤
(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢0 1⎥ (3) ⎢1 1⎥ (4) ⎢ ⎥
⎣ 0 1⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣1 1⎦

Sol. Answer (2)

25. If the square matrices A and B are such that AB = A and BA = B, then

(1) A is an idempotent matrix but B is not

(2) B is an idempotent matrix but A is not

(3) A and B are both idempotent matrices

(4) Neither A nor B are idempotent matrices

Sol. Answer (3)

Given AB = A …(1)

AB = A

Pre multiplying by B

B(AB) = BA

(BA)B = B

B2 = B

Similarly A2 = A

Hence, B is idempotent. Similarly, A is idempotent.

26. Which of the following about the trace of a matrix is false?

(1) tr(ABC) = tr(BCA)  tr(ACB) = tr(BAC) = tr(CBA)

(2) tr(AB) = tr(BA)

(3) tr(A – B) = trA – trB

(4) tr(A2) = (trA)2

Sol. Answer (4)

⎡a b ⎤
Let, A  ⎢ ⎥ . Then tr(A) = a + d
⎣c d ⎦
 Matrices 143

⎡ a 2  bc ab  bd ⎤
A2  ⎢ 2⎥
⎣ac  cd bc  d ⎦

 tr(A2) = a2 + 2bc + d2
and (trA)2 = (a + d)2 = a2 + 2ad + d2
 tr(A2)  (trA)2

27. If A, B and A + B are idempotent matrices, then

(1) AB = BA (2) AB + BA = O (3) AB – BA = I (4) AB + BA = I
Sol. Answer (2)
(A + B)2 = A2 + B2 + AB + BA
 A + B = A + B + AB + BA
Now, AB + BA = O (using cancellation law)

⎡ a⎤
28. If A = [a b], B = [–b –a] and C = ⎢ ⎥ , then correct statement is
⎣ a ⎦

(1) A = –B (2) A+B=A–B (3) AC = BC (4) CA = CB

Sol. Answer (3)
B = [–b – a]
 –B = [b a]  A
 A + B = [a – b b – a] and A – B = [a + b b + a]
 A + B  B + A

⎡ a⎤
and AC  [a b] ⎢ ⎥  [a 2  ab]
⎢⎣ a ⎥⎦

⎡ a⎤
BC  [ b  a] ⎢ ⎥  [a  ab]
⎢⎣ a ⎥⎦

⎡ 1 x /n ⎤
29. Let A  ⎢ , then lim An is
⎣  x /n 1 ⎥⎦ n 

⎡1 0⎤ ⎡ cos x sin x ⎤ ⎡cos x  sin x ⎤ ⎡ 1 0 ⎤

(1) ⎢ (2) (3) (4)
⎣0 1⎥⎦ ⎢⎣  sin x cos x ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ sin x cos x ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 0 1⎥⎦

Sol. Answer (2)

⎡ 1 x /n ⎤
A⎢
⎣  x /n 1 ⎥⎦

⎡ x2 2x ⎤
1
⎡ 1 x /n ⎤ ⎡ 1 x /n ⎤ ⎢⎢ n 2 n ⎥
⎥
A2  ⎢ 
⎣  x /n 1 ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢  x /n 1 ⎦⎥ ⎢ 2 x x2 ⎥
⎢ n 1 2 ⎥
⎣ n ⎦
144 Matrices

⎡ x2 2x ⎤
⎢1  2 ⎥
A3  ⎢ n n ⎥⎡ 1 x /n ⎤
⎢ 2x x 2 ⎥ ⎣⎢  x /n 1 ⎦⎥
⎢ n 1 2 ⎥
⎣ n ⎦

⎡ 3x 2 3x x3 ⎤
⎢ 1   ⎥
⎢ n2 n n3 ⎥
⎢ 3x x3 3x 2 ⎥
⎢ n  3 1 2 ⎥
⎣ n n ⎦

⎡ 3 3 x2 3 x 3 x3 ⎤
⎢ C0  C2 2 C1  C3 3 ⎥
⎢ n n n ⎥
⎢ 3 x 3 x3 3 x2 ⎥
⎢ C1 n  C3 3 C0  3C2 2 ⎥
⎣ n n ⎦

⎡ n n x2 n x4 n x n x3 n x5 ⎤
⎢ C0  C2 2  C4 4 ..... C1  C3 3  C5 5 ..... ⎥
An  ⎢ n n n n n ⎥
⎢ n x n x3 n x5 n n x 2
n x4 ⎥
⎢  C1 n  C3 3  C5 5 ..... C0  C2 2  C4 4 .....⎥
⎣ n n n n ⎦

⎡ x2 x4 x3 x5 ⎤
⎢ 1   ..... x    ..... ⎥
lim An  ⎢ 2! 4! 3! 5! ⎥
n ⎢ x3 x5 x2 x4 ⎥
⎢⎣  x  3!  5!  .....1  2!  4!  .....⎥⎦

⎡ cos x sin x ⎤
⎢
⎣  sin x cos x ⎥⎦

30. If A is a 2 × 2 matrix and A2 = I where A  I, A –I then which of the following is necessarilly true?
(1) Tr(A) = 0 and | A | = 1 or – 1 (2) Tr(A) = 0 and | A | = 1
(3) Tr(A)  0 and | A | = – 1 (4) Tr(A) = 0 and | A | = – 1
Sol. Answer (4)

The characteristic equation of A will be A2 − Tr ( A)A+ | A |I = 0

Comparing with A2 = I

Tr ( A) = 0 and | A | = −1

⎡ 1 1⎤ ⎡ cos /6 sin /6 ⎤

31. Let A  ⎢ and P  ⎢ and Q = PAPT, then PTQ2013P
⎣0 1⎥⎦ ⎣  sin /6 cos /6 ⎥⎦

⎡ 1 2013 ⎤ ⎡0 2013 ⎤ ⎡2013 0 ⎤ ⎡ 0 2013 ⎤

(1) ⎢ (2) (3) (4)
⎣0 1 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣0 1 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 0 2013 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣2013 0 ⎥⎦
 Matrices 145
Sol. Answer (1)

PT P  I
P T Q 2013P

⇒ PT Q 2012PAPT P

⇒ PT Q 2012PA

⇒ PT Q 2011PAPT PA

⇒ PT Q 2011PA2

⇒ PT QPA2012

⇒ PT PAPT PA2012

⎡ 1 2013⎤
⇒ A2013  ⎢
⎣0 1 ⎥⎦

⎡ |xy| ⎤
⎢| x |  | y | 1 1 ⎥
⎢ ⎥
|y z|
32. Let t be the trace of the matrix A  ⎢  2  ⎥ , then
⎢ |y ||z|
2 ⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎢  |zx| ⎥
3  3
⎣⎢ | z |  | x | ⎦⎥

(1) 0  t  3 (2) 1t2 (3) 1t3 (4) –1  t  1

Sol. Answer (3)
Now, x  y  x  y

xy
⇒ 1
x  y

Hence, t  3
Also, among the diagonal elements, at least one of the element must be 1.

33. Let A be an involutary matrix and S be the set containing solutions of Ax = I. Then minimum value of

∑
x S
 sin x
  cos x  
(1) 2 (2) 4 (3) 0 (4) –2
Sol. Answer (1)
S = {2, 4, 6, 8 …..}

(sin2   cos2 )  (sin4   cos4 )  (sin6   cos6 )  .....

sin2  cos2 
⇒   tan2   cot 2   2
1  sin  1  cos2 
2
146 Matrices

34. If A is a square matrix, then A is symmetric, iff

(1) A2 = A (2) A2 = I (3) AT = A (4) A T = –A
Sol. Answer (3)

35. If A is a square matrix, then A is skew symmetric iff

(1) A2 = A (2) A2 = I (3) AT = A (4) A T = –A
Sol. Answer (4)

36. If A is any square matrix, then

(1) A + A T is skew symmetric (2) A – A T is symmetric
(3) AA T is symmetric (4) AAT is skew symmetric
Sol. Answer (3)

37. If A and B are symmetric matrices of the same order, then

(1) AB is a symmetric matrix (2) A – B is a skew-symmetric matrix
(3) AB + BA is a symmetric matrix (4) AB – BA is a symmetric matrix
Sol. Answer (3)

38. If A is any matrix then which of the following is not symmetric?

(1) A + AT (2) A – AT (3) AAT (4) ATA
Sol. Answer (2)

39. Each diagonal element of a skew symmetric matrix is

(1) Zero (2) Positive and equal
(3) Negative and equal (4) Any real number
Sol. Answer (1)

40. Let A be the set of all 3 × 3 matrices which are symmetric with entries 0 or 1. If there are five 1’s and four
0’s, then number of matrices in A
(1) 6 (2) 12 (3) 9 (4) 18
Sol. Answer (2)
⎡1 ⎤
⎢ 0 ⎥ 3!
⎢ ⎥ No. of matrices = 2!  3
⎢⎣ 0⎥⎦

⎡0 ⎤
⎢ 1 ⎥ 3!
3
⎢ ⎥ No. of matrices = 2!
⎢⎣ 0⎥⎦

⎡0 ⎤
⎢ 0 ⎥ 3!
3
⎢ ⎥ No. of matrices = 2!
⎢⎣ 1⎥⎦

⎡1 ⎤
⎢ 1 ⎥ 3!
⎢ ⎥ No. of matrices = 2!  3
⎢⎣ 1⎥⎦
 Matrices 147

⎡ 2 1⎤
41. Multiplicative inverse of the matrix ⎢ ⎥ is
⎣7 4 ⎦

⎡ 4 1⎤ ⎡ 4 1⎤ ⎡ 4 1⎤ ⎡ 4 1⎤

(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢ 7 2 ⎥ (3) ⎢ 7 2⎥ (4) ⎢ 7 2⎥
⎣ 7 2 ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
Sol. Answer (4)

⎡ 1 3⎤ ⎡ 1 1⎤
42. The matrix X in the equation AX = B, such that A = ⎢ ⎥ and B = ⎢ ⎥ is given by
⎣0 1⎦ ⎣0 1⎦

⎡ 1 0⎤ ⎡ 1 4 ⎤ ⎡ 1 3 ⎤ ⎡ 0 1⎤
(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢0 (3) (4)
⎣ 3 1⎦ ⎣ 1⎥⎦ ⎢0
⎣ 1⎥⎦ ⎢ 3 1⎥
⎣ ⎦
Sol. Answer (2)

43. The matrix A (I + A)–1 is equal to (if |A|  0, |I + A|  0)

(1) (A–1 + I)–1 (2) A–1 + I (3) (I + A) A (4) (A–1 + I)–1 A
Sol. Answer (1)

Let B = A (I + A)−1

Then, B −1 = (I + A) A−1 = A−1 + I

B = ( A−1 + I )−1

44. If P is a 3 × 3 matrix such that PT = 2P + I, where PT is the transpose of P and I is the 3 × 3 identity matrix, then

⎡ x ⎤ ⎡0 ⎤
there exists a column matrix X  ⎢⎢ y ⎥⎥  ⎢⎢0 ⎥⎥ such that
⎢⎣ z ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣0 ⎥⎦
⎡0 ⎤
(1) PX  ⎢⎢0 ⎥⎥ (2) PX = X (3) PX = 2X (4) PX = –X
⎢⎣0 ⎥⎦

Sol. Answer (4)

PT = 2P + I
 P = 2PT + I
 P = 2[2P + I] + I
 P = 4P + 3I
 3P = –3I
 PX = –X

⎡ 1 0 0⎤
⎢ ⎥
45. Let P  ⎢ 4 1 0 ⎥ and I be the identity matrix of order 3. If Q  [qij ] is a matrix such that P 50  Q  I , then
⎢⎣16 4 1⎥⎦
q31  q32
equals
q21

(1) 52 (2) 103 (3) 201 (4) 205

148 Matrices

Sol. Answer (2)

⎡ 1 0 0⎤
P  ⎢⎢ 4 1 0 ⎥⎥
⎣⎢16 4 1⎥⎦

⎡ 1 0 0⎤
P 2  ⎢⎢ 8 1 0 ⎥⎥
⎢⎣ 48 8 1⎥⎦

⎡ 1 0 0⎤
P  ⎢⎢12 1 0 ⎥⎥
3

⎢⎣96 12 1⎥⎦

⎡ 1 0 0⎤
P  ⎢ 16 1 0 ⎥⎥
4 ⎢
⎢⎣160 16 1⎥⎦

n(n  1)
For the sequence 16, 48, 96, 160, ..., nth term is 16 
2

⎡ 1 0 0⎤ ⎡ 1 0 0⎤
So, P 50  ⎢ 200 ⎥ ⎢
1 0 ⎥  ⎢ 200 1 0 ⎥⎥
⎢
⎢ 50  51 200 1⎥ ⎣⎢20400 200 1⎦⎥
⎢  16 ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦

⎡ 0 0 0⎤
So, Q  P 50 ⎢
 I  ⎢ 200 0 0 ⎥⎥
⎢⎣ 20400 200 0 ⎥⎦

q31  q32 20400  200

  103
q21 200

46. How many 3 × 3 matrices M with entries from {0, 1, 2} are there, for which the sum of the diagonal entries
of MT M is 5?
(1) 162 (2) 135 (3) 126 (4) 198
Sol. Answer (4)

⎡ a1 b1 c1 ⎤ ⎡a1 a2 a3 ⎤
⎢
Let M  ⎢a2 b2 c2 ⎥ , M  ⎢⎢b1 b2
⎥ T
b3 ⎥⎥
⎢⎣a3 b3 c3 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣c1 c2 c3 ⎥⎦

3
Sum of diagonal entries = ∑a
i 1
2
i  bi2  ci2   5

 Possible cases are (one 2, one 1 and seven zeros) or (five 1's and four 0's)

9! 9!
   72  126  198
7! 5!4!
Determinants
⎡ cos  sin  ⎤
1. Let A = ⎢ ⎥ , then |2A| is equal to
⎣  sin  cos  ⎦
(1) 4cos2 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 4
Sol. Answer (4)
|A| = cos2 + sin2 = 1, |2A| = 22.|A| = 4

1  2
2. If  is non-real complex cube root of unity, then  2 1 is equal to
2
  1

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 3 (4) 2

Sol. Answer (1)

1  2 1    2  2
A  2 1    2  1 2 1
2  1 2    1  1

0  2
 0 2 1 0
0  1

1 x x3
3. The value of the determinant 1 y y 3 is equal to
1 z z3

(1) (x – y)(y – z)(z – x) (2) (x – y)(y – z)(z – x)(x + y + z)

(3) (x + y + z) (4) (x – y)(y – z)(z – x)(xy + yz + zx)
164 Determinants

Sol. Answer (2)

1 x x3
1 y y3
1 z z3

R1  R1 – R2, R2  R2 – R3

0 x  y ( x  y )( x 2  xy  y 2 )
  0 y z ( y  z )( y 2  yz  z 2 )
1 z z3

= (x – y)(y – z)(z – x)(x + y + z)

4. If A is 3 × 3 matrix and |A| = 4, then |A–1| is equal to

1 1
(1) (2) (3) 4 (4) 2
4 16
Sol. Answer (1)

1 1
A 1  
A 4

5. If A, B and C are three square matrices of the same order such that A = B + C, then det A is equal to
(1) det A + det B (2) det B (3) det (A) (4) det (B + C)
Sol. Answer (4)
A=B+C
For addition, there is not specific rule.

a1 b1 c1 2a1  3b1  4c1 b1 c1

6. If = a2 b2 c2 , then value of 2a2  3b2  4c 2 b2 c 2 is equal to
a3 b3 c3 2a3  3b3  4c3 b3 c3

(1) 2 (2) 4 (3)  (4) 2

Sol. Answer (4)

3x x 1 x 1
7. Let ax3 + bx2 + cx + d = x  3 2 x x  2 , then the value of d is
x  3 x  4 5x

(1) 5 (2) 0 (3) –6 (4) 4

Sol. Answer (3)
Put x = 0

0 1 1
d  3 0 2
3 4 0
 d = –6
 Determinants 165
8. If A + B + C = , then value of

sin( A  B  C ) sin B cos C

 sin B 0 tan A is
cos( A  B )  tan A 0

(1) 0 (2) 1
(3) 2sinB tanAcosC (4) 2sinAsinBsinC
Sol. Answer (1)

sin  sin B cos C

  sin B 0 tan A
cos(   C )  tan A 0

0 sin B cos C
   sin B 0 tan A
 cos C  tan A 0

= 0 (Skew symmetric matrix of odd order)

1  sin2  cos 2  4 sin 4


9. The value of  lying between 0 and and satisfying the equation sin2  1  cos 2  4 sin 4 = 0 are
2 2 2
sin  cos  1  4 sin 4

5 3 7 5 7 11  11
(1) , (2) , (3) , (4) ,
24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24

Sol. Answer (3)

R2  R2 – R1, R3  R3 – R1

1  sin2  cos 2  4 sin 4

 1 1 0 0
1 0 1

C1  C1 + C2 + C3

2  4 sin 4 cos 2  4 sin 4

 0 1 0 0
0 0 1

 4sin4 = –2

1 ⎛ ⎞
 sin4 =   sin ⎜  ⎟
2 ⎝ 6⎠

7 11
  ,
24 24
166 Determinants

x 6 1
10. The number of real roots of the equation 2 3 x x  3 = 0 is
3 2 x x2

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3

Sol. Answer (4)

x 6 1
2 3 x x 3  0
3 2x x2

 –5 (x – 2)(x + 3)(x – 1) = 0
 x = 2, –3, 1

4 4 0
11. If a b  4 c = 0, then a + b + c is equal to
a b c4

(1) 41 (2) 116 (3) 628 (4) –4

Sol. Answer (4)
C1  C1 + C2 + C3

0 4 0
abc 4 b4 c 0
abc 4 b c4

 (a + b + c + 4) = 0
 a + b + c = –4

x 2 3 1
12. The equation 4 x  2 10 4 = 0 is satisfied by
2x  1 5 1

(1) x = –2 (2) x = –5 (3) x = –7 (4) x = –9

Sol. Answer (3)

x 2 3 1
4 x  2 10 4  0
2x  1 5 1

(x – 2)(10 – 20) – (4x – 2)(3 – 5) + (2x – 1)(12 – 10) = 0

= –10(x – 2) + 2(4x – 2) + 2(2x – 1) = 0
= –10x + 20 + 8x – 4 + 4x – 2 = 0
 2x + 14 = 0
 x = –7
 Determinants 167

x 4 y z
13. y 4 z  x is equal to
z 4 xy

(1) 4 (2) x+y+z (3) xyz (4) 0

Sol. Answer (4)
R1  R1 – R2, R2  R2 – R1

xy 0 y x
y z 0 zy
z 4 xy

= –4((x – y)(z – y) – (y – z)(y – x)) = 0

1 a a 2  bc
14. The value of the determinant 1 b b 2  ca is
1 c c 2  ab

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3

Sol. Answer (1)

1 a a2  bc
Given 1 b b 2  ca
1 c c 2  ab

R1  R1 – R2, R2  R2 – R3

0 1 abc
= (a  b )( b  c ) 0 1 a  b  c
1 c c 2  ab

=0 [∵ R1 and R2 are identical]

x 1 1 1
15. The roots of the equation 1 x  1 1 = 0 are
1 1 x 1

(1) 1, 2 (2) –1, 2 (3) 1, –2 (4) –1, –2

Sol. Answer (2)
C1  C1 + C2 + C3

x 1 1 1
 1 x 1 1
1 1 x 1

x 1 1 1
 x 1 x 1 1
x 1 1 x 1
168 Determinants

1 1 1
 ( x  1) 1 x  1 1
1 1 x 1

0 x  2 0
 ( x  1) 0 x  2 2  x
1 1 x 1

= –(x + 1)(x – 2)2

Roots are –1, 2, 2

1 logb a
16. The value of the determinant is equal to
loga b 1

(1) 1 (2) logab (3) logba (4) 0

Sol. Answer (4)
 = 1.1 – logba × logab
=1–1=0

11  a c 1  bc
17. 11  a d 1  bd is equal to
11  a e 1  be

(1) 1 (2) 0 (3) 3 (4) a+b+c

Sol. Answer (2)

0 c  d b(c  d )
0 d  e b(d  e )
11  a e 1  be

0 1 b
= (c – d)(d – e) 0 1 b 0 (as R1  R2 )
11  a e 1  be

a 2 ab ac
2
18. If ab b bc = ka 2b 2c 2, then k is equal to
ac bc c 2

(1) 2 (2) 4 (3) –4 (4) 8

Sol. Answer (2)
Put a = b = c = 1

1 1 1
1 1 1 k
1 1 1

k = –1(0) – 1(–2) + 1(2) = 4

 Determinants 169

1 x x 1
19. Let f(x) = 2x x( x  1) ( x  1)x , then f(100) is equal to
3 x( x  1) x( x  1)( x  2) ( x  1)x( x  1)

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 100 (4) –100

Sol. Answer (1)

1 1 1
f ( x )  x ( x  1) 2x x 1 x
3 x ( x  1) ( x  1)( x  2) x ( x  1)

C1  C1 – C2, C2  C2 – C3

0 0 1
x ( x  1) x 1 1 x
2( x  1)( x  1) 2( x  1) x ( x  1)

= x(x + 1)(–2(x2 – 1) + 2(x2 – 1)) = 0

 f(100) = 0

sc a b
20. If s = (a + b + c), then value of c sa b is
c a sb

(1) 2s 2 (2) 2s 3 (3) s3 (4) 3s 3

Sol. Answer (2)

sc a b
 c sa b
c a sb

C1  C1 + C2 + C3

sabc a b
  sabc sa b
sabc a sb

1 a b
= (s  a  b  c ) 1 s  a b
1 a sb

0 s 0
= (2s ) 0 s s
1 a sb

= (2s)(s2 – c)
= 2s3
170 Determinants

sin x cos x cos x

 
21. The number of distinct real roots of cos x sin x cos x = 0 in the interval   x  is
4 4
cos x cos x sin x
(1) 0 (2) 2 (3) 1 (4) 3
Sol. Answer (3)

sin x cos x cos x

  cos x sin x cos x
cos x cos x sin x

C1  C1 + C2 + C3

sin x  2cos x cos x cos x

 sin x  2cos x sin x cos x
sin x  2cos x cos x sin x

1 cos x cos x
 (sin x  2cos x ) 1 sin x cos x
1 cos x sin x

0 cos x  sin x 0
 (sin x  2cos x ) 0 sin x  cos x cos x  sin x
1 cos x sin x

0 1 0
2
 (sin x  2cos x )(cos x  sin x ) 0 1 1
1 cos x sin x
= (sinx + 2cosx)(cosx – sinx)2 = 0
 tanx = –2 or sinx = cosx


x= is only solution
4
 Number of solution = one

(a x  a  x )2 (a x  a  x )2 1
22. ( b x  b  x )2 (b x  b  x )2 1 is equal to
(c x  c  x )2 (c x  c  x )2 1

(1) 0 (2) 2abc (3) a 2b2c 2 (4) abc

Sol. Answer (1)
C1  C1 – C2

4 (a x  a  x )2 1
4 ( b x  b  x )2 1
4 (c x  c  x )2 1

= 0 (as C1 and C3 are proportional)

 Determinants 171
23. The determinant

cos(  )  sin(  ) cos 2

D= sin  cos  sin  is independent of
 cos  sin  cos 

(1)  (2)  (3)  and  (4) Neither  nor 

Sol. Answer (1)
D = cos( + )(cos cos – sinsin) + sin( + )(sin cos + cos sin) + cos2(sin2 + cos2)
= cos( + ) cos( + ) + sin( + ) sin( + ) + cos2.1
= cos2

1 4 20
24. The roots of the equation 1 2 5  0 are
1 2x 5 x 2

(1) –1, –2 (2) –1, 2 (3) 1, –2 (4) 1, 2

Sol. Answer (2)

1 4 20
  1 2 5
1 2x 5 x 2

0 6 15
 0 2  2 x 5(1  x 2 )
1 2x 5x 2

= 30(1 – x2) + 30(1 + x) = 0

 1 – x2 + 1 + x = 0
 x2 – x – 2 = 0
 x = 2, –1

1 a b
25. If a, b, c are sides of the ABC, 1 c a  0 , then value of sin2A + sin2B + sin2C is equal to
1 b c

4 3 9 3 3
(1) (2) (3) (4)
9 2 4 2
Sol. Answer (3)

1 a b
1 c a 0
1 b c

0 ac ba
 0 c b ac  0
1 b c
172 Determinants

 (a – c)2 – (b – a)(c – b) = 0
 a2 + c2 – 2ac – (bc – b2 – ac + ab)
 a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca = 0
 a=b=c

3 3 3 9
 sin2A + sin2B + sin2C =   =
4 4 4 4

1 a a2
26. The parameter, on which the value of the determinant cos( p  d )x cos px cos( p  d )x does not depend
sin( p  d )x sin px sin( p  d ) x

upon, is
(1) a (2) p (3) d (4) x
Sol. Answer (2)

1 a a2
cos( p  d )x cos px cos( p  d )x
sin( p  d )x sin px sin( p  d )x

= (cospx .sin(p + d)x – sinpx . cos(p + d)x) – a(cos(p – d)x . sin(p + d)x – sin(p – d)x . cos (p + d)x) 4
+ a2(cos(p – d)x . sinpx –sin(p – d)x . cospx)
= sindx – asin2dx + a2sindx

⎡1 0⎤
27. If A2 = 8A + kI where A = ⎢ ⎥ , then k is
⎣ 1 7⎦

(1) 7 (2) –7 (3) 1 (4) –1

Sol. Answer (2)

⎡ 1 0⎤ ⎡ 1 0⎤ ⎡ 1 0 ⎤
A2  ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎣ 1 7 ⎦ ⎣ 1 7 ⎦ ⎣ 8 49 ⎦

⎡8 0 ⎤ ⎡ k 0 ⎤ ⎡8  k 0 ⎤
8 A  kI  ⎢ ⎥  ⎢ 0 k ⎥  ⎢ 8
⎣  8 56 ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ 56  k ⎥⎦

Clearly, k = –7

5 5
C0 C3 14
28. The value of the determinant 5 C1 5
C 4 1 is
5 5
C2 C5 1

(1) 0 (2) – (6!) (3) 80 (4) –576

Sol. Answer (4)

5 5
C0 C3 14 1 10 14
5
C1 5
C4 1  5 5 1
5 5
C2 C5 1 10 1 1
 Determinants 173

16 16 16
 5 5 1 R1  R1  R2  R3
10 1 1

1 1 1
 16 5 5 1
10 1 1

0 0 1
C1  C1  C2 ,
 16 0 4 1
C2  C2  C3
9 0 1

= 16(0 – 36)
= – 16 × 36

10 4 3 4 x 5 3
29. If 1  17 7 4 ,  2  7 x  12 4 such that 1 + 2 = 0, then
4 5 7  5 x 1 7

(1) x = 5 (2) x has no real value (3) x=0 (4) x=1

Sol. Answer (1)

10 4 3
1  17 7 4
4 5 7

4 10 3
  7 17 4 …(i)
5 4 7

If 1 + 2 = 0, then 1 = – 2 …(ii)
By equation (i) and (ii),

4 x 5 3 4 10 3
7 x  12 4  7 17 4
5 x  1 7 5 4 7

 x=5

x x 2  yz 1
30. The value of y y 2  zx 1 is
z z 2  xy 1

(1) 1 (2) –1 (3) 0 (4) –xyz

Sol. Answer (3)

x x 2  yz 1
 y y 2  zx 1 can be resolved as sum by two determinants as,
z z 2  xy 1
174 Determinants

x x2 1 x  yz 1
 y y 2
1  y zx 1
z z2 1 z  xy 1

= 1 + 2 (say)

x  yz 1
where,  2  y zx 1
z  xy 1

x2  xyz x
1
 y2  xyz y
xyz 2 (multiplying R1 by x, R2 by y and R3 by z)
z  xyz z

x2 1 x
 xyz 2
 y 1 y (taking common –xyz from C2)
xyz 2
z 1 z

x2 x 1
 ( 1) y 2
y 1
z2 z 1

x x2 1
 ( 1)( 1) y y2 1
z z2 1

= –1
  = 1 + 2 = 0

im i m 1 i m2
31. The value of i m  5 i m4 i m  3 , when i   1 , is
i m 6 i m 7 i m 8

(1) 1 if m is a multiple of 4 (2) 0 for all real m

(3) – i if m is a multiple of 3 (4) 2
Sol. Answer (2)

im i m 1 i m2
m 5
 = i i m4 i m 3
i m6 i m 7 i m 8

1 i i2
 i m .i m  3 .i m  6 i2 i 1
1 i i2

=0 (∵ R1 & R3 are identical)

 Determinants 175

1
– (25  1)2 210 – 1 5
2 –1
10 5 2 1
32. The value of the determinant 2 –1 – (2 – 1) is
25  1
1 1 1
–
25 – 1 25  1 (210 – 1)2

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 4

Sol. Answer (4)
Taking 25 + 1 = a and 25 – 1 = b, then 210 – 1 = (25 + 1) (25 – 1) = ab, therefore the given determinant equals.

1
a 2 ab
b
1
  ab b 2
a
1 1 1
 2 2
b a a b

Multiplying R1 with b, R2 with a and R3 with a2b2

ba 2 ab 2 1
1
  3 3 ba 2 ab 2
1
a b
ba 2 ab 2 1

0 0 2
1
 3 3 ba 2 ab 2 1 R1  R1  R2
a b
ba 2 ab 2 1

2 ba 2 ab 2
 .
a3 b3 ba 2 ab 2

2 1 1
 3 3
(a 3 b 3 )
a b 1 1

=4

cos 2 x sin 2 x cos 4 x

33. If the determinant sin 2 x cos 2 x cos 2 x is expanded in powers of sin x then the constant term in the
cos 4 x cos 2 x cos 2 x

expansion is
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) –1 (4) 0
Sol. Answer (3)
For constant term, we can substitute x = 0.

1 0 1
 The constant term = 0 1 1
1 1 1

= –1
176 Determinants

 1  
34. If  are non-real numbers satisfying x3 – 1 = 0 then the value of   1 is equal to
 1 

(1) 0 (2) 3 (3) 3 + 1 (4) 4

Sol. Answer (2)
x3 – 1 = 0  x = 1, , 2
  = ,  = 2  1 +  +  = 0 and  = 1

 1  
    1
 1 

  1     
   1       1 C1  C1  C2  C3
  1    1 

1  
 1  1 (∵ 1      0)
1 1 

1  
R2  R2  R1
  0  1 
R3  R3  R1
0 1    

= [( +  – )( +  – ) – (1 – )(1 – )]

=  [2 – ( – )2 – (1 –  –  + )]
= [2 – ( + )2 + 4 – (1 – ( + ) + )]
= [2 – (–1)2 + 4 – (1 – (–1) + 1)]
= (2 – 1 + 4 – 3)
= 3

N n 1 5
35. The value of ∑U n if Un = n 2 2N  1 2N  1 is
n 1
n3 3N 2 3N

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) –1 (4) 2

Sol. Answer (1)

∑n
n 1
1 5
N N

∑U
n 1
n = ∑n 2
2N  1 2N  1
n 1
N

∑n
n 1
3
3N 2 3N
 Determinants 177

N (N  1)
1 5
2
N (N  1)(2N  1)
 2N  1 2N  1
6
N 2 (N  1)2
3N 2 3N
4

6 1 5
N (N  1)
 2(2N  1) 2N  1 2N  1
12
3N (N  1) 3N 2 3N

0 1 5
N (N  1)
 0 2N  1 2N  1 C1  C1  C2 – C3
12
0 3N 2 3N

=0

36. If a > 0, b > 0, c > 0 are respectively the pth, qth, rth terms of a G.P., then the value of the determinant
log a p 1
log b q 1 is
log c r 1

abc
(1) 1 (2) –1 (3) (4) 0
pqr
Sol. Answer (4)
Let, a = ARp – 1, b = ARq – 1, c = ARr – 1

log a p 1 log A  ( p  1)log R p 1

log b q 1  log A  (q  1)log R q 1

log c r 1 log A  (r  1)log R r 1

( p  1)log R p 1
 (q  1)log R q 1 C1  C1  (log A)C3
(r  1)log R r 1

0 p 1
 0 q 1 C1  C1  (C2  C3 )log R
0 r 1

=0

a b c
37. If a, b, c are positive and not equal then value of b c a may be
c a b

(1) 1 (2) –3 (3) 2 (4) 4

178 Determinants

Sol. Answer (2)

a b c
b c a = – (a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc)
c a b
= – (a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca)

(a  b  c )
=  {(a – b)2 + (b – c)2 + (c – a)2} < 0
2
Hence possible value = –3

38. The greatest value of x satisfying the equation

211 – x – 212 211

– 212 211 – x 211  0 is
11 11 12
2 2 –2 –x

(1) 3 × 211 (2) 211 + 213 (3) 212 – 211 (4) 5 × 211
Sol. Answer (1)
Let 211 = a, then the given equation reduces to

a  x 2a a
2a a  x a 0
a a 2a  x

Applying C1  C1 + C2 + C3

 x 2a a
x a  x a 0
x a 2a  x

1 2a a
 x 1 ax a 0
1 a 2a  x

1 2a a
R2  R2  R1
 x 0 3a  x 0 0
R3  R3  R1
0 3a 3a  x
 x[(3a – x) (–3a – x) – 0] = 0
 x(x – 3a) (x + 3a) = 0
 Greatest value of x satisfying the given equation is x = 3a = 3 × 211

39. The largest value of a third order determinant whose elements are equal to 1 or 0 is
(1) 0 (2) 2 (3) 4 (4) 6
Sol. Answer (2)

0 1 1
1 0 1 2
1 1 0

Option (2) is correct.

 Determinants 179

xk x k +2 x k +3
⎧ 1 1 1⎫
40. If y k y k +2 y k +3 =(x  y )(y  z )(z  x ) ⎨ + + ⎬ , then
⎩x y z⎭
zk z k +2 z k +3

(1) k = –2 (2) k = –1 (3) k = 0 (4) k = 1

Sol. Answer (2)

xK xK 2 x K 3
y K  3  x .y .z ( x  y )( y  z )( z  x ){ xy  yz  zx }
K K K
yK y K 2
zK zK  2 z K 3

⎧ 1 1 1⎫
 ( xyz )K 1( x  y )( y  z )( z  x ) ⎨   ⎬
⎩x y z⎭

 k+ 1 = 0  k = –1
Option (2) is correct.

41. If all elements of a third order determinant are equal to 1 or –1, then deteminant itself is
(1) An odd integer (2) An even integer
(3) An imaginary number (4) Multiple of 3
Sol. Answer (2)
Let third order determinant be

a11 a12 a13

  a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33

a21 a31
when aij = 1 on –1 then both a and a equals ±1.
11 11

⎛ a21 ⎞ ⎛ a31 ⎞
Apply R2  R2  ⎜ ⎟ R1 and R3  R3  ⎜ ⎟ R1 .
a
⎝ 11 ⎠ ⎝ a11 ⎠

a11 a12 a13

 D  0 2 s where , , ,  are all 1 or –1.
0 2 2

Expand along C1   = 4a11{ – }.

which is an even integer hence option (2) is correct.

Application of Determinants

42. If A is a 3×3 matrix and det (3A) = k{det(A)}, then k is

(1) 9 (2) 6 (3) 1 (4) 27
Sol. Answer (4)
det (3A) = k{det(A)}
 33det(A) = k{det(A)}
 k = 27, option (4) is correct.
180 Determinants

43. If A is any of square matrix of order n, then A(adjA) is equal to

(1) 1 (2) |A|In (3) 0 (4) |A|n
Sol. Answer (2)
Clearly option (2) is correct.

44. If A is a square matrix of order 3, |A| = 3, then |adj adjA| is equal to

(1) 35 (2) 37 (3) 9 (4) 81
Sol. Answer (4)
|adjA| = 32 = 9
|adj(adjA)| = 92 = 81

⎡ 11 7⎤
45. If A = ⎢ ⎥ , then adj(adj A) is
⎣⎢ – 13 17 ⎦⎥

⎡17 – 7⎤ ⎡ 11 7⎤ ⎡ – 17 7 ⎤ ⎡ – 11 7⎤
(1) ⎢ ⎥ (2) ⎢ ⎥ (3) ⎢ ⎥ (4) ⎢ ⎥
⎣⎢13 11 ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ – 13 17 ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ 13 – 11⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ – 13 17 ⎦⎥
Sol. Answer (2)
For a square matrix of order 2 × 2, adj (adj A) = A

⎡sin   cos  0⎤
⎢ ⎥
46. If A = ⎢cos  sin  0⎥ , then A–1 is equal to
⎢⎣ 0 0 1⎥⎦

(1) –AT (2) A (3) adj A (4) A2

Sol. Answer (3)
|A| = sin2 + cos2 = 1 ( 0 ).

1
Hence A–1 exists. Since, A 1  adj( A) and for the given question |A| = 1, hence A–1 = adj(A)
|A|

47. If A is a matrix of order 3 and |A| = 2, then |adj A| is

(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 8 (4) 4
Sol. Answer (4)
det (adj A) = (det A)n – 1, where n is the order of matrix A, therefore |adj A| = |A|3–1 = 22 = 4

⎡ 0 0  1⎤
⎢ ⎥
48. Let A = ⎢ 0  1 0 ⎥ . The only correct statement about the matrix A is
⎢⎣ 1 0 0 ⎥⎦

(1) A is a zero matrix (2) A = (–1)I3 (3) A–1 doesn’t exist (4) A2 = I
Sol. Answer (4)
Clearly, options (1), (2) & (3) are false. Option (4) can be easily verified as
⎡ 0 0 –1⎤ ⎡ 0 0 –1⎤ ⎡ 1 0 0 ⎤
⎢ 0 –1 0 ⎥ ⎢ 0 –1 0 ⎥  ⎢0 1 0 ⎥
⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ –1 0 0 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ –1 0 0 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣0 0 1⎥⎦
 Determinants 181

49. If the lines ax + by + 1 = 0, x + by + 1 = 0 and x + y + c = 0 (a, b, c being distinct and different from unity
1 1 1
are concurrent), then the value of   is
1 a 1 b 1 c
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) –1 (4) 2
Sol. Answer (2)
a 1 1
1 b 1 0
1 1 c
R1  R1 – R2, R2  R2 – R3

a  1 1 b 0
 0 b  1 1 c  0
1 1 c

 (a – 1)(b – 1)c – (a – 1)(1 – c) + (1 – b)(1 – c) = 0

Divided by (1 – a)(1 – b)(1 – c)
c 1 1
   0
1 c 1 b 1 a
1 c  1 1 1
   0
1 c 1 b 1 a
1 1 1
   1
1 c 1 b 1 a

50. If the system of equations

x + 4ay + az = 0
x + 3by + bz = 0
x + 2cy + cz = 0
have a non-zero solution, then a, b, c ( 0) are in
(1) AP (2) GP (3) HP (4) AGP
Sol. Answer (3)

1 4a a
1 3b b  0
1 2c c
R2  R2 – R1, R3  R3 – R1

1 4a a
0 3b  4a b  a  0
0 2c  4a c  a
 ab + bc = 2ac
2 1 1
  
b a c
 a, b, c are in HP
182 Determinants

51. Let x + y + z = 6, 4x + y – z = 0, 3x + 2y – 4z = –5. The value of  for which given system of equations
does not have a unique solution is
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3
Sol. Answer (4)
To not have unique solution,

1 1 1
4    0
3 2 4

1(2 – 0) – 1( – 3) + 1(2 –2) = 0

–3=0
=3

52. If the system of the equations x – ky – z = 0, kx – y – z = 0, x + y – z = 0 has a non-zero solution, then

the possible value of k are
(1) –1, 2 (2) 1, 2 (3) 0, 1 (4) –1, 1
Sol. Answer (4)
To have non-zero solution,

1  k 1
k 1 1  0
1 1 1

1(1 + 1) + k(–k + 1) – 1(k + 1) = 0

2 – k2 + k – k – 1 = 0
–k2 + 1 = 0
k = ±1

53. The system of equations ax + 4y + z = 0, bx + 3y + z = 0, cx + 2y + z = 0 has non-trivial solution if a, b, c

are in
(1) AP (2) GP (3) HP (4) None of these
Sol. Answer (1)
For non-trivial solutions,

a 4 1
b 3 1  0 ⇒ a  2b  c  0
c 2 1

 a, b, c are in A.P.

⎡ x ⎤ ⎡ 1⎤
54. The number of 3 × 3 matrices A whose entries are either 0 or 1 and for which the system A ⎢⎢ y ⎥⎥  ⎢⎢ 0 ⎥⎥ has exactly
⎢⎣ z ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 0 ⎥⎦
two distinct solutions, is
(1) 0 (2) 29 – 1 (3) 168 (4) 2
 Determinants 183
Sol. Answer (1)

⎡x ⎤ ⎡1⎤
⎢ ⎥  ⎢0⎥
The equation A ⎢ y ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ has two distinct solutions. It should be noted here that the given equation is linear
⎢⎣ z ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 0 ⎥⎦

equation in 3 variables, which may have no solution, or unique solution or infinitely many solutions.
Hence there does not exist any matrix A such that the given equation has exactly two solutions and
consequently number of 3 × 3 matrices is 0.

Miscellaneous
55. Let   1 be a cube root of unity and S be the set of all non-singular matrices of the form

⎡1 a b⎤
⎢ ⎥
⎢ 1 c⎥
⎢ 2  1⎥⎦
⎣

where each of a, b and c is either  or 2. Then the number of distinct matrices in the set S is
(1) 2 (2) 6 (3) 4 (4) 8
Sol. Answer (1)
We have,

⎡1 a b⎤
⎢ ⎥
M= ⎢ 1 c⎥
⎢ 2  1⎥⎦
⎣

0 a  2 b  c 1
 |M|=  1 c
2  1
= –(a – 2 – b – c – ) + 2(ac – 2c – b – c – 1)
= –(a + c) + ac2 + 1
a + c  1, ac  1
Since a, b, c are  or 2
 a=c
If a =  c = 
 Number of ways of selecting a, b, c = 1 × 1 × 2 = 2
If a = 2, then number of ways = 1 × 1 × 1 = 2
Total number of distinct matrices in the given set S = 4.

56. Let P = [aij] be a 3 × 3 matrix and let Q = [bij], where bij = 2i+jaij for 1  i, j  3. If the determinant of P is 2, then the
determinant of the matrix Q is
(1) 210 (2) 211 (3) 212 (4) 213
Sol. Answer (4)

⎡ a11 a12 a13 ⎤

Given, P  [aij ]33  ⎢⎢a21 a22 a33 ⎥⎥
⎢⎣a31 a32 a33 ⎥⎦
184 Determinants

Now, Q  2i  j aij  [bij ]

⎡ b11 b12 b13 ⎤ ⎡ 22 a11 23 a12 24 a13 ⎤

⎢ ⎥
 Q  ⎢⎢b21 b22 b23 ⎥⎥ = ⎢ 23 a21 24 a22 25 a23 ⎥
⎢⎣ b31 b32 ⎢ 4 ⎥
b33 ⎥⎦ 5
⎢⎣2 a31 2 a32 26 a33 ⎥⎦

a11 a12 a13

12
So, Q  2 a21 a22 a23 = 213.
a31 a32 a33

(as |P| = 2)