Chapter-10

DETERMINANT

PRACTICE SHEET
2a 3r x a r x (c) 2 (d) 5
1. A = 4b 6s 2y =  b s y , then what is the value 8. If (a1 / x) + b1 / y) c1, (a2 / x) + b2 / y) = c2
−2c −3t −z c t z a1 b1 b1 c1 c1 a1
1 = , 2 = , 3 ,
of ? a2 b2 b2 c2 c2 a2
(a) 12 (b) −12 Then (x, y) is equal to which one of the following?
(c) 7 (d) −7 (a) (2/1, 3/1) (b) (3/1, 2/1)
(c) (1/2, 1/3) (d) (−1/2, 1/3)
1− i 2 −
2. What is the value of  +i 2
−i , where  bc a a 2
1 − 2i − 2  − i−
2 9. What is the determinant ca b b 2 equal to?
is the rube root of unity?
ab c c 2
(a) −1 (b) 1 1 a a2 1 a2 a3
(c) 2 (d) 0
(a) 1 b b2 (b) 1 b 2 b3
3. If a, b and c are non-zero real numbers and
1 c c2 1 c2 c3
1+ a 1 1
1 1+ b 1 = 0 , then what is the value of 1 a a3 1 a2 a3
1 1 1+ c (c) 1 b b3 (d) 1 b
2
b3
3 2
1 1 1 1 c c 1 c c3
+ + ?
a b c
(a) 2 (b) 1 1 z −y
(c) −1 (d) 0 10. If x2 + y2 + z2 = 1, then what is the value of − z 1 x ?
y x y+z y −x 1
4. If z y x + y =0, then which one of the following is (a) 0 (b) 1
(c) 2 (d) 2−2xyz
x z z+x
correct? 1 + sin2 x cos2 x 4 sin 2x
(a) Either x + y = z or x = y 2 2
(b) Either x + y = − z or x = z 11. If f(x) = sin x 1 + cos x 4 sin 2x
(c) Either x + z = y or z = y sin2 x cos2 x 1 + 4 sin 2x
(d) Either z + y = x or x = y
What is the maximum value of f x?
k b + c b2 + c2 (a) 2 (b) 4
(c) 6 (d) 8
5. What is the value of k, if k c+a
c 2 + a 2 =(a−b) (b−c)
12. For what values of k, does the system of linear equations
k a + b a 2 + b2 x + y + z = 2, 2x + y − z = 3, 3x +2y + kz = 4 have a unique
(c−a)? solution?
(a) 1 (b) −1 (a) k = 0 (b) −1 < k < 1
(c) 2 (d) 0 (c) −2 < k < 2 (d) k  0

sin10 − cos10 13. If a matrix B is obtained from a square matrix A by

6. What is the value of ? interchanging any two of its rows, then what is |A+B| equal
sin 80 cos80 to
(a) 0 (b) 1 (a) 2|A| (b) 2|B|
1 (c) 0 (d) |A|−|B|
(c) −1 (d)
2 14. What is the largest value of a third order determinant whose
elements are 0 or 1?
2 4 0 (a) 0 (b) 1
7. If 0 5 16 =20, then what is the value of p? (c) 2 (d) 3
a b c
0 0 1+ p 3 3 3
15. What is the value of b c a if a +b +c =0?
(a) 0 (b) 1 c a b

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 (a) 0 (b) 1 19. What should be the value of k so that the system of linear
(c) 3 abc (d) −3 abc equations x − y + 2z = 0, kx − y + z = 0, 3x + y − 3z = 0
does not possess a unique solution?
x x2 1 + x2 (a) 0 (b) 3
(c) 4 (d) 5
16. If y y 2 1 + y 2 where x, y, z are distinct what is |A|?
20. For how many values of k, will the system of equations
z z2 1 + z2 (k + 1) x + 8y = 4k and kx + (k +3) y = 3k − 1, have an
(a) 0 infinite number of solutions
(b) x2y − y2 x + xyz (a) 1 (b) 2
(c) (x − y) (y −z) (z − x ) (c) 3 (d) None of these
(d) xyz
a b c
17. Consider the following statements: 21. If l m n = 2 , then what is the value of the determinant
1. If det A = 0, then det (adj A) = 0
2. If A is non − singular, then det (A−1) = (det A)−1 p q r
(a) 1only (b) 2 only 6a 3b 15c
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2l m 5n = ?
18. Let A be a square matrix of order n × n where n  2. Let B
2p q 5r
be a matrix obtained from A with first and second rows
interchanged. Then which one of the following is correct? (a) 10 (b) 20
(a) det A = det B (b) det A = − det B (c) 40 (d) 60
(c) A = B (d) A = − B

ANSWER KEY
1. b 2. d 3. c 4. b 5. a 6. b 7. b 8. d 9. b 10. c
11. c 12. d 13. c 14. c 15. c 16. c 17. c 18. b 19. d 20. c
21. d

Solutions
Sol.1. (b) 1+ a −a −a
Take 2 common from first column (x + y + z)(z - x) = 0
Take 3 common from second column 1 b 0 =0
Take 2 common from second row 1 0 c
x + y = – z or z = x
Take -1 common from third row Now after expanding ab + bc + ca + abc = 0 Sol.5. (a)
λ = – 12 Sol.4. (b)
Sol.2. (d) k b+c b2 + c2
y x y+z Let  k c + a c2 + a 2
1− i 2 −
z y x+y =0 k a + b a 2 + b2
2 + i  −i
x z z+x 1 1 1
1 − 2i − 2 2 −  i − 
Apply R1→R1 + R2 + R3 =k b + c c + a a + b
Apply R3 ↔ R1 − R2 −R3 x+y+z x+y+z 2(x + y + z) k a + b a 2 + b2
1− i 2 − z y x+y =0 1 0 0
2 + i  −i = 0 x z z+x =k b + c a−b a −c
0 0 0 1 1 2 b2 + c2 a 2 − b2 a 2 − c2
Sol.3. (c) (x + y + z) z y x+y =0  C2 → C2 − C1 
1+ a 1 1  
x z z+x  and C3 → C3 − C1 
1 1+ b 1 =0 Applying C2 ↔ C1 – C2 and C3 ↔ C3 – 2C1 1 1
1 1 1+ c 1 0 0 =k(a−b) (a−c)
a+b a+c
Applying C2 ↔ C2 – C2 and C3 ↔ C3 - C1 (x + y + z) z z−y x + y − 2z = 0 =k (a − b) (a − c) (a + c − a − c)
x z−x z−x = k (a − b) (b − c) (c − a)
But  = (a − b) (b − c) (c − a)
Thus, k =1

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Sol.6. (b)
2 cos 2 x 4 sin 2x = a (bc − a2) − b (b2 − ac) + c (ab − c2)
sin10 − cos10 sin10 − cos10 = abc − a3 − b3 + abc + abc − c3 = abc −
= = 2 1 + cos 2 x 4 sin 2 x (a3+ b3 + c3)
sin 80 cos80 cos10 sin10
2 Given that a3 + b3 + c3 = 0
1 cos x 1 + 4 sin 2x
sin210° + cos210° = 1 a b c
Sol.7. (b) (Applying R2→R2 −R1 and R3 → R3 − R1)
 b c a = 3abc
10(1 + p) = 20
2 cos2 x 4 sin 2x
1+p=2 c a b
p=1 = 0 1 0 Sol.16. (c)
Sol.8. (d) −1 0 1 x x2 1 + x2 
1 1  
Let = u, = v f (x) = 2 + 4 sin 2x
x y  −1  sin 2x  1, A = y y2 1 + y2 
 
a1 u + b1 v = c1 and a2u + b2 v = c2 maximum value of sin 2x = 1  z z 2 1 + z 2 
Using the method of cross multiplication, Thus, maximum value of f(x) = 2 + 4 = 6
u v −1 Sol.12. (d) x x2 1 + x2
= = The given system of equation is
b1c2 − b 2 c1 c1a 2 − c2 a1 a1b 2 − a 2 b1 x+y+z=2 |A|= y y2 1 + y2
1 1 2x + y −z = 3 z z2 1 + z2
y −1 And 3x + 2y + kz = 4
 x = = This system has a unique solution if Applying R1 →R1 − R2 and R2 → R2 −R3
b1 c1 c1 a1 a1 b1 1 1 1 x−y (x − y)(x + y) (x − y)(x + y)
b2 c2 c2 a 2 a 2 b2 2 1 −1  0 |A|= y − z (y − z )(y + z ) (y − z )(y + z )
3 2 k z z2 1+ z 2
1 1
y −1 Applying C2 → C2 −C1 and C3 →C3 −C1 1 x+y x+y
 x = =
 2  3 1 1 0 0 =(x–y)(y–z) 1 y + z y+z
We get 3 −1 −3 0 z z2 1+ z 2
1 2 1 
 = and = − 3 3 −1 k − 3
Applying C3 → C3 – C2
x 1 y 1
 1(k−3) − 3 0 or − k + 3 − 3  0
1 x+y 0
1   k 0
x=− and y = − 1 |A|=(x–y)(y–z) 1 y + z 0
2 3 Sol.13. (c)
z z2 1
Sol.9. (b) a b c 
Let A = d e f  =(x–y) (y–z) [1+{y+z–(x+y)]
bc a a 2   =x(x–y)(y–z)(z-x)
 g h i 
ca b b 2 Sol.17. (c)
Let rows 1 and 2 be interchanged. We know that, adj A and A has same value
ab c c 2
d e f of determinant, if det A = 0, then det (adJ
and B = a b c 
R1 →aR1 , R2 →aR2 , R3 →aR3 and divide A) = 0
whole determinant by abc.  So, statement (1) is correct.
 g h i  Also if A is a matrix the determinant of A−1
abc a 2 a3
1 a + d b + e c + f  equals inverse of determinant A, so, det
abc b 2 b3
abc A+B= a + d b + e c + f  (A−1) = (det A)−1, if A is non singular ;
abc c 2 c3  2g Statement 2 is correct.
2h 2i 
2 3 2 3
Thus both (1) and (2) are correct.
1 a a 1 a a a +d b+e c+f Sol.18. (b)
abc
1 b2 b =1 b
3 2
b3 A+B= a + d b + e c + f A be a square matrix of order n × n where n
abc  2. B be a matrix obtained from A with
1 c2 c3 1 c2 c3 2g 2h 2i
first and second rows interchanged. Then,
Sol.10. (c) =0 (since two rows are identical) det A = − det B. Since
After expanding (1 + x2) - z( - z - xy) - y(xz Sol.14. (c) interchanging any two rows makes the sign
- y) 1 0 1 change with same value.
1 + x2 + y2 + z2 = 2 In the third order determinant 1 1 0 Sol.19. (d)
Sol.11. (c) Equations are
0 1 1 x − y + 2x = 0 ...... (i)
1 + sin2 x cos2 x 4 sin 2x
2 2
which satisfied these conditions. Its value is kx − y + z = 0 .......(ii)
f(x) = sin x 1 + cos x 4 sin 2x 2, which is largest if the elements of a 3x + y − 3x = 0 ........(iii)
sin2 x cos2 x 1 + 4 sin 2x determinant are 0 r 1. System of equations posses a unique
Sol.15. (c) solution, if
Applying C1 → C1 + C2
a b c 1 −1 2
b c a |A|= k − 1 1 0
3 1 −3
c a b

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Applying C1 →C1 + C2 and C2 → C2 + 1/2 And kx + (k + 3) y = 3k − 1 .....(2)  k2 −3k + 2 = 0
C3 Here, a1 = k + 1, b1 = 8, c1 = 4k, a2 = k, b2 =  (k−1) (k −2)= 0
1 0 0 0 0 2
k + 3 and c2 = 3k −1  k = 1, 2
Such a system of equations will have Taking first two (k + 1) (k + 3) = 8k
|A|= k − 1 − 1 / 2 1 = −1 / 2 k − 1 − 1 1
infinite number of solution, if  k2 + 4k + 3 − 8k = 0  k2 − 4k + 3 = 0
4 − 1/ 2 − 3 4 −1 − 3 a1 b1 c1
= =  (k − 1) (k −3) = 0
=1/2  2 [(l–1)(–1)–(4)(-1)],0 a 2 b2 c2 So, k = 1, 3
 – (–k+1+4)  0  k–5  0  k  5 k +1 8 4k Combining both, k = 1, 2, 3
i.e., = = Thus, this system has 3 values of k.
Thus, he system does not possess unique k k + 3 3k − 1
solution, if k = 5 Taking last two we get Sol.21. (d)
Sol.20. (c) 8(3k −1) = 4k (k + 3) 6a 3b 15c a b c
System of equation is given as:  24k −8 = 4k2 + 12k 2l m 5n = 30 l m n = 30  2 = 60
(k + 1) x + 8y = 4k ......(1)  4k2 −12 k + 8 = 0 2p q 5r p q r

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 NDA PYQ
1. What is the value of the determinant? 1+ a 1 1
x +1 x+2 x+4 8. If a–1 + b–1 + c–1 = 0 such that 1 1+ b 1 =, then
x +3 x +5 x +8 ? 1 1 1+ c

x+7 x + 10 x + 14 what is  equal to?

(a) –abc (b) abc
(a) x+2 x2
(b) + 2
(c) 0 (d) 1
(c) 2 (d) −2
[NDA-2011(II)]
[NDA (I) - 2011]
9. Consider the following statements in respect of the square
x 4 5 matrices A and B of same order:
2. If 5 and 7 are the roots of the equation 7 x 7 = 0 , then 1. A and B are non-zero and AB = 0  either |A|=0 or |B|=0
5 8 x 2. AB=0A=0 or B=0
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
what is the third root? (a) 1 only (b) 2only
(a) −12 (b) 9 (c) both 1 and 2 (d) neither 1 nor 2
(c) 13 (d) 14 [NDA-2011(II)]
[NDA (I) - 2011] 10. If two rows of a determinant are identical, then what is the
3. What is the value of k for which the system of equations value of the determinant?
kx+2y=5 and 3x+y=1 has no solution. (a) 0
(a) 0 (b) 3 (b) 1
(c) 6 (d) 15 (c) –1
[NDA-2011(1)] (d)Can be any real value
x  1 [NDA (I) - 2012]
4. The root of the equation  x 1 =0 are independent of: 8 −5 1
  1 11. If 5 x 1 = 2, then what is the value of x?
(a)  (b)  6 3 1
(c)  (d) ,  and  (a) 4 (b) 5
[NDA (II) - 2011] (c) 6 (d) 8
p −q 0 [NDA (I) - 2012]
5. If 0 p q =0, then which one of the following is 1 2 1 0
12. If A = and B = then what is the value of
q 0 p 2 3 1 0
correct? determinant of AB?
(a) p is one of the cube roots of unity (a) 0 (b)1
(b) q is one of the cube roots of unity (c) 10 (d) 20
[NDA (I) - 2012]
p
(c) is one of the cube roots of unity −a 2
ab ac
q
(d) None of the above 13. What is the value of ab −b2 bc ?
[NDA (II) - 2011] ac bc −c 2
a−b b+c a (a) 4abc (b) 4a2bc
6. What is the value of the determinant b − c c+a b? (c) 4a2b2c2 (d) –4a2b2c2
[NDA (I) - 2012]
c−a a+b c
14. If each element in a row of a determinant is multiplied by the
(a) a3 + b3 + c3 (b) 3bc same factor r, then the value of the determinant
(c) a3 + b3 + c3 − 3abc (d) 0 (a) Is multiplied by r3 (b) Is increased by 3r
[NDA (II) - 2011] (c) Remains unchanged (d) Is multiplied by r
7. The simultaneous equations 3x+5y=7 and 6x+10y=18 have: [NDA (II) - 2012]
(a) no solution
x2 1 y2 + z2
(b) infinitely many solution 2
(c) unique solution 15. The value of the determinant y 1 z 2 + x 2 is:
2
(d) any finite number of solutions z 1 x 2 + y2
[NDA-2011(II) (a) 0 (b) x2 + y2 + z2
(c) x2 + y2 + z2 + 1 (d) none of the above
[NDA-2012(2)]

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16. If D is determinant of order 3 and D’ is the determinant 25. If any two adjacent rows or columns of a determinant are
obtained by replacing the elements of D by their cofactors, interchanged in position, the value of the determinant
then which one of the following is correct? (a) Becomes zero (b) Remains the same
(a) D’ = D2 (b) D’ = D3 (c) Changes its sign (d) Is doubled
(c) D’ = 2D 2 (d) D’ = 3D3 [NDA (I) - 2014]
[NDA (I) - 2013] 26. The determinant of an odd order skew-symmetric matrix is
always
17. Consider the following statements (a) Zero
I. A matrix is not a number. (b) One
II.Two determinants of different orders may have the same (c) Negative
value. (d) Depends on the matrix
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? [NDA (I) - 2014]
(a) Only I (b) Only II x+a b c
(c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II 27. One of the roots of a x+b c = 0 is:
[NDA (I) - 2013]
a b x+c
1 t −1 1
(a) abc (b) a+b+c
18. The roots of the equation t − 1 1 1 = 0 are (c) –(a+b+c) (d) –abc
[NDA-2014(1)]
1 1 t −1
28. If a  b  c all are positive, then the value of determinant
(a) 1, 2 (b)–1, 2
a b c
(c) 1, –2 (d) –1, –2
[NDA (I) - 2013] b c a is
m n p c a b
19. The value of the determinant p m n (a) Non-negative (b) Non-positive
n p m (c) Negative (d) Positive
[NDA (II) - 2014]
(a) Is a perfect cube (b) Is a perfect square 29. Consider the following statements
(c) Has linear factor (d) Is zero I. Determinant is a square matrix.
[NDA (I) - 2013] II. Determinant is a number associated with asquare matrix.
20. For what value of k, the equations 3x–y=8 and 9x–ky=24 Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
will have infinitely many solutions? (a) Only I (b) Only II
(a) 6 (b) 5 (c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II
(c) 3 (d) 1 [NDA (II) - 2014]
[NDA-2013(1)] 30. If A and B are two matrices of order 2 and det(A) is 3,
21. What is the value of the minor of the elements 9 in the det(B) is -1, then find the value of det(3AB)
10 19 2 (a) 3 (b) −9
determinant 0 13 1 ? (c) −27 (d) None of these
9 24 2 [NDA (II) - 2014]
(a) –9 (b) –7 31. If A is invertible matrix, then what is det (A−1) equal to?
(c) 7 (d) 0 1
(a) det A (b)
[NDA-2013(1)] det A
22. The determinant of an orthogonal matrix is: (c) 1 (d) None of these
(a) ±1 (b) 2 [NDA (II) - 2014]
(c) 0 (d) ±2
a b 0
[NDA-2013(1)]
1 2 3 32. If 0 a b = 0, then which one of the following is
23. The cofactor of the element 4 in the determinant 4 5 6 b 0 a
5 8 9 correct?
(a) a/b is one of the cube roots of unity
is (b) a/b is one of the cube roots of –1
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) a is one of the cube roots of unity
(c) 6 (d)–6 (d) b is one of the cube roots of unity
[NDA (II) - 2013] [NDA (II) - 2014]
24. What is the value of the determinant
6i −3i 1
1 bc a(b + c) 33. If 4 3i − 1 =x + iy, where i = -1, then what is x equal
1 ca b(c+ a) ? 20 3 i
1 ab c(a + b) to?
(a) 3 (b) 2
(a) 0 (b) abc
(c) 1 (d) 0
(c) ab + bc + ca (d) abc (a + b + c)
[NDA(II)-2014]
[NDA (II) - 2013]

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34. Consider the following in respect of two non-singular (c) both 1 and 2 (d) neither 1 nor 2
matrices A and B of same order [NDA-2015(2)]
I.det (A + B) = det A + det B 41. Which of the following determinants have value ‘zero’?
II.(A + B)–1 = A–1 + B–1 41 1 5
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
1. 79 7 9
(a) Only I (b) Only II
(c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II 29 5 3
[NDA (I) - 2015]
1 a b + c
2. 1 b c + a 
1 1 1

35. The value of 1 1 + x 1 is 1 c a + b 
1 1 1+ y
 0 c b
3.  −c 0 a 
(a) x + y (b) x – y
(c) xy (d) 1 + x + y  
[NDA (I) - 2015]  −b −a 0 
a 1 1 Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Both 1 and 2 (b) Both 2 and 3
36. If the value of the determinant 1 b 1 is positive, where (c) Both 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
1 1 c [NDA (I) - 2016]
42. The system of linear equations kx + y + z = 1, x + ky + z = 1
a  b  c, then the value of abc.
and x + y + kz =1 has a unique solution under which one of
(a) Cannot be less than 1
the following conditions?
(b) Is greater than –8
(a) k  1 and k  –2 (b) k  1 and k 2
(c) Is less than –8
(d) Must be greater than 8 (c) k  –1 and k  –2 (d) k  –1 and k 2
[NDA (II) -2015] [NDA-2016(1)]
37. Consider the following statements in respect of the 43. If A is a square matrix of order 3 and det A = 5, then what is
 
det [(2A)−1] equal to?
cos 2 sin 2 1 2
determinant 2 2 Where ,  are complementary (a) (b)
2  2 
10 5
sin cos
2 2 8 1
(c) (d)
angles. 5 40
1  + [NDA (II) - 2016]
I.The value of the determinant is cos  .
2  2  Direction (for next two):
Consider the following for the next two items that follow:
1
II.The maximum value of the determinant is . Let ax3 + bx2 + cx + d
2 x +1 2x 3x
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
2x + 3 x + 1 x , then
(a) Only I (b) Only II
(c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II 2 − x 3x + 4 5x − 1
[NDA (II) - 2015] 44. What is the value of c?
38. If A is an invertible matrix of order n and k is any positive (a) −1 (b) 34
real number, then the value of [det(kA)]−1 det A is: (c) 35 (d) 50
(a) k−n (b) k−1 [NDA (II) - 2016]
(c) kn (d) nk 45. What is the value of a + b + c + d?
[NDA (II) - 2015] (a) 62 (b) 63
39. If a, b and c are real numbers, then the value of the (c) 65 (d) 68
1− a a − b − c b + c [NDA (II) - 2016]
determinant 1 − b b − c − a c + a is 46. Which of the following are correct in respect of the system
of equations x + y + z = 8, x − y + 2z = 6 and 3x − y + 5z =
1− c c − a − b a + b
k?
(a) 0 (b) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) 1.They have no solution, if k = 15
(c) (a + b + c)2 (d) (a + b + c)3 2.They have infinitely many solutions, if k = 20.
[NDA (II) - 2015] 3.They have unique solution, if k =25
1 2 3 Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
40. If A is an orthogonal matrix of order 3 and B= − 3 0 2 , (a) Both 1 and 2 (b) Both 2 and 3
2 5 0 (c) Both 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
[NDA (II) - 2016]
then which of the following is/are correct? Direction (for next two):
1. |AB|=±47 Consider the following for the next two items that follow:
2. AB= BA For the system of linear equations 2x + 3y + 5z = 9, 7x + 3y
Select the correct answer using the code given below: − 2z = 8 and 2x + 3y + z = .
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

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47. Under what condition does the above system of equations consisting of all matrices whose determinant is –1. Then
have infinitely many solutions? which one of the following is correct?
(a)  =5 and  ≠9 (b)  = 5 and  = 9 (a) C is empty
(c)  = 9 and  ≠ 5 (d)  = 9 and  ≠ 5 (b) B has as many elements as C
[NDA (II) - 2016] (c) A= B  C
48. Under what condition does the above system of equation (d) B has thrice as many elements as C
have unique solution? [NDA-2017(1)]
(a)  =5 and  = 9  
cos 2 sin 2
(b)  ≠ 5 and  = 7 56. The value of the determinants 2 2 for all values
(c)  ≠ 5 and  has any real value 2  2 
sin cos
(d)  has any real value of  ≠ 9 2 2
[NDA (II) - 2016] of , is:
49. What is the value of the determinant? (a) 1 (b) cos
1 1 1 (c) sin (d) cos2
[NDA (II) - 2017]
1 1 + xyz 1 ? 57. The system of equations kx + y + z = 1, x + ky + z = k and x
1 1 1 + xyz + y + kz = k2 has no solution if k equals:
(a) 0 (b) 1
(a) 1 + x + y + z (b) 2xyz
(c) x2 y2 z2 (d) 2x2 y2 z2 (c) −1 (d) −2
[NDA (I) - 2017] [NDA (II) - 2017]
50. The equations 58. If p + q + r = a + b + c = 0, then the determinant
x+2y + 3z =1 pa qb rc
2x + y + 3z = 1 qc ra pb equal to:
5x = 5y + 9z = 4
(a) Have the unique solution rb pc qa
(b) Have infinitely many solution (a) 0
(c) Are inconsistent (b) 1
(d) None of the above (c) pa + qb + rc
[NDA (I) - 2017] (d) pa + qb + rc + a + b + c
x y 0 [NDA (II) - 2017]
51. If 0 x y = 0, then which one of the following is correct? 59. The value of the determinant:
y 0 x 1 −   − 2 2

x 1−   − 2 2 is equal to:
(a)
y
is one of the cube roots of unity 1−  − 2
2
(b) x is one of the cube roots of unity (a) (−) (−) (−)
(c) y is one of the cube roots of unity (b) (−) (−) (−)
x (c) (−) (−) (−) ( +  + )
(d) is one of the cube roots of −1. (d) 0
y
[NDA (II) - 2017]
[NDA (I) - 2017] 60. If A, B and C are the angles of a triangle and
  2
 and det (A ) = 125, then  is equal to:
52. If A =  3 1 1 1
 2  1 + sin A 1 + sin B 1 + sin C =0, then
(a) 1 (b) 2
sin A + sin A sin B + sin B sin C + sin C
2 2 2
(c) 3 (d) 5
[NDA (I) - 2017] which one of the following is correct?
53. If a ≠ b ≠ c, then one value of x which satisfies the equation. (a) The triangle ABC is isosceles
 0 x −a x − b (b) The triangle ABC is equilateral
x + a 0 x − c 
= 0 is given by: (c) The triangle ABC is scalene
 (d) No conclusion can be drawn with regard to the nature of
 x + b x+c 0 
the triangle
(a) a (b) b [NDA (II) - 2018]
(c) c (d) 0 x y y+z
[NDA (I) - 2017]
54. If B is a non-singular matrix and A is a square matrix, then 61. What is the determinant of the matrix z x z = x ?
the value of det (B−1 AB) is equal to: y z x+y
(a) det (B) (b) det (A) (a) (x−y) (y−z) (z−x) (b) (x−z) (z−x)
(c) det (B−1) (d) det (A−1) (c) (y−z) (z−x) (d) (z−x)2 (x+y+z)
[NDA (I) - 2017] [NDA (II) - 2018]
55. Consider the set A of all matrices of order 3  3 with entries
0 or 1 only. Let B be the subset of A consisting of all
matrices whose determinant is 1. Let C be the subset of A

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62. If u, v and w (all positive) are the pth, qth, and rth terms of a 68. A is a square matrix of order 3 such that its determinant is 4.
1n u p 1 What is the determinant of its transpose?
(a) 64 (b) 36
GP, the determinant of the matrix 1n v q 1 is: (c) 32 (d) 4
1n w r 1 [NDA (I) - 2019]
(a) 0 69. If A is a square matrix of order n > 1, then which one of the
(b) 1 following is correct?
(c) (p−q) (q−r) (r−p) (a) det (−A) = det (A)
(b) det (−A) = (−1)n det (A)
(d) 1n u  1n v  1n w
(c) det (−A) = − det (A)
[NDA (II) - 2018]
(d) det (−A) = n det (A)
63. If a + b + c = 0, then one of the solution of
[NDA (I) - 2019]
a−x c b Direction for next two questions:
c b−x a =0 is Let A and B be (3×3) matrices with det A = 4 and det B = 3
70. What is det (2AB) equal to?
b a c−x
(a) 96 (b) 72
(a) x = a (c) 48 (d) 36
3 ( a 2 + b2 + c2 ) [NDA (I) - 2019]
(b) x = 71. What is det (3AB-1) equal to?
2 (a) 12 (b) 18

2 ( a 2 + b2 + c2 )
(c) 36 (d) 48
[NDA (I) - 2019]
(c) x = 72. What is the value of determinant
3
(d) x= 0 1! 2! 3!
[NDA (II) - 2018] 2 ! 3! 4 ! ?
64. Which one of the following factors does the expansions of
3! 4 ! 5 !
 x y 3
the determinant  x 2  (a) 0 (b) 12
 5y3 9  contain? (c) 24 (d) 36
 x3 10y 5 27  [NDA (II) - 2019]

73. What are the values of x that satisfy equation
(a) x−3 (b) x−y
(c) y−3 (d) d−3y
x 0 2 3x 0 2
[NDA (II) - 2018] 2x 2 1 + x2 2 1 = 0?
65. The system of equation 1 1 1 0 1 1
2x+y−3z = 5
3x−2y+2z = 5 and (a) −2  3 (b) −1  3
5x−3y−z = 16 (c) −1  6 (d) −2  6
(a)Is inconsistent
[NDA (II) - 2019]
(b)Is consistent, with a unique solution
74. If x + a + b + c = 0, then what is the value of
(c)Is consistent, with infinitely many solution
(d)Has its solution lying along x-axis in three dimensional x+a b c
space. a x+b c ?
[NDA (II) - 2018]
66. For a square matrix A, which of the following properties a b x+c
hold? (a) 0 (b) (a + b + c)2
I.(A−1)−1 = A (c) a2 + b2 + c2 (d) a + b + c – 2
1 [NDA (II) - 2019]
II.det(A−1) = 75. Let p, q, r be three distinct positive real numbers, If D =
det A
III.(A)−1 = A−1 where  is a scalar p q r
Select the correct answer using the code given below: q r p , then which one of the following is correct ?
(a) I and II only (b) II and III only
(c) 1 and III only (d) 1,2 and 3 only r p q
[NDA (II) - 2018] (a) D < 0 (b) D ≤ 0
x −3i 1 (c) D > 0 (d) D ≥ 0
[NDA 2020]
67. If y 1 i = 6 + 11i then what are the value of x and y 76. What is the value of the determinant
0 2i −i i i2 i3
respectively? i4 i6 i8 where i = −1 ?
(a) - 3, 4 (b) 3, 4 9 12
(c) 3, - 4 (d) - 3, - 4 i i i15
[NDA (I) - 2019] (a) 0 (b) −2
(c) 4i (d) −4i

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 [NDA 2020] p q
x 1 3 84. If A = where p, q, r and s are any four different prime
r s
77. If the determinant 0 0 1 =0, then what is x =
numbers less than 20, what is the maximum value of the
1 x 4
determinant?
(a) –2 or 2 (b) –3 or 3 (a) 215 (b) 311
(c) –1 or 1 (d) 3 or 4 (c) 317 (d) 323
[NDA (I) - 2021] [NDA (I) - 2021]
1 x x +1 85. If A and B are square matrices of order 2 such that det(AB)
78. If f(x)= 2x x ( x − 1) x ( x + 1) then what is = det(BA), then which one of the following is correct ?
3x ( x − 1) 2( x − 1)( x − 2) x ( x + 1)( x − 1)
(a) A must be a unit matrix
(b) B must be a unit matrix
f(–1)+f(0)+f(1)= (c) Both A and B must be a unit matrix
(a) 0 (b) 1 (d) A and B need not be a unit matrix
(c) 100 (d) –100 [NDA (I) - 2021]
[NDA (I) - 2021]
79. The element in the i th row and the j th column of a
a b c 3d + 5 g 4a + 7 g 6 g
determinant of third order is equal to 2(i + j). What is the 86. If  = d e f then what is 3e + 5h 4b + 7h 6h
value of determinant?
(a) 0 (b) 2 g h i 3 f + 5i 4c + 7i 6i
(c) 4 (d) 6 equal to?
[NDA (I) - 2021] (a)  (b) 7
80. With the numbers 2,4,6,8 all the possible determinants with (c) 72 (d) –72
these four different elements are constructed. What is the [NDA (II) - 2021]
sum of values of all such determinants?
a −b a−b−c
(a) 128 (b) 64
(c) 32 (d) 0 87. If − a b − a + b − c – kbac = 0
[NDA (I) - 2021] −a −b −a−b+c
81. If ∆ is the number of the determinant (a  0, b  0, c  0)
a1 b1 c1 then what is the value of k?
(a) –4 (b)–2
a2 b2 c2
(c) 2 (d) 4
a3 b3 c3 [NDA (II) - 2021]
If x= a , y = b c then when is the value of
then what is the value of the following determinant?
88. ,z =
pa1 b1 qc1 b−c c−a a −b
pa 2 b2 qc 2 the following?
1 −x x
pa 3 b3 qc3
1 1 −y
[p ≠ 0 or 1 , q≠0 or 1] 1 z 1
(a) p∆ (b) q∆
(c) (p + q) ∆ (d) pq∆ (a) 0 (b) 1
[NDA (I) - 2021] (c) abc (d) ab + bc + ca
82. If a + b + c = 4 and ab + bc + ca = 0, then what is the value [NDA (II) - 2021]
of the following determinant? 89. For what values of k is the system of equations 2k 2 x + 3y –
1 = 0, 7x – 2y + 3 = 0, 6kx + y + 1 = 0 consistent?
a b c
b c a 3  11 21 161
(a) (b)
10 10
c a b
(a) 32 (b) −64 3 7 4  11
(c) (d)
(c) −128 (d) 64 10 10
[NDA (I) - 2021] [NDA (II) - 2021]
83. If a1, a2, a3,.......a9 are in GP, then what is the value of the 90. What is the value of following determinant
following determinant?
cos C tan A 0
ln a1 lna 2 lna 3
sin B 0 − tan A
ln a 4 lna 5 lna 6
0 sin B cos C
ln a 7 lna 8 lna 9 (a) –1 (b) 0
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 tanA sinB sinC (d) –2 tanA sinB sinC
(c) 2 (d) 4 [NDA (II) - 2021]
[NDA (I) - 2021]

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 1 p q 1 1 1 a 21 a 31 a 11
91. If 1 = 1 q r and  2 = q r p where p  q  r, then 97. What is the value of a 23 a 33 a 13
1 r p r p q a 22 a 32 a 12
1 + 2 is:
(a) 0 (a) 0 (b) 1
(b) always positive (c)  (d) –
(c) always negative [NDA 2022 (II)]
(d)positive if p, q, r are positive else negative. Consider the following for the next two (02) items that follow:
[NDA (I) - 2022] a b a + b
92. If (a–b) (b–c) (c–a) = 2 and abc = 6, then what is the value of
Let (a, b, c, ) = b c b + c
a b c
2 2 a + b b + c 0
a b c2 ?
98. If (a, b, c, ) = 0 for every  > 0, then which one of the
a3 b3 c3 following is correct?
(a) 3 (b) 12 (a) a, b, c, are in AP (b) a, b, c are in GP
(c) 14 (d) 15 (c) a, 2b, c are in AP (d) a, 2b, c are in GP
[NDA (I) - 2022] [NDA – 2023 (1)]
93. Under which of the following conditions does the determent 99. If (7, 4, 2, ) = 0, then  is a root of which one of the
a b c following equations?
(a) 7x2 + 4x + 2 = 0 (b) 7x2 – 4x + 2 = 0
b c a vanish? (c) 7x2 + 8x + 2 = 0 (d) 7x2 – 8x + 2 = 0
c a b [NDA – 2023 (1)]
1.a + b + c = 0 x +1 x + 2 x + 3
2.a3 + b3 + c3 =3abc 100. If a, b, c are in AP, then what is x + 2 x + 3 x + 4
3.a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca = 0
Select the correct answer using the code given below: x +a x +b x +3
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only equal to?
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) –1 (b) 0
[NDA (I) - 2022] (c) 1 (d) 2
94. Consider the determinant [NDA – 2023 (1)]
a 11 a 12 a 13 101. The system of linear equations x + 2y + z = 4, 2x + 4y + 2z
= 8 and 3x + 6y + 3z = 10 has:
= a 21 a 22 a 23 .
(a) a unique solution
a 31 a 32 a 33 (b) infinite many solution
If a13 = yz, a23 = zx, a33 = xy and the minors of a13, a23, a33 (c) no solution
are respectively (z–y), (z–x), (y–x) then what is the value of (d) exactly three solutions
A? [NDA – 2023 (1)]
(a) (x–y) (z–x) (y–x) 102. What is the sum of the roots of the equation
(b) (x–y) (y–z) (x–z) 0 x−a x−b
(c) (x–y) (z–x) (y–z) (x+y+z)) 0 0 x −c = 0?
(d) (xy+yz+zx)(x+y+z)
[NDA 2022 (II)] x+b x+c 1
Consider the following for the next three (03) items that (a) a + b + c (b) a – b + c
follow: (c) a + b – c (d) a – b – c
Let  be the determinant of a matrix, A, where A= [NDA – 2023 (1)]
 a 11 a 12 a 13  103. Let A be a matrix of order 3  3 and |A| = 4. If |2adj (3A)| =
  23, then what is the value of (+)?
 a 21 a 22 a 23  and C11, C12, C13 be the cofactors of a11,
(a) 12 (b) 13
a a 33 
 31 a 32 (c) 17 (d) 24
a12, a13 respectively. [NDA – 2023 (1)]
104. If A, B and C are square matrics of order 3 and det(BC) =
95. What is the value of a11C11 + a12C12 + a13C13? 2det(A), then what is the value of det(2A–1BC)?
(a) 0 (b) 1 (a)16 (b) 8
(c)  (d) – (c) 4 (d) 2
[NDA 2022 (II)] [NDA-2023 (2)]
96. What is the value of a21C11 + a22C12 + a23C13? 105. Let A be a skew-symmetric matrix of order 3. What is the
(a) 0 (b) 1 value of det (4A4) – det(3A3) + det(2A2) – det(A) + det(–I)
(c)  (d) – where I is the identity matrix of order 3?
[NDA 2022 (II)] (a) –1 (b) 0
(c) 1 (d) 2
[NDA-2023 (2)]

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 x 2 + 3x x −1 x+3 C(9, 4) C(9,3) C(10, n − 2)
106. If x +1 − 2x x−4 =ax4 + bx3 + cx2 + dx + e, then what C(11,6) C(11,5) C(12, n) =0
x −3 x+4 3x C(m,7) C(m,6) C(m + 1, n + 1)
is the value of e? for every m > n?
(a)–1 (b) 0 (a) 4 (b) 5
(c) 1 (d) 2 (c) 6 (d) 7
[NDA-2023 (2)] [NDA – 2024 (1)]
107. If all elements of a third order determinant are equal to 1 or 112. If ABC is a triangle, then what is the value of the
–1, then the value of the determinants is: determinant
(a) 0 only cos C sin B 0
(b) an even number but not necessarily 0 tan A 0 sin B ?
(c) an odd number
(d) 0, 1 or –1 0 tan(B + C) cos C
[NDA-2023 (2)] (a) −1 (b) 0
108. The value of the determinant of a matrix A of order 3 is 3. If (c) 1 (d) 3
C is the matrix of cofactors of the matrix A, then what is the [NDA – 2024 (1)]
value of determinant of C2? 113. Let A and B be matrices of order 3x3. If
(a) 3 (b) 9 1 1
(c) 81 (d) 729 A= and B = , then what is the value of
2 2 729
[NDA-2023 (2)]
|2B(adj(3A)|?
k −1 k 
109. If Ak =   , then what is det(A1) + det(A2) +
k − 2 k + 1 (a) 27 (b) 27
det(A3) + …..+ det(A100) equal to? 2 2
(a) 100 (b) 1000 (c) 27 (d) 1
(c) 9900 (d) 10000 2
[NDA-2023 (2) [NDA – 2024 (1)]
110. If a, b, c are the sides of triangle ABC, then what is 114. If in a triangle ABC, sin3A + sin3B + sin3C = 3sinA sinB
a2 bsin A csin A a b c
equal to ? sinC, then what is the value of determinant b c a ;
bsin A 1 cos A
csin A cos A 1 c a b
(a) Zero where a, b, c are sides of the triangle?
(b) Area of triangle (a) a + b + c (b) ab + bc + ca
(c) Perimeter of triangle (c) (a + b)(b + c)(c + a) (d) 0
(d) a2 + b2 + c2 [NDA – 2024 (1)]
[NDA – 2024 (1)]
111. For what value of n is the determinant

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 ANSWER KEY
1. d 2. a 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. c 7. a 8. b 9. a 10. a
11. d 12. a 13. c 14. d 15. a 16. a 17. c 18. b 19. c 20. c

21. b 22 a 23. c 24. a 25. c 26. a 27. c 28. c 29. b 30. c

31. b 32. b 33. d 34. d 35. c 36. b 37. c 38. a 39. a 40. a

41. d 42. a 43. d 44. c 45. b 46. a 47. b 48. c 49. c 50. a

51. d 52. c 53. d 54. b 55. b 56. b 57. d 58. a 59. b 60. a

61. d 62. a 63. d 64. a 65. b 66. a 67. a 68. d 69. b 70. a

71. c 72. c 73. d 74. a 75. a 76. d 77. c 78. a 79. a 80. d

81. d 82. b 83. a 84. c 85. d 86. c 87. a 88. a 89. b 90. b

91. c 92. b 93. d 94. a 95. c 96. a 97. d 98. b 99. c 100. b

101. c 102. b 103. b 104. a 105. a 106. b 107. b 108. c 109. d 110. a

111. c 112. b 113. d 114. d

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