Basic Engineering Mathematics

(Common to ECE, EEE & EIE)

TOPIC – 1 LINEAR ALGEBRA
* Matrix multiplication is associative( if conformability is assured) .
i.e. A(BC) = (AB)C
* Matrix multiplication is distributive w. r. t addition of matrices .
A.(B + C) = A . B + A . C
* The matrix multiplication is not always commutative.
i.e. In general, AB ≠ BA ( AB need not be equal to BA)
* Whenever AB = BA, the matrices A and B are said to commute.
* The equation AB = O does not necessarily imply that atleast one of the matrices A and B is
a zero matrix. Eg: A = 0 1 B = 1 0
0 0 0 0
i.e.. The product of two non zero matrices can be a zero matrix
* If product of two non zero square matrices A & B is a zero matrix then A and B are
singular matrices i.e. |A| = 0 and |B| = 0
* If A is non singular ( i.e. |A| ≠ 0 ) and A.B = 0 then B is a zero matrix.
UPPER TRIANGULAR MATRIX: A square matrix is said to be upper triangular if all the
elements below its principal diagonal are zeros.
LOWER TRIANGULAR MATRIX: A square matrix is lower triangular if all the elements above
its principal diagonal are zeros.
DIAGONAL MATRIX: A square matrix is said to be diagonal if all the elements below and
above the principal diagonal are zeros.
Note : Product of two diagonal matrices of the same order is a diagonal matrix and follows
commutative law (i.e. AB = BA).
SCALAR MATRIX: It is a diagonal matrix with same diagonal elements.
UNIT MATRIX(OR IDENTITY MATRIX): A Scalar matrix whose diagonal elements are all
equal to 1.
TRACE: Trace of a matrix is the sum of the elements of the principal diagonal.
* tr (λ A) = λ.tr(A)
* tr (A + B) = tr(A) + tr(B)
* tr (AB) = tr(BA)
TRANSPOSE: Transpose of a matrix A can be obtained by interchanging the rows and
columns of A.
It is denoted by A1 or AT.
* If A is a matrix of order m x n then A1 is a matrix of order n x m.
* (A1) 1 = A
* (A + B) 1 = A1 + B1
* (kA) 1 = kA1
* (AB) 1 = B1A1
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SYMMETRIC AND SKEW SYMMETRIC MATRICES: Let A is square matrix, A is symmetric if

A1 = A, and A is skew symmetric if A1 = -A.
* If A is a square matrix then
i) A + A1 is symmetric.
ii) A - A1 is skew symmetric.
iii) A . A1 and A1.A are symmetric
* Every square matrix can be written as the sum of a symmetric and a skew symmetric
matrices.
i.e. A = 1/2 (A + A1) + 1/2(A – A1)
* If A and B are symmetric then AB + BA is symmetric and AB – BA is skew symmetric.
* If A is symmetric then An is symmetric(n = 2, 3, 4, ….).
* If A is skew symmetric, then An is skew symmetric when n is odd and An is symmetric
when n is even .

INVERSE OF A MATRIX: If A is a non singular matrix of order n. then a matrix B, if it exists

such that
AB = BA = In is called inverse of A
* A-1 exists ⇔ |A| ≠ 0
* A-1 = adj A / |A|
* Every non singular matrix possesses a unique inverse
Note :
01. (i) (AB)-1 = B-1A-1 (ii) (ABC)-1 = C-1 B-1 A-1 (iii) (ABCD)-1 = D-1 C-1 B-1 A-1
02. (a) (A-1)T = (AT)-1
(b) If a non-singular matrix A is symmetric ⇒ A-1 and A1 are also symmetric.

Orthogonal Matrix : A square matrix A is said to be orthogonal matrix if A.A1 = I = A1.A

Note :
01. If A is orthogonal then A1 = A-1
02. (a) If A is orthogonal then AT & A-1 are also orthogonal.
(b) If A & B are orthogonal of the same order then AB is also orthogonal.

PROPERTIES OF DETERMINANTS :-
01. If ‘A’ is a square matrix then |A| = |AT|
Note: - In a general manner a row or a column is referred as a line.

02. If two parallel lines of a determinant are interchanged, then the determinant retains its
numerical value but changes in sign.
Note: - In general, if any line of a determinant be passed over ‘m’ parallel lines, the
resulting determinant = ( -1)m ∆.( where ∆ is the initial determinant value )

03. A determinant vanishes if two parallel lines are identical.

04. If each element of a line be multiplied by the same factor, then the whole determinant
is multiplied by that factor.

Ex :- 1. ka1 kb1 a1 b1
a2 b2 = k a2 b2
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2. a1 b1 lc1 a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 lc2 a2 b2 c2
a3 b3 lc3 = l
a3 b3 c3
Note:- In a determinant, if Ri = k Rj (or Ci = k Cj) then the value of the determinant is zero.

Ex:- a1 b1 c1 a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c2 = k a2 b2 c2 = k(0) = 0 ( from property-03 )
ka1 kb1 kc1 a1 b1 c1

05. a1 b1+c1 d1 a1 b1 d1 a 1 c 1 d1
a2 b2+c2 d2 = a2 b2 d2 + a 2 c 2 d2
a3 b3+c3 d3 a3 b3 d3 a 3 c 3 d3

06. If to each elements of a line be added equi- multiples of the corresponding elements of
one or more parallel lines the determinant remains unaltered.

07. The determinant of an upper / a lower triangular / diagonal / scalar matrix is equal to the
product of leading diagonal elements of the matrix.

08. A, B are square matrices of the same order then |AB| = |A| |B| = |BA|
1
09. If A is a non singular matrix (i.e. |A| ≠ 0) then |A-1| = |A|

10. If A is a square matrix of order-n then (i) |Adj A| = |A|n – 1

2
(ii) | Adj(AdjA) = | A |(n −1)

11. Determinant of a Skew – symmetric matrix (i.e. AT = -A) of odd order is zero.

12. If A is an orthogonal matrix (i.e. AT = A-1) then |A| = ± 1.

a1 b1 c1 A1 B1 C1
13. If ∆ = a2 b2 c2 and ∆1 = A2 B2 C2
a3 b3 c3 A3 B3 C3

where A,B,C are co-factors of a,b,c then ∆1 = ∆2 , which is called Reciprocal /

Adjucate determinant of ∆.

14. | In | = 1 ∀ n ∈ z+

15. If ‘A’ is a square matrix of order ‘n’ then |kA| = kn |A| where k is a constant.

RANK OF A MATRIX: It is the order of its largest non vanishing minor of the matrix.
* Rank of the matrix is equal to the number of linearly independent rows(cols) in the matrix.
Note :
1. If a matrix A is of rank-r , then A contains ‘r’ linearly independent Vectors
(here vector is either row / column of the matrix).
2. (i) ρ(A+B) ≤ ρ(A) + ρ(B) (ii) ρ(A–B) ≥ ρ(A) – ρ(B) (iii) ρ(AB) ≤ min {ρ(A),
ρ(B)}
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3. Rank of a diagonal matrix is equal to the number of non-zero elements in the diagonal.
* Rank of matrix A is equal to the number of non zero rows(columns) in the row(column)
Echelon form of A.
Note :
01. If A is a non-singular matrix then all the rows /columns (vectors) of A are linearly
independent.
02. If A is a singular matrix then vectors of A are linearly dependent.
Non-Homogenous System of Linear Equations :
* The system of linear equations AX = B has a solution (consistent) if and only if
Rank of A = Rank of [A | B]
* The system AX = B has
i) A unique solution if and only if Rank(A) = Rank(A | B) = number of variables.
ii) Infinitely many solutions ⇔ ρ(A) = ρ(A|B) < number of variables.
iii) No solution if ρ(A) ≠ ρ[A | B] i. e. ρ(A) < ρ(A | B)

Homogenous System of Linear Equations :

* The system AX = O has
i) Unique solution (zero solution or trivial solution) if ρ(A) = number of variables (n).
ii) Infinitely many number of non-zero (or non-trivial) solutions if ρ(A) < n.
Note :
01. In the system of homogenous linear equation AX = O
(i) If A is singular then the system possesses non-trivial solution. ( i.e. non-zero
solution).
(ii) If A is non-singular then the system possesses trivial solution ( i.e. zero solution).
02. If ρ(A) = r , and number of variables = n then, the number of linearly independent
solutions of
AX = O is (n – r).
03. The system of homogeneous linear equations such that the number of unknowns (or
variables) exceeds the number of equations necessarily possesses a non-zero solution.

EIGEN VALUES AND EIGEN VECTORS:

Let A be a square matrix of order n and λ be a scalar.
A – λI | = 0 is called the characteristic equation of A.
The roots of characteristic equation are called eigen values (characteristic roots / latent
roots) of A.
Corresponding to each eigen value λ, there exists a non-zero solution X such that (A – λI)
X = 0.
X is called eigen vector (characteristic vector or latent vector) of A.
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PROPERTIES OF EIGEN VALUES AND EIGEN VECTORS

01. The sum of the eigen values of a matrix is the sum of the principal diagonal elements
(i.e. Trace).
02. The Product of the eigen values of a matrix is equal to the determinant of the matrix.
Note:- In particular, the eigen values of a Diagonal / Scalar / Triangular ( either
upper or lower) matrix are just the leading diagonal elements and product of the eigen
values is just the product of leading diagonal elements.
03. The eigen values of AT are same as the eigen values of A.
04. If λ is an eigen value of a non-singular matrix A then
(a) 1/λ is an eigen value of A-1. (AA-1= I = A-1A)
(b) |A| /λ is an eigen value of Adj A . (A.Adj A= |A| I )
05. If λ is an eigen value of an Orthogonal matrix A then 1/λ is also an eigen value of
A (AT = A-1)
06. If λ1, λ2, …………. λn are eigen values of A, then
(i) The eigen values of kA are kλ1 , kλ2 … kλn. (where k is a scalar )
(ii) Am has eigen values λ1m, λ2m …..λnm (where m ∈ z+)
(iii) A ± kI has eigen values λ1±k, λ2±k…….. λn±k
(iv) (A ± kI)2 has eigen values (λ1± k)2 , (λ2± k)2 ……… (λn± k)2
07. The eigen values of an orthogonal matrix have absolute value ‘1’
08. The eigen values of a symmetric matrix are purely real.
09. The eigen values of skew-symmetric matrix are either purely imaginary or zero.
10. The set of all characteristic roots of a matrix is called Spectrum of the matrix.
11. Zero is an eigen value of a matrix if and only if the matrix is singular.
12. λ is an eigen value of a non-singular matrix ⇔ λ ≠ 0.
13. If λ is an eigen value of a matrix A, then the corresponding eigen vector X is not
unique.
i.e. we have infinite number of eigen vectors corresponding to a single eigen value.
14. If λ1, λ2 …….. λn be distinct eigen values of an n x n matrix A, then the
corresponding eigen vectors X1 , X2 ……Xn form a linearly independent set.
15. For An x n, if some eigen values are repeated, then it may/may not be possible to get ‘n’
linearly independent eigen vectors for A.

PROBLEMS
1. If AB = BA then which of the following need not be true (n is a +ve integer)
a) ABn = BnA b)(AB) n = AnBn
c) (A + B) (A – B) = A2 – B2 d) A = I or B = I
2. If a diagonal matrix is commutative with every matrix of the same order then it is
necessarily a
a) a zero matrix b) a unit matrix c) a scalar matrix d) a symmetric matrix
3. If A is any m x n matrix such that AB and BA are both defined then B is a matrix of order
a) n x n b) m x m c) m x n d) n x m
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4. If Am x n and Bn x p are matrices, then the number of multiplications and additions in

computing AB are
a) m p n, mp(n – 1) b) (m – 1) pn, mp(n – 1) c) m p n, (m – 1)(n – 1) d) mn, nm
5. The number of terms in the expansion of the determinant of An x n is
a) n2 b) 2n c) n! d) n
6. If A = 1 1 1 and Adj A = -3 4 k then k =
1 2 -3 -3 -1 4
2 1 -3 -3 1 1
a) –2 b) 4 c) –5 d) 6

7. Rank of unit matrix In is

a) one b) zero c) n d) not defined
8. Rank of a non – singular matrix An x n is
a) one b) zero c) n d) not defined
9. Rank of a singular matrix An x n is
a) n b) zero c) <n d) >n
10. Rank of a diagonal matrix An x n is
a) n b) no. of zeros in the diagonal
c) no. of non zero elements in the diagonal d) zero
11. If Am x 1 is non zero column matrix and B1 x n is a non zero row matrix then ρ(AB) =
a) m b) n c) 1 d) zero
12. If An x n is a non singular matrix and Bn x n is a matrix then ρ(AB) =
a) Rank of A b) ρ(B) c) 0 d) 1
13. If ρ(An x n) is equal to (n – 2) then ρ(Adj A) =
a) (n – 1) b) (n – 2) c) (n – 3) d) zero
14. ρ(A3 x 3 ) = 2 then | A | =
a) 1 b) 0 c) Any non zero number d) 2
15. If ρ(A) = n then which of the following is false
a) ∃ at least one non zero minor of order ‘n’
b) All the minors of A of order greater than n vanish
c) All the minors of A of order n are not zero.
d) If A is nxn matrix then |A| ≠ 0 .
16. If A = 2 3 then ρ(A) =
3 4
a) 2 b) 1 c) 0 d) does not exist
17. If A = 3 -4 then ρ(A) =
-6 8
a) 2 b) 1 c) 0 d) does not exist
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18. If A = 2 3 -1 then ρ(A) =

4 6 1
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

19. If A = 2 -2 then ρ(A) =

-1 1
3 -3
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

20. If A = 1 0 0 then ρ(A) =

3 2 4
2 3 -1
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

21. If A = 2 -3 -1 then ρ(A) =

-4 6 2
6 -9 -3
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

22. If A = 2 -3 4 then ρ(A) =

3 -2 5
1 1 1
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

23. Which of the statements is false.

Rank of the matrix is equal to
a) The no. of its linearly independent rows b) The no. of its linearly independent
columns
c) The no. of non – zero rows d) The order of its largest non –
vanishing minor
24. The system AX = B has no solution if
a) ρ(A) = ρ(A/B) b) ρ(A) < ρ(A/B) c) ρ(A) > ρ(A/B) d) ρ(A) ≥ ρ(A/B)
25. The system AX = 0 in n variables has infinitely many solutions if
a) ρ(A) = n b) ρ(A) > n c) ρ(A) < n d) ρ(A) ≥ n
26. If A is a square matrix then the system AX = 0 has non zero solutions when
a) |A| ≠ 0 b) |A| = 0 c) ρ(A) = no. of variables d) ρ(A) ≥ no. of variables
27. If |A| ≠ 0 then for the system AX = 0, which of the following is false
a) The system has unique solution b) The system has a zero solution
c) The system has a trivial solution d) The system has a non - zero solution
28. The system AX = B has a unique solution if
a) ρ(A) = no. of variables in the system (n) = ρ(A/B) b) ρ(A) < n
c) ρ(A) > n d) ρ(A) = ρ(A/B) < n
29. If ρ(A) = r and number of variables = n, then the number of linearly independent
solutions of the system AX = 0 is
a) n b) r c)n – r d) n + r
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30. The system 2X + 3Y + 4Z = 1

3Y - Z = 2
-6Y + 2Z = 3 has
a) no solution b) unique solution
c) infinitely many solutions d) two linearly independent solutions
31. If the system X + Y + Z = 0,
(λ + 1) (Y) + (λ + 1) (Z) = 0,
(λ2 - 1) Z = 0 has two linearly independent solutions, then λ =
a) 1 b) –1 c) 0 d) 3
32. The system given in example 31 has only one independent solution when λ =
a) 1 b) –1 c) 0 d) 3
33. The system given in example 31 has no linearly independent solutions when λ =
a) 1 b) –1 c) 0 d) ± 1
34. If ρ(A) = 1 and number of variables = 3, then the system AX = 0 has
a) Two linearly independent solutions b) 3 linearly independent solutions
c) 1 linearly independent solutions d) no independent solutions
35. The rank of the matrix, every element of which is unity is =
a) one b) zero c) order of the matrix d) >1
36. If A is a skew symmetric matrix then which of the following is false
a) ρ(A) = 1 b) ρ(A) = 0 c) ρ(A) = 2 d) ρ(A) = 3
37. Rank of an elementary matrix =
a) order of the matrix b) one c) zero d) two
38. When elementary transformations are applied on a given matrix then its rank
a) will remain same b) reduced by one
c) becomes one d) is equal to the order of matrix
39. ρ(A)m x n = r then
a) r ≤ m, r ≤ n b) r > m, r ≤ n c) r > m, r > nd) d) r ≤ m, r > n

40. Find the rank of the matrix 2 3 -1 0 is =

0 1 2 -3
0 0 3 5
0 0 0 5
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
41. If A and B are any two matrices then which of the following is false
a) ρ(AB) < ρ(A) b) ρ(AB) ≤ ρ(A) c) ρ(AB) < ρ(B) d) ρ(AB) > ρ(B)
42. If a square matrix A is orthogonal then
a) A = A1 b) A1 = A-1 c) A = A d) A1 = A
43. If (A1) = A then A is
a) orthogonal b) symmetric c) hermitian d) unitary
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44. If A is skew - hermitian then iA is

a) hermitian b) symmetric c) unitary d) skew – symmetric
45. If a matrix is in row echelon form then its rank is =
a) no. of non – zero rows of the matrix b) no. of zero rows of the matrix
c) order of the matrix d) one
46. If An x n is a non singular matrix then which of the following is false
a)ρ(A) = ρ(A1) b)ρ(A) = ρ(A-1) c)ρ(A) = ρ(In) d)ρ(A) = 1
47. If ρ(A) = n then ρ(Adj A) =
a) n b) n – 1 c) 1 d) 0
48. If ρ(A) = n - 1 then ρ(Adj A) =
a) n b) n – 1 c) 1 d) zero
49. The system 3x + 4y – 2z = 4,
6x + 8y – 4z = 10 has
a) no solution b) infinitely many solutions
c) unique solution d) one linearly independent solution
50. Rank of a non zero matrix is
a) equal to order of the matrix b) equal to the number of rows of the matrix
c) < 1 d) ≥1

51. Eigen values of a matrix 5 4 are

1 2
a) (2, 3) b) (-2, -3) c) (1, 6) d) (-1, -6)

52. Eigen values of the matrix 2 1 0 are

0 2 1
0 0 2
a) (1, 2, 3) b) (1, 1, 1) c) (2, 2, 2) d) (0, 1, 2)

53. Eigen values of the matrix 2 0 1 are

0 2 0
1 0 2
a) (3, 2, -1) b) (3, 2, 1) c) (3, 3, -1) d) (4, -1, 0)

54. If ‘0’ and ‘3’ are eigen values of the matrix 8 -6 2 then the third eigen value is
-6 7 -4
2 -4 3

a) 7 b) 8 c) 15 d) 0

55. If –1 + √3 is eigen value of matrix 0 1 2 then the other two eigen values are
1 0 -1
2 -1 0
a) (-1-√3, 2) b) (-1+ √3, 1) c) (-1- √3, -2) d) (–1+ √3, -2)
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56. If 3 is the eigen value of the singular matrix 8 -6 2 then the other eigen values of
matrix are -6 7 -4
2 -4 3
a) (0, 15) b) (8, 15) c) (7, 15) d) (0, 3, 2)

57. Which of the following is an eigen vector of the matrix 2 1 0

0 2 1
0 0 2
a) (1, 0, 0) b) (1, 0, 1) c) (0, 0, 1) d) (1, 1, 1)
58. Which of the following is an eigen vector of the matrix 5 4 corresponding to
eigen value λ = 6 1 2
a) (4, -1) b) (1, -4) c) (-1, -4) d) (4, 1)

59. If 2, 2, 8 are eigen values of a matrix 6 -2 2 then the matrix is

-2 3 -1
2 -1 3
a) singular b) non – singular c) skew symmetric d) triangular

60. If 2, 2, 8 are eigen values of the matrix 6 -2 2 then k =

-2 3 -1
2 -1 k
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

For the matrix A = 3 -2 5 answer the following

0 5 6
0 0 -4

61. The eigen values of A3 are

a) (3, 5, -4) b) (9, 25, 16) c) (27, 125, -64) d) (9, 15, -12)
62. The eigen values of A-1 are
a) (1/3, 1/5, -1/4) b) (1/3, 1/5, 1/4) c) (-3, -5, -4) d) (-1/3, -1/5, 1/4)
63. The eigen values of 9A are
a) (27, 45, -36) b) (12, 14, 5) c) (9, 15, -12) d) (39, 59, 49)
64. The eigen values of Adj(A) are
a) (3, 5, -4) b) (9, 25, 16) c) (20, 12, -15) d) (-20, -12, 15)
65. The eigen values of A1 are
a) (3, 5, -4) b) (-3, -5, 4) c) (1/3, 1/5, -1/4) d) does not exist

66. For the matrix 2 -3 5 the eigen values of A-1 are

0 1 2
0 0 0
a) (2, 1, 0) b) (1/2, 1, ∝) c) (-2, -1, 0) d) does not exist
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67. The number of linearly independent eigen vectors corresponding to any distinct eigen
value of the matrix A3 x 3 =
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) cannot be determined

68. If an eigen value λ is repeated two times for a matrix A3 x 3 then the no. of linearly
independent eigen vectors for λ are
a) 2 b) < 2 c) ≤ 2 d) > 2

69. For the matrix 0 0 1 which of the following is an eigen vector

0 0 0
0 0 0
a) (1, 0, 1) b) (1, 1, 0) c) (1, 0, 1) d) (1, 1, 1)

70. For the matrix 2 0 0 which of the following is not a eigen vector
0 2 0
0 0 2
a) (1, 0, 0) b) (0, 1, 0) c) (0, 0, 1) d) (0, 0, 0)

71. If A = 1 2 then A8 =
2 -1
a) 5I b) 25I c) 625I d) 3125I

72. If A = 1 2 3 4 then A4 =
0 -1 5 6
0 0 i 7
0 0 0 -1

a) I4 b) 4I4 c) 16I4 d) 64I4

73. If λn + K1λn-1+ K2λn-2 + ……. + Kn = 0 is the characteristic equation of a matrix A then
A-1 exists if
a) K1 = 0 b) K1 ≠ 0 c) Kn = 0 d) Kn ≠ 0
74. The sum and product of the eigen values of the matrix 2 2 1 are__ and __
a) 7, 12 b) 7, 5 1 3 1
c) 12, 5 d) 7, 9 1 2 2
75. The eigen values of a triangular matrix are
a) diagonal elements of the matrix b) zero c) non – diagonal elements d) ±1
76. The eigen values of a real skew symmetric matrix are
a) real b) ±1 c) purely imaginary or zero d) does not exist
77. The eigen values of an orthogonal matrix are
a) real b) ±1 c) purely imaginary d) of unit modulus
78. For each eigen value of the matrix A3 x 3 , the no. of eigen vectors =
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) ∝
79. If a matrix A3 x 3 has 3 distinct eigen values then the no. of linearly independent eigen
vectors for A =
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) α
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80. If zero is eigen value of a square matrix A, then A is

a) singular b) non singular c) orthogonal d) symmetric
81. If 2 is eigen value of a scalar matrix A3x3, then an eigen value of Adj A is
a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 8
82. Which of the following is not an eigen vector of a 2 x 2 unit matrix
a) (0, 0) b) (1, 1) c) (1, 0) d)(0, 1)

Previous Gate Questions :

83. What values of x, y, z satisfy the following system of linear equations.

1 2 3 x 6
1 3 4 y = 8 (Gate-2004)
2 2 3 z 12

a) x=6, y=3, z=2 b) x=12, y=3, z= -4 c) x=6, y=6, z= -4 d) x=12, y=-3, z=4

84. If matrix X = a 1 and X2 – X + I=0 . Then the inverse of X is

-a2+a-1 1-a (Gate-2004)

a) 1-a -1 b) 1-a -1 c) -a 1 d) a2-a+1 a

a2 a a2-a+1 a 2
-a +a-1 a-1 1 1-a
85. The number of different n×n symmetric matrices with each element being either 0 or 1 is
2 n2 + n n2 - n
n n 2
a) 2 b) 2 c) 2 d) 2 2 (Gate-2004)

86. Let A, B, C, D be n×n matrices, each with non-zero determinent. ABCD=I then B-1 =
a) D-1C-1A-1 b) CDA c) ADC d) does not exist (Gate-2004)

87. How many solutions does the following system of linear equations have
-x+5y = -1 x-y = 2 x+3y = 3 (Gate-2004)
a) infinitely many b) two distinct solutions c) unique d) none
88. In an n×n matrix such that non zero entries are covered in a rows and b columns. Then the
maximum number of non zero entries, such that no two are on the same row or column is
a) ≤ (a+b) b) ≤ max(a,b) c) ≤ min (M-a, N-b) d) ≤ min (a,b) (Gate-2004)
89. Consider the following system of linear equations
2 1 -4 x α
4 3 -12 y = 5 (Gate-2003)
1 2 -8 z 7
Notice that the second and third columns of the coefficient matrix are linearly dependent.
For how many value of α, does the system of equations have infinitely many solutions.
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) infinitely many

90. The rank of the matrix 1 1 is (Gate-2002)

0 0
a) 4 b) 2 c) 1 d) 0
ACE Academy LINEAR ALGEBRA 13

91. Obtain the eigen values of the matrix A = 1 2 34 49 (Gate-2002)

0 2 43 94
0 0 -2 104
0 0 0 -1
a) 1, 2, -2, -1 b) -1, -2, -1, -2 c) 1, 2, 2, 1 d) none
92. Consider the following statements
S1 : The sum of two singular matrices may be singular
S2 : The sum of two non-singular matrices may be non-singular. (Gate-2001)
Which of the following statements is true.
a) S1 & S2 are both true b) S1 & S2 are both false
c) S1 is true and S2 is false d) S1 is false and S2 is true

93. The determinant of the matrix 2 0 0 0 is

8 1 7 2
2 0 2 0 (Gate-2000)
9 0 6 1
a) 4 b) 0 c) 15 d) 20
94. An n×n array V is defined as follows
V[i, j] = i-j for all i, j 1≤ i≤ n, 1≤j ≤ n. (Gate-2000)
The sum of elements of the array V is
a)0 b) n-1 c) n2 – 3n + 2 d) n(n+1)

KEY

1. d 2. c 3. d 4. a 5. c 6. c 7. c 8. c 9. c 10. c 11. c 12. b

13. d 14. b 15. c & d 16. a 17. b 18. c 19. b 20. d 21. b 22. c 23. c
24. b 25. c 26. b 27. d 28. a 29. c 30. a 31. b 32. a 33. c 34. a 35. a
36. a 37. a 38. a 39. a 40. d 41. d 42. b 43. c 44. a 45. a 46. d 47. a
48. c 49. a 50. d 51. c 52. c 53. b 54. c 55. a 56. a 57. a 58. d 59. b
60. d 61. c 62. a 63. a 64. d 65. a 66. d 67. a 68. c 69. b 70. d 71. c
72. a 73. d 74. b 75. a 76. c 77. d 78. d 79. c 80. a 81. c 82. a 83. c
84. b 85. c 86. b 87. c 88. d 89. b 90. c 91. a 92. a 93. a 94. a

MATRIX ALGEBRA (ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS)

1. Consider the following system of equations in three real variables x1, x2 and x3 :
2x1 – x2 + 3x3 = 1 ; 3x1 + 2x2 + 5x3 = 2 ; - x1 + 4x2 + x3 = 3
This system of equations has (GATE ’05)
a) no solution b) a unique solution
c) more than one but a finite number of solutions
d) an infinite number of solutions
14 BASIC ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS ACE Academy

2. What are the eigen values of the following 2 × 2 matrix ? (GATE ’05)
2 -1
-4 5
a) – 1 and 1 b) 1 and 6 c) 2 and 5 d) 4 and –1

3. Consider the matrices X4 × 3 Y4 × 3 and P2 × 3. The order of [P ( XT Y)-1 PT] T will be

a) 2 × 2 b) 3 × 3 c) 4 × 3 d) 3 × 4 (GATE ’05)

4. Consider a non homogeneous system of linear equations representing mathematically

an over determined system. Such a system will be (GATE ’05)
a) Consistent having a unique solution b) Consistent having many solutions
c) inconsistent having a unique solution d) inconsistent having no solution

5. Consider the system of equations (GATE ’05)

An × n Xn × 1 = λ Xn ×1
Where λ is a scalar. Let (λi, Xi) be an eigen value and its corresponding eigen vector
for real matrix A. Let In × n be unit matrix. Which one of the following statement is not
correct.
a) For a homogeneous n × n system of linear equations, (A – λI) X = 0, having a non
trivial solution, the rank of (A – λ I) is less than n
b) For matrix Am, m being a positive integer, (λim, Xim) will be the Eigen pair for all i
c) If AT = A– 1 then |λi| = 1 for all i
d) If AT = A then λi are real for all i

6. The determinant of the matrix given below is (GATE ’05)

0 1 0 2
-1 1 1 3
0 0 0 1
1 -2 0 1
a) – 1 b) 0 c) 1 d) 2

7. In the matrix equation PX = Q which of the following is a necessary condition for the
existence of atleast one solution for the unknown vector X
a) Augmented matrix [P Q] must have the same rank as matrix P
b) Vector Q must have only non zero elements
c) Matrix P must be singular d) Matrix P must be square

8. For the matrix (GATE ’05)

3 -2 2
P = 0 -2 1
0 0 1
One of the eigen values is –2. Which of the following is an eigen vector ?
3 -3 1 2
a) -2 b) 2 c) -2 d) 5
1 -1 3 0
ACE Academy LINEAR ALGEBRA 15

1 0 -1
9. If R= 2 1 -1 the top row of R-1 is (GATE ’05)
2 3 2
a) [5 6 4] b) [5 -3 1] c) [2 0 -1] d) [2 -1 0]

10. The eigen values of the matrix M given below are 15, 3 and 0. (GATE ’05)

8 -6 2
-6 n -4
2 -4 3
The value of the determinant of the matrix is
a) 20 b) 10 c) 0 d) – 10

11. A is a 3 × 4 matrix and AX = B is an inconsistent system of equations. The highest

possible rank of A is (GATE ’05)
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4

12. Which one of the following is an eigen vector of the matrix (GATE ’05)
5 0 0 0
0 5 0 0
0 0 2 1
0 0 3 1
T T
a) [ 1 -2 0 0] b) [0 0 1 0] c) [1 0 0 -2]T d) [1 -1 2 1]T

13. Let A be a 3 × 3 matrix with rank 2. Then AX = O has (GATE ’05)

a) only the trivial solution X = 0 b) one independent solution
c) two independent solutions d) three independent solutions

14. Identify which one of the following is an eigen vector of the matrix A = 1 0
-1 -2
a) [-1 1]T b) [3 -1]T c) [1 -1]T d) [-2 1]T (GATE ’05)

15. Let A = 2 - 0.1 and A-1 = 1/2 a then (a + b) = (GATE ’05)

0 3 0 b
a) 7 / 20 b) 3 / 20 c) 19/60 d) 11/20

16. Given an orthogonal matrix

1 1 1 1 (GATE ’05)
A= 1 1 -1 -1
1 -1 0 0
0 0 1 -1
T –1
(A A ) is
a) ¼ I4 b) ½ I4 c) I d) ¼ I4

1 -2 -1 -11 -9 1
17. If A = 2 3 1 and adj A = 4 -2 -3 then k =
0 5 -2 10 k 7
a) – 5 b) 3 c) –3 d) 5 (GATE ’99)
16 BASIC ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS ACE Academy

18. If A and B are real symmetric matrices of order n then which of the following is true
a) AAT = I b) A = A-1 c) AB = BA d) (AB)1 = B1A1 (GATE ’94)

19. The inverse of the matrix

1 0 1
-1 1 1 is (GATE ’94)
0 1 0

20. The rank of the matrix

1 a a2 ……….. an
1 a a2 ……….. an of order (n + 1) × (n + 1) (GATE ’98)
…………………….….
1 a a2 ………... an
Where a is a real number is
a) 1 b) 2 c) n d) depends on a

21. If ∆ = 1 a bc then (GATE ’98)

1 b ca
1 c ab
Which of the following is a factor of ∆
a) a + b b) a – b c) abc d) a + b + c

22. Let An × n be a matrix of order n and I12 be the matrix obtained by interchanging the
first and second rows of In. Then A . I12 is such that its first (GATE ’97)
a) row is the same as its second row b) row is the same as second row of A
c) column is the same as the second column of A
d) row is a zero row

23. Let AX = B be a system of linear equations where A is an m × n matrix, B is an m × 1

column matrix. Which of the following is false ? (GATE ’96)
a) The system has a solution , iff ρ(A) = ρ[A | B]
b) If m = n and B is a non zero vector then the system has a unique solution
c) If m < n and B is a zero vector then the system has infinitely many solutions
d) The system will have a trivial solution when m = n, B is the zero vector and rank
of A is n.

KEY

1. b 2. b 3. a 4. d 5. b 6. a 7. a 8. d 9. b 10. c 11. b 12. a

13. b 14. b 15. a 16. c 17. a 18. d 19. 20. a 21. b 22. c 23. b
ACE Academy LINEAR ALGEBRA 17

PREVIOUS GATE QUESTIONS

01. Lets A be an n×n real matrix such that 06. If a square matrix A is real and
A2 = I and y be an n-dimensional symmetric then the eigen values
vector. Then the linear system of (ME-2007-1M)
equations AX = Y has (a) are always real
(IN-2007-1M) (b) are always real and positive
(a) no solution (c) are always real and non-negative
(b) a unique solution (d) occur in complex conjugate pairs.
(c) more than one but infinitely many
dependent solutions. 07. The number of linearly independent
(d) infinitely many dependent solutions 2 1 
eigen vectors of   is
0 2
[ ]
02. Let A= aij , 1 ≤ i, j ≤ n with n ≥ 3 and
(ME-2007-2M)
aij = i . j. Then the rank of A is (a) 0 (b) 1
(IN-2007-2M) (c) 2 (d) infinite
(a) 0 (b) 1
(c) n – 1 (d) n 1+ b b 1
03. The minimum and maximum eigen 08. The determinant b 1+ b 1
1 1 3 1 2b 1
values of the matrix 1 5 1  are equals to (PI-2007-1M)

3 1 1 (a) 0 (b) 2b(b-1)

–2 and 6 respectively. What is other (c) 2(1-b)(1+2b) (d) 3b(1+b)
eigen values? (CE-2007-1M)
(a) 5 (b) 3 09. If A is square symmetric real valued
(c) 1 (d) –1 matrix of dimension 2n, the eigen
values of A are (PI-2007-2M)
04. For what values of α and β the
following simultaneous equations have (a) 2n distinct real values
an infinite number of solutions? (b) 2n real values not necessarily
(CE-2007-2M) distinct
x+y+z = 5, x+3y+3z = 9, x+2y+αz=β (c) n distinct pairs of complex
(a) 2, 7 (b) 3, 8 conjugate numbers
(c) 8, 3 (d) 7, 2 (d) n pairs of complex conjugate
numbers, not necessarily distinct

1 2  10. q1, q2….qm are n-dimensional vectors

05. The inverse of the 2×2 matrix   with m < n. This set of vectors is
5 7  linearly dependent. Q is the matrix
is (CE-2007-2M) with q1, q2….qm as the columns. The
1 − 7 2  1 7 2  rank of Q is (PI-2007-2M)
(a)   (b) 
3 5 − 1 3 5 1 (a) less than m (b) m
1 7 − 2  1 − 7 −2 (c) between m and n (d) n
(c) (d)
3 − 5 1 3 − 5 − 1
18 BASIC ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS ACE Academy

11. X = [x1, x2, …..xn]T is an n-tuple non- 19. All the four entries of the 2×2 matrix
zero vector. The n×n matrix V = X × T p p 
(EE-2007-1M) P =  11 12  are non-zero and one of
(a) has rank zero (b) has rank 1 p 21 p 22 
(c) is orthogonal (d) has rank n the eigen valves is zero. Which of the
following statements is true?
(EC-2008-1M)
− 3 2  (a) p11 p22 – p12 p21 = 1
12. If A =   then A satisfies the (b) p11 p22 – p12 p21 = –1
 − 1 0 (c) p11 p22 – p12 p21 = 0
relation (EE-2007-2M) (d) p11 p22 + p12 p21 = 0
(a) A+3I+2A = 0 (b) A2+2A+2I = 0
-1

(c) (A+I)(A+2I) = 0 (d) eA = 0 20. The system of linear equations

4 x + 2 y = 7
− 3 2  has (EC-2008-1M)
13. If A =  then A9 equals 2 x + y = 6
− 1 0
(EE-2007-2M) (a) a unique solution
(a) 511 A+510 I (b) 309 A + 104 I (b) no solution
(c) 154 A + 155 I (d) e9A (c) an infinite no. of solutions
(d) exactly two distinct solutions
15. The characteristic equation of a (3×3)
matrix P is defined as 0 1
α(λ) = | λI – P| = λ3 + λ2 + 2λ + 1 = 0. 21. Consider the matrix P =  .
If I denotes identity matrix then the − 2 − 3
inverse of matrix P will be The value of eP is (EC-2008-2M)
(EE-2008-1M) 2e − 3e
−2 −1
e − e −2 
−1

(a)  − 2 
(a) P2 + P + 2I (b) P2 + P + I −1
5e − 2 − e −1 
2e − 2e
(c) – (P2 + P + I) (d) – (P2 + P + 2I)
e −1 + e −2 2 e −2 − e −1 
(b)  −1 −2 
16. A is m×n full rank matrix with m > n 2e − 4e 3e −1 + 2e − 2 
and I is an identity matrix Let matrix
5e −2 − e −1 3e −1 − e −2 
A+ = (AT A)-1 AT. Then, which one of (c)  − 2 
−1
the following statement is False? 2e − 6e 4e − 2 + e −1 
(EE-2008-2M)
(a) A A+ A = A (b) (A A+)2 = A A+ 2e −1 − e −2 e −1 − e −2 
(d)  
(c) A+ A = I (d) A A+ A = A+ −1
- 2e + 2e
−2
− e −1 + 2e − 2 

17. If the rank of a (5×6) matrix Q is 4 1 2 4

then which one of the following 22. The matrix 3 0 6  has one
statement is correct? 1 1 p 
(EE-2008-1M)
eigen value to 3. The sum of the other
(a) Q will have four linearly
two eigen values is (ME-2008-1M)
independent rows and four linearly
independent columns (a) p (b) p – 1
(b) Q will have four linearly (c) p – 2 (d) p – 3
independent rows and five linearly
independent columns.
(c) Q QT will be invertible
(d) QT Q will be invertible
ACE Academy LINEAR ALGEBRA 19

23. The eigen vectors of the matrix 28. In the solution of the following set of
1 2 linear equations by Gauss-elimination
0 are written in the form of
 2 using partial pivoting 5x + y + 2z = 34,
4y – 3z = 12 and 10x – 2y+z = –4. The
1 1 pivots for elimination of x and y are
 a  &  b  . What is a + b? (CE-2009-2M)
   
(ME-2008-2M) (a) 10 and 4 (b) 10 and 2
(a) 0 (b) ½ (c) 5 and 4 (d) 5 and −4
(c) 1 (d) 2
29. The eigen values of the following
24. For what values of a, if any, will the − 1 3 5
following system of equations in x, y matrix are − 3 − 1 6

and z have a solution?  0 0 3
2x + 3y = 4
x+y+z=4 (EC-2009-2M)
x + 2y – z = a (ME-2008-2M) (a) 3, 3+5j, 6 – j
(b) – 6+5j, 3+j, 3 – j
(a) any real number (c) 3 + j, 3 – j, 5 + j
(b) 0 (d) 3, –1+3j, –1–3j
(c) 1
(d) there is no such value 30. The eigen values of a (2×2) matrix X
are −2 and −3. The eigen values of
25. The eigen vector pair of the matrix matrix (X+I)-1 (X + 5I) are
3 4 (IN-2009-2M)
4 − 3 is (PI-2008-2M)
  (a) −3, −4 (b) −1, −2
(c) −1, −3 (d) −2, −4
 2   1  2   1
(a)     (b)    
 1   − 2 1   2  0 0 1
 − 2   1
(c) 
− 2   1 
(d)     31. The matrix P = 1 0 0 rotates a
  
 1   − 2  1   2 0 1 0
1 
0 1 0
vector about then axis  1  by angle of
26. Inverse of the matrix 1 0 0 is
 1 
0 0 1
(IN-2009-2M)
(PI-2008-2M)
(a) 30o (b) 60o
0 1 0 0 − 1 0  (c) 90o (d) 120o
(a) 1 0 0 (b) − 1 0 0
0 0 1 0 0 − 1 3/5 4/5 
32. For a matrix [M] =  , the
0 1 0 0 − 1 0  x 3/5
(c) 0 1 (d) 0 0 − 1
transpose of the matrix is equal to the
0
inverse of the matrix, [M]T = [M]-1.
1 0 0 − 1 0 0  The value of x is given by
(ME-2009-1M)
27. A square matrix B is symmetric if 4 3
(a) − (b) −
(CE-2009-1M) 5 5
(a) BT= − B (b) BT = B 3 4
(c) B-1 = B (d) B-1 = BT (c) (d)
5 5
20 BASIC ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS ACE Academy

33. The trace and determinant of a 2×2 38. The eigen values of a skew-symmetric
matrix are shown to be −2 and −35 matrix are (EC-2010-1M)
respectively. Its eigen values are (a) always zero
(EE-2009-1M) (b) always pure imaginary
(a) −30 and −5 (b) −37 and −1 (c) either zero or pure imaginary
(c) −7 and 5 (d) 17.5 and −2 (d) always real

34. The value of the determinant 39. One of the eigen vector of thematrix
1 3 2 2 2
A=  is (ME-2010-2M)
4 1 1 is (PI-2009-1M) 1 3 
2 1 3  2 2 
(a)   (b)  
− 1  1
(a) −28 (b) −24
(c) 32 (d) 36 4   1
(c)   (d)  
1 −1
35. The value of x3 obtained by solving the
following system of linear equations is
40. A real n×n matrix A = [ aij ] is defind
x1 + 2x2 – 2x3 = 4
2x1 + x2 + x3 = –2 a ij = i, if i = j
as follows: 
–x1 + 2x2 – x3 = 2 (PI-2009-2M)  = 0, otherwise
The sum of all n eigen values of A is
(a) –12 (b) –2 (IN-2010-1M)
(c) 0 (d) 12 n(n + 1) n(n − 1)
(a) (b)
2 2
1 1 0
36. An eigen vector of P = 0 2 2  is

n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
(c) (d) n2
0 0 3 6
(EE-2010-2M)
41. X and Y are non-zero square matrices
(a) [− 1 1 1] (b) [1 2 1]
T T
of size n×n. If XY = On×n then
(c) [1 −1 2] (d) [2 − 1]
T T
1 (IN-2010-2M)
(a) | X | = 0 and | Y | ≠ 0
37. For the set of equations (b) | X | ≠ 0 and | Y | = 0
x1 + 2x 2 + x 3 + 4x 4 = 2 (c) | X | = 0 and | Y | = 0
 (d) | X | ≠ 0 and | Y | ≠ 0
3x1 + 6x 2 + 3x 3 + 12x 4 = 6
The following statement is true
42. Consider the following matrix
(EE-2010-2M)
(a) only the trivial solution 2 3
A=  . If the eigen values of A
x1 = x 2 = x 3 = x 4 = 0 exist. x y 
(b) There are no solutions are 4 and 8 then (CS-2010-2M)
(c) A unique non-trivial solution exist (a) x = 4, y = 10 (b) x = 5, y = 8
(d) Multiple non-trivial solutions exist (c) x = -3, y = 9 (d) x = -4, y = 10
ACE Academy LINEAR ALGEBRA 21

43. The inverse of the matrix

3 + 2i i  KEY:
− i is (CE-2010-2M)
 3 − 2i 
01. b 02. b 03. b
1 3 + 2i −i 
(a) 
3 − 2i 
04. a 05. a 06. a
2 i
1 3 − 2i −i  07. b 08. a 09. b
(b) 
12 i 3 + 2i  10. a 11. b 12. c
1 3 + 2i −i  13. a 14. 15. d
(c) 
14 i 3 − 2i  16. d 17. a 18.
1 3 − 2i −i 
19. c 20. b 21.
(d) 
14 i 3 + 2i 
22. c 23. b 24. b
44. The value of q for which the following 25. a 26. b 27. b
set of linear algebraic equations
28. c 29. d 30. c
2x+ 3y = 0, 6x + qy = 0 can have non-
trivial solution is (PI-2010-1M) 31. c 32. a 33. c
(a) 2 (b) 7
34. b 35. b 36. b
(c) 9 (d) 11
37. d 38. c 39. a
T
45. If {1,0,−1} is an eigen vector of the 40. a 41. c 42. d
1 − 1 0
following matrix − 1 2 − 1 then
 43. b 44. c 45. a

0 − 2 1
the corresponding eigen value is
(PI-2010-1M)
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 5