MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. The value of x for which the matrix product 𝜋

(c) 𝜃 = 2n𝜋 + , n ∈ 𝑍 (d) none of these
3
2 0 7 −𝑥 14𝑥 7𝑥
[0 1 0] [ 0 1 0 ] equals an identity 9. The square matrix A = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ] given by 𝑎𝑖𝑗 =(𝑖 − 𝑗)3 ,
1 −2 1 𝑥 −4𝑥 −2𝑥 is a
matrix, is
(a) symmetric matrix (b) non- symmetric matrix
(a) ½ (b) 1/3 (c) ¼ (d) 1/5
(c) diagonal matrix (d) hermitian matrix
1 0 0
2. If A = [0 1 0 ], then 𝐴2 is equal to 1 2 2
𝑎 𝑏 −1 10. If A = [2 1 −2] is a matrix satisfying the
𝑎 2 𝑏
(a) a null matrix (b) a unit matrix equation A𝐴𝑇 = 9𝐼, where 𝐼 is a 3x3 matrix, then,
the ordered pair (a,b) is equal to
(c) - A (d) A
(a) (2,1) (b) (-2,-1) (c) (2,-1) (d) (-2,1)
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
3. If A = [ ], then 𝐴2 = 𝐼,is true for
−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 11. If A is an 3 x 3 non-singular matrix such that
𝜋 A𝐴𝑇 = 𝐴𝑇 A & B = 𝐴−1 𝐴𝑇 , then B𝐵𝑇 equals
(a) 𝜃=0 (b) 𝜃=
4
(a) 𝐵−1 (b) (𝐵−1 )𝑇 (c) 𝐼+B (d) 𝐼
𝜋
(c) 𝜃= (d) none of these
2
12. An n x n matrix is formed using 0,1 & -1 as its
1 −1 𝑎 1 elements. The number of such matrices which are
4. If A = [ ],B=[ ] & (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 =
2 −1 𝑏 −1 skew-symmetric, is
𝐴2 +𝐵2 , then the values of a & b are
𝑛(𝑛−1) 𝑛(𝑛−1)
𝑛(𝑛−1)
(a) a=4, b=1 (b) a=1, b=4 (a) (b) (𝑛 − 1)2 (c) 2 2 (d) 3 2
2

(c) a=0, b=4 (d) a=2, b=4 13. For many values of x in the closed interval
3 −1 + 𝑥 2
1 −3 −4 [-4,-1], the matrix [ 3 −1 𝑥 + 2]is
5. The matrix A = [−1 3 4 ]is nilpotent of 𝑥+3 −1 2
1 −3 −4 singular?
index
(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) 3
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 6
2 −3
−4 −1 14. If A = [ ], then adj(3𝐴2 + 12A) is equal to
6. If A = [ ], then the determinant of the −4 1
3 1
matrix (𝐴1016 - 2𝐴1015 - 𝐴1014 ) is (a) [
72 −84
] (b) [
51 63
]
−63 51 84 72
(a) 2014 (b) 2016 (c) - 175 (d) - 25
51 84 72 −63
(c) [ ] (d) [ ]
1 2 𝑎 0 63 72 −84 51
7. Let A = [ ]&B =[ ] , a,b ∈ 𝑁.Then
3 4 0 𝑏
5𝑎 −𝑏
15. If A = [ ] & (A adjA) = A𝐴𝑇 then 5a + b is
(a) there cannot exist any B such that AB = BA 3 2
equal to
(b) there exist more than one but finite number of (a) -1 (b) 5 (c) 4 (d) 13
B’s such that AB = BA
16. If A & B are two square matrices such that
(c) there exists exactly one B such that AB = BA AB=𝐼, the which of the following is not true?

(d) there exists infinitely many B’s such that AB = (a) BA = 𝐼 (b) 𝐴−1 =B (c) 𝐵−1 = A (d) 𝐴2 =B
BA
17. A square non-singular matrix A satisfies 𝐴2 - A +
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 2𝐼 = 0, then 𝐴−1 =
8. If A = [ ], then 𝐴𝑇 +A = 𝐼2 , if
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 1 1
𝜋 (a) 𝐼 - A (b) (𝐼 – A) (c) 𝐼 + A (d) (𝐼 + A)
(a) 𝜃 = n𝜋 , n ∈ Z (b) 𝜃 = (2n + 1) , n ∈ 𝑍 2 2
2
MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
𝑎 𝑏 25. If A & B are two matrices such that AB = A &
18. If A = [ ] such that ad – bc ≠ 0, then 𝐴−1 is
𝑐 𝑑 BA = B, then 𝐵2 is equal to
1 𝑑 −𝑏 1 𝑑 𝑏
(a) [ ] (b) [ ] (a) B (b) A (c) 1 (d) 0
𝑎𝑑 – 𝑏𝑐 −𝑐 𝑎 𝑎𝑑 – 𝑏𝑐 −𝑐 𝑎
𝑑 𝑏 26. If A = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ] is a square matrix of even order such
(c) [ ] (d) none of these that 𝑎𝑖𝑗 = 𝑖 2 - 𝑗 2 , then
−𝑐 𝑎
1 𝛼 3 (a) A is a skew-symmetric & |𝐴| = 0
19. If P = [1 3 3] is the adjoint of a 3 x 3 matrix
2 4 4 (b) A is symmetric matrix & |𝐴| is a square
A & |𝐴| = 4, then 𝛼 is equal to
(c) A is symmetric matrix & |𝐴| = 0
(a) 4 (b) 11 (c) 5 (d) 10
(d) none of these
1 −2 4
20. If for a matrix A, |𝐴| =6 & adjA=[ 4 1 1], 27. If A,B are two n x n non-singular matrices, then
−1 𝑘 0
then k is equal to (a) AB is non-singular (b) AB is singular
(a) -1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 2 (c) (𝐴𝐵)−1 = 𝐴−1 𝐵−1 (d) (𝐴𝐵)−1 does not exist
21. The existence of the unique solution of the 28. If the matrix AB is zero, then
system of equations
(a) It is not necessary that either A=O, or B=O
x+y+z=𝜆
(b) A=O or B=O
5x - y + 𝜇z = 10
(c) A=O and B=O
2x + 3y - z = 6 depends on
(a) 𝜇 only (b) 𝜆 only (d) all the above statements are wrong
(c) 𝜆 & 𝜇 both (d) neither 𝜆 nor 𝜇
29. If B is non –singular matrix & A is a square
22. For what value of 𝜆, the system of equations matrix, then det(𝐵−1 AB) is equal to
x+y+z=6
(a) det(𝐴−1 ) (b) det(𝐵−1 )
x + 2y + 3z = 10
x + 2y + 𝜆z = 12 is consistent? (c) det(A) (d) det(B)

(a) 𝜆=1 (b) 𝜆=2 (c) 𝜆=- 2 (d) 𝜆=3 30. If A,B are square matrices of order 3, A is non-
23. The number of values of k for which the system singular & AB = O, then B is a
of equations (k + 1)x + 8y = 4k, kx + (k + 3)y =
3k -1 has no solution, is (a) null matrix (b) singular matrix

(a) infinite (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3 (c) unit matrix (d) non-singular matrix

𝑛 0 0 𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
24. The system of linear equations
31. If A = [0 𝑛 0 ] & B = [𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3 ] , then AB
x + 𝜆y - z = 0 0 0 𝑛 𝑐1 𝑐2 𝑐3
is equal to
𝜆x - y - z = 0
(a) B (b) nB (c) 𝐵𝑛 (d) A + B
x + y - 𝜆z = 0 has no-trivial solutions for:
(a) infinitely many values of 𝜆 32. If A satisfies the equation 𝑥 3 - 5𝑥 2 + 4𝑥+ 𝜆=0
(b) exactly one value of 𝜆
Then 𝐴−1 exists if
(c) exactly two values of 𝜆
(d) exactly three values of 𝜆 (a) 𝜆 ≠ 1 (b) 𝜆 ≠ 2 (c) 𝜆 ≠ -1 (d) 𝜆≠0
MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
33. The system of equations 41. If 𝐴3 = O, then 𝐼 + A + 𝐴2 equals

x+y+z=5 (a) 𝐼-A (b) (𝐼 – 𝐴)−1

x + 2y + 3z = 9 (c) (𝐼 + 𝐴)−1 (d) none of these

x + 3y + 𝜆z = 𝜇 has a unique solution if 42. If A is a non-singular matrix of order 3 x 3, then

adj(adjA) is equal to
(a) 𝜆 = 5, 𝜇 = 13 (b) 𝜆≠5
(a) |𝐴|A (b) |𝐴|2 𝐴 (c) |𝐴|−1 𝐴 (d) none of these
(c) 𝜆 = 5, 𝜇 ≠ 13 (d) 𝜇 ≠ 13
43. If A & B are square matrices of order 3x3 such
𝑖 1 − 2𝑖
34. The matrix A = [ ] is which of that A is an orthogonal matrix & B is a skew-
−1 − 2𝑖 0
the following? symmetric matrix, then which of the following
statements is true?
(a) symmetric (b) skew- symmetric
(a) |𝐴𝐵| = 1 (b) |𝐴𝐵| = 0
(c) hermitian (d) skew-hermitian
(c) |𝐴𝐵| = - 1 (d) none of these
35. If A & B are square matrices such that
B = - 𝐴−1 BA, then (𝐴 + 𝐵)2= 44. If A & B are square matrices of size n x n such
that 𝐴2 - 𝐵2 = (A – B) (A + B), then which of the
(a) O (b) 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 following is true?

(c) 𝐴2 + 2AB + 𝐵2 (d) A+B (a) A=B (b) AB = BA

36. A square matrix can always be expressed as (c) either A or B is a zero matrix

(a) the sum of a symmetric & a skew-symmetric (d) either A or B is an identity matrix
matrix
0 0 −1
(b) the sum of a diagonal & a symmetric matrix 45. Let A = [ 0 −1 0 ] . The only correct
−1 0 0
(c) a skew-symmetric matrix statement about the matrix A, is

(d) a skew-matrix (a) 𝐴−1 does not exist

37. If A is a square matrix such that 𝐴2 - A + 𝐼=0, (b) A = (-1), 𝐼 is a unit matrix
then the inverse of A is
(c) A is a zero matrix (d) 𝐴2 = 𝐼
(a) 𝐼 - A (b) A–𝐼 (c) A (d) A +𝐼
5 5𝛼 𝛼
38. If A is a 3x3 matrix & B is its adjoint such that 46. Let A = [0 𝛼 5𝛼 ]. If |𝐴2 |= 25, then |𝛼|
0 0 5
|𝐵|=64, then |𝐴| =
equals
(a) 64 (b) ±64 (c) ±8 (d) 18 1 1 1 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
5 6 7 5
1 2 2
1
39. If A = [2 1 −2] is an orthogonal matrix, 47. If A is a real skew-symmetric matrix such that
3
𝑎 2 𝑏 𝐴2 + 𝐼 = O, then
then
(a) a = 2 , b = 1 (b) a = - 2 , b = - 1 (a) A is a square matrix of even order with |𝐴|=±1
(c) a = 2 , b = - 1 (d) a = - 2 , b = 1 (b) A is a square matrix of odd order with |𝐴|=±1
(c) A can be a square matrix of any order with
40. If 𝜔 is a complex cube root of unity, & |𝐴|=±1
𝜔 0
A=[ ], then 𝐴100 is equal to (d) A is a skew-symmetric matrix of even order with
0 𝜔
|𝐴| = 1
(a) A (b) - A (c) O (d) none of these
MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2 50. If the trivial solution is the only solution of the
48. If A is a square matrix such that 𝐴 = A & B =
−𝐴 , then AB + BA + 𝐼 - (𝐼 – 𝐴)2 = system of equations

(a) A (b) 2A (c) -A (d) 𝐼 – 𝐴 𝑥 - ky + z = 0

49. Consider the system of equations in 𝑥,y,z as k𝑥 + 3y - kz = 0

𝑥sin3𝜃 - y + z = 0 3𝑥 + y - z = 0, then the set of values of k is

𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 + 4y + 3z = 0 (a) R – {2} (b) R – { - 3}

2𝑥 + 7y + 7z= 0 .If this system has a non-trivial (c) {2 , - 3} (d) R – {2 , - 3}

solution, then for any integer n, values of 𝜃 are
1 4 4
given 51. If the adjoint of a 3x3 matrix P is [2 1 7],
(−1)𝑛 (−1)𝑛
1 1 3
(a) (𝑛 + )𝜋 (b) (𝑛 + )𝜋 then the possible values of the determinant of P are
3 4

(−1)𝑛 𝑛𝜋 (a) ± 2 (b) ± 1 (c) ± 3 (d) ± 4

(c) (𝑛 + )𝜋 (d)
6 2

ANSWER KEY- MATRICES (PRACTICE QUESTIONS)

1 (d) 12 (d) 23 (b) 34 (d) 45 (d)
2 (b) 13 (c) 24 (d) 35 (b) 46 (a)
3 (a) 14 (b) 25 (a) 36 (a) 47 (d)
4 (b) 15 (b) 26 (d) 37 (a) 48 (a)
5 (a) 16 (d) 27 (a) 38 (c) 49 (c)
6 (d) 17 (b) 28 (a) 39 (b) 50 (d)
7 (d) 18 (a) 29 (c) 40 (a) 51 (a)
8 (c) 19 (b) 30 (a) 41 (b)
9 (b) 20 (d) 31 (b) 42 (a)
10 (b) 21 (a) 32 (d) 43 (b)
11 (d) 22 (d) 33 (b) 44 (b)

SOLUTIONS

1. (d) We have, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

3. (a) We have, If A = [ ]
−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
2 0 7 −𝑥 14𝑥 7𝑥 1 0 0
[0 1 0] [ 0 1 0 ]= [0 1 0] 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
𝐴2 = [ ]
1 −2 1 𝑥 −4𝑥 −2𝑥 0 0 1 −𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃

5𝑥 0 0 1 0 0 ∴ 𝐴2 = 𝐼 ⇒ 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃= 1 & 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃=0 ⇒ 𝜃 = 0

⇒[0 1 0 ] = [0 1 0]
0 10𝑥 − 2 5𝑥 0 0 1 1 −1 𝑎 1
4. (b) We have, If A = [ ],B=[ ]
2 −1 𝑏 −1
1
⇒ 5𝑥 = 1 , 10𝑥 – 2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 = 𝑎+1 0
5 A+B=[ ]
𝑏 + 2 −2
1 0 0
2. (b) We have, If A = [0 1 0 ] Given, (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 = 𝐴2 +𝐵2
𝑎 𝑏 −1
(𝑎 + 1)2 0 2
1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 ⇒ [ ] = [𝑎 + 𝑏 − 1 𝑎 − 1]
(𝑎 + 1)(𝑏 + 2) 4 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏 𝑏
𝐴2 = [0 1 0 ] [0 1 0 ] = [0 1 0]= a unit
𝑎 𝑏 −1 𝑎 𝑏 −1 0 0 1 ⇒ a – 1 = 0 , b = 4 , (𝑎 + 1)2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 − 1 ,
matrix
(𝑎 + 1)(𝑏 + 2) = 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏 ⇒ a=1 , b=4
MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
5. (a) We know that a square matrix A is nilpotent of A𝐴𝑇 = 9𝐼
index n, if n is the least +ve integer such that 𝐴𝑛 =O,
1 2 2 1 2 𝑎 9 0 0
2
For the given matrix 𝐴 = O, Hence it is a nilpotent [ ] [
2 1 −2 2 1 2 ] = [0 9 0]
matrix of index 2 𝑎 2 𝑏 2 −2 𝑏 0 0 9

−4 −1 ⇒
6. (d) We have, If A = [ ] 9 0 𝑎 + 4 + 2𝑏 9 0 0
3 1
[ 0 9 2𝑎 + 2 − 2𝑏 ]=[0 9 0]
Let B = 𝐴1016 - 2𝐴1015 - 𝐴1014 . Then 𝑎 + 4 + 2𝑏 2𝑎 + 2 − 2𝑏 𝑎2 + 4 + 𝑏 2 0 0 9

B = 𝐴1014 (𝐴2 - 2𝐴 – 𝐼) ⇒ 𝑎 + 4 + 2𝑏 = 0 , 2𝑎 + 2 − 2𝑏 = 0 & 𝑎2 + 4 + 𝑏 2=9

⇒ |𝐵| = |𝐴|1014 |(𝐴2 − 2𝐴 – 𝐼)| ⇒ a= - 2 , b = - 1

−4 −1 Hence, (a,b) = (-2,-1)

Now, A = [ ]
3 1
11. (d) We have,
−4 −1 −4 −1 −4 −1
∴ 𝐴2- 2𝐴 – 𝐼 = [ ][ ] - 2[ ]-
3 1 3 1 3 1 ∴ B𝐵𝑇 = (𝐴−1 𝐴𝑇 ) (𝐴−1 𝐴𝑇 ) 𝑇
1 0 13 3 8 2 1 0 20 5
[ ]=[ ]+[ ]- [ ]= [ ]
0 1 −9 −2 −6 −2 0 1 −15 −5 = (𝐴−1 𝐴𝑇 )((𝐴𝑇 ) 𝑇 (𝐴−1 ) 𝑇 )
20 5 = (𝐴−1 𝐴𝑇 )(𝐴 (𝐴−1 ) 𝑇) [∵ (𝐴𝑇 ) 𝑇= A]
⇒ |(𝐴2 − 2𝐴 – 𝐼)| = | |
−15 −5
−4 −1 = 𝐴−1 (𝐴𝑇 𝐴)(𝐴−1 ) 𝑇
and |𝐴| = | | = -1
3 1
∵ 𝐴𝑇 𝐴 = 𝐴𝐴𝑇 (𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛)
Hence, |𝐵| = (−1)1014 |(𝐴2 − 2𝐴 – 𝐼)| = 𝐴−1 (𝐴𝐴𝑇 )(𝐴𝑇 ) −1 [ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝐴−1 ) 𝑇 = (𝐴𝑇 ) −1 ]

= - 25
= (𝐴−1 𝐴)( 𝐴𝑇 (𝐴𝑇 ) −1 ) = 𝐼𝐼 = 𝐼
𝑎 2𝑏 𝑎 2𝑎
7. (d) We have, AB = [ ] & BA = [ ]
3𝑎 4𝑏 3𝑎 4𝑏 12. (d) All leading diagonal elements of a skew-
Clearly AB = BA when a = b symmetric are zero. So, to form a skew-symmetric
matrix A = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ] of order n x n, we need to know the
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 elements 𝑎𝑖𝑗 for i<j; 𝑖, 𝑗 =1,2,……,n. Each one of
8. (c) We have, A = [ ]
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑛2−𝑛
these elements can take three values 0,1 & -
2
𝐴𝑇 + A = 𝐼2
1. So, the number of skew-symmetric matrices is
𝑛2 −𝑛 𝑛(𝑛−1)
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 1 0
⇒[ ]+[ ]=[ ] 3 2 =3 2
−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 0 1
2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 0 1 0 13. (c) The given matrix is singular
⇒[ ]=[ ]
0 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 0 1
3 −1 + 𝑥 2
1 𝜋 𝜋 ∴ | 3 −1 𝑥 + 2| = 0
⇒ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = , 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = cos ⇒ 𝜃 = 2n𝜋 ± , n∈ 𝑍.
2 3 3 𝑥+3 −1 2
9. (b) We have, A = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ] given by 𝑎𝑖𝑗 =(𝑖 − 𝑗)3 ⇒ 3(- 2 + 𝑥 + 2) + (1 – 𝑥)(6 - 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 - 6) + 2(- 3 + 𝑥
+ 3) = 0
𝑎𝑖𝑗 = (𝑖 − 𝑗)3 ⇒ 𝑎𝑗𝑖 = (𝑗 − 𝑖)3 = - (𝑖 − 𝑗)3= - 𝑎𝑖𝑗 for all
i,j ⇒ 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 = 0

∴ A is a skew-symmetric matrix. ⇒ 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 4) = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 = 0, −4

1 2 2 Clearly, 𝑥 = −4 ∈ [−4, −1]. Hence there is only one

10.(b) We have, If A = [2 1 −2] value of x in [- 4 , - 1] for which the given matrix is
𝑎 2 𝑏 singular.
MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2 −3 1 𝛼 3
14. (b) We have, A = [ ]
−4 1 19. (b) We have, P = [1 3 3]
2 4 4
2 −3 2 −3 16 −9
∴ 𝐴2 = [ ][ ]=[ ]
−4 1 −4 1 −12 13 ∴ |𝑃| = (12 – 12) – 𝛼(4 – 6) + 3(4 – 6) = 2𝛼 - 6
48 −27 24 −36
∴ 3𝐴2 + 12A = [ ]+[ ] We have, adjA = P
−36 39 −48 12
72 −63 ⇒ |𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴| = |𝑃|
= [ ]
−84 51
⇒ |𝐴|3−1 = 2𝛼 - 6 [∵ |𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴| = |𝐴|𝑛−1 ]
51 63
⇒ adj(3𝐴2 + 12A) = [ ]
84 72 ⇒ 42 = 2𝛼 - 6 ⇒ 𝛼 = 11

15. (b) It is given that the matrix A = 20. (d) If A is a square matrix of order n x n, then
5𝑎 −𝑏 |𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴| = |𝐴|𝑛−1
[ ] satisfies the equation
3 2
1 −2 4
(A adjA) = A𝐴𝑇 Here, n = 3, |𝐴| = 6 & adjA = [ 4 1 1]
−1 𝑘 0
⇒ |𝐴|𝐼2 = A𝐴𝑇
1 −2 4
⇒ (10a + 3b)[
1 0
]=[
5𝑎 −𝑏 5𝑎
][
3
] ∴ |𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴| = | 4 1 1| = 62
0 1 3 2 −𝑏 2 −1 𝑘 0
10𝑎 + 3𝑏 0 2 2
⇒[ ]=[25𝑎 + 𝑏 15𝑎 − 2𝑏 ] ⇒ -1(-2 – 4) –k(1 – 16) = 36 ⇒ 6 + 15k = 36 ⇒k=2
0 10𝑎 + 3𝑏 15𝑎 − 2𝑏 13
21. (a) The given system of equations may be
⇒ 10𝑎 + 3𝑏 = 13 , 15𝑎 − 2𝑏 = 0 & 25𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = written as
10𝑎 + 3𝑏
1 1 1 𝑥 𝜆
2
⇒a= and b = 3 [5 −1 𝜇 ] [𝑦] = [10]
5
2 3 −1 𝑧 6
∴ 5a + b = 2 + 3 = 5 1 1 1 𝑥 𝜆
⇒ [0 −6 𝜇 − 5] [𝑦] = [10 − 5𝜆 ]Applying 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 -
16. (d) We have, AB = 𝐼 0 1 −3 𝑧 6 − 2𝜆
5𝑅1 & 𝑅3 → 𝑅3 - 2𝑅1
⇒ 𝐵−1 = A and 𝐴−1 = B
1 1 1 𝑥 𝜆
⇒ BA = B𝐵−1 = 𝐼 ⇒ [0 −6 𝜇 − 5] [𝑦] = [ 10 − 5𝜆 ]Apply 𝑅3 → 𝑅3 +
0 6 −18 𝑧 36 − 12𝜆
Hence option (d) is not correct. 𝑅2
17. (b) We have, 𝐴2 - A + 2𝐼 = 0 1 1 1 𝑥 𝜆
⇒[ 0 −6 𝜇 − 5 𝑦
] [ ] = [ 10 − 5𝜆 ] Applying 𝑅3 →
⇒ A - 𝐴2 = 2𝐼 0 0 𝜇 − 23 𝑧 46 − 17𝜆
1
𝑅3 + 𝑅2 . For unique solution we must have 𝜇 −
⇒ A(𝐼 – 𝐴) = 2𝐼 ⇒ A{ (𝐼 – 𝐴)} = 𝐼 ⇒ 𝐴−1= 23 ≠0 i.e., 𝜇 ≠23.
2
1
(𝐼 – 𝐴) 22. (d) The given system of equations may be
2
written as
18. (a) We have, |𝐴| = ad – bc ≠ 0 1 1 1 𝑥 6
[1 2 3] [𝑦 ] = [10]
Co-factor of 𝑎11 = d , Co-factor of 𝑎12 = - c 1 2 𝜆 𝑧 12
Co-factor of 𝑎21 = - b , Co-factor of 𝑎22 = a 1 1 1 𝑥 6
⇒ [0 1 2 ] [𝑦] = [4]Applying 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 - 𝑅1 &
1 1 𝑑 −𝑏 0 1 𝜆−1 𝑧 6
∴ 𝐴−1 = |𝐴|adjA = [ ]
𝑎𝑑 – 𝑏𝑐 −𝑐 𝑎 𝑅3 → 𝑅3 - 𝑅1
MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1 1 1 𝑥 6 Therefore, AB is a non-singular matrix.
⇒ [0 1 2 ] [𝑦] = [4]Applying 𝑅2 → 𝑅2 - 𝑅2
0 1 𝜆−3 𝑧 2 Consequently, (𝐴𝐵)−1 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠 & (𝐴𝐵)−1 = 𝐵−1 𝐴−1
For 𝜆 = 3, we observe that rank of matrix A is 2 & 1 0 0 0 0 0
28. (a) If A = [ ],B=[ ], then AB = [ ]
that of the augmented matrix is 3. So, the system is 0 0 0 1 0 0
inconsistent.
However, A ≠ O , B ≠ 𝑂. So option (a) is correct
23. (b) Given the system of equations (k + 1)x + 8y
29. (c) We have, |𝐵−1 𝐴𝐵|=|𝐵−1 ||𝐴||𝐵|
= 4k, kx + (k + 3)y = 3k -1 has no solution if
1 1
𝑘+1 8 4𝑘 ⇒ |𝐵−1 𝐴𝐵| = |𝐴||𝐵 | [∵ |𝐵 −1 | = |𝐵|]
= ≠ |𝐵|
𝑘 𝑘+3 3𝑘−1

𝑘+1 8 8 4𝑘 ⇒ |𝐵−1 𝐴𝐵| = |𝐴|

⇒ = & ≠
𝑘 𝑘+3 𝑘+3 3𝑘−1
30.(a) It is given |𝐴| ≠ 0. So, 𝐴−1 exists.
2 2
⇒ 𝑘 + 4k + 3 = 8k & 24k – 8 ≠ 4𝑘 + 12k
Now, AB = O
⇒ 𝑘 2 - 4k + 3 = 0 & 4𝑘 2 - 12k + 8 ≠ 0
⇒ 𝐴−1 (𝐴𝐵) = 𝐴−1 𝑂
⇒ k = 1 , 3 and 𝑘 2 - 3k + 2 ≠ 0 ⇒k = 3
⇒ (𝐴−1 A)B = O ⇒ 𝐼𝐵 = O ⇒ B = O
Hence, there is only one value of k.
31. (b) We have, A = n𝐼3
24. (d) The given system of equations will have
infinitely many non-trivial solutions, if ∴ AB = (n𝐼3 )B = n(𝐼3 𝐵) = nB

1 𝜆 −1 32. (d) Since A satisfies the equation

|𝜆 −1 −1| = 0
1 1 −𝜆 𝑥 3 - 5𝑥 2 + 4𝑥+ 𝜆 = 0

⇒ (𝜆 + 1) – 𝜆(- 𝜆2 + 1) – 1(𝜆 + 1) = 0 ⇒ 𝐴3 - 5𝐴2 + 4𝐴 + 𝜆𝐼 = 0

⇒ 𝜆3 – 𝜆 = 0 ⇒ 𝜆(𝜆2 - 1) = 0⇒ 𝜆 = 0 , 1 , - 1 ⇒ A(-𝐴2 + 5𝐴 - 4𝐼) = 𝜆𝐼

25. (a) We have, AB = A & BA = B 1

⇒ A{ (−𝐴2 + 5𝐴 − 4𝐼) } = 𝐼, if 𝜆 ≠ 0
𝜆
∴ 𝐵2 = BB
1
Hence, 𝐴−1 exists & is equal to (−𝐴2 + 5𝐴 − 4𝐼)
𝜆
⇒ 𝐵2 = (BA)B [∵ BA = B]
if 𝜆 ≠ 0
⇒ 𝐵2 = B(AB)
33. (b) The system of equations will have unique
⇒ 𝐵2 = BA [∵ AB = A] solution if

1 1 1
⇒ 𝐵2 = B
|1 2 3| ≠ 0 ⇒ 𝜆 – 5 ≠0 ⇒ 𝜆 ≠ 5
26. (d) We know, 𝑎𝑖𝑗 = 𝑖 2 - 𝑗 2 1 3 𝜆
𝑖 1 − 2𝑖
∴ 𝑎𝑗𝑖 = 𝑗 2 - 𝑖 2 ⇒ 𝑎𝑖𝑗 = - 𝑎𝑗𝑖 . Thus A is a skew- 34. (d) We have, A = [ ]
−1 − 2𝑖 0
symmetric matrix of even order.
−𝑖 1 + 2𝑖
𝐴̅ = [ ]
We know that the determinant of every skew- −1 + 2𝑖 0
symmetric matrix of even order is a perfect square −𝑖 −1 + 2𝑖 𝑖 1 − 2𝑖
(𝐴̅)𝑇 = [ ] = -[ ]= - A
& that of odd order is zero. Hence option (d) is 1 + 2𝑖 0 −1 − 2𝑖 0
correct.
Hence, A is skew-hermitian.
27. (a) We have,

|𝐴𝐵| = |𝐴||𝐵| ≠ 0 [∵ |𝐴| ≠ 0 , |𝐵| ≠ 0]

MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
35. (b) we have, 41. (b) We have,

B = - 𝐴−1 BA (𝐼 - A)(𝐼 + A + 𝐴2 ) = 𝐼 + A + 𝐴2 - A - 𝐴2 - 𝐴3 = 𝐼-O= 𝐼

⇒ AB = - A(𝐴−1 BA) ∴ (𝐼 – 𝐴)−1 = 𝐼 + A + 𝐴2

⇒ AB = - ((A𝐴−1 )(BA)) 42. (a) If A is a non-singular matrix of order n, then

⇒ AB = - ((𝐼)(BA)) adj(adjA) = |𝐴|𝑛−2 A

⇒ AB = - BA Here n=3,

⇒ AB + BA = O ∴ adj(adjA) = |𝐴|A

Now, (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 = (𝐴 + 𝐵)(𝐴 + 𝐵) 43. (b) We have,

⇒ (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 = 𝐴2 + AB + BA + 𝐵2 A is an orthogonal matrix ⇒ |𝐴| = ±1

⇒ (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 = 𝐴2 + O + 𝐵2 B is a skew-symmetric matrix of odd order⇒ |𝐵|=0

⇒ (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 = 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 ∴ |𝐴𝐵| = |𝐴||𝐵| ⇒ |𝐴𝐵| = (±1) x 0 = 0

36. (a) We know that a square matrix can always 44. (b) We have,
be expressed as the sum of a symmetric & a skew-
symmetric matrix 𝐴2 - 𝐵2 = (A – B) (A + B)

⇒ 𝐴2 - 𝐵2 = A(A – B) - B(A + B)
37. (a) We have, 𝐴2 - A + 𝐼 = 0
⇒ 𝐴2 - 𝐵2 = 𝐴2 + AB – BA - 𝐵2
⇒ A - 𝐴2 = 𝐼 ⇒ A(𝐼 − 𝐴)= 𝐼 ⇒ 𝐴−1 = 𝐼 − 𝐴
⇒ AB = BA
38. (c) We have, |𝐵|=64
45. (d) We have, |𝐴| = 1 ≠ 0
⇒ |𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴| = 64 ⇒ |𝐴|2 = 64 ⇒ |𝐴|= ±8

39. (b) Since A is an orthogonal matrix. So, 𝐴−1 exists.

Clearly, A ≠ (-1)𝐼 & is not a zero or null matrix.

∴ A𝐴𝑇 = 𝐼

1 2 2 1 2 𝑎 So, options (a) , (b) & (c) are not correct.

1 1
1 0 0
⇒ [2 1 −2]. 3 [2 1 2] = [0 1 0] 0 0 −1 0 0 −1
3
𝑎 2 𝑏 2 −2 𝑏 0 0 1 Now, 𝐴2 = [ 0 −1 0 ] [ 0 −1 0 ]
−1 0 0 −1 0 0
1 2 2 1 2 𝑎 1 0 0
1
⇒ [2 1 −2]. [2 1 2] = [0 1 0] 1 0 0
9
𝑎 2 𝑏 2 −2 𝑏 0 0 1 = [0 1 0] = 𝐼. Hence option (d) is correct.
0 0 1
⇒
9 0 𝑎 + 4 + 2𝑏 9 0 0 5 5𝛼 𝛼
[ 0 9 2𝑎 + 2 − 2𝑏 ]=[0 9 0] 46. (a) We have, A = [0 𝛼 5𝛼 ]. If |𝐴2 |= 25
𝑎 + 4 + 2𝑏 2𝑎 + 2 − 2𝑏 𝑎2 + 4 + 𝑏 2 0 0 9 0 0 5

⇒ 𝑎 + 4 + 2𝑏 = 0, 2𝑎 + 2 − 2𝑏 = 0 &𝑎2 + 4 + 𝑏 2=9 |𝐴| = 5 x 𝛼 x 5 = 25𝛼

⇒ 𝑎 + 2𝑏 + 4 = 0, 𝑎 − 𝑏 + 1 = 0 & 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 5 [∵ 𝐴 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥]

⇒a=-2,b=-1 Now, |𝐴2 |= 25

1 1
𝜔 0 1 0 ⇒ |𝐴|2 = 25 ⇒ (25𝛼)2 = 25 ⇒ 𝛼 2 = - ⇒ |𝛼|=
40. (a) We have, A=[ ] = 𝜔[ ] = 𝜔𝐼2 25 5
0 𝜔 0 1

∴ 𝐴100 = 𝜔100 (𝐼2 )100 = 𝜔100 𝐼2 = 𝜔𝐼2 = A

MATRICES PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2
47.(d) We know, 𝐴 + 𝐼 = O 𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃 −1 1
∴ |𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 4 3| = 0
⇒ 𝐴2 = −𝐼 ⇒ |𝐴2 | = |−𝐼 | ⇒ |𝐴2 |= ±1 2 7 7

Let the order of A be n x n ⇒ 7𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝜃 + 14cos2𝜃 - 14 = 0

Since A is skew-symmetric matrix. ⇒ 3sin 𝜃 - 4𝑠𝑖𝑛 3 𝜃 + 2 - 4sin2 θ – 2 = 0

∴ 𝐴𝑇 = - A ⇒ sin𝜃(4sin2 θ + 4sin𝜃 - 3) = 0

⇒ |𝐴𝑇 | = |−𝐴| ⇒ sin𝜃(2sin𝜃 + 3)(2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 1) = 0

1 𝜋
⇒ |𝐴| = (−1)𝑛|𝐴| ⇒ sin𝜃 = 0, sin𝜃 = ⇒ 𝜃=n𝜋 or, 𝜃= n𝜋+(−1)𝑛
2 6

⇒ |𝐴| = −|𝐴| , if n is odd 50. (d) The given system of equations will have
trivial solution only, if
⇒ |𝐴| = 0, if n is odd
1 −𝑘 1
But, |𝐴| ≠ 0. So, A cannot be a skew-symmetric |𝑘 3 −𝑘| ≠ 0
matrix of odd order. Infact, the determinant of a 3 1 −1
skew-symmetric matrix of even order is a perfect
square. ⇒ - 3 + k + k(-k + 3k) + (k – 9) ≠ 0

∴ |𝐴| = 1 ⇒ 2𝑘 2 + 2k – 12 ≠ 0

48. (a) We have, ⇒ 𝑘2 + k – 6 ≠ 0

𝐴2 = A & B = 𝐼 − 𝐴 ⇒ k ≠ −3,2

∴ AB + BA + 𝐼 – (𝐼 − 𝐴)2 Hence, k ∈ R – {2 , - 3}

= A(𝐼 − 𝐴) + (𝐼 − 𝐴)𝐴 + 𝐼- (𝐼 − 𝐴)(𝐼 − 𝐴) 51. (a) If A is an n x n matrix, then |𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴| = |𝐴|𝑛−1

= A - 𝐴2 + A - 𝐴2 + 𝐼 – (𝐼 − 2𝐴 + 𝐴2 ) 1 4 4
∴ [2 1 7] = |𝑃|2
= A – A + A – A + 𝐼 - (𝐼 − 2𝐴 + 𝐴) [∵ 𝐴2 = 𝐴] 1 1 3

=A ⇒ |𝑃|2 = 1(3 – 7) – 4(6 – 7) + 4(2 – 1) = 4

49. (c) The given system of equations has a non- ⇒ |𝑃| = ± 2

trivial solution.