Let A= bmatrix1&0&0 0&α&β 0&β&α bmatrix and |2A|³=2²¹ where α, βin Z, Then a value of α is

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

|kA| = kⁿ |A| Where A is an n × n matrix, and k is a scalar.

Core Logic

Find the determinant of the 3 × 3 matrix A:

|A| = 1(α · α - β · β) - 0 + 0 |A| = α² - β²

Given the condition |2A|³ = 2²¹. Since A is a 3 × 3 matrix, applying the scalar property |kA| = k³|A|:

|2A| = 2³|A| = 8|A|

Substitute this back into the original condition:

(2³|A|)³ = 2²¹ 2⁹ |A|³ = 2²¹ |A|³ = 2²¹2⁹ = 2¹²

Taking the cube root of both sides: |A| = 2⁴ = 16

Step 1: Solve the Diophantine Equation

We have:

α² - β² = 16 (α - β)(α + β) = 16

Since α and β are integers, their sum and difference must also be integers. Also, (α + β) and (α - β) must share the same parity (both even or both odd) because their sum is 2α (an even number).

Since their product is 16, the only valid integer factor pairs of 16 that share the same parity are (8, 2) and (-8, -2) and (4, 4) and (-4, -4).

Case 1: (α + β) = 8 and (α - β) = 2 Adding them gives 2α = 10 ⇒ α = 5. Thus β = 3.

Case 2: (α + β) = 4 and (α - β) = 4 Adding them gives 2α = 8 ⇒ α = 4. Thus β = 0.

Looking at the options provided (3, 5, 17, 9), the value α = 5 is listed.

Pattern Recognition

Extracting scalar multipliers from determinants always depends on the dimension n of the matrix. For Diophantine equations like x² - y² = k, factoring into (x-y)(x+y) and analyzing parity constraints restricts the solution space instantly.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Determinants

Reference Study Guides

More Determinants Previous-Year Questions

Q24 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Cayley-Hamilton Theorem Applications
For some α, β in R , let A = bmatrix α & 2 1 & 2 bmatrix and B = bmatrix 1 & 1 1 & β bmatrix be such that A² - 4A + 2I = B² - 3B + I = O . Then ( (adj(A³ - B³)))² is equal to ....
Numerical Answer. Answer: 225 to 225

Solution

Related Formula

For a 2 × 2 matrix M, Cayley-Hamilton equation states:

M² - Tr(M)M + det(M)I = O

Also, |adj(M)| = |M|ⁿ⁻¹, and for a 2 × 2 matrix, |adj(M)| = |M|.

Core Logic

Using the characteristic equation A² - Tr(A)A + (A)I = O: Comparing with A² - 4A + 2I = O: Tr(A) = 4 ⇒ α + 2 = 4 ⇒ α = 2

Comparing with B² - 3B + I = O: Tr(B) = 3 ⇒ 1 + β = 3 ⇒ β = 2

Step 1: Compute A³ and B³ via reduction
A = bmatrix 2 & 2 1 & 2 bmatrix

A² = 4A - 2I

A³ = A(4A - 2I) = 4A² - 2A = 4(4A - 2I) - 2A = 14A - 8I A³ = 14 bmatrix 2 & 2 1 & 2 bmatrix - 8 bmatrix 1 & 0 0 & 1 bmatrix = bmatrix 28 & 28 14 & 28 bmatrix - bmatrix 8 & 0 0 & 8 bmatrix = bmatrix 20 & 28 14 & 20 bmatrix

Similarly, B = bmatrix 1 & 1 1 & 2 bmatrix B² = 3B - I

B³ = 3B² - B = 3(3B - I) - B = 8B - 3I B³ = 8 bmatrix 1 & 1 1 & 2 bmatrix - bmatrix 3 & 0 0 & 3 bmatrix = bmatrix 8 & 8 8 & 16 bmatrix - bmatrix 3 & 0 0 & 3 bmatrix = bmatrix 5 & 8 8 & 13 bmatrix
Step 2: Difference and Determinant
A³ - B³ = bmatrix 20 & 28 14 & 20 bmatrix - bmatrix 5 & 8 8 & 13 bmatrix = bmatrix 15 & 20 6 & 7 bmatrix (A³ - B³) = (15 × 7) - (20 × 6) = 105 - 120 = -15
Step 3: Final Answer

For a 2 × 2 matrix, |adj(M)| = |M|. Thus, (adj(A³ - B³)) = -15.

( (adj(A³ - B³)))² = (-15)² = 225
Pattern Recognition

Do not manually multiply matrices to the 3rd power. Cayley-Hamilton strictly reduces M³ down to a linear combination cM + dI. Expanding this requires only basic scalar arithmetic.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices

Q14 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Matrix Algebra
For the matrices A= bmatrix3 & -4 1 & -1 bmatrix and B= bmatrix-29 & 49 -13 & 18 bmatrix, if (A¹⁵+B) bmatrixx y bmatrix= bmatrix0 0 bmatrix, then among the following which one is true?
  • A. x = 5, y = 7
  • B. x = 18, y = 11
  • C. x = 11, y = 2
  • D. x = 16, y = 3

Solution

Related Formula
A = I + N Aⁿ = (I+N)ⁿ = I + nN

(provided N² = 0, meaning N is nilpotent of order 2).

Core Logic

Evaluate powers of matrix A to detect a pattern.

A = bmatrix3 & -4 1 & -1 bmatrix = bmatrix1 & 0 0 & 1 bmatrix + bmatrix2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix

Let N = bmatrix2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix. Check N²:

N² = bmatrix2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix bmatrix2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix = bmatrix4-4 & -8+8 2-2 & -4+4 bmatrix = bmatrix0 & 0 0 & 0 bmatrix
Step 1: Compute A^15

Since N² = 0, Aⁿ = I + nN.

A¹⁵ = I + 15N = bmatrix1 & 0 0 & 1 bmatrix + 15 bmatrix2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix = bmatrix1 & 0 0 & 1 bmatrix + bmatrix30 & -60 15 & -30 bmatrix A¹⁵ = bmatrix31 & -60 15 & -29 bmatrix
Step 2: Evaluate Matrix Operation
A¹⁵ + B = bmatrix31 & -60 15 & -29 bmatrix + bmatrix-29 & 49 -13 & 18 bmatrix = bmatrix2 & -11 2 & -11 bmatrix

Given (A¹⁵ + B) bmatrixx y bmatrix = bmatrix0 0 bmatrix:

bmatrix2 & -11 2 & -11 bmatrix bmatrixx y bmatrix = bmatrix0 0 bmatrix

This yields a single independent equation:

2x - 11y = 0 2x = 11y

Checking the options, for x=11, y=2, 2(11) = 11(2) 22 = 22. Thus, Option 3 satisfies the condition.

Pattern Recognition

Whenever you need a high power of a 2× 2 matrix, check its trace and determinant. If |A-λ I|=0 yields λ=1,1, then A can be written as I+N where N is nilpotent. This bypasses lengthy matrix multiplication.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants

Q18 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening System of Linear Equations
If the system of equations 3x + y + 4z = 3 2x + α y - z = -3 x + 2y + z = 4 has no solution, then the value of α is equal to:
  • A. 19
  • B. 4
  • C. 13
  • D. 23

Solution

Related Formula
For no solution in AX = B, we must have |A| = 0 (i.e. Δ = 0 ) and at least one of Δₓ, Δy, Δz ≠ 0.
Core Logic

Evaluate the main determinant Δ to 0 to find α. Then quickly verify Δₓ ≠ 0 to confirm it produces no solution.

Step 1: Calculate Delta
Δ = vmatrix 3 & 1 & 4 2 & α & -1 1 & 2 & 1 vmatrix = 0

Expand along the first row:

3(α + 2) - 1(2 - (-1)) + 4(4 - α) = 0 3α + 6 - 3 + 16 - 4α = 0 19 - α = 0 α = 19
Step 2: Verification of Delta_x

For α = 19:

Δₓ = vmatrix 3 & 1 & 4 -3 & 19 & -1 4 & 2 & 1 vmatrix Δₓ = 3(19 + 2) - 1(-3 + 4) + 4(-6 - 76) Δₓ = 3(21) - 1(1) + 4(-82) = 63 - 1 - 328 ≠ 0

Since Δ = 0 and Δₓ ≠ 0, the system has no solution for α = 19.

Pattern Recognition

Unless the problem specifically asks to check between infinite and no solution, setting the coefficient determinant Δ = 0 directly yields the unique required parameter value.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants

Q13 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Properties of Determinants
If A= bmatrix2 & 3 3 & 5 bmatrix, then the determinant of the matrix (A²⁰²⁵-3A²⁰²⁴+A²⁰²³) is
  • A. 28
  • B. 12
  • C. 24
  • D. 16

Solution

Related Formula

|AB| = |A||B| |Aⁿ| = |A|ⁿ

Core Logic

Given A = bmatrix2 & 3 3 & 5 bmatrix.

The determinant |A| = (2)(5) - (3)(3) = 10 - 9 = 1.

We need to find the determinant of X = A²⁰²⁵ - 3A²⁰²⁴ + A²⁰²³. Factor out the lowest power of A:

X = A²⁰²³(A² - 3A + I)
Step 1: Determinant Factoring

Using properties of determinants:

|X| = |A²⁰²³| · |A² - 3A + I|

Since |A| = 1, |A|²⁰²³ = 1.

Therefore, |X| = |A² - 3A + I|.

Step 2: Matrix Computation

Calculate A²:

A² = bmatrix2 & 3 3 & 5 bmatrix bmatrix2 & 3 3 & 5 bmatrix = bmatrix4+9 & 6+15 6+15 & 9+25 bmatrix = bmatrix13 & 21 21 & 34 bmatrix

Calculate -3A:

-3A = bmatrix-6 & -9 -9 & -15 bmatrix

Assemble A² - 3A + I:

A² - 3A + I = bmatrix13 & 21 21 & 34 bmatrix + bmatrix-6 & -9 -9 & -15 bmatrix + bmatrix1 & 0 0 & 1 bmatrix = bmatrix13 - 6 + 1 & 21 - 9 + 0 21 - 9 + 0 & 34 - 15 + 1 bmatrix = bmatrix8 & 12 12 & 20 bmatrix
Step 3: Final Determinant
|A² - 3A + I| = vmatrix8 & 12 12 & 20 vmatrix = (8)(20) - (12)(12) = 160 - 144 = 16
Pattern Recognition

High-powered matrix polynomials simplify radically by factoring out the lowest power. Since |A| = 1, the leading coefficient collapses completely, leaving only a basic A² evaluation.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants

Q22 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Adjoint and Determinant
Let A be a 3 × 3 matrix such that A + AT = O. If A [ arrayl 1 - 1 0 array ] = [ arrayl 3 3 2 array ], A ^ 2 [ arrayl 1 - 1 0 array ] = [ arrayl - 3 1 9 - 2 4 array ] and (adj(2adj(A + I))) = (2)α. (3)β. (11)γ, α, β, γ are non-negative integers, then α + β + γ is equal to ____
Numerical Answer. Answer: 18 to 18

Solution

Related Formula
A = -A^T A is a skew-symmetric matrix. |adj(kA)| = kn(n-1)|A|(n-1) |adj(M)| = |M|ⁿ⁻¹
Core Logic

Since A is a 3 × 3 skew-symmetric matrix, let A = bmatrix 0 & a & b -a & 0 & c -b & -c & 0 bmatrix.

Given A bmatrix 1 -1 0 bmatrix = bmatrix 3 3 2 bmatrix:

bmatrix 0 & a & b -a & 0 & c -b & -c & 0 bmatrix bmatrix 1 -1 0 bmatrix = bmatrix -a -a -b+c bmatrix

Wait, (-a)(1) + (0)(-1) + (c)(0) = -a. But wait, -b(1) - c(-1) + 0 = -b+c.

Equating the result: -a = 3 a = -3 -b + c = 2 (1)

Step 1: Finding Matrix A Using Second Given Condition

Given A² bmatrix 1 -1 0 bmatrix = bmatrix -3 19 -24 bmatrix.

We know A bmatrix 1 -1 0 bmatrix = bmatrix 3 3 2 bmatrix. Therefore, A bmatrix 3 3 2 bmatrix = bmatrix -3 19 -24 bmatrix.

bmatrix 0 & a & b -a & 0 & c -b & -c & 0 bmatrix bmatrix 3 3 2 bmatrix = bmatrix 3a + 2b -3a + 2c -3b - 3c bmatrix = bmatrix -3 19 -24 bmatrix

Substitute a = -3: 3(-3) + 2b = -3 -9 + 2b = -3 2b = 6 b = 3

Use equation (1): -b + c = 2 -3 + c = 2 c = 5.

So, a = -3, b = 3, c = 5. Matrix A = bmatrix 0 & -3 & 3 3 & 0 & 5 -3 & -5 & 0 bmatrix.

Step 2: Calculate Determinant of A + I
A + I = bmatrix 1 & -3 & 3 3 & 1 & 5 -3 & -5 & 1 bmatrix |A + I| = 1(1 - (-25)) - (-3)(3 - (-15)) + 3(-15 - (-3)) = 1(26) + 3(18) + 3(-12) = 26 + 54 - 36 = 44
Step 3: Calculating Adjoint Target Expression

Target: (adj(2adj(A + I))). Let M = A+I. For a 3 × 3 matrix, |adj(X)| = |X|².

(adj(2adj M)) = |2adj M|²

We know |kY| = k³|Y| for 3 × 3. So |2adj M| = 2³ |adj M| = 8|M|².

(8|M|²)² = 64|M|⁴

Substitute |M| = 44:

64(44)⁴ = 2⁶ · (4 · 11)⁴ = 2⁶ · (2² · 11)⁴ = 2⁶ · 2⁸ · 11⁴ = 2¹⁴ · 3⁰ · 11⁴

Comparing to 2^α · 3^β · 11^γ: α = 14, β = 0, γ = 4.

α + β + γ = 14 + 0 + 4 = 18.

Pattern Recognition

Skew-symmetric matrices only have 3 unknowns. Matrix multiplication acts linearly; A² x = A(Ax) provides immediate simultaneous equations without having to compute the heavy A² explicitly. Determinant adjoint loops always reduce to |A|(n-1)^k modulated by constant pullouts.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants

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