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Matrices and Determinants appeared 59 times across 3 years — 6.8% of Mathematics. This question is from Properties of Adjoint.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 16 27 16 59

Let A be a 3 × 3 matrix such that |adj(adj(adj A))| = 81. If S = n in Z : (|adj(adj A)|)((n - 1)²)/(2) = |A|3n² - 5n - 4, then Σn in S |An² + n| is equal to

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

For any n × n matrix A, the determinant properties of adjoints scale iteratively as follows:

|adj A| = |A|ⁿ⁻¹ |adj(adj A)| = |A|(n-1)² |adj(adj(adj A))| = |A|(n-1)³
Core Logic

Since A is a 3 × 3 matrix (n=3):

|adj(adj(adj A))| = |A|(3-1)³ = |A|⁸ = 81 |A|⁸ = 3⁴ |A|² = 3 |A| = 31/2 = √(3)

Now look at the power base for the equation: |adj(adj A)| = |A|(3-1)² = |A|⁴. Substitute this into the matching requirement equation set:

(|A|⁴)((n-1)²)/(2) = |A|3n² - 5n - 4 |A|2(n-1)² = |A|3n² - 5n - 4

Equating exponents since bases are identical:

2(n - 1)² = 3n² - 5n - 4 2(n² - 2n + 1) = 3n² - 5n - 4 2n² - 4n + 2 = 3n² - 5n - 4

n² - n - 6 = 0

Step 1: Solve for Exponent Parameter

Factoring the quadratic parameter relation:

(n - 3)(n + 2) = 0 n = 3 or n = -2

Both choices are valid integers, so the set S = -2, 3.

Step 2: Calculate the Target Summation

We need to evaluate Σnin S |An² + n| = |A(-2)² + (-2)| + |A(3)² + 3|:

  • For n = -2, n² + n = 4 - 2 = 2 |A²| = |A|² = 3
  • For n = 3, n² + n = 9 + 3 = 12 |A¹²| = |A|¹² = (√(3))¹² = 3⁶ = 729
  • Summing these evaluated values:

Total = 3 + 729 = 732
Pattern Recognition

Always remember that |A^k| = |A|^k. Calculating determinant transformations directly as scalar power factors first prevents rendering high order numerical values prematurely.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Matrices and Determinants

More Matrices and Determinants Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q1 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening System of Linear Equations
Let n be the number obtained on rolling a fair die. If the probability that the system x-ny+z=6 x+(n-2)y+(n+1)z=8 (n-1)y+z=1 has a unique solution is (k)/(6), then the sum of k and all possible values of n is:
  • A. 21
  • B. 24
  • C. 20
  • D. 22

Solution

Related Formula

For a system of linear equations to have a unique solution, the determinant of the coefficient matrix must be non-zero: Δ ≠ 0

Core Logic

Construct the determinant of coefficients:

| matrix 1 & -n & 1 1 & (n-2) & n+1 0 & n-1 & 1 matrix | ≠ 0

Expanding the determinant yields:

n² - 3n + 2 ≠ 0 (n-1)(n-2) ≠ 0

Hence, n ≠ 1, 2.

Step 1: Probability Calculation

The possible outcomes on rolling a fair die are n in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The favorable values of n for a unique solution are n = 3, 4, 5, 6 (4 values). Therefore, the probability is:

P = (4)/(6) k = 4
Step 2: Required Sum

Sum = k + (3 + 4 + 5 + 6) = 4 + 18 = 22.

Pattern Recognition

Sees unique solution condition for linear system Δ ≠ 0. Exclude roots of coefficient determinant from sample space of die rolls.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants Class 11 Maths: Probability

Q9 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Inverse of Matrix and Adjoint
If X = bmatrix x y z bmatrix is a solution of the system of equations AX = B, where adj A = bmatrix 4 & 2 & 2 -5 & 0 & 5 1 & -2 & 3 bmatrix and B = bmatrix 4 0 2 bmatrix, then |x+y+z| is equal to:
  • A. 3
  • B. (3)/(2)
  • C. 1
  • D. 2

Solution

Related Formula

Solution of matrix system AX = B is:

X = A⁻¹B = adj A|A| B
Core Logic

Multiply adj A by B:

adj A · B = bmatrix 4 & 2 & 2 -5 & 0 & 5 1 & -2 & 3 bmatrix bmatrix 4 0 2 bmatrix = bmatrix 16 + 0 + 4 -20 + 0 + 10 4 + 0 + 6 bmatrix = bmatrix 20 -10 10 bmatrix

Since X = ± (1)/(10) bmatrix 20 -10 10 bmatrix = ± bmatrix 2 -1 1 bmatrix.

Step 1: Evaluation of |x + y + z|
x + y + z = ± (2 - 1 + 1) = ± 2

Therefore, |x + y + z| = 2.

Pattern Recognition

Direct matrix multiplication (adj A) B gives component ratios directly without computing |A| explicitly.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants

Q11 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Properties of Determinants
Among the statements: I: If vmatrix 1 & α & β α & 1 & γ β & γ & 1 vmatrix = vmatrix 0 & α & β α & 0 & γ β & γ & 0 vmatrix , then ²α + ²β + ²γ = (3)/(2), and II: If vmatrix x² + x & x + 1 & x - 2 2x² + 3x - 1 & 3x & 3x - 3 x² + 2x + 3 & 2x - 1 & 2x - 1 vmatrix = px + q , then p² = 196q², Choose the correct option:
  • A. both are false
  • B. only II is true
  • C. both are true
  • D. only I is true

Solution

Core Logic

Evaluate Statement I: Let x = α, y = β, z = γ. The given relation is:

vmatrix 1 & x & y x & 1 & z y & z & 1 vmatrix = vmatrix 0 & x & y x & 0 & z y & z & 0 vmatrix

Expanding the left-hand side (LHS): LHS = 1(1 - z²) - x(x - yz) + y(xz - y) = 1 - z² - x² + xyz + xyz - y² = 1 - (x² + y² + z²) + 2xyz Expanding the right-hand side (RHS): RHS = 0 - x(0 - yz) + y(xz - 0) = xyz + xyz = 2xyz Equating LHS and RHS: 1 - x² - y² - z² + 2xyz = 2xyz x² + y² + z² = 1 This implies ²α + ²β + ²γ = 1, not (3)/(2). Thus, Statement I is false.

Step 1: Evaluate Statement II

We have:

vmatrix x² + x & x + 1 & x - 2 2x² + 3x - 1 & 3x & 3x - 3 x² + 2x + 3 & 2x - 1 & 2x - 1 vmatrix = px + q

Put x = 0 to find q:

q = vmatrix 0 & 1 & -2 -1 & 0 & -3 3 & -1 & -1 vmatrix = 0 - 1(1 - (-9)) - 2(1 - 0) = -10 - 2 = -12

Now put x = 1 to find p + q:

p + q = vmatrix 2 & 2 & -1 4 & 3 & 0 6 & 1 & 1 vmatrix = 2(3 - 0) - 2(4 - 0) - 1(4 - 18) = 6 - 8 + 14 = 12

Since q = -12, p - 12 = 12 ⇒ p = 24. Check the relation p² = 196q²: p² = 24² = 576 196q² = 196(-12)² = 196(144) = 28224 Clearly, 576 ≠ 28224. Thus, Statement II is false.

Step 2: Final Verdict

Both statements I and II are false.

Pattern Recognition

Instead of expanding 3 × 3 polynomial determinants algebraically, substituting boundary values (like x=0, x=1) isolates q and p almost instantaneously.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Determinants

Q21 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Adjoint of a Matrix
Let |A| = 6, where A is a 3 × 3 matrix. If |adj(3adj(A² · adj(2A)))| = 2^m.3ⁿ, m, n in N, then m + n is equal to _____.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 62 to 62

Solution

Related Formula
adj(kA) = kⁿ⁻¹adj(A) A · adj(A) = |A|Iₙ |adj(A)| = |A|ⁿ⁻¹
Core Logic

Analyze the innermost term: adj(2A) = 2³⁻¹ adj(A) = 4adj(A) So, A² · adj(2A) = 4A² · adj(A) = 4A(A · adj(A)) Using A · adj(A) = |A|I₃:

= 4A(|A|I₃) = 4|A|A = 4(6)A = 24A
Step 1: Expand the Adjoint Layers

Substitute this back into the next layer: 3adj(24A) = 3 · (24)³⁻¹adj(A) = 3(24)²adj(A)

Step 2: Evaluate the Determinant

Now we need |adj(3(24)²adj(A))|. Let k = 3(24)². The expression is |adj(k adj(A))|. Since adj(kX) = k²adj(X) for a 3 × 3 matrix, the matrix inside the determinant is k² adj(adj(A)). Wait, taking the determinant directly is simpler: |adj(X)| = |X|². Let X = k adj(A). Then |X| = |k adj(A)| = k³ |adj(A)| = k³ |A|². Thus, |adj(X)| = |X|² = (k³ |A|²)² = k⁶ |A|⁴.

Step 3: Calculate Powers of 2 and 3

Substitute k = 3 · 24² = 3 · (2³ · 3)² = 3 · 2⁶ · 3² = 2⁶ · 3³.

k⁶ = (2⁶ · 3³)⁶ = 2³⁶ · 3¹⁸

We know |A| = 6 = 2 · 3. So |A|⁴ = 2⁴ · 3⁴. Total determinant = (2³⁶ · 3¹⁸) × (2⁴ · 3⁴) = 2⁴⁰ · 3²². Equating to 2^m · 3ⁿ, we get m = 40 and n = 22.

Step 4: Final Sum
m + n = 40 + 22 = 62
Pattern Recognition

Telescoping determinant operations demand rigorous sequential application of |kA| = kⁿ|A| and adj(kA) = kⁿ⁻¹adj(A). Collapsing A · adj(A) into |A|I early prevents chaotic polynomial matrix expressions.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices Class 12 Maths: Determinants

Q6 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening System of Linear Equations
The system of linear equations x + y + z = 6 2x + 5y + az = 36 x + 2y + 3z = b has
  • A. unique solution for a = 8 and b = 16
  • B. infinitely many solutions for a = 8 and b = 14
  • C. infinitely many solutions for a = 8 and b = 16
  • D. unique solution for a = 8 and b = 14

Solution

Related Formula

Using Cramer's Rule: If D = 0 and at least one of D₁, D₂, D₃ is non-zero, the system has no solution. If D = 0 and D₁ = D₂ = D₃ = 0, the system generally has infinitely many solutions.

Core Logic

First, evaluate the main determinant D:

D = vmatrix 1 & 1 & 1 2 & 5 & a 1 & 2 & 3 vmatrix D = 1(15 - 2a) - 1(6 - a) + 1(4 - 5) = 15 - 2a - 6 + a - 1 = 8 - a

Setting D = 0 a = 8.

Now, evaluate D₃ to check the consistency condition:

D₃ = vmatrix 1 & 1 & 6 2 & 5 & 36 1 & 2 & b vmatrix D₃ = 1(5b - 72) - 1(2b - 36) + 6(4 - 5) = 5b - 72 - 2b + 36 - 6 = 3b - 42

Setting D₃ = 0 3b - 42 = 0 b = 14.

Step 1: Confirming Infinitely Many Solutions

For a=8 and b=14, evaluate D₁ and D₂ to ensure they are also zero.

D₁ = vmatrix 6 & 1 & 1 36 & 5 & 8 14 & 2 & 3 vmatrix = 0 D₂ = vmatrix 1 & 6 & 1 2 & 36 & 8 1 & 14 & 3 vmatrix = 0

Since D = D₁ = D₂ = D₃ = 0, the system possesses infinitely many solutions.

Pattern Recognition

For a 3 × 3 system heavily relying on constants, D=0 determines the parameter 'a' acting on the variable array, and D₃=0 immediately forces the final constant 'b'.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants

Rankbit System
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