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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 4

Q25 jee_main_2026_28_january_evening Higher Powers of Matrices
Let A = bmatrix 3 & -4 1 & -1 bmatrix and B be two matrices such that A¹⁰⁰ = 100B + I. Then the sum of all the elements of B¹⁰⁰ is
Numerical Answer. Answer: 0 to 0

Solution

Core Logic

To find A¹⁰⁰, express A as I + M: A = I + bmatrix 2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix. Let M = bmatrix 2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix.

Calculate M² to check for nilpotency:

M² = bmatrix 2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix bmatrix 2 & -4 1 & -2 bmatrix = bmatrix 4-4 & -8+8 2-2 & -4+4 bmatrix = bmatrix 0 & 0 0 & 0 bmatrix

Thus, M² = 0 (nilpotent matrix of index 2).

Execution

Expand A¹⁰⁰ = (I + M)¹⁰⁰ using Binomial Theorem (valid since I and M commute):

A¹⁰⁰ = I¹⁰⁰ + ¹⁰⁰C₁ I⁹⁹ M + ¹⁰⁰C₂ I⁹⁸ M² + …

Since M^k = 0 for k ≥ 2, all higher terms vanish.

A¹⁰⁰ = I + 100M

Given the condition A¹⁰⁰ = 100B + I, we compare the equations: I + 100M = 100B + I ⇒ B = M.

We need the sum of all elements of B¹⁰⁰. Since B = M, B² = M² = 0, which implies B¹⁰⁰ = 0. The sum of all elements of a null matrix is 0.

Pattern Recognition

When asked for extreme powers of a non-diagonal matrix, extract the identity matrix I. The residual matrix M will almost inevitably be nilpotent (M²=0 or M³=0), collapsing the binomial expansion.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Matrices and Determinants

Q58 jee_main_2025_02_april_evening System of Linear Equations
If the system of equations aligned 2x + λ y + 3z &= 5 3x + 2y - z &= 7 4x + 5y + μ z &= 9 aligned has infinitely many solutions, then (λ² + μ²) is equal to:
  • A. 22
  • B. 18
  • C. 26
  • D. 30

Solution

Related Formula
For infinitely many solutions: Δ = 0 and Δᵢ = 0
Core Logic

For a system of 3 linear equations to have infinitely many solutions, the determinant of coefficients and all Cramer determinants must equal zero.

Step 1: Set up determinant equations

The determinant of coefficients is:

Δ = vmatrix 2 & λ & 3 3 & 2 & -1 4 & 5 & μ vmatrix = 0 2(2μ + 5) - λ(3μ + 4) + 3(15 - 8) = 0 4μ + 10 - 3λμ - 4λ + 21 = 0 4μ - 3λμ - 4λ + 31 = 0 --- (1)

Now, set Δ₃ = 0:

Δ₃ = vmatrix 2 & λ & 5 3 & 2 & 7 4 & 5 & 9 vmatrix = 0 2(18 - 35) - λ(27 - 28) + 5(15 - 8) = 0 -34 + λ + 35 = 0 λ = -1
Step 2: Solve for mu and compute the sum of squares

Substitute λ = -1 into equation (1):

4μ - 3(-1)μ - 4(-1) + 31 = 0 4μ + 3μ + 4 + 31 = 0 7μ = -35 μ = -5

Now calculate the sum of squares:

λ² + μ² = (-1)² + (-5)² = 1 + 25 = 26
Pattern Recognition

Whenever you need to solve for two variables in Cramer's theorem, identifying which determinant lacks the complex variable (like Δ₃ which lacks μ) is the fastest way to solve for one variable independently.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Matrices and Determinants

Q70 jee_main_2025_02_april_evening Properties of Matrices
Let A be a 3 × 3 real matrix such that A² (A - 2I) - 4(A - I) = O, where I and O are the identity and null matrices, respectively. If A⁵ = α A² + β A + γ I, where α, β and γ are real constants, then α + β + γ is equal to:
  • A. 12
  • B. 20
  • C. 76
  • D. 4

Solution

Related Formula
Characteristic equation reduction: A³ = 2A² + 4A - 4I
Core Logic

We use the given cubic matrix equation recursively to express the fifth power of matrix A solely in terms of quadratic and linear terms.

Step 1: Simplify the cubic matrix equation

The given equation is:

A² (A - 2I) - 4(A - I) = O A³ - 2A² - 4A + 4I = O A³ = 2A² + 4A - 4I

Multiply by matrix A to find the fourth power:

A⁴ = 2A³ + 4A² - 4A
Step 2: Reduce the fourth power term

Substitute the expression for A³ into our formula for A⁴:

A⁴ = 2( 2A² + 4A - 4I ) + 4A² - 4A A⁴ = 4A² + 8A - 8I + 4A² - 4A = 8A² + 4A - 8I

Multiply by matrix A to find the fifth power:

A⁵ = 8A³ + 4A² - 8A
Step 3: Reduce the fifth power term and solve

Substitute the expression for A³ again:

A⁵ = 8( 2A² + 4A - 4I ) + 4A² - 8A A⁵ = 16A² + 32A - 32I + 4A² - 8A = 20A² + 24A - 32I

Comparing this with A⁵ = α A² + β A + γ I, we find:

  • α = 20
  • β = 24
  • γ = -32
  • Sum the coefficients:

α + β + γ = 20 + 24 - 32 = 12
Pattern Recognition

Cayley-Hamilton reduction: For any polynomial equation of a matrix, higher powers A^k can always be reduced down to polynomials of order less than the degree of the characteristic equation by recursive substitution.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Matrices and Determinants

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Idempotent Matrices
Let A = bmatrix α & -1 6 & β bmatrix, α > 0, such that (A) = 0 and α + β = 1. If I denotes the 2 × 2 identity matrix, then the matrix (I + A)⁸ is:
  • A. bmatrix 4 & -1 6 & -1 bmatrix
  • B. bmatrix 257 & -64 514 & -127 bmatrix
  • C. bmatrix 1025 & -511 2024 & -1024 bmatrix
  • D. bmatrix 766 & -255 1530 & -509 bmatrix

Solution

Related Formula

For a matrix satisfying A² = A (Idempotent Matrix):

(I+A)ⁿ = I + (2ⁿ - 1)A
Core Logic

Given (A) = αβ + 6 = 0 αβ = -6 and α + β = 1. Solving these gives α = 3, β = -2 (since α > 0).

Step 1: Check Powers of A

Substitute values into A:

A = bmatrix 3 & -1 6 & -2 bmatrix

Compute A²:

A² = bmatrix 3 & -1 6 & -2 bmatrix bmatrix 3 & -1 6 & -2 bmatrix = bmatrix 9-6 & -3+2 18-12 & -6+4 bmatrix = bmatrix 3 & -1 6 & -2 bmatrix = A
Step 2: Expand Matrix Expression

Since A² = A, it follows that Aⁿ = A for all integers n ≥ 1.

(I + A)⁸ = I + Σk=1⁸ 8k A^k = I + A Σk=1⁸ 8k = I + (2⁸ - 1)A = I + 255A
Step 3: Construct the Final Matrix
(I + A)⁸ = bmatrix 1 & 0 0 & 1 bmatrix + 255 bmatrix 3 & -1 6 & -2 bmatrix = bmatrix 1 + 765 & -255 1530 & 1 - 510 bmatrix = bmatrix 766 & -255 1530 & -509 bmatrix
Pattern Recognition

Whenever tr(A) = 1 and (A) = 0 for a 2 × 2 matrix, Cayley-Hamilton theorem gives A² - tr(A)A + (A)I = 0 A² = A. Thus A is idempotent, simplifying polynomial expansions exponentially.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Matrices and Determinants

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning System of Linear Equations
If the system of linear equations 3x + y + β z = 3 2x + α y - z = -3 x + 2y + z = 4 has infinitely many solutions, then the value of 22β - 9α is:
  • A. 49
  • B. 31
  • C. 43
  • D. 37

Solution

Related Formula

Cramer's Rule for infinite solutions specifies that the main determinant and all component determinants must vanish:

Δ = 0 and Δ₁ = Δ₂ = Δ₃ = 0
Core Logic

Set the key system determinants to zero to form equations linking α and β, then isolate the constants.

Step 1: Set Main Determinant to Zero
Δ = vmatrix 3 & 1 & β 2 & α & -1 1 & 2 & 1 vmatrix = 0

Expand along the first row:

3(α + 2) - 1(2 + 1) + β(4 - α) = 0 3α + 6 - 3 + 4β - αβ = 0 3α + 4β - αβ + 3 = 0 (1)
Step 2: Set Subsidiary Determinant to Zero

Using Δ₃ = 0 by substituting the constants vector into the third column:

Δ₃ = vmatrix 3 & 1 & 3 2 & α & -3 1 & 2 & 4 vmatrix = 0

Expand along the first row:

3(4α + 6) - 1(8 + 3) + 3(4 - α) = 0 12α + 18 - 11 + 12 - 3α = 0 9α + 19 = 0 α = -(19)/(9)
Step 3: Solve for Beta and Final Expression

Substitute α = -(19)/(9) into equation (1):

3(-(19)/(9)) + 4β - (-(19)/(9))β + 3 = 0 -(19)/(3) + 3 + β(4 + (19)/(9)) = 0 -(10)/(3) + β((55)/(9)) = 0 (55)/(9)β = (10)/(3) β = (10)/(3) · (9)/(55) = (6)/(11)

Now compute 22β - 9α:

22((6)/(11)) - 9(-(19)/(9)) = 12 + 19 = 31
Pattern Recognition

Choosing Δ₃ over Δ₁ or Δ₂ eliminates β entirely because the variable parameters are localized in specific positions. This yields α directly without requiring a coupled system solution.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Matrices and Determinants

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