L

a  bc  k
M
2
(a  d) b O
P

N(a  d)c bc  d 2  k Q
=O

 a2 + bc + k = 0 = bc + d2 + k = 0 and (a + d)b = (a + d) c = 0
As bc  0, b  0, c  0  a + d = 0  a = –d
Also, k = –(a2 + bc) = –(d2 + bc) = – ( (–ad) + bc ) = |A| ]

Q.152515/qe The graph of a quadratic polynomial y = ax 2 + bx + c (a, b, c  R,

a  0) is as shown. Then the incorrect statement(s) is/are
(A*) c > 0 (B) b < 0
(C*) product of the roots is negative (D*) sum of the roots is positive

Q.153510/det The value of  lying between  = 0 & = /2 & satisfying the equation :

1sin 2  cos 2  4sin4

2 2
sin  1cos  4sin4
= 0 are :
sin 2  cos 2  1 4sin4

7 5 11  
(A*) (B) (C*) (D)
24 24 24 24
[ IIT ’88 , 2 ]
p  sin x q  sin x p  r  sin x 2

Q.154513/det If p, q, r, s are in A.P. and f (x) = q  sin x r  sin x  1  sin x such that  f (x)dx = – 4
0
r  sin x s  sin x s  q  sin x
then the common difference of the A.P. can be :
1
(A*)  1 (B) (C*) 1 (D) none
2
[ Start : p = a ; q = a + d ; r = a + 2 d ; s = a + 3 d  f (x) =  2 d2
Also use R1  R1 – R2 and R2  R2 – R3 ]

a
Q.155517/qe If one root of the quadratic equation px2 + qx + r = 0 ( p  0) is a surd
a  ab
where p, q, r ; a, b are all rationals then the other root is
a a ( a  b) a  a ( a  b) a  ab
(A*) (B) a  (C*) (D)
a  ab b b b

[ Hint:  =
a
=
a  a  ab  =
a  a (a  b)
a  ab a  (a  b ) b

a  a (a  b )
Conjugate of  is  (C) ]
b
 n 
 =  ( 1)n Þ independent of A Þ A, B, C, D ]
4 8

Q.143505/qe If the quadratic equations, x2 + abx + c = 0 and x2 + acx + b = 0 have a common root then the
equation containing their other roots is/are :
(A) x2 + a (b + c) x  a2bc = 0 (B*) x2  a (b + c) x + a2bc = 0
(C) a (b + c) x  (b + c) x + abc = 0
2 (D*) a (b + c) x2 + (b + c) x  abc = 0

Q.144503/mat If AB = A and BA = B, then

(A*) A2B = A2 (B*) B2A = B2 (C*) ABA = A (D*) BAB = B
[Sol. We have A B = A(AB) = AA = A2, B2A = B(BA) = BB = B2,
2

ABA = A(BA) = AB = A, and BAB = B(AB) = BA = B]

x a b
Q.145505/det The solution(s) of the equation a x a = 0 is/are :
b b x
(A*) x =  (a + b) (B*) x = a (C*) x = b (D)  b
[Hint: Use c1  c1 – c2 & then R1  R1 + R2 to get
0 a x ba
 (x  a ) x a
= 0. Now open by c1 & factorize]
0 b x

Q.146511/qe The value(s) of 'p' for which the equation ax2  p x + a b = 0 and x2  a x  b x + a b = 0 may
have a common root, given a, b are non zero real numbers, is
(A) a + b2 (B*) a2 + b (C*) a(1 + b) (D) b(1 + a)
[Sol. x  (a + b) x + a b = 0
2 or (x  a) (x  b) = 0
 x = a or b
if x = a is the root of other equation , a3  a p + a b = 0  p = a (a + b)
if x = b is the root of the other equation , then a b2  p b + a b = 0
p = a (1 + b) ]

Q.147505/mat If D1 and D2 are two 3 x 3 diagonal matrices when none of the diagonal element is zero, then
(A*) D1D2 is a diagonal matrix (B*) D1D2 = D2D1
2 2
(C*) D1 + D2 is a diagonal matrix (D) none of these

L
M
x 0 0 O
P L
M
x 0 0 O
0P
1 2

[Sol. Let D = M0 y1
P M
0 and D = 0 y2
P, when x , y , z , x , y , z 0
1
M
N0 0 z P
1Q M
N0 2
0 z P
2Q 1 1 1 2 2 2

then D1D2 = D2D1 ]

 infinitely many solutions.
Statement-3 : The system x + y + z = 1, x = y, y = 1 + z is inconsistent.
Statement-4 : If two of the equations in a system of three linear equations are inconsistent, then the
whole system is inconsistent.
(A) FFTT (B*) TTFT (C) TTFF (D) TTTF

Select the correct alternatives : (More than one are correct)

Q.135512/mat D is a 3 x 3 diagonal matrix. Which of the following statements is not true?

(A) D = D (B*) AD = DA for every matrix A of order 3 x 3
–1
(C*) D if exists is a scalar matrix (D) none of these

L
M
d 0 0O
0P
1

[Sol. Let D = M0 d
P. Clearly D = D  A is correct
M
N0 0 d P
2

Q 3

L
a
M
a a O
PL
M
d 0 0 O
P L
da
M
d 2 a 12 O
d 3 a 13
d a P
11 12 13 1 1 11

Also, AD = M
a a a
PM 0 d
PM
0 = d a d 2 a 22
P
M a P QM d PQM d a P
21 22 23 2 1 21 3 23

N
a a N0 0
31 32 33 3N
d a 1 31 d 2 a 32 3 Q 33

L
M
d 0 0O
P L
M
a a a OL
P M
da d 1a12 da O
d a P
1 11 12 13 1 11 1 13

and, DA = M 0 d 0
P Ma a a
P=Md a d 2 a 22
P
M0 0 d P QM PNM P
2 21 22 23 2 21 2 23

N Na a 3 31 32 a Q d a
33 3 31 d 3a 32 d a Q3 33

This shows that in general AD  DA

L
M
d 1
1
0 O
P0

=M
0 P
1
0 d2
If d1d2d3  0, then D–1
M
N0 0 d PQ

3
1
(C) is correct ]

Q.136501/det The set of equations x – y + 3z = 2 , 2x – y + z = 4 , x – 2y + z = 3 has

(A) unique soluton only for  = 0 (B*) unique solution for   8
(C) infinite number of solutions for  = 8 (D*) no solution for  = 8
[Hint : D =  – 8  (B) ; If  = 8 , D = D1 = D2 = D3 ]
Q.137501/qe cos  is a root of the equation 25x2 + 5x  12 = 0,  1 < x < 0, then the value of sin 2 is :
(A*) 24/25 (B)  12/25 (C*)  24/25 (D) 20/25

Q.138501/mat Suppose a1, a2, ....... real numbers, with a1  0. If a1, a2, a3, ..........are in A.P. then

L
a
M
a2 a3O
a P
1

(A*) A = M
a a5
Pis singular
M a P
4 6

N
a 5 a6 7Q
(B*) the system of equations a1x + a2y + a3z = 0, a4x + a5y + a6z = 0, a7x + a8y + a9z = 0 has infinite
number of solutions
L
M
a 1 ia 2 O
P
(C*) B =
N
ia 2 a1 Qis non singular ; where i = 1
Q.125138/qe The equations x3 + 5x2 + px + q = 0 and x3 + 7x2 + px + r = 0 have two roots in common. If the
third root of each equation is represented by x1 and x2 respectively, then the ordered pair (x1, x2) is :
(A*) ( 5,  7) (B) (1,  1) (C) ( 1, 1) (D) (5, 7)
[Hint : The common roots must be roots of the equation 2x + (r  q) = 0
2

 sum is zero . Hence third root of first is  5 and third root of 2nd is  7 ]
ax b b
Q.12663/det If x = a + 2b satisfies the cubic (a, bR) f (x)= b ax b =0, then its other two roots
b b ax
are
(A) real and different (B*) real and coincident
(C) imaginary (D) such that one is real and other imaginary
[Hint : Other roots are each equal to (a – b)  (B) ]
 1   1  1  1 
Q.12768/mat A is a 2 × 2 matrix such that A 1 =  2  and A2 1 = 0 . The sum of the elements of A,
       
is
(A) –1 (B) 0 (C) 2 (D*) 5
 1   1
[Sol. A 1 =  2  ....(1)
   
 1  1 
and A2 1 = 0 ....(2)
   
a b 
Let A be given by A = c d  .
 
The first equation gives
a–b=–1 ....(3) and c–d=2 ....(4)
1  1   1  1 
For second equation, A2 1 = A A 1  = A  2   = 0 .
         
This gives – a + 2b = 1 ....(5) and – c + 2d = 0 ....(6)
(3) + (5)  b = 0 and a = – 1
(4) + (6)  d = 2 and c = 4
so the sum a + b + c + d = 5 Ans. ]
Q.12864/det Three digit numbers x17, 3y6 and 12z where x, y, z are integers from 0 to 9, are divisible by a fixed
x 3 1
constant k. Then the determinant 7 6 z must be divisible by
1 y 2
(A*) k (B) k2 (C) k3 (D) None

Q.12969/mat In a square matrix A of order 3, ai i's are the sum of the roots of the equation x2 – (a + b)x + ab= 0;
ai , i + 1's are the product of the roots, ai , i – 1's are all unity and the rest of the elements are all zero. The
value of the det. (A) is equal to
(A) 0 (B) (a + b) 3 (C) a3 – b3 (D*) (a2 + b2)(a + b)
[Sol. Given a11 = a22 = a33 = a + b
a12 = a23 = ab
 (A) 0 (B*) 3 (C) 6 (D) 12
[Hint: Multiply R1 by x; R2 by y and R3 by z and divide the determinant by xyz

x4  x x3y x 3z
1
xy3 y 4  y y 3z = 111
xyz
xz 3 yz 3 z4  z

x3 1 x3 x3
xyz
= y3 y 3  1 y 3 = 111
xyz
z3 z3 z3  1
use R1 R1 + R2 + R3

1 1 1
3
D= (x3 + y3 + z3 + 1) y y 3  1 y 3 = 111
z3 z3 z3  1
hence x3 + y3 + z3 = 10 (as the det. has the value 1)
(2, 1, 1) , (1, 2, 1) , (1, 1, 2)  (B) ]

Q.117126/qe The number of non-zero solutions of the equation , x 2  5 x  (sgn x) 6 = 0 is :

(A*) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
[Hint: If x = 0 we have x2 – 5x = 0  x = 0 or 5  no solution
if x > 0 we have x2 – 5x – 6 = 0  (x – 6) (x + 1)  x = 6 is the solution
if x < 0 we have x2 – 5x + 6 = 0  (x – 3) (x – 2) = 0  no solution ]

Q.11865/mat If A, B and C are n × n matrices and det(A) = 2, det(B) = 3 and det(C) = 5, then the value of the
det(A2BC–1) is equal to
6 12 18 24
(A) (B*) (C) (D)
5 5 5 5
[Hint: | A | = 2 ; | B | = 3 ; | C | = 5
| A |2 | B | 4 ·3 12
det(A2BC–1) = | A2BC–1| = = = Ans. ] [12 & 13th test (29-10-2005)]
|C| 5 5

(1  x ) 2 (1  x ) 2  (2  x 2 ) (1  x ) 2 2x  1 x 1
2
Q.11958/det The equation 2 x  1 3x 1  5x + (1  x ) 3x 2x = 0
x 1 2x 2  3x 1  2x 3x  2 2x  3
(A) has no real solution (B) has 4 real solutions
(C) has two real and two non-real solutions (D*) has infinite number of solutions , real or non-real
[Hint: 1st two columns of 1st determinant are same as 1st two rows of 2nd. Hence transpose the 2nd. Add the
two determinants and use C1  C1 + C3  D = 0 ]

Q.120130/qe The quadratic equation with real co-efficients one of whose complex roots has the real part 12 and
modulus 13 is :
(A) x2  12 x + 13 = 0 (B) x2  24 x + 13 = 0
(C*) x  24 x + 169 = 0
2 (D) x2  24 x  169 = 0
[Hint : Let the roots be 12 + i ; other roots is 12 – i
now z z = | z |2
 = 2(2A – I) – A (A2 = 2A – I)
A3 = 3A – 2I
A4 = 3A2 – 2A
= 3(2A – I) – 2A (A2 = 2A – I)
A4 = 4A – 3I
A5 = 5A – 4I

An = nA – (n – 1)I ]

6 x  2 a  3 b  c 2 x  6 a  b  3c
Q.110116/qe The value of x satisfying the equation = is :
6 x  2 a  3 b  c 2 x  6 a  b  3c
(A*) x = ab/c (B) 2ab/c (C) ab/3c (D) ab/2c
[ Hint : put 6x + 2a = A ; 3b + c = B ; 2x + 6a = C ; b + 3c = D 
A  B C D
= . Now add unity on both sides ; subtract unity from both sides and
A B C D
divide to get A/B = C/D  x = ab/c ]
a 2  1 ab ac
ab b2  1 bc
Q.11154/det If a, b, c are real then the value of determinant = 1 if
ac bc c2  1
(A) a + b + c = 0 (B) a + b + c = 1 (C) a + b + c = –1 (D*) a = b = c = 0
[Hint: Multiply R1 by a, R2 by b & R3 by c & divide the determinant by abc. Now take a, b & c common from
c1, c2 & c3. Now use C1  C1 + C2 + C3 to get ]
1 1 1
b2
b 1
2
b2
(a2 + b2 + c2 + 1) = 1. Now use c1  c1 – c2 & c2  c2 – c3
c2 c2 c2  1
we get 1 + a2 + b2 + c2 = 1  a = b = c = 0  (D) ]

Q.11263/mat Read the following mathematical statements carefully:

I. There can exist two triangles such that the sides of one triangle are all less than 1 cm while the
sides of the other triangle are all bigger than 10 metres, but the area of the first triangle is larger
than the area of second triangle.
II. If x, y, z are all different real numbers, then
2
1 1 1  1 1 1 
2
 2
 
2 = 
   .
( x  y) ( y  z) (z  x ) xy yz zx
III. log3x · log4x · log5x = (log3x · log4x) + (log4x · log5x) + (log5x · log3x) is true for exactly for one
real value of x.
IV. A matrix has 12 elements. Number of possible orders it can have is six.
Now indicate the correct alternatively.
(A*) exactly one statement is INCORRECT.
Q.10159/mat If every element of a square non singular matrix A is multiplied by k and the new matrix is denoted
by B then | A–1| and | B–1| are related as
1 –1
(A) | A–1| = k | B–1| (B) | A–1| = |B | (C*) | A–1| = kn | B–1| (D) | A–1| = k–n | B–1|
k
where n is order of matrices.
a b  1 0
[Hint: verify by taking a square matrix A = c d  or 0 1 ]
   

Q.102109/qe If the quadratic polynomial, y = (cot ) x2 + 2  

sin  x +
1
2
tan  ,   [0, 2 ], can take
negative values for all x  R , then the value of  must in the interval :
5 5 11 
(A*)   6 ,  (B)   6 ,    6 , 2 

11 
(C)   6 , 2    5
(D) 0 , 6   6 , 
[Sol. b2 – 4ac < 0 and a < 0
hence cot  < 0 i.e.   2nd and 4th quadrant
and 4sin  – 2 tan  cot  < 0
1
2 sin  < 1  sin  <
2
   2nd and 4th quadrant
 5 
hence a   ,   ]
 6 

mx mx  p mx  p
Q.10350/det If f  (x) = n np np then y = f(x) represents
mx  2n mx  2n  p mx  2n  p
(A*) a straight line parallel to x- axis (B) a straight line parallel to y- axis
(C) parabola (D) a straight line with negative slope
[ Hint: R3  R3 – 2R2 hence 2 identical rows  f  (x) = 0  f(x) = constant ]

1  1 1  4 2 2
Q.10460/mat Let A = 2 1  3 and 10B =  5 0   . If B is the inverse of matrix A, then  is
1 1 1   1  2 3 
(A) – 2 (B) – 1 (C) 2 (D*) 5

[Sol. B = A–1  AB = I

 2 2 1  2 2 1
 5 10 5  5 10 5 
 1 1  1 1  1 0 0
  1  2 1  3 = 0 1 0
B =  0 ; now  0 
 2 10   2 10  1 1 1  0 0 1
   1 3
 1 2 3 
  10 0 10 
 sec2 · sec2 · sec2 is
(A) p2 + r2 + 2rp + 1 (B*) p2 + r2 – 2rp + 1 (C) p2 – r2 – 2rp + 1 (D) None
[Sol.  tan  = p ;  tan  ·tan  = 0 ;  tan  = r
now sec2 · sec2 · sec2 = (1 + tan2) (1 + tan2) (1 + tan2)
=1+ tan 2  +  tan 2  ·tan 2  + tan2 · tan2· tan2
 tan 2  =   tan   – 2  tan  ·tan  = p2
2
now

 tan 2  ·tan 2  =   tan  ·tan   – 2 tan  · tan  · tan    tan  

2

= 0 – 2rp
 tan 2  = r2
  sec 2  = 1 + p2 – 2rp + r2 = 1 + (p – r)2 ]

1  x 2  y 2  z 2 2( xy  z) 2(zx  y) 
 2 2 2 
Q.9269/det Let A =  2( xy  z) 1 y  z  x 2( yz  x )  then det. A is equal to
 2(zx  y) 2( yz  x ) 1  z 2  x 2  y 2 

(A) (1 + xy + yz + zx)3 (B*) (1 + x2 + y2 + z2)3

(C) (xy + yz + zx)3 (D) (1 + x3 + y3 + z3)2
[Hint: multiply R2 by z and R3 by y and use R1  R1 – R2 + R3
Objective approach : put z = y = 0 then choices are A = 1 ; B = (1 + x 2)3 ; C = 0 ; D = (1 + x3)2 and
determinant comes out to be (1 + x2)3  (B)]

Q.93102/qe If the equation a (x – 1)2 + b(x2 – 3x + 2) + x – a2 = 0 is satisfied for all x  R then the number of
ordered pairs of (a, b) can be
(A) 0 (B*) 1 (C) 2 (D) infinite
[Sol. equation is an identity  coefficient of x = 0 = coefficient of x = constant term
2

 a+b=0 ....(1)
– 2a – 3b + 1 = 0 ....(2)
and a + 2b – a2 = 0 ....(3)
from (1) and (2) a = – 1 and b = 1
which also satisfies (3)  (a, b) = (–1, 1)  (B) ]

Q.9444/det The following system of equations 3x – 7y + 5z = 3; 3x + y + 5z = 7 and 2x + 3y + 5z = 5 are

(A) consistent with trivial solution (B*) consistent with unique non trivial solution
(C) consistent with infinite solution (D) inconsistent with no solution
[Hint: D  0  consistency]
n
Q.9556/mat If A1, A3, ..... A2n – 1 are n skew symmetric matrices of same order then B =  (2r  1)(A 2r 1 ) 2r 1
r 1
will be
(A) symmetric (B*) skew symmetric
(C) neither symmetric nor skew symmetric (D) data is adequate
[Sol. B = A1 + 3A33 + ..... (2n – 1) (A 2n 1 ) 2n 1
 1 4a 2 b 2 c 2
[ 2b2 (a2 c2) – 2a2 (– b2 c2) ] =  4abc ]
abc abc

1 3 1 0
Q.8246/mat Given A = 2 2 ; I = 0 1 . If A – I is a singular matrix then
   
(A)    (B*)  – 3 – 4 = 0 (C) 2 + 3 + 4 = 0 (D) 2 – 3 – 6 = 0
2

[Hint: A – I
1 3  0  1   3 
=  2 2 –  0   =  2 2   
    
since A – I is singular  det. (A – I) = 0;
1  3
2   = (1 – ) (2 – ) – 6 =  – 3 – 4
now 2
2
hence 2 – 3 – 4 = 0 ]

Q.8395/qe The values of 'a' for which the quadratic equation (a2 – a – 2)x2 + 2ax + a3 –27 =0 has roots of
opposite signs are
(A) (–1, 2) U (3, ) (B*) (–, –1) U (2, 3)
(C) R/(–1, 2) (D) R/(2, 3)

Q.8438/det If the system of equations, a2 x  ay = 1  a & bx + (3  2b) y = 3 + a possess a unique solution

x = 1, y = 1 then :
(A*) a = 1 ; b =  1 (B) a =  1 , b = 1
(C) a = 0 , b = 0 (D) none
[Hint : put x = 1 & y = 1 and solve for a & b . In B & C system has infinite solutions]

 1 sin  1 
Q.8547/mat Let A =   sin  1 sin  , where 0   < 2, then
  1  sin  1 
(A) Det (A) = 0 (B) Det A  (0, ) (C*) Det (A)  [2, 4] (D) Det A  [2, )
1 sin  1
[Sol. | A | =  sin  1 sin  = 1(1 + sin2) – sin(– sin + sin) + (1 + sin2) = 2 (1 + sin2)
1  sin  1
| sin |  1  –1  sin  1  0  sin2  1
 1  1 + sin2  2  2  2(1 + sin2)  4
 | A |  [2, 4] ]
Q.8696/qe Three roots of the equation, x4  px3 + qx2  rx + s = 0 are tan A, tan B & tan C where A, B, C are
the angles of a triangle . The fourth root of the biquadratic is :
pr pr pr pr
(A*) (B) (C) (D)
1 q  s 1 q  s 1 q  s 1 q  s
[Hint : Let the fourth root be tan D
 tan A   tan A tan B tan C pr
Now tan ( A) = tan D = ]
1   tan A tan B   tan A 1 q  s

Q.8739/det Number of value of 'a' for which the system of equations,

a2 x + (2  a) y = 4 + a2
 a b
[Sol. Let X =  
c d

 a 2  bc ab  bd 
X2 =  
2 
 ac  cd bc  d 
2
a + bc = 1
ab + bd = 1  b(a + d) = 1
ac + cd = 2  c (a + d) = 2
b 1
   c = 2b
c 2
bc + d2 = 3  (d2 – a2) = 2  (d – a) (a + d) = 2
d – a = 2b (using bc = 1 – a2)
a + d = 1/b
__________________
2d = 2b + 1/b 2a = 1/b – 2b
d = b + 1/2b a = 1/2b – b
c = 2b
 2 1  2 1
 b  2  1  2 b  3  3b 2  2
 4b  4b 2
1 1 1
3x + =2  b=  or b= 
4x 6 2

 0 1/ 2   0 1/ 2   2 / 6 1/ 6 
Matrices are       
2 2  ;   2  2  ;  2/ 6 4/ 6 
     
Alternative: n linear equation in n variable have exactly one solution but n equation not linear in n variables
will have more than one solution here we will have 4 equations in 4 variable of degree higher than 1 hence
more than 2 solutions.]

Q.7792/qe If both the roots of the equation, (3a + 1) x2  (2a + 3b) x + 3 = 0 are infinite then :
(A) a =  ; b = 0 (B) a = 0 ; b = 
(C*) a =  1/3 ; b = 2/9 (D) a = ; b = 

Q.7836/det If x, y, z are not all simultaneously equal to zero, satisfying the system of equations
(sin 3 ) x  y + z = 0
(cos 2 ) x + 4 y + 3 z = 0
2x + 7y+ 7z = 0
then the number of principal values of  is
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C*) 5 (D) 6

[Hint:  = n  + ( 1)n . or n  ] [ IIT ’86 , 5 ]
6
 1  2 x  x (a 2  b 2  c 2 ) (1  b 2 ) x (1  c 2 ) x
2 2 2 2 2
f (x) = 1  2 x  x (a  b  c ) 1  b x (1  c ) x (as a2 + b2 + c2 = – 2)
1  2 x  x (a 2  b 2  c 2 ) (1  b 2 ) x 1  c 2 x

1 (1  b 2 ) x (1  c 2 ) x
1 1  b 2 x (1  c 2 ) x
1 (1  b 2 ) x 1  c 2 x

R2  R2 – R 1 & R 3  R3 – R 1

1 (1  b 2 ) x (1  c 2 ) x
0 1 x 0
0 1 x 1 x

f (x) = (1 – x)2 = 1 – 2x + x2  (C) ]

x 3 2
Q.7041/mat Matrix A =  1 y 4  , if x y z = 60 and 8x + 4y + 3z = 20 , then A (adj A) is equal to
2 2 z 

 64 0 0   88 0 0   68 0 0   34 0 0 
(A)  0 64 0  (B)  0 88 0  (C*)  0 68 0  (D)  0 34 0 
 0 0 64   0 0 88   0 0 68   0 0 34 
[Sol. A. adj A = | A | I
| A | = xyz – 8x – 3 (z – 8) + 2 (2 – 2y)
| A | = xyz – (8x + 3z + 4y) + 28  60 – 20 + 28 = 68  (C) ]

Q.7184/qe If the roots of the cubic, x3 + ax2 + bx + c = 0 are three consecutive positive integers. Then the value
a2
of is equal to
b 1
(A*) 3 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 1/3
[Sol. n, n + 1, n + 2
sum = 3(n + 1) = – a
 a2 = 9(n + 1)2
sum of the roots taken 2 at atime = + b
 n(n + 1) + (n + 1)(n + 2) + (n + 2)n + 1 = b + 1 (adding 1 both sides)
n2 + n + n2 + 3n + 2 + n2 + 2n + 1 = b + 1
 b + 1 = 3n2 + 6n + 3 = 3(n + 1)2
a2 a2
b + 1 = 3(n + 1)2 = ;  =3  (A) ]
3 b 1

Q.7234/det The values of  for which the following equations

sinx – cosy + (+1)z = 0; cosx + siny – z = 0; x +( + 1)y + cos z = 0
have non trivial solution, is
(A)  = n,  R – {0} (B)  = 2n,  is any rational number
 (A) order of B is 3 × 4 (B*) order of BA is 4 × 4
(C) order of BA is 3 × 3 (D) BA is undefined
[Hint: A = 3 × 4 ; A = 4×3
As A B is defined  let order of B = 3 × n
now BA = (3 ×n) × (4 × 3)  n = 4
 order of B is 3 × 4
 order of B = 4 × 3
order of B A = (4×3) × (3 × 4) = 4 × 4 Ans]

1  1  1 
Q.6276/qe If , &  are the roots of the equation, x3  x  1 = 0 then, + + has the value
1  1  1 
equal to :
(A) zero (B)  1 (C*)  7 (D) 1
[Hint: Let   
, ,  be the roots of 2nd   = A ;   = B ;   = C
3
1 x y 1  y  1 y1
Let y=  x = y 1     1=0
1 x  y  1 y 1

1 
 y3 + 7y2  y + 1 = 0   1 
= 7 ]

Q.6330/det If the system of equations x + 2y + 3z = 4 , x + py + 2z = 3 , x + 4y + z = 3 has an infinite number

of solutions , then :
(A) p = 2 ,  = 3 (B) p = 2 ,  = 4 (C) 3 p = 2  (D*) none of these
[Hint : For 2 and 3 equation , 1 = p/4 = 2/ = 1  p = 4 ;  = 1 ]
nd rd

 cos 2  sin  cos    cos 2  sin  cos  

Q.6439/mat If A =   ; B =  
 sin  cos  sin 2    sin  cos  sin 2  
are such that, AB is a null matrix, then which of the following should necessarily be an odd integral

multiple of .
2
(A)  (B)  (C*)  –  (D)  + 
 cos 2  sin  cos    cos 2  sin  cos  
[Hint: AB =  
 sin  cos  sin 2    sin  cos 
 sin 2  

 cos 2  cos 2   sin  cos  sin  cos  cos 2  sin  cos   sin  cos  sin 2  
=  2 2
 cos  sin  cos   sin  sin  cos  sin  cos  sin  cos   sin 2  sin 2  

 cos  cos  cos(  ) cos  sin  cos(  ) 

=  
 sin  cos  cos(  ) sin  sin  cos(  ) 
  –  must be an odd integral multiple of /2  (C) ]

Q.6580/qe For every x  R, the polynomial x8  x5 + x2  x + 1 is :

(A*) positive (B) never positive
(C) positive as well as negative (D) negative
[Hint : for x  1 E = x (x  1) + (x  1) + 1 > 0
5 3

for 1 < x < 0 , E = (1  x) + x2 (1  x3) + x8 > 0

 0 0
is a 0 ]
 

F IF 1 I
Hx  k  1JKG
Hx  k JKas n 
n
G
1
Q.5370/qe The absolute term in the quadratic expression  is
k 1

(A*) 1 (B) –1 (C) 0 (D) 1/2

n n
1 1 1 1  1 1 
[Sol. Lim
n 
 k (k  1) = 2   k  k  1  = 1 
2  n 1

k 1 k 1

1  1  1
 absolute term = Lim 1  = ]
n  2  n 1 2

a a3 a 4 1
Q.5426/det If a, b, c are all different and b b 3 b 4  1 = 0 , then :
c c3 c4  1

(A*) abc (ab + bc + ca) = a + b + c (B) (a + b + c) (ab + bc + ca) = abc

(C) abc (a + b + c) = ab + bc + ca (D) none of these
[Hint : Split the determinant into 2 & then evaluate R1  R1 – R2 & R2  R2 – R3]

Q.5535/mat Give the correct order of initials T or F for following statements. Use T if statement is true and F if it
is false.
Statement-1 : If A is an invertible 3 × 3 matrix and B is a 3 × 4 matrix, then A–1B is defined
Statement-2 : It is never true that A + B, A – B, and AB are all defined.
Statement-3 : Every matrix none of whose entries are zero is invertible.
Statement-4 : Every invertible matrix is square and has no two rows the same.
(A) TFFF (B) TTFF (C*) TFFT (D) TTTF

Q.5672/qe Number of values of the parameter  [0, 2 ] for which the quadratic function,
1
(sin ) x2 + 2 cos  x + (cos  + sin ) is the square of a linear function is
2
(A*) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 1
[Hint : Let f (x) =  sin  x  b 
2
now compare the coefficient and eliminate b. divide by cos 2 to get

(tan  – 1) (tan + 2) = 0   = or  – tan–1( 2) ]
4
1 3 2
Q.5728/det If  is one of the imaginary cube roots of unity, then the value of the determinant  3 1  =
2
  1

(A) 1 (B) 2 (C*) 3 (D) none

1 1 2
1 1 
[Hint: Put 3 = 1 and open by R1 to get (1 – 2) + (1 – ) = 3]
 2
 1
 6 / 7 2 / 7  3 / 7  6 / 7 2 / 7 3/ 7 
(A*) 2 / 7 3 / 7 6/7  (B)  2 / 7  3 / 7 6 /7 
3 / 7  6 / 7 2 / 7  3 / 7 6 / 7  2 / 7

 6 / 7  2 / 7  3 / 7   6/ 7  2/ 7 3/ 7 
(C)  2 / 7 3/ 7 6/7  (D)  2 / 7 2 / 7  3 / 7
  3 / 7 6 / 7 2 / 7   6 / 7 2 / 7 3 / 7 

 a1 a2 a3 
 b 3  is orthogonal if
[Hint: Matrix  b1 b2

 c1 c2 c3 

 a i2   bi2   ci2 1 ;  a i bi   bi ci   ci a i  0  (A) ]

6 x 10 x 2
3 27
Q.4764/qe Number of integral values of x satisfying the inequality    is
4 64
(A) 6 (B*) 7 (C) 8 (D) infinite
[Hint : 2
6x + 10 – x > 3
 x2 – 6x – 7 < 0
(x + 1) (x – 7) < 0

 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  B ]

1 a  x ay az
Q.4824/det The determinant b  x 1  b  y bz =
c x cy 1 c  z
(A*) (1 + a + b + c) (1 + x + y + z)  3 (ax + by + cz)
(B) a (x + y) + b (y + z) + c (z + x)  (xy + yz + zx)
(C) x (a + b) + y (b + c) + z (c + a)  (ab + bc + ca)
(D) none of these
[Hint : 1 + a + b + c = k and use R1 + R2 + R3 we get
k  3x k  3 y k  3z
D= b  x 1  b  y bz
cx c y 1 c  z

1 1 1 x y z
=k b  x 1  b  y b z + 3 b  x 1 b  y bz
cx c  y 1 c  z cx c  y 1 c  z
now proceed ]

Q.4932/mat Which of the following statements is incorrect for a square matrix A. ( | A |  0)

(A) If A is a diagonal matrix, A–1 will also be a diagonal matrix
(B) If A is a symmetric matrix, A–1 will also be a symmetric matrix
(C*) If A–1 = A  A is an idempotent matrix
 (AB) (adj.B · adj A) = |B| |A| In or |AB| In ....(2)
from (1) and (2) adj (AB) = (adj B) · (adj A) ]

Q.3751/qe The graph of a quadratic polynomial y = ax2 + bx + c (a, b, c  R) with vertex

on y-axis is as shown in the figure. Then which one of the following statement is
INCORRECT?
(A) Product of the roots of the corresponding quadratic equation is positive.
(B) Discriminant of the quadratic equation is negative.
(C*) Nothing definite can be said about the sum of the roots, whether positive, negative or zero.
(D) Both roots of the quadratic equation are purely imaginary.
[Sol. Roots are purely imaginary
i.e. i  and – i 
 sum of roots = 0
incorrect (C)
c
product of roots = – i2 2 = 2  product > 0 ; > 0  c = + ve ]
a
a 1 a  2 a  p
Q.3818/det If a  2 a  3 a  q = 0 , then p, q, r are in :
a 3 a 4 a r
(A*) AP (B) GP (C) HP (D) none
[Hint: Use R2  R2 – R1 & R3  R3 – R2 & then
1 a  2 a  p
c1  c1 – c2 to get 1 1 q  p open by c1 to get p + r = 2q ]
1 1 rq
Q.3955/qe The number of solution of the equation e2x + ex + e–2x + e–x = 3(e–2x + ex) is
(A) 0 (B) 2 (C*) 1 (D) more than 2
[Hint: x = ln 2]

L
x
M
x x O
Let A = Mx x P
Q.4028/mat
M
x
P
, then A
P
–1 exists if

Nx x x  Q
(A) x  0 (B)  0
(C*) 3x +  0,  0 (D) x  0,  0

x x x 3x   x x 1 x x
x 1 x
= 3x   x
x x x x
[Sol. We have |A| = = (3x +)
x x x 3x   x x 1 x x

1 x x
= (3x + ) 0  0 = 2(3x + ) [Take 3x +  common and use R  R – R , R  R – R ]
2 2 1 3 3 1
0 0 
Thus, A–1 will exist if  0 and 3x +   0 ]

Q.4156/qe Let a, b, c be the three roots of the equation x 3 + x2 – 333x – 1002 = 0 then the value of
a3 + b3 + c3.
 (A) 33 (B) 0 (C*) 21 (D) none
[Hint: Put x = 0 & then evaluate]

Q.2436/qe Let P (x) = kx3 + 2k2x2 + k3. Find the sum of all real numbers k for which x – 2 is a factor of P(x).
(A) 4 (B) 8 (C) – 4 (D*) – 8
[Hint: put x = 2, P (2) = 0, k3 + 8k2 + 8k = 0  k1 + k2 + k3 = – 8 ]
Q.2515/mat If A and B are invertible matrices, which one of the following statements is not correct
(A) Adj. A = |A| A –1 (B) det (A–1) = |det (A)|–1
(C*) (A + B)–1 = B–1 + A–1 (D) (AB)–1 = B–1A–1
[Sol. AA–1 = I  | A A–1 | = | I | = 1
1
hence |A| |A–1| = 1  |A–1| =  (B) is correct ]
|A|

Q.2639/qe The sum of all the value of m for which the roots x1 and x2 of the quadratic equation
x2 – 2mx + m = 0 satisfy the condition x13  x 32  x12  x 22 , is
3 9 5
(A) (B) 1 (C) (D*)
4 4 4
[Hint: x1 + x2 = 2m ; x1 x2 = m
(x1 + x2)3 – 3x1x2(x1 + x2) = (x1 + x2)2 – 2x1x2
8m3 – 3m(2m) = 4m2 – 2m
8m3 – 10m2 + 2m = 0
2m(4m2 – 5m + 1) = 0  m=0
(m – 1)(4m – 1) = 0  m = 1 or m = 1/4 ]

a2 1 ab ac
Q.2713/det If D = ba b 2  1 bc then D =
ca cb c2  1

(A*) 1 + a2 + b2 + c2 (B) a2 + b2 + c2 (C) (a + b + c)2 (D) none

[Hint: Multiply R1 by a, R2 by b & R3 by c & divide the determinant by abc. Now take a, b & c common from
c1, c2 & c3. Now use C1  C1 + C2 + C3 to get]
1 1 1
b2 b 1
2
b2
(a2 + b2 + c2 + 1) . Now use c1  c1 – c2 & c2  c2 – c3 to get the value as 1.]
c2 c2 c2  1

a b 
Q.2819/mat If A = c d  satisfies the equation x2 – (a + d)x + k = 0, then
 
(A) k = bc (B) k = ad (C) k = a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 (D*) ad–bc

a b  a b  a  bc ab  bd 
2
a ( a  d ) b (a  d )  k 0 
[Sol. We have A2 = c d  c d  =  ac  cd bc  d 2  ; (a + d)A = c(a  d) d(a  d) ;  0 k 
      
bc  ad 0 
 A2 –(a + d)A =  0 bc  da  = (bc – ad) I

As A2 – (a + d)A + kI = 0, we get (bc –ad)I + kI = 0  k = ad – bc]
  Emin occurs when x = 15
 Emin = 15 Ans.]

Q.126/det If the system of equations ax + y + z = 0 , x + by + z = 0 & x + y + cz = 0 (a, b, c  1) has a non-

1 1 1
trivial solution, then the value of   is :
1 a 1 b 1 c
(A)  1 (B) 0 (C*) 1 (D) none of these
a 1 1
[Hint: 1 b 1 Use R1  R1 – R2 & R2  R2 – R1 & open by C1 to get
1 1 c
(1 – a) [(1 – b)c + (1 – c)] + (1 – b) (1 – c) = 0 divide by (1 – a) (1 – b) (1 – c) to get the result]

Q.1322/qe If a, b, c are real numbers satisfying the condition a + b + c = 0 then the roots of the quadratic
equation 3ax2 + 5bx + 7c = 0 are :
(A) positive (B) negative (C*) real & distinct (D) imaginary
[Hint: D = 25b2 – 84 ac
= 25(a + c)2 – 84ac using b = –(a + c)
2 2
= 21[(a+c) – 4ac] + 4(a+c) > 0 ]

4 6  1  2 4  3
Q.146/mat Consider the matrices A = 3 0 2  , B =  0 1  , C = 1 . Out of the given matrix products
1  2 5   1 2 2
(i) (AB)TC (ii) CTC(AB)T (iii) CTAB and (iv) ATABBTC
(A) exactly one is defined (B) exactly two are defined
(C*) exactly three are defined (D) all four are defined
[Hint: (i), (iii) and (iv) are correct ]
Q.1524/qe If the difference of the roots of the equation, x2 + ax + b = 0 is equal to the difference of the roots of
the equation x2 + bx + a = 0 then :
(A) a + b = 4 (B*) a + b =  4 (C) a  b = 4 (D) a  b =  4

Q.167/det The value of a for which the system of equations ; a3x + (a +1)3 y + (a + 2)3 z = 0 ,
ax + (a + 1) y + (a + 2) z = 0 & x + y + z = 0 has a non-zero solution is :
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C*)  1 (D) none of these
[Hint: Use c2  c2 – c1 & c3  c3 – c2 & then open by R3.]

Q.1729/qe Suppose a, b, and c are positive numbers such that a + b + c = 1. Then the maximum value of
ab + bc + ca is
1 1 1 2
(A*) (B) (C) (D)
3 4 2 3
[Sol. a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 – 2  ab ....(1)
also (a – b)2  0 etc.
hence a2 + b2 + c2  ab + bc + ca
1 – 2  ab   ab
1  3  ab
 Question bank on Quadratic Eqaution, Determinant & Matrices

Select the correct alternative : (Only one is correct)

Q.14/qe If a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 then ab + bc + ca lies in the interval :

(A)  , 2 (C*)  , 1 (D)  1 , 

1 1 1
(B) [ 1, 2]
2   2   2 
[Hint:  (a–b)2> 0  2 – 2 ab > 0  ab < 
a2 a2  ab + bc + ca < 1
Also note that (a + b + c)2 > 0 ]
a2 a 1
Q.21/det The value of the determinant cos(nx) cos( n  1) x cos(n  2) x is independent of :
sin (nx) sin ( n  1) x sin (n  2) x

(A*) n (B) a (C) x (D) a , n and x

[Hint: Directly open by R1 to get a form of sin (A – B) etc. ]

0 1  1 A
Q.32/mat A is an involutary matrix given by A = 4  3 4  then the inverse of will be
3  3 4  2

A 1 A
(A*) 2A (B) (C) (D) A2
2 2
[Hint: A is involutary  A =I 
2 A = A–1
1
1 1 
also (KA)–1 = (A)–1 ; hence  A  = 2(A)–1  2A ]
k 2 

Q.45/qe If P(x) = ax2 + bx + c & Q(x) =  ax2 + dx + c, where ac  0, then P(x) . Q(x) = 0 has
(A) exactly one real root (B*) atleast two real roots
(C) exactly three real roots (D) all four are real roots .
[Hint : D1 : b2  4 a c & D2 : d2 + 4 a c . Hence atleast one of either D1 or D2 is zero]

1 a 1 1
Q.52/det If a, b, c are all different from zero & 1 1  b 1 = 0 , then the value of a1 + b1 + c1 is
1 1 1 c
(A) abc (B) a1 b1 c1 (C) a  b  c (D*)  1
[Hint: C1  C1 – C2 & C2  C2 – C3 & then open by R1 to get ab + abc + ac + bc = 0 ; divided by abc]

Q.63/mat If A and B are symmetric matrices, then ABA is

(A*) symmetric matrix (B) skew symmetric
(C) diagonal matrix (D) scalar matrix
[Sol. We have (ABA) = ABA = ABA  ABA is symmetric]

Q.711/qe Let a > 0, b > 0 & c > 0 . Then both the roots of the equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0