CBSE Previous Year Questions: Matrices
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CBSE Previous Year Questions 2025
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
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1 −2 −1 −2
Q.1. Let 𝐴 = [ 0 4 −1 ], 𝐵 = [ −5 ], 𝐶 = [9 8 7], which of the following is
−3 2 1 −7
defined? (1 Mark)
(A) Only AB
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(B) Only AC
(C) Only BA
(D) All AB, AC and BA
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Ans: (A) Only AB
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7 0 𝑥
𝑥
Q.2. If 𝐴 = [ 0 7 0 ] is a scalar matrix, then 𝑦 is equal to (1 Mark)
0 0 𝑦
(A) 0
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(B) 1
(C) 7
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(D) ±7
Ans: (B) 1
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𝑇
Q.3. Let 𝐴 be a matrix of order 𝑚 × 𝑛 and 𝐵 is a matrix such that 𝐴 𝐵 and
𝑇
𝐵𝐴 are defined. Then, the order of 𝐵 is : (1 Mark)
(A) 𝑚 × 𝑚
(B) 𝑛 × 𝑛
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(C) 𝑚 × 𝑛
(D) 𝑛 × 𝑚
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Ans: (C) 𝑚 × 𝑛
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𝑥 + 𝑦 3𝑦 9 4𝑥 + 𝑦
Q.4. If [ ]=[ ], then (𝑥 − 𝑦) = ? (1 Mark)
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3𝑥 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 6 𝑦
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(A) -7
(B) -3
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(C) 3
(D) 7
Ans: (B) -3
1 12 4𝑦
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Q.5. If 𝐴 = [ 6𝑥 5 2𝑥 ] is a symmetric matrix, then (2𝑥 + 𝑦) is (1 Mark)
8𝑥 4 6
(A) -8
(B) 0
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(C) 6
(D) 8
Ans: (D) 8
Q.6. Four friends Abhay, Bina, Chhaya and Devesh were asked to
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simplify 4𝐴𝐵 + 3(𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴) − 4𝐵𝐴, where 𝐴 and 𝐵 are both matrices of
order 2 × 2.
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−1
It is known that 𝐴 ≠ 𝐵 ≠ 𝐼 and 𝐴 ≠ 𝐵. (1 Mark)
Their answers are given as :
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Abhay : 6𝐴𝐵
Bina : 7𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴
Chhaya : 8𝐴𝐵
Devesh : 7𝐵𝐴 − 𝐴𝐵
Who answered it correctly ?
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(A) Abhay
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(B) Bina
(C) Chhaya
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(D) Devesh
Ans: (B) Bina
Q.7. Which of the following can be both a symmetric and skew-
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symmetric matrix? (1 Mark)
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(A) Unit Matrix
(B) Diagonal Matrix
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(C) Null Matrix
(D) Row Matrix
Ans: (C) Null Matrix
Q.8. If A and B are square matrices of order m such that
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2 2
𝐴 − 𝐵 = (𝐴 − 𝐵)(𝐴 + 𝐵), then which of the following is always correct?
(1 Mark)
(A) 𝐴 = 𝐵
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(B) 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵𝐴
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(C) 𝐴 = 0 or 𝐵 = 0
(D) 𝐴 = 𝐼 or 𝐵 = 𝐼
Ans: (B) AB = BA
Q.9. Assertion (A) : 𝐴 = diag[3 5 2] is a scalar matrix of order 3 × 3. (1
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Mark)
Reason (R) : If a diagonal matrix has all non-zero elements equal, it is
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known as a scalar matrix.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and the Reason (R) is the
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correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the
correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
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(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Ans: (D) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true.
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Q.10. Let P be a skew-symmetric matrix of order 3. If det(𝑃) = 𝛼, then
𝛼
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(2025) is (1 Mark)
(A) 0
(B) 1
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(C) 2025
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3
(D) (2025)
Ans: (B) 1
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𝑇 𝑇
Q.11. If A and B are square matrices of same order, then (𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴 ) is a
(1 Mark)
(A) symmetric matrix
(B) skew-symmetric matrix
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(C) null matrix
(D) unit matrix
Ans: (B) skew-symmetric
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Q.12. If A and B are square matrices of same order such that 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐴 and
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2 2
𝐵𝐴 = 𝐵, then 𝐴 + 𝐵 is equal to : (1 Mark)
(A) 𝐴 + 𝐵
(B) 𝐵𝐴
(C) 2(𝐴 + 𝐵)
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(D) 2𝐵𝐴
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Ans: (A) A + B
0 1 −2
Q.13. The matrix [ −1 0 −7 ] is a : (1 Mark)
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2 7 0
(A) diagonal matrix
(B) symmetric matrix
(C) skew symmetric matrix
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(D) scalar matrix
Ans: (C) skew symmetric matrix
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5 0 0
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3
Q.14. If 𝐴 = [ 0 5 0 ], then 𝐴 is : (1 Mark)
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0 0 5
5 0 0
(A) 3[ 0 5 0 ]
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0 0 5
125 0 0
(B) [ 0 125 0 ]
0 0 125
15 0 0
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(C) [ 0 15 0 ]
0 0 15
3
5 0 0
(D) [ 0 5 0 ]
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0 0 5
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Ans: (B)
125 0 0
[ 0 125 0 ]
0 0 125
4 3
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1 2 3
Q.15. If 𝐴 = [ ] and 𝐵 = [ −1 2 ], then the correct statement is : (1
−4 3 7
0 5
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Mark)
(A) Only AB is defined.
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(B) Only BA is defined.
(C) AB and BA, both are defined.
(D) AB and BA, both are not defined.
Ans: (C) AB and BA, both are defined.
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4+𝑥 𝑥−1
Q.16. If [ ] is a singular matrix, then the value of x is : (1 Mark)
−2 3
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(A) 0
(B) 1
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(C) -2
(D) -4
Ans: (C) -2
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Q.17. If A and B are two square matrices of the same order, then
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(𝐴 + 𝐵)(𝐴 − 𝐵) is equal to : (1 Mark)
2 2
(A) 𝐴 − 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴 − 𝐵
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2 2
(B) 𝐴 + 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴 − 𝐵
2 2
(C) 𝐴 − 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴 − 𝐵
2 2
(D) 𝐴 − 𝐵 + 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴
2 2
Ans: (A) 𝐴 − 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴 − 𝐵
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Q.18. If a matrix A is both symmetric and skew-symmetric, then A is a :
(1 Mark)
(A) diagonal matrix
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(B) zero matrix
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(C) non-singular matrix
(D) scalar matrix
Ans: (B) zero matrix
Q.19. Let A and B be two matrices of suitable orders. Then, which of the
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following is not correct ? (1 Mark)
′ ′
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(A) (𝐴 ) = 𝐴
′ ′
(B) (𝑘𝐴) = 𝑘𝐴 , k is a scalar
′ ′ ′
(C) (𝐴 + 𝐵 ) = 𝐴 + 𝐵
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′ ′ ′
(D) (𝐴𝐵) = 𝐴 𝐵
𝑇 ′ ′
Ans: (D) (𝐴𝐵) = 𝐴 𝐵
′ ′
Q.20. Let both 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵 𝐴 be defined for matrices A and B. If order of A
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is n x m, then the order of B is : (1 Mark)
(A) n x n
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(B) n x m
(C) m x m
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(D) m x n
Ans: (B) 𝑛 × 𝑚
−1 0 0
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Q.21. If 𝐴 = [ 0 3 0 ], then A is a/an : (1 Mark)
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0 0 5
(A) scalar matrix
(B) identity matrix
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(C) symmetric matrix
(D) skew-symmetric matrix
Ans: (C) symmetric matrix
Q.22. Sum of two skew-symmetric matrices of same order is always a/an
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: (1 Mark)
(A) skew-symmetric matrix
(B) symmetric matrix
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(C) null matrix
(D) identity matrix
Ans: (A) skew-symmetric matrix
0 −3 8
Q.23. If 𝐴 = [ 3 0 5 ], then 𝐴 is a: (1 Mark)
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−8 −5 0
(A) null matrix
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(B) symmetric matrix
(C) skew-symmetric matrix
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(D) diagonal matrix
Ans: (C) skew-symmetric matrix
0 0 −5
Q.24. If 𝐴 = [ 0 3 0 ], then 𝐴 is a: (1 Mark)
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43 0 0
(A) skew-symmetric matrix
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(B) scalar matrix
(C) diagonal matrix
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(D) square matrix
Ans: (D) square matrix
Q.25. What is the total number of possible matrices of order 3 × 3 with
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each entry as √2 or √3? (1 Mark)
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(A) 9
(B) 512
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(C) 615
(D) 64
Ans: (B) 512
√3 0 0
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Q.26. The matrix 𝐴 = [ 0 √2 0 ] is a/an: (1 Mark)
0 0 √5
(A) scalar matrix
(B) identity matrix
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(C) null matrix
(D) symmetric matrix
Ans: (D) symmetric matrix
2𝑥 − 1 3𝑥 𝑥 + 3 12
Q.27. If [ ]=[ ], then the value of (𝑥 − 𝑦) is : (1 Mark)
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2
0 𝑦 −1 0 35
(A) 2 or 10
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(B) -2 or 10
(C) 2 or -10
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(D) -2 or -10
Ans: (B) -2 or 10
𝑥 0 𝑚
Q.28. If 𝐴 = [ 𝑦 𝑧 0 ] = 6𝐼, where 𝐼 is a unit matrix, then 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 + 𝑚 is
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0 0 6
equal to (1 Mark)
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(A) 18
(B) 12
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(C) 6
(D) 2
Ans: (B) 12
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23 41 57
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Q.29. If 𝐵 = [ 31 42 53 ], then the order of B is : (1 Mark)
75 86 64
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(A) 3 × 2
(B) 2 × 2
(C) 1 × 3
(D) 3 × 3
Ans: (D) 3 × 3
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2
Q.30. If A and B are square matrices of the same order, then (𝐴 − 𝐵) = ?
(1 Mark)
2
(A) 𝐴 − 2𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵
2
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2 2
(B) 𝐴 − 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴 + 𝐵
2 2
(C) 𝐴 − 2𝐵𝐴 + 𝐵
2 2
(D) 𝐴 − 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴 + 𝐵
2 2
Ans: (B) 𝐴 − 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴 + 𝐵
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Very Short Answer Questions
2 −2 2
Q.31. If 𝐴 = [ ] and 𝐴 = 𝑘𝐴, then find the value of k. (2 Marks)
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−2 2
Ans:
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2 −2 2 8 −8
𝐴=[ ]⇒𝐴 =[ ]
−2 2 −8 8
2 8 −8 2𝑘 −2𝑘
𝐴 = 𝑘𝐴 ⇒ [ ]=[ ]
−8 8 −2𝑘 2𝑘
2 4 −4 𝑘 −𝑘
𝐴 = 𝑘𝐴 ⇒ 2[ ] = 2[ ]
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−4 4 −𝑘 𝑘
⇒𝑘=4
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2 3 2
Q.32. If 𝐴 = [ ], then show that 𝐴 − 4𝐴 + 7𝐼 = 0. (2 Marks)
−1 2
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2 2 3 2 3 1 12
Ans: 𝐴 = [ ][ ]=[ ]
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−1 2 −1 2 −4 1
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8 12
4𝐴 = [ ]
−4 8
7 0
7𝐼 = [ ]
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7 0
2 1 12 8 12 7 0 0 0
L.H.S. = 𝐴 − 4𝐴 + 7𝐼 = [ ]−[ ]+[ ]=[ ]=𝑂=
−4 1 −4 8 0 7 0 0
R.H.S.
3 −1 2
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Q.33. If [ 0 1 ]𝐴 = [ −5 ], then find matrix A. (2 Marks)
2 −3 −17
Ans: uR
3 −1 2
𝑥 𝑥
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Let 𝐴 = [ 𝑦 ] ⇒ [ 0 1 ][ 𝑦 ] = [ −5 ]
2 −3 −17
⇒ 3𝑥 − 𝑦 = 2, 𝑦 = − 5 and
⇒𝑥= −1
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Now check in (3):
2( - 1) - 3( - 5) = - 2 + 15 = 13
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But RHS = -17
LHS ≠ RHS
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∴ Matrix A does not exist.
1 0 2
Q.34. If 𝐴 = [ ], then find the value of K if 𝐴 = 6𝐴 + 𝐾𝐼2 , where 𝐼2 is
−1 5
an identity matrix. (2 Marks)
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Ans:
6 0
6𝐴 = [ ]
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−6 30
𝐾 0
𝐾𝐼= [ ]
0 𝐾
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6+𝐾 0
6𝐴 + 𝐾𝐼2 ⇒ = [ ]
−6 30 + 𝐾
⇒ 6 + 𝐾 = 1 ⇒ 𝐾 = − 5, also satisfies 30 + 𝐾 = 25.
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Short Answer Questions
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1 3 4 2
Q.35. Let 𝐴 = [ 4 ] and 𝐶 = [ 12 16 8 ] be two matrices. Then, find the
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−2 −6 −8 −4
matrix 𝐵 if 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐶. (3 Marks)
Ans:
(a) Let 𝐵 = [ 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 ]
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𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 3 4 2
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐶 ⇒ [ 4𝑥 4𝑦 4𝑧 ] = [ 12 16 8 ]
−2𝑥 −2𝑦 −2𝑧 −6 −8 −4
which gives 𝑥 = 3, 𝑦 = 4 and 𝑧 = 2
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𝐵=[3 4 2]
2 0 1 2
Q.36. If 𝐴 = [ 1 −1 0 ], 𝐵 = [ −1 3 4 ] and 𝐶 = [ 3 ], are three matrices,
0 5 1 4
then find 𝐴𝐵𝐶. (3 Marks)
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Ans:
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2 0 1 2
Let 𝐴 = [ 1 −1 0 ], 𝐵 = [ −1 3 4 ], 𝐶 = [ 3 ]
0 5 1 4
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Compute 𝐴𝐵𝐶.
Step 1:
2 0 1 2 2(2) + 0(3) + 1(4) 8
𝐵𝐶 = [ −1 3 4 ][ 3 ] = [ −1(2) + 3(3) + 4(4) ] = [ 23 ]
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0 5 1 4 0(2) + 5(3) + 1(4) 19
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Step 2:
8
𝐴𝐵𝐶 = [ 1 −1 0 ][ 23 ] = 1(8) − 1(23) + 0(19) = − 15
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19
Final answer:
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𝐴𝐵𝐶 = [ −15 ]
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1 3 2 1
Q.37. Find the value of 𝑥, if [1 𝑥 1][ 2 5 1 ][ 2 ] = 0. (3 Marks)
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15 3 2 𝑥
Ans:
1 3 2 1
[ 1 𝑥 1 ][ 2 5 1 ][ 2 ] = 0
15 3 2 𝑥
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7 + 2𝑥
[ 1 𝑥 1 ][ 12 + 𝑥 ] = 0
2
21 + 2𝑥 uR
𝑥 + 16𝑥 + 28 = 0
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⇒ (𝑥 + 14)(𝑥 + 2) = 0
⇒ 𝑥 = − 14, 𝑥 = − 2
Q.38. A shopkeeper sells 50 Chemistry, 60 Physics and 35 Maths books
on day I and sells 40 Chemistry, 45 Physics and 50 Maths books on day II.
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If the selling price for each such subject book is ₹ 150 (Chemistry), ₹ 175
(Physics) and ₹ 180 (Maths), then find his total sale in two days, using
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matrix method. If cost price of all the books together is ₹ 35,000, what
profit did he earn after the sale of two days? (3 Marks)
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Ans:
150
50 60 35
Let 𝐴 = [ ] Day I, 𝐵 = [ 175 ] be the day wise sale and the
40 45 50
180
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selling price per subject, matrices respectively.
150 24, 300
50 60 35
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Total sales day wise = [ ][ 175 ] = [ ]
40 45 50 22, 875
180
Day I sale = ₹ 24,300
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Day II sale = ₹ 22,875
Total sales in two days = ₹ 24,300 + ₹ 22,875 = ₹ 47,175
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Profit = ₹ 47,175 - ₹ 35,000 = ₹ 12,175.
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Ed
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Ed
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