Determinants

MCQ Questions
1. If A is a square matrix of order 3, such that A(adj⁡ A) = 10I, then |adj⁡ A| is equal to
(A) 1
(B) 10
(C) 100
(D) 101
2. If A is skew symmetric matrix of order 3, then the value of |𝐴| is
(A) 3
(B) 0
(C) 9
(D) 27

1 logx ⁡ y logx⁡ z
3. Δ = |logy ⁡ x 1 logy ⁡ z| =
logz ⁡ x logz ⁡ y 1
(A) log𝑥 ⁡ 𝑦log𝑦 ⁡ 𝑧log𝑧 ⁡ 𝑥
(B) 1
(C) 0
(D) None of these
𝑦+𝑧 𝑥 𝑥
4. If | 𝑦 𝑧+𝑥 𝑦 | = 𝑘(𝑥𝑦𝑧), then 𝑘 is equal to -
𝑧 𝑧 𝑥+𝑦
(A) 4
(B) -4
(C) 0
(D) None of these

4 −1 0
5. The sum of the solutions of the equation log (√| 4𝑥 4 −1|) = 1 is -
4𝑥 2 4𝑥 4
(A) -8
(B) 2
(C) -2
(D) 8

𝑥 𝑛 𝑥 𝑛+2 𝑥 𝑛+4
1 1 1 1 1 1
6. If |𝑦 𝑛 𝑦 𝑛+2 𝑦 𝑛+4 | = (𝑦2 − 𝑥2 ) (𝑧 2 − 𝑦2) (𝑥2 − 𝑧 2) then n is equal to -
𝑧 𝑛 𝑧 𝑛+2 𝑧 𝑛+4
(A) -4
 (B) 4
(C) 2
(D) -2

1 sin⁡ 𝜃 1
7. Let Δ = |−sin⁡ 𝜃 1 sin⁡ 𝜃 |. The Δ lies in the interval:
−1 −sin⁡ 𝜃 1
(A) [3,4]
(B) [2,4]
(C) [1,4]
(D) None

𝑎 −1 0
8. If 𝑓(𝑥) = | 𝑎𝑥 𝑎 −1|, then 𝑓(2𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥) equals:
2
𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑥 𝑎
(A) 𝑎(2𝑎 + 3𝑥)
(B) ax⁡(2x + 3a)
(C) ax⁡(2a + 3x)
(D) 𝑥(2𝑎 + 3𝑥)

200 50 50 40
9. Let A = [ ] and B = [ ], then |AB| is equal to
10 2 2 3
(A) 460
(B) 2000
(C) 3000
(D) -7000

2x 5 6 −2
10. If | |=| |, then the value of x is
8 x 7 3
(A) 3
(B) \pm 3
(C) \pm 6
(D) 6

11. If the entries in a 3 × 3 determinant are either 0 or 1, then the greatest value of their determinant
is
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 9

𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2
12. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are sides of a triangle and |(𝑎 + 1)2 (𝑏 + 1)2 (𝑐 + 1)2 | = 0, then-
(𝑎 − 1)2 (𝑏 − 1)2 (𝑐 − 1)2
(A) △ ABC is equilateral
(B) △ ABC is right angled isosceles
(C) △ ABC is isosceles
(D) None of these 13. If 2𝑎1 , 2𝑎2 , 2𝑎3 , … , 2𝑎𝑛 are in G.P., then
 𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
| 𝑎𝑛+1 𝑎𝑛+2 𝑎𝑛+3 | is equal to:
𝑎2𝑛+1 𝑎2𝑛+2 𝑎2𝑛+3
(A) 2
(B) 23
(C) 0
(D) None

14. The value of third order determinant is 11, then the value of the square of the determinant formed
by the cofactors will be -
(A) 11
(B) 121
(C) 1331
(D) 14641

2 −1 4
15. The cofactors of elements in second row of the determinant |4 2 −3| are
1 1 2
(A) 5,6,4
(B) 6,0, −3
(C) 5,1,8
(D) 6,0,3

16. If the capital letters denote the cofactor of the corresponding small letters in the determinant

𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1
Δ = |𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2 |, then the value of
𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3

𝐴1 𝐵1 𝐶1
Δ′ = |𝐴2 𝐵2 𝐶2 | is
𝐴3 𝐵3 𝐶3
(A) Δ
(B) Δ2
(C) 2Δ
(D) 0

17. Let
𝑦 5 𝑧 6 (𝑧 3 − 𝑦 3 ) 𝑥 4 𝑧 6 (𝑥 3 − 𝑧 3 ) 𝑥 4 𝑦 5 (𝑦 3 − 𝑥 3 )
Δ1 = |𝑦 2 𝑧 3 (𝑦 6 − 𝑧 6 ) 𝑥𝑧 3 (𝑧 6 − 𝑥 6 ) 𝑥𝑦 2 (𝑥 6 − 𝑦 6 ) |
𝑦 2 𝑧 3 (𝑧 3 − 𝑦 3 ) 𝑥𝑧 3 (𝑥 3 − 𝑧 3 ) 𝑥𝑦 2 (𝑦 3 − 𝑥 3 )

𝑥 𝑦2 𝑧3
and Δ2 = |𝑥 4 𝑦5 𝑧 6 | then Δ1 ⋅ Δ2 =
𝑥7 𝑦8 𝑧9
(A) Δ32
 (B) Δ22
(C) Δ42
(D) none

18. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are sides of a triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 and 𝐴, 𝐵, C are angles opposite a, b, c then
a2 bsin⁡ A csin⁡ A
Δ = |bsin⁡ A 1 cos⁡ A | gives
csin⁡ A cos⁡ A 1
(A) Δ = area of triangle
(B) Δ = perimeter of triangle
(C) Δ = Σa2
(D) none of these

19. The area of a triangle with vertices (−3,0), (3,0) and (0, k) is 9 sq. units. Then, the value of k
will be
(A) 9
(B) 3
(C) -9
(D) 6

2 0 0
20. If A is a square matrix of order 3 such that 𝐴(adj. 𝐴) = [0 2 0], then |adj. 𝐴| =
0 0 2
(A) 2
(B) 4
(C) 8
(D) 16

1 4 4
21. If the adjoint of a 3 × 3 matrix 𝑃 is [2 1 7], then the possible value(s) of the determinant of
1 1 3
𝑃 is (are) -
(A) -2
(B) -1
(C) 1
(D) 3

1 −1 1
|adj⁡ 𝐵|
22. If 𝐴 = [0 2 −3] , 𝐵 = (adj⁡ 𝐴) and 𝐶 = 5𝐴, then |𝐶| is equal to
2 1 0
(A) 5
(B) 25
(C) -1
(D) 1
 1 2 −1
23. If 𝐴 = [−1 1 2 ], then det⁡[adj⁡(adj⁡ 𝐴)] is equal to -
2 −1 1
(A) 124
(B) 134
(C) 144
(D) None

2 3
24. Let 𝐴 = [ ], If 𝐴−1 = 𝑥𝐴 + 𝑦𝐼, then 𝑥 + 2𝑦 =
−1 5
(A) 1
(B) -1
(C) 0
(D) None of these

25. If 𝐴 is a matrix of third order such that 𝐴 = 𝐵 −1 , 𝐵 2 = 𝐵, then the matrix equation (𝐴 + 𝐵)𝑋 =
1
[0] has:
0
(A) finitely many solutions
(B) infinite solutions
(C) no solution
(D) unique solution

26. The system of linear equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 2, 2x + y − z = 3,3x + 2y + kz = 4 has a unique

solution, then:
(A) k ≠ 0
(B) −1 < k < 1
(C) −2 < k < 2
(D) k = 0

27. The system of linear equations 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 2, 2x + y − z = 3,3x + 2y + kz = 4 has a unique

solution, if k is not equal to
(A) 4
(B) -4
(C) 0
(D) None of these

28. The equations 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 + 4 = 0,3𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 6 = 0 and 4𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 8 = 0 are -

(A) consistent with unique solution
(B) inconsistent
(C) consistent with infinitely many solutions
(D) None of these

1 2 1 0
29. If 𝐴 = [ ],𝐵 = [ ] and 𝑋 is a matrix such that 𝐴 = 𝐵𝑋, then 𝑋 equals -
3 −5 0 2
1 −2 4
(A) [ ]
2 3 5
 1 2 4
(B) [ ]
2 3 −5
2 4
(C) [ ]
3 −5
(D) None of these
𝜃
1 tan⁡
2
30. If 𝐴 = [ 𝜃 ] and 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐼, then 𝐵 =
−tan⁡ 1
2
𝜃
(A) cos2 ⁡ ⋅𝐴
2
2 𝜃
(B) cos ⁡ ⋅ 𝐴T
2
2 𝜃
(C) cos ⁡
⋅𝐼
2
(D) None of these

CASE BASED MCQ's

Passage -1 [31 to 35]

Read the following text and answer the following questions. On the basis of the same: Two schools
Oxford and Navdeep want to award their selected students on the values of sincerity, truthfulness and
helpfulness. Oxford wants to award ₹x each, ₹y each and ₹z each for the three respective values to 3,2
and 1 students respectively with a total award money of ₹ 1600. Navdeep wants to spend ₹2300 to
award its 4, 1 and 3 students on the respective values (by giving the same amount to the three values as
before). The total amount of the award for one prize on each is ₹900.

31. x + y + z =
(A) 800
(B) 900
(C) 1000
(D) 1200

32. 4x + y + 3z =
(A) 1600
(B) 2300
(C) 900
(D) 1200

33. The value of 𝑦 is

(A) 200
(B) 250
(C) 300
(D) 350

34. The value of 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 is

(A) 1000
 (B) 1100
(C) 1200
(D) 1300

35. y − x =
(A) 100
(B) 200
(C) 300
(D) 400

Passage -2 [36 to 40]

The upward speed v(t) of a rocket at time t is approximated by v(t) = at2 + bt + c, 0 ≤ t ≤ 100,
where 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are constants. It has been found that the speed at times t = 3, t = 6 and t = 9 seconds
are respectively 64, 133 and 208 miles per second.

9 3 1 −1 1 −2 1 −1
1
If (36 6 1) = (−15 24 −9) , then answer the following questions.
18
81 9 1 54 −54 18
36. The value of 𝑏 + 𝑐 is
(A) 20
(B) 21
(C) 3/4
(D) 4/3

37. The value of 𝑎 + 𝑐 is

(A) 1
(B) 20
(C) 4/3
(D) none of these

38. v(t) is given by

(A) 𝑡 2 + 20𝑡 + 1
1
(B) 𝑡 2 + 20𝑡 + 1
3
2 1
(C) t + t + 20
3
(D) t2 + t + 1

39. The speed at time 𝑡 = 15 seconds is

(A) 346miles/sec
(B) 356 miles/sec
(C) 366 miles/sec
(D) 376 miles/sec

40. The time at which the speed of rocket is 784miles/sec is

(A) 20 seconds
 (B) 30 seconds
(C) 25 seconds
(D) 27 seconds

Passage -3 [41 to 45]

Gaurav purchased 5 pens, 3 bags and 1 instrument box and pays ₹16. From the same shop, Dheeraj
purchased 2 pens, 1 bag and 3 instrument boxes and pays ₹19, while Ankur purchased 1 pen, 2 bags and
4 instrument boxes and pays ₹25.

Using the concept of matrices and determinants, answer the following questions.

41. The cost of one pen is

(A) ₹2
(B) ₹5
(C) ₹1
(D) ₹3
42. What is the cost of one pen and one bag?
(A) ₹3
(B) ₹5
(C) ₹7
(D) ₹8

43. What is the cost of one pen and one instrument box?
(A) ₹7
(B) ₹6
(C) ₹8
(D) ₹9

44. Which of the following is correct?

(A) Determinant is a square matrix
(B) Determinant is a number associated to a matrix
(C) Determinant is a number associated to a square matrix.
(D) All of the above

45. From the matrix question 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐴𝐶, it can be concluded that B = C provided.
(A) A is singular
(B) A is non-singular
(C) A is symmetric
(D) A is square

Passage -4 [46 to 50]

Area of a triangle whose vertices are (x1 , y1 ), (x 2 , y2 ) and (x 3 , y3 ) is given by the determinant Δ =
x1 y1 1
1
|x y2 1|
2 2
x 3 y3 1

Since, area is a positive quantity, so we always take the absolute value of the determinant Δ. Also, the
area of the triangle formed by three collinear points is zero.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions.

46. Find the area of the triangle whose vertices are (−2,6), (3, −6) and (1,5).
(A) 30 sq. units
(B) 35 sq. units
(C) 40 sq. units
(D) 15.5 sq. units

47. If the points (2,3), (k, −1) and (0,4) are collinear, then find the value of 4k.
(A) 4
7
(B)
140
(C) 47
40
(D)
7

48. If the area of a triangle ABC, with vertices A(1,3), B(0,0) and C(k, 0) is 3 sq. units, then a value
of 𝑘 is
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5

49. Using determinants, find the equation of the line joining the points A(1,2) and B(3,6).
(A) 𝑦 = 2𝑥
(B) x = 3y
(C) 𝑦 = 𝑥
(D) 4x − y = 5

50. If 𝐴 ≡ (11,7), 𝐵 ≡ (5,5) and 𝐶 ≡ (−1,3), then

(A) △ ABC is scalene triangle

(B) △ ABC is equilateral triangle

(C) A, B and C are collinear

(D) None of these

Passage -5 [51 to 55]

Minor of an element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 of a determinant is the determinant obtained by deleting its 𝑖 th row and 𝑗 th
column in which element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 lies and is denoted by 𝑀𝑖𝑗 . Cofactor of an element aij, denoted by A ij, is
defined by 𝐴𝑖𝑗 = (−1)𝑖+𝑗 𝑀𝑖𝑗 , where 𝑀𝑖𝑗 is minor of 𝑎𝑖𝑗 .

Also, the determinant of a square matrix A is the sum of the products of the elements of any row (or
column) with their corresponding cofactors. For example, if A = [aij ] , then |A| = a11 A11 +
3×3
a12 A12 + a13 A13 .

Based on the above information, answer the following question.

1 −2
51. Find the sum of the cofactors of all the elements of | |.
4 3
(A) 2
(B) -2
(C) 4
(D) 1

5 6 −3
52. Find the minor a21 of |−4 3 2 |.
−4 −7 3
(A) 3
(B) -3
(C) 39
(D) -39

2 −3 5
53. In the determinant |6 0 4 |, find the value of a32 ⋅ A 32.
1 5 −7
(A) 27
(B) -110
(C) 110
(D) -27

5 3 8
54. If Δ = |2 0 1|, then write the minor of 𝑎23 .
1 2 3
(A) -10
(B) -7
(C) 10
(D) 7

2 −3 5
|
55. If Δ = 6 0 4 |, then find the value of |Δ|.
1 5 −7
(A) 26
(B) 28
(C) 72
(D) 46
ASSERTION & REASON BASED MCQ'S
Directions: In the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Mark the correct choice as:

(A) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of assertion (A).

(B) Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true, but reason (𝑅) is not the correct explanation of assertion
(A).

(C) Assertion (A) is true, but reason (R) is false.

(D) Assertion (A) is false, but reason (R) is true.

Mathematics | Class 12

56. Let 𝐴 be a 2 × 2 matrix. Assertion (A): adj⁡(adj⁡ 𝐴) = 𝐴

Reason (R): |adj⁡ 𝐴| = |𝐴|

1
0 0
2 0 0 2
−1 1
57. Assertion (A): If 𝐴 = [0 3 0], then A = 0 3
0.
0 0 4 1
[0 0
4]
Reason (R): The inverse of an invertible diagonal matrix is a diagonal matrix.

58. Assertion (A): If every element of a third order determinant of value Δ is multiplied by 5 , then
the value of the new determinant is 125Δ.
Reason (R): If k is a scalar and A is an n × n matrix, then |kA| = kn |A|

1 3 𝜆+2
59. Assertion (A): If the matrix 𝐴 = [2 4 8 ] is singular, then 𝜆 = 4.
3 5 10
Reason (R): If 𝐴 is a singular matrix, then |A| = 0.

2 −3
60. Given 𝐴 = [ ].
−4 7
Assertion (A): 2 A−1 = 9I − A
1
Reason (𝑅): 𝐴−1 = (adj⁡ 𝐴)
|𝐴|

2 3 1
61. Assertion (A): If 𝐴 = [ ] and 𝐴−1 = 𝑘𝐴, then k =
5 −2 9
1
Reason (R): |A−1 | =
| A|