Q.Find non-zero values of $x$ satisfying the matrix equation: $x\begin{bmatrix} 2x & 2 \\ 3 & x \end{bmatrix} + 2\begin{bmatrix} 8 & 5x \\ 4 & 4x \end{bmatrix} = 2\begin{bmatrix} x^2+8 & 24 \\ 10 & 6x \end{bmatrix}$.

Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.

1. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\begin{bmatrix} x & 4 & -1 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 & 2 \\ 0 & 2 & 4 \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} x \\ 4 \\ -1 \end{bmatrix} = 0$, then $x =$ (A) $-1+\sqrt{6}$ (B) $8 \pm \sqrt{5}$ (C) $-2 \pm \sqrt{10}$ (D) $3 \pm \sqrt{6}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Expanding the quadratic form gives the quadratic equation x^2+4x-6=0, whose roots are -2 +/- sqrt(10).

   Concept and Intuition

   A quadratic form v^T M v expands into a scalar quadratic expression; here only x is unknown, so the result reduces to an ordinary quadratic equation in x.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Compute $M[x,4,-1]^T$: Row1: $2x+4$; Row2: $x-2$; Row3: $8-4=4$.
   2. Dot with $[x,4,-1]$: $x(2x+4)+4(x-2)+(-1)(4) = 2x^2+4x+4x-8-4$.
   3. Simplify: $2x^2+8x-12=0$.
   4. Divide by 2: $x^2+4x-6=0$. …

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2. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $A = \begin{bmatrix} x & 0 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{bmatrix} 8 & 0 \\ 7 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$ and $A^3 = B$, then $x =$ (A) $-2$ or $3$ (B) $-2$ (C) $2$ or $-3$ (D) $2$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Directly cubing the lower-triangular matrix $A$ and matching both entries to $B$ pins down $x=2$ uniquely. The answer is (D).

   Concept and Intuition

   $A$ is lower triangular, so its powers stay lower triangular, and the diagonal entries of $A^n$ are just the diagonal entries of $A$ raised to the $n$-th power — this makes computing $A^3$ by hand straightforward via repeated matrix multiplication.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $A=\begin{bmatrix}x&0\\1&1\end{bmatrix}$.
   2. $A^2 = A\cdot A = \begin{bmatrix}x^2&0\\x+1&1\end{bmatrix}$ (bottom-left entry: $1\cdot x+1\cdot1=x+1$).
   3. $A^3 = A^2\cdot A = \begin{bmatrix}x^3&0\\(x+1)x+1&1\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}x^3&0\\x^2+x+1&1\end{bmatrix}$.
   4. Set $A^3=B=\begin{bmatrix}8&0\\7&1\end{bmatrix}$: from the $(1,1)$ entry, $x^3=8\Rightarrow x=2$ (the unique real cube root). …

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3. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.Let $a, b$ be non zero real numbers such that $ab = 5/2$ and given $A = \begin{bmatrix} a & -b \\ b & a \end{bmatrix}$ and $AA^T = 20I$ ($I$ is a unit matrix), then the equation whose roots are $a$ and $b$ is (A) $x^2 \mp 10x + 5 = 0$ (B) $2x^2 \pm 10x + 5 = 0$ (C) $x^2 - 5x + \dfrac{5}{2} = 0$ (D) $x^2 - 25x + \dfrac{5}{2} = 0$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   $AA^T=20I$ forces $a^2+b^2=20$; combined with $ab=5/2$ this gives $a+b=\pm5$, and the quadratic with roots $a,b$ is $2x^2\pm10x+5=0$.

   Concept and Intuition

   For a matrix built from two scalars in a rotation-like pattern, $AA^T$ collapses to a scalar multiple of $I$ exactly when the matrix is a scaled rotation — the scalar is $a^2+b^2$. This converts a matrix condition into a plain algebraic relation between $a$ and $b$, after which forming "the equation with given roots" is routine: $x^2-(\text{sum})x+(\text{product})=0$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $A=\begin{bmatrix}a&-b\\b&a\end{bmatrix}$, so $A^T=\begin{bmatrix}a&b\\-b&a\end{bmatrix}$.
   2. $AA^T = \begin{bmatrix}a^2+b^2 & ab-ab\\ ab-ab & a^2+b^2\end{bmatrix} = (a^2+b^2)I$.
   3. Given $AA^T=20I$, so $a^2+b^2=20$.
   4. Given $ab=\frac52$. Then $(a+b)^2=a^2+b^2+2ab=20+5=25$, so $a+b=\pm5$.
   5. The quadratic with roots $a,b$: $x^2-(a+b)x+ab=0 \Rightarrow x^2\mp5x+\frac52=0$. …

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4. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.What are the values of $(x,y,z,t)$ where $3\begin{bmatrix} x & y \\ z & t \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} x & 6 \\ -1 & 2t \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} 4 & x+y \\ z+t & 3 \end{bmatrix} = ?$ (A) $(2,4,3,1)$ (B) $(2,4,1,3)$ (C) $(1,3,2,4)$ (D) $(1,3,4,2)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Equating corresponding entries on both sides of the matrix equation and solving the resulting simple linear equations gives $(x,y,z,t)=(2,4,1,3)$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Two matrices are equal exactly when every corresponding entry is equal. Setting up the entry-wise equations turns a matrix equation into a small system of linear equations, which can usually be solved one variable at a time by picking the simplest equation first.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Left side: $3\begin{bmatrix}x&y\\z&t\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}3x&3y\\3z&3t\end{bmatrix}$.
   2. Right side (sum of the two given matrices): $\begin{bmatrix}x&6\\-1&2t\end{bmatrix}+\begin{bmatrix}4&x+y\\z+t&3\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}x+4 & 6+x+y\\ -1+z+t & 2t+3\end{bmatrix}$.
   3. Equate the $(1,1)$ entries: $3x = x+4 \Rightarrow 2x=4 \Rightarrow x=2$.
   4. Equate the $(2,2)$ entries: $3t = 2t+3 \Rightarrow t=3$.
   5. Equate the $(1,2)$ entries: $3y = 6+x+y \Rightarrow 2y = 6+x = 6+2=8 \Rightarrow y=4$. …

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5. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If the system of simultaneous linear equations $x+y-z=6$, $3x-y+z=2$ and $x+ky+z=-8$ has a unique solution $x=2, y=\beta, z=\gamma$ then the value of k satisfies the following quadratic equation (A) $x^2-5x+6=0$ (B) $x^2+x-6=0$ (C) $x^2-x-6=0$ (D) $x^2+x-2=0$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Adding the first two equations forces $x=2$; requiring an integer solution triple gives $k=2$ or $k=-3$, so $k$ satisfies $x^2+x-6=0$.

   Adding the first two equations:

   $(x+y-z)+(3x-y+z)=6+2 \Rightarrow 4x=8 \Rightarrow x=2.$

   From equation 1 with $x=2$: $y-z=4$, i.e. $z=y-4$.

   Substitute into equation 3 ($x+ky+z=-8$):

   $2+ky+(y-4)=-8 \Rightarrow y(k+1)=-6 \Rightarrow y=\dfrac{-6}{k+1}.$ …

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6. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If A and B are n×n square matrices such that $(2A+B)^2 + (A-3B)^2 = 5A^2 - 2AB + 10B^2$ then, ABAB = (A) $\dfrac{1}{2}[(A-B)^2 + (A+B)^2]$ (B) 4AB (C) $\dfrac{1}{2}[(A+B)^2 - (A-B)^2]$ (D) $A^2B^2$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The given identity is only possible if $A$ and $B$ commute; once that's established, $ABAB$ simplifies directly to $A^2B^2$.

   Concept and Intuition

   For matrices, $(A+B)^2\ne A^2+2AB+B^2$ in general — cross terms $AB$ and $BA$ must both be kept, and they only merge into $2AB$ when $AB=BA$. The given equation is a disguised way of telling us $AB=BA$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Expand $(2A+B)^2=4A^2+2AB+2BA+B^2$ and $(A-3B)^2=A^2-3AB-3BA+9B^2$ (order preserved).
   2. Sum: $5A^2-AB-BA+10B^2$.
   3. Set equal to given RHS $5A^2-2AB+10B^2$: $-AB-BA=-2AB\Rightarrow AB=BA$. …

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7. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.Let $A=\begin{pmatrix}0\\-6\\8\end{pmatrix}$, $B=\begin{pmatrix}3 & 5 & -7\\0 & -1 & 8\\6 & -1 & 0\end{pmatrix}$ and $X=\begin{pmatrix}x\\y\\z\end{pmatrix}$. If $D=[\alpha\ \beta\ \gamma]^T$ is the solution of $X^TB^T=A^T$, then $D^TA=$ (A) 0 (B) 4 (C) $-2$ (D) 6

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This tests matrix-equation manipulation via transposes: $X^TB^T=A^T$ is just $(BX)^T=A^T$, i.e. $BX=A$. Solve the resulting linear system, then take the dot product $D^TA$. Answer: 4.

   Concept and Intuition

   The transpose of a product reverses order: $(BX)^T = X^TB^T$. So the given equation $X^TB^T = A^T$ is really $(BX)^T = A^T$, and taking the transpose of both sides gives $BX = A$ — an ordinary linear system for the unknown column $X=(x,y,z)^T$. Once $X=D$ is found, $D^TA$ is just the plain dot product of two column vectors.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Transpose: $X^TB^T=A^T \Rightarrow (BX)^T=A^T \Rightarrow BX=A$.
   2. Write $B=\begin{pmatrix}3&5&-7\\0&-1&8\\6&-1&0\end{pmatrix}$, $A=\begin{pmatrix}0\\-6\\8\end{pmatrix}$. The system is: $3x+5y-7z=0$ $-y+8z=-6$ $6x-y=8$
   3. From the second equation: $y=8z+6$.
   4. Substitute into the third: $6x-(8z+6)=8 \Rightarrow 6x-8z=14 \Rightarrow 3x-4z=7 \Rightarrow x=\dfrac{7+4z}{3}$. …

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8. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $A = \begin{pmatrix}1 & 5 & 3\\ 2 & 4 & 0\\ 3 & -1 & -5\end{pmatrix}$, $B = \begin{pmatrix}-1\\ -2\\ 4\end{pmatrix}$ and $[x\ y\ z]A^{T} = B^{T}$, then $x+y+z=$ (A) $4$ (B) $-2$ (C) $6$ (D) $3$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Transposing the matrix equation converts it into the ordinary linear system A·v = B, which solves to x=6, y=−7/2, z=7/2, giving x+y+z=6.

   Concept and Intuition

   "[x y z]Aᵀ = Bᵀ" is a row-vector equation. Taking the transpose of both sides converts it to the more familiar column form: (v Aᵀ)ᵀ = A vᵀ, and (Bᵀ)ᵀ = B. So the equation is equivalent to A·(x,y,z)ᵀ = B, a standard system of 3 linear equations.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. A = [[1,5,3],[2,4,0],[3,−1,−5]], B = (−1,−2,4)ᵀ.
   2. Write the system A(x,y,z)ᵀ = B:
      • x + 5y + 3z = −1
      • 2x + 4y = −2
      • 3x − y − 5z = 4
   3. From equation 2: 2x+4y=−2 ⟹ x+2y=−1 ⟹ x = −1−2y.
   4. Substitute into equation 1: (−1−2y)+5y+3z = −1 ⟹ 3y+3z=0 ⟹ z=−y.
   5. Substitute x and z into equation 3: 3(−1−2y) − y − 5(−y) = 4 ⟹ −3−6y−y+5y = 4 ⟹ −3−2y=4 ⟹ y=−7/2.
   6. Then x = −1−2(−7/2) = 6, and z = −y = 7/2. …

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9. AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $A=\begin{bmatrix}2 & 1 & 3 & -1\\1 & -2 & 2 & -3\end{bmatrix}, B=\begin{bmatrix}2 & 1 & 0 & 3\\1 & -1 & 2 & 3\end{bmatrix}$ and $2A+3B-5C=O$, then $C=$ (A) $\begin{bmatrix}2 & 1 & 6/5 & 7/5\\1 & 7/5 & 2 & 3/5\end{bmatrix}$ (B) $\begin{bmatrix}-2 & 1 & 6/5 & 7/5\\1 & -7/5 & 2 & 3/5\end{bmatrix}$ (C) $\begin{bmatrix}-2 & 1 & 6/5 & 7/5\\1 & 7/5 & 2 & 3/5\end{bmatrix}$ (D) $\begin{bmatrix}2 & 1 & 6/5 & 7/5\\1 & -7/5 & 2 & 3/5\end{bmatrix}$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Direct matrix arithmetic: $C=(2A+3B)/5$, computed entrywise, gives $\begin{bmatrix}2&1&6/5&7/5\\1&-7/5&2&3/5\end{bmatrix}$.

   Concept and Intuition

   This is pure entrywise matrix algebra — scale each matrix, add, then divide by 5 (since $5C=2A+3B$).

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $2A = \begin{bmatrix}4&2&6&-2\\2&-4&4&-6\end{bmatrix}$.
   2. $3B = \begin{bmatrix}6&3&0&9\\3&-3&6&9\end{bmatrix}$.
   3. $2A+3B = \begin{bmatrix}10&5&6&7\\5&-7&10&3\end{bmatrix}$.
   4. $C = \dfrac{1}{5}(2A+3B) = \begin{bmatrix}2&1&6/5&7/5\\1&-7/5&2&3/5\end{bmatrix}$. …

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10. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $A = \begin{pmatrix}3 & 4\\5 & 6\end{pmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{pmatrix}x & 0\\0 & y\end{pmatrix}$, $x,y\in N$, then (A) There is exactly one such matrix B such that AB = I (B) There is no matrix B such that AB = BA (C) There exist only a finite number of matrices B such that AB = BA (D) There exist infinite number of matrices B such that AB = BA

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Multiplying out $AB$ and $BA$ shows they're equal exactly when $x=y$, and since $x,y$ can be any of the infinitely many natural numbers with $x=y$, there are infinitely many commuting diagonal matrices B.

    Concept and Intuition

    For a diagonal matrix $B=\text{diag}(x,y)$ multiplying a general matrix $A$ on the left vs. right scales A's rows vs. columns differently — $AB$ scales A's columns by $x,y$ respectively, and $BA$ scales A's rows by $x,y$ respectively. So $AB=BA$ becomes a condition relating how each off-diagonal entry of $A$ gets scaled from each side, and typically forces the diagonal entries of B to be equal whenever the off-diagonal entries of A are both non-zero (as they are here).

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Compute $AB=\begin{pmatrix}3&4\\5&6\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}x&0\\0&y\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}3x&4y\\5x&6y\end{pmatrix}$ (this scales each column of A by x then y).
    2. Compute $BA=\begin{pmatrix}x&0\\0&y\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}3&4\\5&6\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}3x&4x\\5y&6y\end{pmatrix}$ (this scales each row of A by x then y).
    3. Set $AB=BA$ entrywise: $(1,1)$: $3x=3x$ (always true); $(1,2)$: $4y=4x\Rightarrow x=y$; $(2,1)$: $5x=5y\Rightarrow x=y$ (same condition); $(2,2)$: $6y=6y$ (always true).
    4. So the only requirement is $x=y$, with $x,y\in\mathbb{N}$. Since $x$ can be $1,2,3,\dots$ (infinitely many choices, each giving a valid B with $x=y$), there are infinitely many such matrices B. …

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11. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.$A = \begin{bmatrix} a^{2} & 15 & 31 \\ 12 & b^{2} & 41 \\ 35 & 61 & c^{2} \end{bmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{bmatrix} 2a & 3 & 5 \\ 2 & 2b & 8 \\ 1 & 4 & 2c-3 \end{bmatrix}$ are two matrices such that the sum of the principal diagonal elements of both $A$ and $B$ are equal, then the product of the principal diagonal elements of $B$ is ________ (A) 4 (B) 0 (C) $-4$ (D) $-12$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Equating the traces of A and B forces $(a-1)^2+(b-1)^2+(c-1)^2=0$, so $a=b=c=1$; substituting into B's diagonal product gives $2\times2\times(-1)=-4$.

    Concept and Intuition

    When an equation reduces to a sum of squares equal to zero, each square must individually be zero (since squares of real numbers are never negative) — this is a very common and powerful trick to pin down exact values of multiple unknowns from a single scalar equation.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Trace (sum of principal diagonal elements) of $A$: $a^2+b^2+c^2$.
    2. Trace of $B$: $2a+2b+(2c-3)$.
    3. Given these are equal: $a^2+b^2+c^2 = 2a+2b+2c-3$.
    4. Rearrange: $a^2-2a + b^2-2b + c^2-2c+3 = 0$.
    5. Complete the square for each variable: $(a^2-2a+1) + (b^2-2b+1) + (c^2-2c+1) = 0$, i.e., $(a-1)^2+(b-1)^2+(c-1)^2 = 0$.
    6. Since each square term is $\ge 0$ and they sum to zero, each must be exactly zero: $a=1,\ b=1,\ c=1$. …

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12. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ -2 & -5 \end{bmatrix}$ and $\alpha A^2 + \beta A = 2I$ for some $\alpha, \beta \in \mathbb{R}$ then $\alpha + \beta =$ (A) 7 (B) 10 (C) 12 (D) 5

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Computing $A^2$ and matching the matrix equation $\alpha A^2+\beta A=2I$ entry-by-entry gives $\alpha=2,\ \beta=8$, so $\alpha+\beta=10$ — option (B).

    Concept and Intuition

    Given a $2\times2$ matrix satisfying a polynomial relation like $\alpha A^2+\beta A = 2I$, the cleanest approach is to compute $A^2$ directly, then equate corresponding entries of both sides of the matrix equation — this converts a single matrix equation into a small system of linear equations in the unknown scalars $\alpha,\beta$ (using just two independent entries is enough, and the remaining entries serve as a consistency check, since the relation must hold for the whole matrix, not just isolated numbers — this consistency is itself guaranteed for genuine matrix polynomial identities via Cayley–Hamilton-type reasoning, but verifying arithmetic keeps you safe under exam conditions).

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Compute $A^2$: $A^2=\begin{bmatrix}1&2\\-2&-5\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}1&2\\-2&-5\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}1(1)+2(-2) & 1(2)+2(-5)\\-2(1)+(-5)(-2) & -2(2)+(-5)(-5)\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}-3&-8\\8&21\end{bmatrix}$.
    2. Write $\alpha A^2+\beta A = 2I$ entry-wise:
       • $(1,1)$: $-3\alpha+\beta = 2$
       • $(1,2)$: $-8\alpha+2\beta = 0$ …

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