Q.Solve the equation for x,y,z and t, if 2[xyzt]+3[10−12]=3[3456].
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Matrix Equation Solving
Solving a System of Equations by the Matrix Method
A system of linear equations can be written as a single matrix equation and solved in one clean step using the inverse of a matrix. This is the Class-12 "matrix method" for simultaneous equations.
Writing the system as AX=B
Take the system
a1x+b1y+c1z=d1,a2x+b2y+c2z=d2,a3x+b3y+c3z=d3.
Collect the coefficients, the unknowns, and the constants into matrices:
A=a1a2a3b1b2b3c1c2c3,X=xyz,B=d1d2d3.
Then the whole system is just
AX=B.
Solving when A is invertible
If det(A)=0, then A−1 exists, and multiplying both sides on the left by A−1 gives
X=A−1B,where A−1=det(A)1adj(A).
So you compute det(A), then adj(A), form A−1, and multiply by B. The single column X=A−1B hands you x, y, z at once, and because A−1 is unique, the solution is unique.
Multiply in the correct order: X=A−1B, not BA−1. Matrix multiplication is not commutative, and BA−1 is not even defined here.
When det(A)=0
If det(A)=0, A−1 does not exist and the inverse method fails. The system is then either inconsistent (no solution) or has infinitely many solutions. Decide which by computing (adjA)B:
- (adjA)B=O → no solution (inconsistent).
- (adjA)B=O → infinitely many solutions (consistent, dependent). …
Concept: Matrix Equation Solving — treat the matrix equation as a system of scalar equations by equating corresponding entries.
First, compute the right-hand side:
3[3456]=[9121518].
Now write the left-hand side:
2[xyzt]+3[10−12]=[2x2y2z2t]+[30−36]=[2x+32y2z−32t+6]. …
We treat the matrix equation as a system of four scalar equations by equating corresponding entries. After simplifying, we find x=3, y=6, z=9, and t=6.
The core idea here is that matrix equations work entry-by-entry. When two matrices are equal, every element in the same position must be equal. So instead of being intimidated by the matrix form, we can break it down into simple algebraic equations for each unknown.
Let’s go step by step.
- Write the equation clearly We have:
2[xyzt]+3[10−12]=3[3456]
- Perform the scalar multiplications Multiply each matrix by its scalar coefficient:
2[xyzt]=[2x2y2z2t]
3[10−12]=[30−36]
3[3456]=[9121518]
- Add the matrices on the left-hand side Adding entry-wise:
[2x+32y+02z−32t+6]=[9121518]
-
Equate corresponding entries
Since the matrices are equal, each entry gives an equation:
- Top-left: 2x+3=9
- Top-right: 2z−3=15
- Bottom-left: 2y=12
- Bottom-right: 2t+6=18 …
Method: Equating entries after simplifying both sides
A matrix equation carrying scalar multiples on both sides is solved by first reducing each side to a single matrix, then matching corresponding entries to get one scalar equation per unknown.
Steps
Step 1: Perform every scalar multiplication
Apply each scalar to all entries of its matrix, on BOTH sides — a scalar in front of the right-hand matrix must multiply through as well.
Step 2: Combine each side into one matrix …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to multiply the right-hand matrix by its scalar
Why it's wrong: the right side 3[3456] must become [9121518]; leaving it un-scaled makes every value wrong. Correct approach: scale both sides fully before equating.
Mistake 2: Mishandling the constant matrix's signs …
Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQQ.What are the values of (x,y,z,t) where 3[xzyt]=[x−162t]+[4z+tx+y3]=? (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
- Left side: 3[xzyt]=[3x3z3y3t].
- Right side (sum of the two given matrices): [x−162t]+[4z+tx+y3]=[x+4−1+z+t6+x+y2t+3].
- Equate the (1,1) entries: 3x=x+4⇒2x=4⇒x=2.
- Equate the (2,2) entries: 3t=2t+3⇒t=3.
- Equate the (1,2) entries: 3y=6+x+y⇒2y=6+x=6+2=8⇒y=4. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If A=12354−130−5, B=−1−24 and [x y z]AT=BT, 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
- A = [[1,5,3],[2,4,0],[3,−1,−5]], B = (−1,−2,4)ᵀ.
- Write the system A(x,y,z)ᵀ = B:
- x + 5y + 3z = −1
- 2x + 4y = −2
- 3x − y − 5z = 4
- From equation 2: 2x+4y=−2 ⟹ x+2y=−1 ⟹ x = −1−2y.
- Substitute into equation 1: (−1−2y)+5y+3z = −1 ⟹ 3y+3z=0 ⟹ z=−y.
- 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.
- Then x = −1−2(−7/2) = 6, and z = −y = 7/2. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.If [x4−1]210102024x4−1=0, then x= (A) −1+6 (B) 8±5 (C) −2±10 (D) 3±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
- Compute M[x,4,−1]T: Row1: 2x+4; Row2: x−2; Row3: 8−4=4.
- Dot with [x,4,−1]: x(2x+4)+4(x−2)+(−1)(4)=2x2+4x+4x−8−4.
- Simplify: 2x2+8x−12=0.
- Divide by 2: x2+4x−6=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If A=[211−232−1−3],B=[211−10233] and 2A+3B−5C=O, then C= (A) [2117/56/527/53/5] (B) [−211−7/56/527/53/5] (C) [−2117/56/527/53/5] (D) [211−7/56/527/53/5]
›Reveal solutionSolution
Direct matrix arithmetic: C=(2A+3B)/5, computed entrywise, gives [211−7/56/527/53/5].
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
- 2A=[422−464−2−6].
- 3B=[633−30699].
- 2A+3B=[1055−761073].
- C=51(2A+3B)=[211−7/56/527/53/5]. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If A+2B=16−52−33031 and 2A−B=220−1−11562, then Tr[A]−Tr[B]= (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Trace is linear, so instead of solving for A and B as full matrices, take the trace of each given equation and solve the resulting 2×2 linear system.
Concept and Intuition
Trace (sum of diagonal entries) is a linear functional: Tr[A+2B]=Tr[A]+2Tr[B]. So applying trace to both matrix equations converts a matrix problem into a scalar linear system in a=Tr[A] and b=Tr[B].
Step-by-Step Solution
- Trace of first matrix: 1+(−3)+1=−1. So a+2b=−1.
- Trace of second matrix: 2+(−1)+2=3. So 2a−b=3.
- From equation 1: a=−1−2b.
- Substitute into equation 2: 2(−1−2b)−b=3⇒−2−4b−b=3⇒−5b=5⇒b=−1.
- Then a=−1−2(−1)=1. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If the solution of the system of simultaneous linear equations x+y−z=6, 3x+2y−z=5 and 2x−y−2z+3=0 is x=α,y=β,z=γ, then α+β= (A) −7 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) −2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solving the 3×3 linear system directly gives x=−3, y=5, z=8, so α+β=x+y=2.
Concept and Intuition
A straightforward system of 3 linear equations in 3 unknowns — eliminate one variable at a time using simple linear combinations, rather than invoking full Cramer's rule, since the numbers are small.
Step-by-Step Solution
- The equations are:
x+y−z=6(1)
3x+2y−z=5(2)
2x−y−2z=−3(3) (rewriting 2x−y−2z+3=0)
- Subtract (1) from (2): (3x+2y−z)−(x+y−z)=5−6⇒2x+y=−1 ... (4)
- From (1): z=x+y−6.
- Substitute into (3): 2x−y−2(x+y−6)=−3⇒2x−y−2x−2y+12=−3⇒−3y+12=−3⇒−3y=−15⇒y=5.
- Substitute y=5 into (4): 2x+5=−1⇒2x=−6⇒x=−3. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.If the solution for the system of equations x+2y−z=3, 3x−y+2z=1 and 2x−2y+3z=2 is (α,β,γ), then α2+β2+γ2= (A) 33 (B) 5 (C) 17 (D) 14
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solving the system gives (x,y,z) = (-1, 4, 4), so the sum of squares is 33.
Concept and Intuition
A system of three linear equations in three unknowns can be solved by systematic elimination.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Equations: (i) x+2y-z=3; (ii) 3x-y+2z=1; (iii) 2x-2y+3z=2.
- From (i): x = 3-2y+z.
- Substitute into (ii): 3(3-2y+z)-y+2z=1 -> -7y+5z=-8 -> 7y-5z=8. (iv)
- Substitute into (iii): 2(3-2y+z)-2y+3z=2 -> -6y+5z=-4 -> 6y-5z=4. (v)
- (iv)-(v): y=4.
- From (v): 6(4)-5z=4 -> z=4.
- x = 3-2(4)+4 = -1. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.Let A=0−68, B=3065−1−1−780 and X=xyz. If D=[α β γ]T is the solution of XTBT=AT, then DTA= (A) 0 (B) 4 (C) −2 (D) 6
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests matrix-equation manipulation via transposes: XTBT=AT is just (BX)T=AT, i.e. BX=A. Solve the resulting linear system, then take the dot product DTA. Answer: 4.
Concept and Intuition
The transpose of a product reverses order: (BX)T=XTBT. So the given equation XTBT=AT is really (BX)T=AT, 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, DTA is just the plain dot product of two column vectors.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Transpose: XTBT=AT⇒(BX)T=AT⇒BX=A.
- Write B=3065−1−1−780, A=0−68. The system is: 3x+5y−7z=0 −y+8z=−6 6x−y=8
- From the second equation: y=8z+6.
- Substitute into the third: 6x−(8z+6)=8⇒6x−8z=14⇒3x−4z=7⇒x=37+4z. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.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=β,z=γ then the value of k satisfies the following quadratic equation (A) x2−5x+6=0 (B) x2+x−6=0 (C) x2−x−6=0 (D) x2+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 x2+x−6=0.
Adding the first two equations:
(x+y−z)+(3x−y+z)=6+2⇒4x=8⇒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⇒y(k+1)=−6⇒y=k+1−6. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.If A=15−212−136−3, then A+A3+A4+A5+3I= (A) 42−3252163 (B) 45−215−1360 (C) 33−11124−2−1 (D) 42−313−235−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
A's characteristic polynomial is lambda^3=0, so by Cayley-Hamilton A^3=0 (hence A^4=A^5=0 too), collapsing the sum to A+3I, which matches option B.
Concept and Intuition
Rather than computing A3,A4,A5 by repeated multiplication, use the Cayley-Hamilton theorem: every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation. If the characteristic polynomial turns out to be λ3=0, we immediately get A3=0, collapsing the higher powers.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tr(A)=1+2+(−3)=0.
- det(A)=1[(2)(−3)−(6)(−1)]−1[(5)(−3)−(6)(−2)]+3[(5)(−1)−(2)(−2)]=1(0)−1(−3)+3(−1)=0+3−3=0.
- Sum of principal 2x2 minors: M11=2−16−3=0; M22=1−23−3=3; M33=1512=−3. Sum =0. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.In solving a system of linear equations AX=B by Cramer's rule, in the usual notation, if Δ1=−11−45111−7−21 and Δ3=414111−11−45, then X= (A) −112 (B) 21−1 (C) 1−12 (D) 12−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reconstructing the coefficient matrix and RHS vector from the shared columns of Δ1,Δ3 and computing Δ,Δ1,Δ2,Δ3 gives X=(1,−1,2).
Concept and Intuition
In Cramer's rule for AX=B, Δi is formed by replacing the i-th column of A with B, keeping the other columns unchanged. So Δ1's columns 2,3 and Δ3's columns 1,2 are literally the ORIGINAL matrix A's corresponding columns — comparing the two given determinants lets us recover the full system.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Δ1=−11−45111−7−21: column 2 = original A's column 2 =(1,1,1)T; column 3 = original A's column 3 =(−7,−2,1)T; column 1 =B=(−11,−4,5)T.
- Δ3=414111−11−45: column 1 = original A's column 1 =(4,1,4)T; column 2 = same (1,1,1)T (consistent); column 3 =B=(−11,−4,5)T (matches Δ1's column 1, confirming B).
- Reconstructed system: A=414111−7−21, B=−11−45.
- Δ=det(A)=4(1⋅1−(−2)⋅1)−1(1⋅1−(−2)⋅4)+(−7)(1⋅1−1⋅4)=4(3)−1(9)−7(−3)=12−9+21=24. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-AN1 markMCQQ.If the solution of the system of simultaneous equations x1+y2−z3−1=0, x2−y4+z3−1=0 and x3+y6−z6−4=0 is x=α,y=β,z=γ then α2+γ2= (A) 5β (B) β2 (C) 3β (D) 2β2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=1/x,v=1/y,w=1/z to reduce the system to a linear system, solve for x,y,z, then evaluate α2+γ2 against β.
Concept and Intuition
The equations are linear in 1/x,1/y,1/z even though they look nonlinear in x,y,z. Substituting turns this into a standard 3×3 linear system, easily solved by elimination.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=1/x, v=1/y, w=1/z. The system becomes: u+2v−3w=1 ... (1); 2u−4v+3w=1 ... (2); 3u+6v−6w=4 ... (3).
- Add (1)+(2): 3u−2v=2 ... (i).
- Compute (3)−3×(1): (3u+6v−6w)−3(u+2v−3w)=4−3⇒3w=1⇒w=31.
- Substitute w=1/3 into (1): u+2v−1=1⇒u+2v=2 ... (ii).
- Add (i)+(ii): 4u=4⇒u=1; then from (ii): 2v=1⇒v=21. …
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