Q.If for a square matrix A, A.(adjA)=202500020250002025, then the value of ∣A∣+∣adjA∣ is equal to:
(A) 1
(B) 2025+1
(C) (2025)2+45
(D) 2025+(2025)2
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Adjoint Matrix Property
The Adjoint Matrix and Its Central Property
You have a square matrix A and want to find A−1. There is a clean route through the adjoint (or adjugate) of A — a matrix built from the cofactors of A that has a beautiful relationship with A itself.
The intuition
For a 2×2 matrix you already know the inverse:
A=(acbd),A−1=ad−bc1(d−c−ba).
That second matrix, (d−c−ba), is exactly adj(A). The adjoint is the object you multiply by 1/det(A) to recover the inverse.
In Indian exam usage, "adjoint" always means the adjugate — the transpose of the cofactor matrix — not the Hermitian conjugate.
Building the adjoint
For each entry aij of an n×n matrix, the cofactor is
Cij=(−1)i+jMij,
where Mij is the minor (the determinant left after deleting row i and column j). Collect the cofactors into the cofactor matrix, then transpose:
adj(A)=[Cij]T,
so the (i,j) entry of adj(A) is Cji.
The central property
A⋅adj(A)=adj(A)⋅A=det(A)In.
Why? The (i,i) entry of Aadj(A) is ai1Ci1+⋯+ainCin — precisely the expansion of det(A) along row i. An off-diagonal (i,j) entry is the expansion of a determinant with two equal rows, which is 0.
Consequences
- If det(A)=0: A−1=det(A)1adj(A).
- If det(A)=0: A⋅adj(A)=O, so the adjoint annihilates A.
- Order fact: det(adj(A))=det(A)n−1. …
Concept: Adjoint Matrix Property — For any n×n matrix A,
A⋅(adj A)=∣A∣In.
Here n=3, and the given product is 2025I3.
Thus ∣A∣=2025.
For a 3×3 matrix, ∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1=∣A∣2=(2025)2.
Therefore, …
The key idea is that A⋅(adj A)=∣A∣In for any square matrix. Here, the given product equals 2025I3, so ∣A∣=2025. Then ∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1=20252, and the sum is 2025+20252, matching option (D).
We start with a fundamental property of adjoint matrices. For any square matrix A of order n, the product of A and its adjoint is always a scalar matrix — specifically, the determinant of A times the identity matrix. That is:
A⋅(adj A)=∣A∣In
This is not a coincidence; it comes from the fact that each entry of A⋅(adj A) is the expansion of a determinant along a row (or column), giving ∣A∣ on the diagonal and zero elsewhere. This single relation unlocks the entire problem.
Now, look at what we are given:
A⋅(adj A)=202500020250002025
This is clearly 2025 times the 3×3 identity matrix. So we have:
A⋅(adj A)=2025I3
Comparing this with the formula A⋅(adj A)=∣A∣I3, we immediately see that:
∣A∣=2025
That is the first piece. Now we need ∣adj A∣.
There is another standard result: for an n×n matrix A, the determinant of its adjoint is ∣A∣n−1. Let’s see why this is true.
›Proof
Start from A⋅(adj A)=∣A∣In. Take determinants on both sides:
∣A⋅(adj A)∣=∣A∣In
The left side is ∣A∣⋅∣adj A∣ (since det(XY)=detX⋅detY). The right side is ∣A∣n because the determinant of a scalar matrix cIn is cn. So:
∣A∣⋅∣adj A∣=∣A∣n
If ∣A∣=0, we can divide both sides by ∣A∣ to get:
∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1 …
Method: Chaining |A| and |adj A| from a Given Scalar Matrix A(adj A)
This method handles any question that gives you the matrix A⋅adj(A) as a scalar multiple of the identity and asks for some combination of ∣A∣ and ∣adjA∣.
Steps
Step 1: Read off |A| directly from the given product
Since A⋅adj(A)=∣A∣In always, if you are told A⋅adj(A)=kIn for some number k, then immediately ∣A∣=k — no computation needed, just matching the identity to the given matrix.
Step 2: Use the order relation to get |adj A| …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using exponent n instead of n−1 for ∣adj A∣
Why it's wrong: for a 3×3 matrix, ∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1=∣A∣2, not ∣A∣3 — using the wrong power gives ∣adj A∣=20253 and a completely wrong final sum. Correct approach: always subtract one from the order before applying the exponent; here n=3 gives ∣adj A∣=20252.
Mistake 2: Stopping after finding only one of ∣A∣ or ∣adj A∣
Why it's wrong: the question asks for the sum ∣A∣+∣adj A∣, but a student who correctly finds ∣A∣=2025 can forget the question isn't just asking for ∣A∣ and pick an option matching only that value. Correct approach: compute both quantities separately (∣A∣=2025, ∣adj A∣=20252) and add them before matching an option.
Mistake 3: Confusing A(adj A) with ∣adj A∣ …
Showing the 12 most recent of 31 on this concept.
- CBSE 2025Set 65/1/11 markMCQQ.If A is a square matrix of order 2 such that det(A)=4, then det(4 adj A) is equal to : (A) 16 (B) 64 (C) 256 (D) 512
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to use the property det(adj A)=(detA)n−1 for an n×n matrix, then combine with the scalar multiplication rule det(kB)=kndetB. For a 2×2 matrix with detA=4, we get det(4 adj A)=42⋅42−1=16⋅4=64. The answer is (B).
The problem asks for det(4 adj A) given that A is a 2×2 matrix with detA=4. This is a classic exam question that tests two fundamental determinant properties together: how the determinant behaves when you multiply a matrix by a scalar, and the relationship between a matrix and its adjoint.
Let’s unpack the intuition first. The adjoint (or adjugate) of a matrix is the transpose of its cofactor matrix. For a 2×2 matrix, the adjoint has a simple form: if A=(acbd), then adj A=(d−c−ba). Notice that det(adj A)=ad−bc=detA. That’s not a coincidence — it’s a special case of a general rule.
For any n×n matrix A, det(adj A)=(detA)n−1.
For n=2, this gives det(adj A)=(detA)1=detA. So here, det(adj A)=4.
Now we need det(4 adj A). The scalar multiplication rule says: if you multiply an n×n matrix by a scalar k, the determinant gets multiplied by kn. Why? Because each of the n rows gets a factor of k, and pulling out k from each row gives kn times the original determinant.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the exponent n and write det(kB)=kdetB. That’s only true for a 1×1 matrix. For a 2×2 matrix, it’s k2.
So here n=2 and k=4, so det(4 adj A)=42⋅det(adj A)=16⋅4=64.
Let’s walk through it step by step. …
- CBSE 2023Set 65/1/11 markMCQQ.Let A be a 3×3 matrix such that ∣adj A∣=64. Then ∣A∣ is equal to : (A) Only 8 (B) Only −8 (C) 64 (D) 8 or −8
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a 3×3 matrix, the determinant of its adjugate is ∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1=∣A∣2. Given ∣A∣2=64, the possible values are ∣A∣=8 or ∣A∣=−8, so the correct option is (D).
The key here is the adjugate matrix property — a beautiful and often-tested result in linear algebra. For any square matrix A of order n, the adjugate (or classical adjoint) satisfies:
A⋅(adj A)=(adj A)⋅A=∣A∣In
Taking determinants on both sides gives:
∣A∣⋅∣adj A∣=∣A∣n
which simplifies (for ∣A∣=0) to:
∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1
This formula holds even when ∣A∣=0 (both sides are zero), so it’s universally true.
Now, let’s apply it step by step.
- Identify the order of the matrix. Here A is 3×3, so n=3. Therefore n−1=2, and the formula becomes:
∣adj A∣=∣A∣2
- Plug in the given value. We are told ∣adj A∣=64. So:
∣A∣2=64
- Solve for ∣A∣. Taking square roots:
∣A∣=±8
Both 8 and −8 satisfy the equation, because squaring eliminates the sign. …
- CBSE 2026Set 65/3/11 markMCQQ.If B(adj B)=310003100031, then the value of det(B−1) is: (A) 31 (B) 91 (C) 3 (D) 9
›Reveal solutionSolution
By recognizing the given matrix product B(adj B) as (detB)I, we find detB=31. Then, using the property det(B−1)=detB1, we calculate det(B−1)=3.
The problem asks for the determinant of the inverse of matrix B, given a relationship involving B and its adjoint. To solve this, we need to recall two fundamental properties of matrices and their determinants.
The first key idea is the relationship between a square matrix A, its adjoint adj A, and its determinant detA. This relationship is a cornerstone of matrix theory and is often used to define the inverse of a matrix. It states that the product of a matrix and its adjoint is equal to the determinant of the matrix multiplied by the identity matrix.
The second key idea is how the determinant of an inverse matrix relates to the determinant of the original matrix. If a matrix A is invertible, then the determinant of its inverse, A−1, is simply the reciprocal of the determinant of A.
Let's apply these concepts step-by-step.
-
Identify the fundamental matrix property.
We are given the equation B(adj B)=310003100031.
The crucial property connecting a square matrix A with its adjoint is:
A(adj A)=(detA)I
where I is the identity matrix of the same order as A.
From the given 3×3 matrix on the right-hand side, we can infer that B is a 3×3 matrix. Thus, I is the 3×3 identity matrix:
I=100010001.
-
Determine det(B) from the given equation.
Let's rewrite the given right-hand side in terms of the identity matrix:
310003100031=31100010001=31I.
Now, substitute this back into the original equation:
B(adj B)=31I. …
-
- CBSE 2026Set V11 markMCQQ.For the matrix A=(5005) the value of ∣adj A∣(a) 25(b) 5(c) 0(d) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
∣adjA∣=∣A∣n−1=∣A∣ for a 2×2 matrix, and ∣A∣=25; answer (a).
A=(5005)⇒∣A∣=5⋅5−0=25. …
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.If A=[3−1−52] then adjA=(a) [2153](b) [2135](c) [1235](d) none of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a 2×2 matrix [acbd], adj=[d−c−ba].
Given A=[3−1−52], apply the rule (swap a,d; negate b,c): …
- CBSE 2025Set X11 markMCQQ.Let A be a nonsingular matrix of order 3×3, then ∣adjA∣ is equal to(a) ∣A∣(b) 3∣A∣(c) ∣A∣3(d) ∣A∣2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Determinant of the adjoint of a 3×3 matrix — correct option is (d). …
- CBSE 2025Set E1 markMCQQ.Adjoint matrix of matrix [2534]=(a) [4−3−52](b) [4−5−32](c) [4352](d) [4532]
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a 2×2 matrix [acbd], adj=[d−c−ba].
For A=[2534], the adjoint is the transpose of the cofactor matrix. For a 2×2 this reduces to interchanging the leading-diagonal entries and changing the sign of the off- …
- CBSE 2025Set A1 markQ.If A=[1324], then write the value of ∣adj(A)∣.
›Reveal solutionSolution
For an n×n matrix, ∣adj(A)∣=∣A∣n−1; here n=2 so ∣adj(A)∣=∣A∣.
First compute ∣A∣ for A=[1324]:
∣A∣=1(4)−2(3)=4−6=−2
For a square matrix of order n, the standard identity is ∣adj(A)∣=∣A∣n−1. Here n=2, so:
∣adj(A)∣=∣A∣2−1=∣A∣=−2
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Let A be a nonsingular square matrix of order 3×3. Then ∣adj A∣ is equal to -(a) ∣A∣2(b) ∣A∣3(c) ∣A∣(d) 2∣A∣
›Reveal solutionSolution
For an n×n nonsingular matrix, ∣adjA∣=∣A∣n−1.
This follows from the identity A⋅(adjA)=∣A∣In, which on taking determinants gives ∣A∣⋅∣adjA∣=∣A∣n, so ∣adjA∣=∣A∣n−1 (valid since A is nonsingula …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If A is a square matrix of order 2×2 and |A| = 5, then |Adj.(A)| is:(a) 25(b) 125(c) 5(d) 10
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the identity ∣adj(A)∣=∣A∣n−1 for an n×n matrix.
For a square matrix A of order n, ∣adj(A)∣=∣A∣n−1.
…
- CBSE 2024Set 65/3/11 markMCQQ.Let A=(acbd) be a square matrix such that adjA=A. Then (a+b+c+d) is equal to: (A) 2a (B) 2b (C) 2c (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
When the adjugate of a 2×2 matrix equals the matrix itself, the trace constraint forces a+d=1, and the off-diagonal symmetry gives b=c; together these yield a+b+c+d=1+2b=2a+2b−1, but the determinant condition ad−bc=1 combined with adjA=A ultimately forces a+b+c+d=1, which matches none of the options directly until we recognize the answer is (D) 0 when the special case a=d=21,b=c=0 is considered, or more generally the problem expects d=1−a and b=c=0.
The adjugate (or adjoint) of a matrix encodes how the matrix transforms cofactors. For a 2×2 matrix A=(acbd), the adjugate is constructed by swapping the diagonal entries, negating the off-diagonal ones, and transposing (though for 2×2 the transpose is automatic):
adjA=(d−c−ba).
The condition adjA=A means the matrix is its own adjugate, a rare and highly constrained situation. This forces four simultaneous equations that interlock the entries.
Setting up the equations
- Equate corresponding entries. From adjA=A:
(d−c−ba)=(acbd).
This gives:
- d=a
- −b=b⟹2b=0⟹b=0
- −c=c⟹2c=0⟹c=0
- a=d (redundant with the first equation).
- Interpret the constraints. We have a=d and b=c=0. So the matrix simplifies to:
A=(a00a)=aI,
a scalar multiple of the identity.
- Check the adjugate relation. …
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Let A be a non-singular square matrix of order 3×3. Then ∣Adj A∣ is equal to -(a) ∣A∣(b) ∣A∣2(c) ∣A∣3(d) 3∣A∣
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the standard result ∣Adj A∣=∣A∣n−1 for an n×n non-singular matrix.
For a non-singular square matrix A of order n×n, the determinant of its adjoint satisfies:
∣Adj A∣=∣A∣n−1 …
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