Q.Solve the system of equations x2+y3+z10=4, x4−y6+z5=1, x6+y9−z20=2.
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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). …
The unknowns sit in the denominators, so substitute a=x1, b=y1, c=z1 to linearize:
2a+3b+10c=4,4a−6b+5c=1,6a+9b−20c=2.
Write this as AX=B with A=2463−69105−20, B=412.
Determinant: det(A)=2(75)−3(−110)+10(72)=150+330+720=1200.
Adjoint and inverse:
adj(A)=7511072150−10007530−24,A−1=12001adj(A). …
Substituting a=x1, b=y1, c=z1 turns the system linear; writing it as AX=B and solving X=A−1B via the adjoint gives a=21, b=31, c=51, so x=2, y=3, z=5.
Why substitute
The unknowns x,y,z only ever appear as x1,y1,z1, so the system is really linear in disguise. Let a=x1, b=y1, c=z1; the system becomes
2a+3b+10c=4,4a−6b+5c=1,6a+9b−20c=2.
Now this is exactly the kind of system the matrix method is built for.
Step 1: Write as AX=B.
A=2463−69105−20,X=abc,B=412.
Step 2: Find det(A) by expanding along the first row.
det(A)=2−695−20−3465−20+1046−69
=2(120−45)−3(−80−30)+10(36+36)=2(75)−3(−110)+10(72)=150+330+720=1200.
Since det(A)=1200=0, A is invertible.
Step 3: Find the cofactors of A.
C11=+75,C12=−465−20=110,C13=+46−69=72
C21=−3910−20=150,C22=+2610−20=−100,C23=−2639=0
C31=+3−6105=75,C32=−24105=30,C33=+243−6=−24
So the cofactor matrix is 7515075110−10030720−24.
Step 4: Find adj(A) (transpose of the cofactor matrix) and A−1. …
Method: Substitution to Linearize, then Solve the System
This method handles a system where the unknowns appear only as reciprocals (1/x, 1/y, 1/z) — recognize the disguised linear system and solve it with standard elimination or the matrix method.
Steps
Step 1: Spot the reciprocal pattern
If every equation contains the unknowns only as x1,y1,z1 (never x,y,z themselves), the system is linear in the reciprocals, not in x,y,z. Rename a=x1, b=y1, c=z1.
Step 2: Rewrite as an ordinary linear system in a,b,c
a1a+b1b+c1c=d1,a2a+b2b+c2c=d2,a3a+b3b+c3c=d3
Step 3: Solve for a,b,c
Use elimination (multiply equations to cancel one variable at a time) or write the system as AX=B and solve X=A−1B via the adjoint method — whichever is faster for the given coefficients. Either route is valid; elimination is usually quicker when the coefficients are small integers with an obvious combination that cancels a variable. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to invert back to x,y,z after solving for a,b,c
Why it's wrong: the substitution a=1/x etc. is only a tool to make the system linear — leaving the final answer as a=21,b=31,c=51 doesn't answer the question, which asks for x,y,z. Correct approach: always the last step is x=1/a, y=1/b, z=1/c — never submit the reciprocal values as the final answer.
Mistake 2: Sign errors while eliminating a variable between three equations …
Showing the 12 most recent of 37 on this concept.
- CBSE 20241 markMCQQ.If [89147]=[1321]X, then matrix X is : (A) [3270] (B) [2703] (C) [2307] (D) [2−307]
›Reveal solutionSolution
We solve the matrix equation A=BX by left-multiplying both sides by B−1, giving X=B−1A. Computing the inverse of B=[1321] and multiplying yields X=[2307], which matches option (C).
The core idea here is that a matrix equation like A=BX is solved exactly like the scalar equation a=bx — you isolate X by multiplying both sides by the inverse of B. But because matrix multiplication is not commutative, you must multiply on the left by B−1, not on the right. That single detail is the entire key.
Let’s walk through it.
- Set up the equation clearly. We are given
[89147]=[1321]X.
Call the left matrix A and the coefficient matrix B, so A=BX. Our job is to find X.
- Why left-multiplication by B−1 works. If B is invertible, then B−1B=I, the identity matrix. Multiplying both sides of A=BX on the left by B−1 gives
B−1A=B−1(BX)=(B−1B)X=IX=X.
So X=B−1A. Notice: if we had multiplied on the right instead, we’d get AB−1, which is a completely different (and wrong) matrix.
Watch outA common mistake is to write X=AB−1 by analogy with scalars. But matrix multiplication is not commutative — B−1A=AB−1 in general. Always multiply on the side where the inverse cancels the original matrix.
- Find B−1. For a 2×2 matrix B=[acbd], the inverse is
B−1=ad−bc1[d−c−ba],
provided the determinant ad−bc=0.
Here a=1, b=2, c=3, d=1. The determinant is
det(B)=(1)(1)−(2)(3)=1−6=−5.
So
B−1=−51[1−3−21]=[−515352−51].
- Multiply B−1A. Now A=[89147]. Compute X=B−1A:
X=[−515352−51][89147].
Multiply entry by entry: …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If x+yy+zz+x=10−1 then x+y+z=(a) 9(b) 0(c) 4(d) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Two matrices are equal only if all corresponding entries are equal; adding all three entry-equations gives x+y+z directly.
From x+yy+zz+x=10−1, equating corresponding entries:
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If A=[x203] and I=[1001] given A2=9I, then x is:(a) x=4(b) x=±3(c) x=−3(d) x=−4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Computing A2 and matching it to 9I forces both x2=9 and 2x+6=0; only x=−3 satisfies both.
A=[x203], so
A2=[x203][x203]=[x22x+609]
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If [[x-2y, 0], [5, x]] = [[-3, 0], [5, 3]], then y is equal to:(a) 1(b) 3(c) 2(d) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Two matrices are equal only if all corresponding entries are equal; comparing the (2,2) entries gives x=3, then the (1,1) entries give y.
Given:
[x−2y50x]=[−3503]
Comparing the (2,2) entries: x=3.
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.For what value of x, [1231][1x]=[74]?(i) −2(ii) −1(iii) 2(iv) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Multiply out the matrices and compare entries.
[1231][1x]=[1(1)+3(x)2(1)+1(x)]=[1+3x2+x]
Setting this equal to [74]:
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Which of the given values of x and y make the following pair of matrices equal? [3x+7y+152−3x],[08y−24](a) x=−31,y=7(b) Not possible to find(c) x=−32,y=7(d) x=−31,y=−32
›Reveal solutionSolution
Equating corresponding entries gives two different equations for x that contradict each other, so no consistent solution exists.
For [3x+7y+152−3x]=[08y−24], equating each entry:
3x+7=0⇒x=−37
5=y−2⇒y=7
y+1=8⇒y=7 (consistent with above)
2−3x=4⇒x=−32
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If [[x−2y, 0], [5, x]] = [[−5, 0], [5, 3]], then y is equal to:(a) 1(b) 3(c) 2(d) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Equal matrices have equal corresponding entries — match the (2,2) entries first to get x, then use the (1,1) entry to get y.
Given (x−2y50x)=(−5503).
Comparing the (2,2) entries: x=3.
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.If [[a+4, 3b], [8, -14]] = [[2a+2, b+4], [8, a-8b]], then find the value of a + b.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Equate corresponding entries of the two equal matrices to get a=2, b=2, so a+b=4.
Two matrices are equal only if every corresponding entry is equal. Comparing entries of
[a+483b−14]=[2a+28b+4a−8b]:
From the (1,1) entries: a+4=2a+2⇒2=a⇒a=2.
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If A = [[2x, 0], [x, x]] and A⁻¹ = [[1, 0], [−1, 2]], then x equals –(i) 1(ii) 2(iii) 1/2(iv) −2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Compute A−1 from A=(2xx0x) using the 2×2 inverse formula and match it to the given A−1.
For A=(2xx0x), detA=(2x)(x)−(0)(x)=2x2.
Using A−1=detA1(d−c−ba) for A=(acbd):
A−1=2x21(x−x02x)=(2x1−2x10x1).
…
- CBSE 2024Set D1 markMCQQ.If 2A+B+X=0, where A=[−1324] and B=[31−25] then X=(a) [1−72−13](b) [17213](c) [−1−7−2−13](d) [−17−213]
›Reveal solutionSolution
From 2A+B+X=0, solve X=−2A−B.
2A=[−2648], so …
- CBSE 2024Set D1 markMCQQ.[x y]=[2x−1 9]⇒(a) x=3, y=9(b) x=1, y=9(c) x=0, y=9(d) x=3, y=4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Equal matrices have equal corresponding entries.
…
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If x+y+zx+zy+z=957 then x+y+z=(a) 5(b) 7(c) 9(d) none of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Matching the first row of the given matrix equation reads off x+y+z directly, no further algebra needed.
The matrix equation x+y+zx+zy+z=957 means corresponding entries are equal:
Row 1: x+y+z=9 …
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