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 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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