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Q.Let A be a 3×33 \times 3 matrix such that ∣adj A∣=64|\text{adj A}| = 64. Then ∣A∣|A| is equal to :
(A) Only 88
(B) Only −8-8
(C) 6464
(D) 88 or −8-8

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For a 3×33 \times 3 matrix, the determinant of its adjugate is ∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1=∣A∣2|\text{adj } A| = |A|^{n-1} = |A|^2. Given ∣A∣2=64|A|^2 = 64, the possible values are ∣A∣=8|A| = 8 or ∣A∣=−8|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 AA of order nn, the adjugate (or classical adjoint) satisfies:

A⋅(adj A)=(adj A)⋅A=∣A∣ InA \cdot (\text{adj } A) = (\text{adj } A) \cdot A = |A| \, I_n

Taking determinants on both sides gives:

∣A∣⋅∣adj A∣=∣A∣n|A| \cdot |\text{adj } A| = |A|^n

which simplifies (for ∣A∣≠0|A| \neq 0) to:

∣adj A∣=∣A∣n−1|\text{adj } A| = |A|^{n-1}

This formula holds even when ∣A∣=0|A| = 0 (both sides are zero), so it’s universally true.

Now, let’s apply it step by step.

  1. Identify the order of the matrix. Here AA is 3×33 \times 3, so n=3n = 3. Therefore n−1=2n-1 = 2, and the formula becomes:

∣adj A∣=∣A∣2|\text{adj } A| = |A|^{2}

  1. Plug in the given value. We are told ∣adj A∣=64|\text{adj } A| = 64. So:

∣A∣2=64|A|^2 = 64

  1. Solve for ∣A∣|A|. Taking square roots:

∣A∣=±8|A| = \pm 8

Both 88 and −8-8 satisfy the equation, because squaring eliminates the sign. …

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