Q.If π΄ is a square matrix of order 4 and |πππ π΄| = 27, then π΄ (πππ π΄) is equal to
(A) 3
(B) 9
(C) 3 πΌ
(D) 9 πΌ
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π Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution βConcept understanding β Adjoint Matrix Property
The Adjoint Matrix and Its Central Property
You have a square matrix A and want to find Aβ1. There is a clean route through the adjoint (or adjugate) of A β a matrix built from the cofactors of A that has a beautiful relationship with A itself.
The intuition
For a 2Γ2 matrix you already know the inverse:
A=(acβbdβ),Aβ1=adβbc1β(dβcββbaβ).
That second matrix, (dβcββbaβ), 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 β the transpose of the cofactor matrix β not the Hermitian conjugate.
Building the adjoint
For each entry aijβ of an nΓn matrix, the cofactor is
Cijβ=(β1)i+jMijβ,
where Mijβ is the minor (the determinant left after deleting row i and column j). Collect the cofactors into the cofactor matrix, then transpose:
adj(A)=[Cijβ]T,
so the (i,j) entry of adj(A) is Cjiβ.
The central property
Aβ adj(A)=adj(A)β A=det(A)Inβ.
Why? The (i,i) entry of Aadj(A) is ai1βCi1β+β―+ainβCinβ β 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)ξ =0: Aβ1=det(A)1βadj(A).
- If det(A)=0: Aβ adj(A)=O, so the adjoint annihilates A.
- Order fact: det(adj(A))=det(A)nβ1. β¦
Concept: Adjoint Matrix Property β For any square matrix A of order n,
A(adjΒ A)=β£Aβ£Inβ, and β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1.
Step 1: Given n=4 and β£adjΒ Aβ£=27.
Using β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1, we have β£Aβ£3=27. β¦
The key idea is that A(adjΒ A)=β£Aβ£I for any square matrix. Given β£adjΒ Aβ£=27 for a 4Γ4 matrix, we first find β£Aβ£=3, so A(adjΒ A)=3I. The correct option is (C).
We start with a fundamental property of adjoint matrices: for any square matrix A of order n, the product A(adjΒ A) equals β£Aβ£I, where I is the identity matrix of the same order. This is not a trick β it's the defining relationship that makes the adjoint useful for finding inverses. So the question reduces to: what is β£Aβ£?
We are told β£adjΒ Aβ£=27 and A is of order 4. There is a well-known formula connecting the determinant of the adjoint to the determinant of the original matrix: β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1, where n is the order. For n=4, this becomes β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£3.
- Apply the adjoint determinant formula. Since β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£4β1=β£Aβ£3, and we know β£adjΒ Aβ£=27, we have:
β£Aβ£3=27
Taking the real cube root (determinants are real numbers here), we get:
β£Aβ£=3
- Use the fundamental product property. Now, A(adjΒ A)=β£Aβ£I. Substituting β£Aβ£=3 and noting I is the 4Γ4 identity matrix:
A(adjΒ A)=3I
- Interpret the result. The expression 3I is a scalar multiple of the identity matrix β not a scalar number. Among the options, (A) 3 and (B) 9 are scalars, not matrices. Option (D) is 9I, which would require β£Aβ£=9. Only option (C) 3I matches. β¦
Method: Order-Relation Route from |adj A| to A(adj A)
This method solves any problem where you're given information about |adj A| (or vice versa) for a square matrix of known order, and asked for A(adj A), |A|, or a related quantity β without ever knowing the entries of A.
Steps
Step 1: Write down the two governing adjoint identities
For any square matrix A of order n, two identities connect A, adj(A), and their determinants:
Aβ adj(A)=β£Aβ£Inβ,β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1.
The first is a matrix identity; the second is a scalar identity that follows from taking determinants of the first. Recognise which one gives you a path from the known quantity to the unknown one.
Step 2: Use the order-relation formula to isolate |A| β¦
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using the wrong exponent in β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1
Why it's wrong: students often write β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£n (matching the order of the matrix instead of order minus one), which for n=4 gives β£Aβ£4=27 β an equation with no clean real solution. Correct approach: always use exponent nβ1; here n=4 gives β£Aβ£3=27, so β£Aβ£=3.
Mistake 2: Treating A(adjΒ A) as if the answer must be a plain number
Why it's wrong: A(adjΒ A) is always a matrix (equal to β£Aβ£Inβ), never a bare scalar β so options like "3" or "9" without the identity matrix can never be correct once the matrix has order greater than 1. Correct approach: always keep the Inβ factor; the answer here is the matrix 3I, not the number 3. β¦
Showing the 12 most recent of 19 on this concept.
- COMEDK 2022Set 20221 markMCQQ.If A=βa00β0a0β00aββ, then β£Aβ£adjAβ£ is equal to (A) a3n (B) aβ3n (C) βa3n (D) 2a3n
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Either way, the expression evaluates to a^(3n) - a positive power of a, matching option (A). It is certainly positive, so (C) is out, and it is not doubled (D) nor a negative power (B).
Concept: A (adj A) = |A| I, and det(A adj A) = |A|^n.
Here A = a I_3 (a scalar matrix of order n = 3), so |A| = a^3.
Using the identity |A (adj A)| = | |A| I_n | = (|A|)^n = (a^3)^3 = a^9.
Written in terms of n (with n = 3, the order of the matrix), this is a^(3n) (since |A|^n = (a^n)^n = a^(n^2), and for the scalar matrix of order n = 3 the value a^9 = a^(3n)). β¦
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] Β IfΒ AΒ (adjA)=5I,Β whereΒ IΒ isΒ theΒ identityΒ matrixΒ ofΒ orderΒ 3,Β thenΒ β£adjAβ£=
(A) 5 (B) 125 (C) 25 (D) 10βΊReveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that for a square matrix, A(adjA)=β£Aβ£I. Given A(adjA)=5I and the order is 3, we find β£Aβ£=5 and then use β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1=52=25. The correct option is (C).
We start with a fundamental property of adjugates: for any square matrix A of order n,
A(adjA)=(adjA)A=β£Aβ£I.
This is the definitional relationship β the adjugate is the transpose of the cofactor matrix, and multiplying by A yields a diagonal matrix where every diagonal entry is the determinant β£Aβ£.
Here we are told A(adjA)=5I and the order is 3. That means n=3. Comparing with the property, we immediately see that β£Aβ£I=5I, so β£Aβ£=5.
Now we need β£adjAβ£. There is a well-known formula: for an nΓn matrix,
β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1.
Why? Because from A(adjA)=β£Aβ£I, take determinants of both sides:
β£Aβ£β β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£n.
If β£Aβ£ξ =0 (which it is, since 5 β 0), divide both sides by β£Aβ£ to get β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1.
Applying this with n=3 and β£Aβ£=5:
β£adjAβ£=53β1=52=25. β¦
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.If A is a square matrix of order 3 such that A(adjΒ A)=ββ200β0β20β00β2ββ, then β£adjΒ Aβ£= (A) 4 (B) -4 (C) -8 (D) -2
βΊReveal solutionSolution
β£Aβ£=β2, and β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£2=4.
For any square matrix, A(adjA)=β£Aβ£I. Here the product is β2I, so β£Aβ£=β2. β¦
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-M1 markMCQQ.If A is a matrix of order 4such that A(adjA)=10Β I, then β£adjAβ£ is equal to (A) 10 (B) 100 (C) 1000 (D) 10000
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Since A(adjΒ A)=β£Aβ£I=10I, we get β£Aβ£=10; then β£adjΒ Aβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1=103=1000 for order 4.
Property: A(adjΒ A)=β£Aβ£I. Comparing with A(adjΒ A)=10I gives β£Aβ£=10. β¦
- COMEDK 2021Set 20211 markMCQQ.If A(adjA)=ββ200β0β20β00β2ββ, then β£adjAβ£ equals (A) β2 (B) β4 (C) 4 (D) 8
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Now |adj A| = |A|^(n-1) = (-2)^(3-1) = (-2)^2 = 4
Concept: A (adj A) = |A| I_n, and |adj A| = |A|^(n-1).
Here the given product is a 3 x 3 matrix (n = 3):
A (adj A) = [[-2,0,0],[0,-2,0],[0,0,-2]] = -2 I3
Comparing with |A| I3: |A| = -2 β¦
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.Kiran purchased 3 pencils, 2 notebooks and one pen for βΉ41. From the same shop Manasa purchased 2 pencils, one notebook and 2 pens for βΉ 29 , while Shreya purchased 3 pencils, 2 notebooks and 2 pens for βΉ 44. The above situation can be represented in matrix form as AX=B. Then β£adjAβ£ is equal to (A) 9 (B) β9 (C) β1 (D) 1
βΊReveal solutionSolution
The coefficient matrix has detA=β1, and for a 3Γ3 matrix β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£2=1 β option (D).
Set up the system. Let pencil =x, notebook =y, pen =z:
3x+2y+z=41,2x+y+2z=29,3x+2y+2z=44.
So
A=β323β212β122ββ.
Determinant (expand along the first row):
detA=3(1β 2β2β 2)β2(2β 2β2β 3)+1(2β 2β1β 3)
=3(β2)β2(β2)+1(1)=β6+4+1=β1. β¦
- COMEDK 2021Set 20211 markMCQQ.If for any 2 Γ 2 square matrix A, A (adj A) = [80β08β], then the value of det (A). (A) 6 (B) 5 (C) 7 (D) 8
βΊReveal solutionSolution
|A| = 8
Concept: For any square matrix A of order n, A (adj A) = (adj A) A = |A| I_n.
Here A is 2 x 2, and
A (adj A) = [[8, 0], [0, 8]] = 8 * [[1, 0], [0, 1]] = 8 I β¦
- COMEDK 2022Set 20221 markMCQQ.If for any 2 Γ 2 square matrix A, A (adj A) = [80β08β], then find the value of det (A). (A) 6 (B) 7 (C) 8 (D) 5
βΊReveal solutionSolution
Comparing with |A| I_2, we get |A| = 8, i.e. det(A) = 8.
Concept: For any square matrix A of order n,
A (adj A) = (adj A) A = |A| I_n
Given, for a 2 x 2 matrix,
A (adj A) = [[8, 0], [0, 8]] = 8 * I_2 β¦
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.If A(adjA)=β500β050β005ββ, then the value of β£Aβ£+β£adjAβ£ is equal to : (A) 5 (B) 25 (C) 125 (D) 30
βΊReveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that for any square matrix A, A(adjA)=β£Aβ£I. Here that gives β£Aβ£=5, and since β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1 for an nΓn matrix, we get β£adjAβ£=52=25. Their sum is 5+25=30, so the answer is (D).
The problem gives us A(adjA)=5I, where I is the 3Γ3 identity matrix. This is a classic property: for any square matrix A, the product A times its adjugate equals the determinant times the identity. So the scalar on the diagonal is exactly β£Aβ£. That means β£Aβ£=5 immediately.
Now, we also need β£adjAβ£. There's a neat formula: for an nΓn matrix, β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1. Here n=3, so β£adjAβ£=52=25.
Thus the sum is 5+25=30.
Let's walk through it step by step.
- Recall the defining property of the adjugate. For any square matrix A, we have
A(adjA)=(adjA)A=β£Aβ£I.
This is the fundamental relation. The problem gives us the left-hand side explicitly as 5I, so we can directly compare:
β£Aβ£I=5Iββ£Aβ£=5.
- Find β£adjAβ£ using the determinant of both sides. Take determinants of the equation A(adjA)=β£Aβ£I:
β£Aβ£β β£adjAβ£=ββ£Aβ£Iβ.
The right-hand side is a scalar matrix: β£Aβ£I is β£Aβ£ times the identity, so its determinant is (β£Aβ£)n for an nΓn matrix. Here n=3, so
ββ£Aβ£Iβ=(β£Aβ£)3.
Thus
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-M1 markMCQQ.The sum of three numbers is 6 . Twice the third number, when added to the first number gives 7 , On adding the sum of the second and third numbers to thrice the first number, we get 12 . The above situation can be represented in matrix form as AX=B. Then the β£adjAβ£ is equal to (A) β4 (B) 4 (C) β64 (D) 16
βΊReveal solutionSolution
We translate the word problem into a system of three linear equations, write it in matrix form AX=B, compute the determinant of A, and then use the property β£adjAβ£=β£Aβ£nβ1 with n=3 to get the answer β£adjAβ£=16.
We start by turning the story into equations.
Let the three numbers be x, y, and z.
-
Translate the conditions
- βThe sum of three numbers is 6β β x+y+z=6.
- βTwice the third number, when added to the first number gives 7β β x+2z=7.
- βOn adding the sum of the second and third numbers to thrice the first number, we get 12β β 3x+(y+z)=12, i.e. 3x+y+z=12.
So the system is:
β©β¨β§βx+y+z=6x+0y+2z=73x+y+z=12β
- Write in matrix form AX=B
A=β113β101β121ββ,X=βxyzββ,B=β6712ββ
- Find β£Aβ£ Compute the determinant:
β£Aβ£=1β β01β21βββ1β β13β21ββ+1β β13β01ββ
=1β (β2)β1β (1β6)+1β (1)β¦=1β (0β 1β2β 1)β1β (1β 1β2β 3)+1β (1β 1β0β 3)
-
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] Β IfΒ P=β112βΞ±34β334ββΒ isΒ theΒ adjointΒ ofΒ aΒ 3Γ3Β matrixΒ AΒ andΒ β£Aβ£=4Β thenΒ Ξ±Β isΒ equalΒ toΒ
(A) 11 (B) 4 (C) 0 (D) 5βΊReveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that for a 3Γ3 matrix A, adj(A)=β£Aβ£Aβ1, so P must satisfy P=4Aβ1. Taking determinants gives β£Pβ£=42=16, which yields an equation for Ξ±. Solving gives Ξ±=11, so the correct option is (A).
We are told that P is the adjoint of A, and β£Aβ£=4. For any invertible square matrix A, the fundamental relation is
Aβ adj(A)=β£Aβ£I.
Thus adj(A)=β£Aβ£Aβ1. Here P=adj(A), so
P=4Aβ1.
Taking determinants on both sides:
β£Pβ£=β£4Aβ1β£=43β£Aβ1β£=64β β£Aβ£1β=464β=16.
So we must have β£Pβ£=16. This gives an equation for Ξ±.
Now compute β£Pβ£:
P=β112βΞ±34β334ββ.
- Expand along the first row:
β£Pβ£=1β β34β34βββΞ±β β12β34ββ+3β β12β34ββ.
- Compute the 2Γ2 determinants:
β34β34ββ=3β 4β3β 4=0,
β12β34ββ=1β 4β3β 2=4β6=β2.
- Substitute:
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.Value of the determinant of a matrix A of order 3Γ3 is 7 . Then the value of the determinant formed by the cofactors of matrix A is (A) 7 (B) 49 (C) 14 (D) 343
βΊReveal solutionSolution
The determinant of the cofactor matrix (the adjugate) of a 3Γ3 matrix A equals (detA)nβ1=(detA)2. Given detA=7, the answer is 72=49, so option (B).
The key idea is that the matrix of cofactors is intimately linked to the inverse of A. For any square matrix A, the product Aβ (adjΒ A)=(detA)I, where adjΒ A is the transpose of the cofactor matrix. Taking determinants on both sides gives a direct relationship between det(cofactorΒ matrix) and detA.
For an nΓn matrix, the determinant of the cofactor matrix (strictly, of the adjugate) is (detA)nβ1. Here n=3, so the exponent is 2.
Letβs walk through it carefully.
- Define the cofactor matrix and adjugate. For a 3Γ3 matrix A, let Cijβ be the cofactor of entry aijβ. The cofactor matrix is C=[Cijβ]. The adjugate (or classical adjoint) is the transpose: adj(A)=CT. The fundamental property is:
Aβ adj(A)=adj(A)β A=(detA)I3β.
This holds for any square matrix.
- Take determinants of both sides. From Aβ adj(A)=(detA)I3β, we have:
det(Aβ adj(A))=det((detA)I3β).
The left side, by the product rule, is detAβ det(adj(A)).
The right side: multiplying a 3Γ3 identity matrix by the scalar detA gives a diagonal matrix with detA on each diagonal entry. Its determinant is (detA)3.
- Set up the equation.
detAβ det(adj(A))=(detA)3.
Since detA=7ξ =0, we can divide both sides by detA:
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