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.
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.
Watch out
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). …
Multiply the scalars in, add, and equate entries. Every constraint gives x=4 (the (2,2) entry also allows x=0, which is excluded). So the non-zero value is x=4.
Turning the matrix equation into scalar equations
Two matrices are equal iff their corresponding entries are equal, so we simplify each side and compare positions.
Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQ
Q.If (x3−1)1−1110011−1231=0, then the values of x are
(A) -2
(B) 3−1
(C) -3
(D) 32
(E) 3−2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Do the matrix multiplication in stages (right pair first), reduce the row-vector × column-vector to a scalar, set it to 0, and solve for x.
Concept. The product of a 1×3 row, a 3×3 matrix, and a 3×1 column is a 1×1 scalar. Multiplication is associative, so evaluate the 3×3 times the column first.
Step 1 — multiply the matrix by the column (2,3,1)T.
Q.If A is a non-singular matrix of order n satisfying the matrix equation I+A+A2+A3+…+A10=O, where I and O are, respectively, unit and null matrices of order n, then A10=
(A) A−1
(B) I
(C) A
(D) I+A
(E) O
›Reveal solutionSolution
Multiply the series by A, subtract, to collapse it to A11=I.