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Matrices and Determinants question
2021 · 25 Feb · Shift 1 · Q42
JEE MainMathematicsMatrices and DeterminantsNumerical+4 / −1
If the system of equations kx + y + 2z = 1 3x − y − 2z = 2 − 2x − 2y − 4z = 3 has infinitely many solutions, then k is equal to .
Numerical answer
View written solutionFree
Correct answer: 21
Write the system in standard form
The equations are:
kx+y+2z3x−y−2z−2x−2y−4z=1=2=3
So the coefficient matrix is
A=k3−21−1−22−2−4
and the augmented matrix is
[A∣B]=k3−21−1−22−2−4123.
Condition for infinitely many solutions
A system has infinitely many solutions when
rank(A)=rank([A∣B])<3.
So first, the determinant of the coefficient matrix must be zero.
For infinitely many solutions, we need rank of augmented matrix also to be less than 3, so this determinant must be zero:
k−21=0
Thus,
k=21.
Verify ranks for k=21
For k=21, we already know det(A)=0, so rank(A)<3.
Also the above 3×3 minor of augmented matrix becomes zero. Since a 2×2 minor of A is nonzero, rank is at least 2. Hence