Skip to main content
Back to Matrices & Determinants
JEE Main 2019
Matrices & Determinants
Matrices and Determinants
Medium

Question

If the system of linear equations x + y + z = 5 x + 2y + 2z = 6 x + 3y + λ\lambda z = μ\mu , (λ\lambda , μ\mu \in R), has infinitely many solutions, then the value of λ\lambda + μ\mu is :

Options

Solution

Here's a clear, educational, and well-structured solution to the problem:


1. Understanding the Conditions for Infinitely Many Solutions

For a system of linear equations in three variables x,y,zx, y, z: {a1x+b1y+c1z=d1a2x+b2y+c2z=d2a3x+b3y+c3z=d3\begin{cases} a_1x + b_1y + c_1z = d_1 \\ a_2x + b_2y + c_2z = d_2 \\ a_3x + b_3y + c_3z = d_3 \end{cases} We use Cramer's Rule to determine the nature of solutions, which relies on four determinants:

  • Coefficient Determinant (Δ\Delta): This is the determinant of the coefficients of x,y,zx, y, z. Δ=a1b1c1a2b2c2a3b3c3\Delta = \left| \begin{matrix} a_1 & b_1 & c_1 \\ a_2 & b_2 & c_2 \\ a_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{matrix} \right|
  • Δx\Delta_x: Formed by replacing the xx-coefficient column in Δ\Delta with the constant terms. Δx=d1b1c1d2b2c2d3b3c3\Delta_x = \left| \begin{matrix} d_1 & b_1 & c_1 \\ d_2 & b_2 & c_2 \\ d_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{matrix} \right|
  • Δy\Delta_y: Formed by replacing the yy-coefficient column in Δ\Delta with the constant terms. Δy=a1d1c1a2d2c2a3d3c3\Delta_y = \left| \begin{matrix} a_1 & d_1 & c_1 \\ a_2 & d_2 & c_2 \\ a_3 & d_3 & c_3 \end{matrix} \right|
  • Δz\Delta_z: Formed by replacing the zz-coefficient column in Δ\Delta with the constant terms. Δz=a1b1d1a2b2d2a3b3d3\Delta_z = \left| \begin{matrix} a_1 & b_1 & d_1 \\ a_2 & b_2 & d_2 \\ a_3 & b_3 & d_3 \end{matrix} \right|

The conditions for the nature of solutions are:

  • Unique Solution: If Δ0\Delta \neq 0.
  • No Solution (Inconsistent): If Δ=0\Delta = 0 and at least one of Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z is non-zero.
  • Infinitely Many Solutions (Consistent): If Δ=0\Delta = 0 AND Δx=0\Delta_x = 0 AND Δy=0\Delta_y = 0 AND Δz=0\Delta_z = 0.

In this problem, we are given that the system has infinitely many solutions. Therefore, we must satisfy the condition that all four determinants are equal to zero: Δ=0\Delta = 0, Δx=0\Delta_x = 0, Δy=0\Delta_y = 0, and Δz=0\Delta_z = 0.

2. Setting Up the Determinants for the Given System

The given system of linear equations is:

  1. x+y+z=5x + y + z = 5
  2. x+2y+2z=6x + 2y + 2z = 6
  3. x+3y+λz=μx + 3y + \lambda z = \mu

From these equations, we can write down the four determinants:

  • Coefficient Determinant (Δ\Delta): Δ=11112213λ\Delta = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 & 2 \\ 1 & 3 & \lambda \end{matrix} \right|
  • Δx\Delta_x: Δx=511622μ3λ\Delta_x = \left| \begin{matrix} 5 & 1 & 1 \\ 6 & 2 & 2 \\ \mu & 3 & \lambda \end{matrix} \right|
  • Δy\Delta_y: Δy=1511621μλ\Delta_y = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 5 & 1 \\ 1 & 6 & 2 \\ 1 & \mu & \lambda \end{matrix} \right|
  • Δz\Delta_z: Δz=11512613μ\Delta_z = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 & 5 \\ 1 & 2 & 6 \\ 1 & 3 & \mu \end{matrix} \right|

3. Calculating Δ\Delta and Finding λ\lambda

The first step for infinitely many solutions is Δ=0\Delta = 0. Let's calculate Δ\Delta: Δ=11112213λ\Delta = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 2 & 2 \\ 1 & 3 & \lambda \end{matrix} \right| To simplify the calculation, we can perform row operations. Subtract R1R_1 from R2R_2 and R1R_1 from R3R_3: (R2R2R1R_2 \to R_2 - R_1) and (R3R3R1R_3 \to R_3 - R_1) Δ=1111121211131λ1=11101102λ1\Delta = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1-1 & 2-1 & 2-1 \\ 1-1 & 3-1 & \lambda-1 \end{matrix} \right| = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 2 & \lambda-1 \end{matrix} \right| Now, expand the determinant along the first column (since it has two zeros, simplifying the calculation): Δ=1112λ10+0\Delta = 1 \cdot \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 \\ 2 & \lambda-1 \end{matrix} \right| - 0 + 0 Δ=1((1)(λ1)(1)(2))\Delta = 1 \cdot ((1)(\lambda-1) - (1)(2)) Δ=(λ12)=λ3\Delta = (\lambda - 1 - 2) = \lambda - 3 Since the system has infinitely many solutions, we must have Δ=0\Delta = 0: λ3=0    λ=3\lambda - 3 = 0 \implies \lambda = 3

4. Calculating Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z and Finding μ\mu

Now that we have λ=3\lambda = 3, we need to ensure that Δx=0\Delta_x = 0, Δy=0\Delta_y = 0, and Δz=0\Delta_z = 0. We can use any one of these conditions to find μ\mu.

  • Calculate Δx\Delta_x with λ=3\lambda = 3: Δx=511622μ33\Delta_x = \left| \begin{matrix} 5 & 1 & 1 \\ 6 & 2 & 2 \\ \mu & 3 & 3 \end{matrix} \right| Observe that the second column (C2C_2) and the third column (C3C_3) are identical. A property of determinants states that if any two rows or columns are identical, the determinant is zero. Therefore, Δx=0\Delta_x = 0 for any value of μ\mu. This means Δx=0\Delta_x = 0 does not help us find μ\mu. We must proceed to Δy\Delta_y or Δz\Delta_z.

  • Calculate Δy\Delta_y with λ=3\lambda = 3: Δy=1511621μ3\Delta_y = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 5 & 1 \\ 1 & 6 & 2 \\ 1 & \mu & 3 \end{matrix} \right| Again, we perform row operations to simplify: (R2R2R1R_2 \to R_2 - R_1) and (R3R3R1R_3 \to R_3 - R_1) Δy=1510110μ52\Delta_y = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 5 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & \mu-5 & 2 \end{matrix} \right| Expand along the first column: Δy=111μ520+0\Delta_y = 1 \cdot \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 \\ \mu-5 & 2 \end{matrix} \right| - 0 + 0 Δy=(1)(2)(1)(μ5)\Delta_y = (1)(2) - (1)(\mu-5) Δy=2μ+5=7μ\Delta_y = 2 - \mu + 5 = 7 - \mu For infinitely many solutions, we must have Δy=0\Delta_y = 0: 7μ=0    μ=77 - \mu = 0 \implies \mu = 7

  • (Optional Check) Calculate Δz\Delta_z with λ=3\lambda = 3 and μ=7\mu = 7: Let's verify that Δz\Delta_z also becomes zero with these values. Δz=115126137\Delta_z = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 & 5 \\ 1 & 2 & 6 \\ 1 & 3 & 7 \end{matrix} \right| Perform row operations: (R2R2R1R_2 \to R_2 - R_1) and (R3R3R1R_3 \to R_3 - R_1) Δz=115011022\Delta_z = \left| \begin{matrix} 1 & 1 & 5 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 2 & 2 \end{matrix} \right| Observe that the third row (R3R_3) is twice the second row (R2R_2) (R3=2R2R_3 = 2R_2). When two rows or columns are proportional, the determinant is zero. Thus, Δz=0\Delta_z = 0, which confirms our values of λ=3\lambda = 3 and μ=7\mu = 7.

5. Finding the Value of λ+μ\lambda + \mu

We have found λ=3\lambda = 3 and μ=7\mu = 7. The question asks for the value of λ+μ\lambda + \mu. λ+μ=3+7=10\lambda + \mu = 3 + 7 = 10

Tips for Success & Common Mistakes:

  • Systematic Approach: Always start by calculating Δ\Delta. If Δ0\Delta \neq 0, it's a unique solution, and you don't need to check other determinants.
  • Check All Conditions: For infinitely many solutions, all four determinants (Δ,Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta, \Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z) must be zero. If one of them is non-zero (while Δ=0\Delta=0), the system has no solution.
  • Simplifying Determinants: Use row/column operations (like RiRikRjR_i \to R_i - kR_j) to introduce zeros in a row or column, which greatly simplifies expansion. Remember these operations do not change the value of the determinant.
  • Identical/Proportional Rows/Columns: Keep an eye out for identical or proportional rows/columns, as this immediately implies the determinant is zero. This saved us work for Δx\Delta_x and Δz\Delta_z.
  • Calculation Errors: Determinant calculations can be prone to sign errors or arithmetic mistakes. Double-check your work, especially when dealing with parameters.

Summary and Key Takeaway

For a system of linear equations to have infinitely many solutions, the determinant of the coefficient matrix (Δ\Delta) and all the auxiliary determinants (Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z) must be zero. By systematically applying these conditions, we found λ=3\lambda = 3 and μ=7\mu = 7, leading to λ+μ=10\lambda + \mu = 10.

The final answer is 10\boxed{\text{10}}.

Practice More Matrices & Determinants Questions

View All Questions