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JEE Main 2023
Matrices & Determinants
Matrices and Determinants
Hard

Question

For the system of linear equations αx+y+z=1,x+αy+z=1,x+y+αz=β\alpha x+y+z=1,x+\alpha y+z=1,x+y+\alpha z=\beta, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

Options

Solution

This problem requires a thorough understanding of how to determine the nature of solutions (unique, no solution, or infinitely many solutions) for a system of linear equations. We will use the determinant method, often associated with Cramer's Rule, to analyze the given system under different conditions for α\alpha and β\beta.

1. Key Concepts and Formulas

  • System of Linear Equations: A system of nn linear equations in nn variables can be written in matrix form as AX=BAX=B, where AA is the coefficient matrix, XX is the variable matrix, and BB is the constant matrix.
  • Determinants:
    • Δ=det(A)\Delta = \det(A): Determinant of the coefficient matrix.
    • Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z: Determinants formed by replacing the respective variable's coefficient column in AA with the constant terms from BB.
  • Conditions for Solutions:
    • Unique Solution: If Δ0\Delta \neq 0. (By Cramer's Rule, x=ΔxΔx = \frac{\Delta_x}{\Delta}, y=ΔyΔy = \frac{\Delta_y}{\Delta}, z=ΔzΔz = \frac{\Delta_z}{\Delta}).
    • No Solution: 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: If Δ=0\Delta = 0 AND Δx=Δy=Δz=0\Delta_x = \Delta_y = \Delta_z = 0.

2. Step-by-Step Solution

The given system of linear equations is: αx+y+z=1x+αy+z=1x+y+αz=β\begin{aligned} \alpha x+y+z&=1 \\ x+\alpha y+z&=1 \\ x+y+\alpha z&=\beta \end{aligned}

Step 1: Calculate the Determinant of the Coefficient Matrix (Δ\Delta)

First, we write the coefficient matrix AA and calculate its determinant Δ\Delta: A=[α111α111α]A = \left[\begin{array}{ccc} \alpha & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & \alpha & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & \alpha \end{array}\right] Δ=α111α111α\Delta = \left|\begin{array}{ccc} \alpha & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & \alpha & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & \alpha \end{array}\right| To evaluate Δ\Delta, we can apply column operations to simplify it before expansion. Add C2C_2 and C3C_3 to C1C_1: C1C1+C2+C3C_1 \to C_1+C_2+C_3. Δ=α+211α+2α1α+21α\Delta = \left|\begin{array}{ccc} \alpha+2 & 1 & 1 \\ \alpha+2 & \alpha & 1 \\ \alpha+2 & 1 & \alpha \end{array}\right| Factor out (α+2)(\alpha+2) from C1C_1: Δ=(α+2)1111α111α\Delta = (\alpha+2) \left|\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & \alpha & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & \alpha \end{array}\right| Now, perform row operations: R2R2R1R_2 \to R_2-R_1 and R3R3R1R_3 \to R_3-R_1: Δ=(α+2)1110α1000α1\Delta = (\alpha+2) \left|\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & \alpha-1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & \alpha-1 \end{array}\right| This is an upper triangular matrix, so its determinant is the product of its diagonal elements: Δ=(α+2)1(α1)(α1)=(α+2)(α1)2\Delta = (\alpha+2) \cdot 1 \cdot (\alpha-1) \cdot (\alpha-1) = (\alpha+2)(\alpha-1)^2 The system will not have a unique solution if Δ=0\Delta = 0, which occurs when (α+2)(α1)2=0(\alpha+2)(\alpha-1)^2 = 0. This gives α=1\alpha = 1 or α=2\alpha = -2. We will analyze the options using these critical values.

Step 2: Analyze Option (A)

Statement (A): It has infinitely many solutions if α=1\alpha=1 and β=1\beta=1.

  • Check Δ\Delta: For α=1\alpha=1, Δ=(1+2)(11)2=302=0\Delta = (1+2)(1-1)^2 = 3 \cdot 0^2 = 0. This condition is necessary for infinitely many solutions.
  • Substitute α=1,β=1\alpha=1, \beta=1 into the system: 1x+y+z=1x+1y+z=1x+y+1z=1\begin{aligned} 1x+y+z&=1 \\ x+1y+z&=1 \\ x+y+1z&=1 \end{aligned} All three equations become identical: x+y+z=1x+y+z=1. This represents a single plane in 3D space. A plane contains infinitely many points, so the system has infinitely many solutions.
  • Check Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z (optional but good for completeness): For α=1,β=1\alpha=1, \beta=1: Δx=111111111=0(Columns are identical)\Delta_x = \left|\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1 \end{array}\right| = 0 \quad (\text{Columns are identical}) Similarly, Δy=0\Delta_y=0 and Δz=0\Delta_z=0.
  • Conclusion: Since Δ=0\Delta=0 and Δx=Δy=Δz=0\Delta_x=\Delta_y=\Delta_z=0, the system has infinitely many solutions. Therefore, statement (A) is correct.

Step 3: Analyze Option (B)

Statement (B): It has infinitely many solutions if α=2\alpha=2 and β=1\beta=-1.

  • Check Δ\Delta: For α=2\alpha=2, Δ=(2+2)(21)2=412=4\Delta = (2+2)(2-1)^2 = 4 \cdot 1^2 = 4.
  • Conclusion: Since Δ=40\Delta = 4 \neq 0, the system has a unique solution (by Cramer's Rule), regardless of the value of β\beta. It cannot have infinitely many solutions. Therefore, statement (B) is NOT correct.

Step 4: Analyze Option (C)

Statement (C): x+y+z=34x+y+z=\frac{3}{4} if α=2\alpha=2 and β=1\beta=1.

  • Check Δ\Delta: For α=2\alpha=2, Δ=40\Delta = 4 \neq 0. This ensures a unique solution exists.
  • Substitute α=2,β=1\alpha=2, \beta=1 into the system: 2x+y+z=1(1)x+2y+z=1(2)x+y+2z=1(3)\begin{aligned} 2x+y+z&=1 \quad &(1) \\ x+2y+z&=1 \quad &(2) \\ x+y+2z&=1 \quad &(3) \end{aligned}
  • Solve for x+y+zx+y+z: Add equations (1), (2), and (3): (2x+y+z)+(x+2y+z)+(x+y+2z)=1+1+1(2x+y+z) + (x+2y+z) + (x+y+2z) = 1+1+1 (2x+x+x)+(y+2y+y)+(z+z+2z)=3(2x+x+x) + (y+2y+y) + (z+z+2z) = 3 4x+4y+4z=34x + 4y + 4z = 3 4(x+y+z)=34(x+y+z) = 3 x+y+z=34x+y+z = \frac{3}{4}
  • Conclusion: The sum x+y+zx+y+z is indeed 34\frac{3}{4}. Therefore, statement (C) is correct.

Step 5: Analyze Option (D)

Statement (D): It has no solution if α=2\alpha=-2 and β=1\beta=1.

  • Check Δ\Delta: For α=2\alpha=-2, Δ=(2+2)(21)2=0(3)2=0\Delta = (-2+2)(-2-1)^2 = 0 \cdot (-3)^2 = 0. This condition is necessary for no solution.
  • Substitute α=2,β=1\alpha=-2, \beta=1 into the system: 2x+y+z=1x2y+z=1x+y2z=1\begin{aligned} -2x+y+z&=1 \\ x-2y+z&=1 \\ x+y-2z&=1 \end{aligned}
  • Check Δx\Delta_x: We need to calculate at least one of Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z. Let's calculate Δx\Delta_x: Δx=111121112\Delta_x = \left|\begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & -2 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & -2 \end{array}\right| Expand along the first row: Δx=1((2)(2)11)1(1(2)11)+1(11(2)1)=1(41)1(21)+1(1+2)=1(3)1(3)+1(3)=3+3+3=9\begin{aligned} \Delta_x &= 1((-2)(-2) - 1 \cdot 1) - 1(1 \cdot (-2) - 1 \cdot 1) + 1(1 \cdot 1 - (-2) \cdot 1) \\ &= 1(4 - 1) - 1(-2 - 1) + 1(1 + 2) \\ &= 1(3) - 1(-3) + 1(3) \\ &= 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 \end{aligned}
  • Conclusion: Since Δ=0\Delta = 0 and Δx=90\Delta_x = 9 \neq 0, the system has no solution. Therefore, statement (D) is correct.

3. Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Determinant Calculation: Be careful with signs and arithmetic when calculating determinants. Using row/column operations can simplify the process and reduce errors.
  • Confusing Conditions: Clearly distinguish between the conditions for no solution (Δ=0\Delta=0, at least one Δi0\Delta_i \neq 0) and infinitely many solutions (Δ=0\Delta=0, and all Δx,Δy,Δz=0\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z = 0).
  • Symmetric Systems: For symmetric systems (like in Option C), adding all equations is often a quick way to find x+y+zx+y+z.
  • System Consistency: Remember that if Δ0\Delta \neq 0, the system is always consistent and has a unique solution. Only when Δ=0\Delta = 0 do we need to check Δx,Δy,Δz\Delta_x, \Delta_y, \Delta_z.

4. Summary

We systematically analyzed each option using the determinant method. We first calculated the determinant of the coefficient matrix, Δ=(α+2)(α1)2\Delta = (\alpha+2)(\alpha-1)^2, to identify the critical values of α\alpha. Then, we evaluated each statement:

  • Statement (A) was found to be correct, as for α=1,β=1\alpha=1, \beta=1, the system reduces to x+y+z=1x+y+z=1, which has infinitely many solutions.
  • Statement (B) was found to be incorrect, as for α=2\alpha=2, Δ0\Delta \neq 0, implying a unique solution, not infinitely many.
  • Statement (C) was found to be correct, as for α=2,β=1\alpha=2, \beta=1, summing the equations directly yields x+y+z=3/4x+y+z=3/4.
  • Statement (D) was found to be correct, as for α=2,β=1\alpha=-2, \beta=1, Δ=0\Delta=0 and Δx0\Delta_x \neq 0, indicating no solution.

The question asks for the statement that is NOT correct. Based on our analysis, statement (B) is the only incorrect statement.

5. Final Answer

The final answer is A\boxed{A}.

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