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JEE Main 2021
Matrices & Determinants
Matrices and Determinants
Hard

Question

Let S = {n\sqrt{n} : 1 \le n \le 50 and n is odd}. Let a \in S and A = \left[ {\matrix{ 1 & 0 & a \cr { - 1} & 1 & 0 \cr { - a} & 0 & 1 \cr } } \right]. If aSdet(adjA)=100λ\sum\limits_{a\, \in \,S}^{} {\det (adj\,A) = 100\lambda } , then λ\lambda is equal to :

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Solution

Here is a more elaborate, clear, and educational solution to the given problem.


1. Key Concepts and Formulas

Before diving into the solution, let's recall some fundamental properties of matrices and determinants that will be crucial for solving this problem:

  • Determinant of Adjoint Matrix: For any square matrix AA of order n×nn \times n, the determinant of its adjoint matrix, denoted as adj A\text{adj } A, is given by the formula: det(adj A)=(detA)n1\det(\text{adj } A) = (\det A)^{n-1} In this problem, the matrix AA is a 3×33 \times 3 matrix, so n=3n=3. Therefore, for this specific case, we will use det(adj A)=(detA)31=(detA)2\det(\text{adj } A) = (\det A)^{3-1} = (\det A)^2.

  • Sum of Squares of First N Natural Numbers: The sum of the squares of the first NN natural numbers is given by the formula: k=1Nk2=12+22+32++N2=N(N+1)(2N+1)6\sum_{k=1}^{N} k^2 = 1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 + \dots + N^2 = \frac{N(N+1)(2N+1)}{6}

These two formulas will be the backbone of our solution.

2. Understanding the Set S

The problem defines the set SS as: S={n:1n50 and n is odd}S = \{\sqrt{n} : 1 \le n \le 50 \text{ and n is odd}\} This means we need to find all odd integers nn between 1 and 50 (inclusive), and then take their square roots to form the elements of SS.

Let's list the odd integers nn in the given range: n{1,3,5,7,,49}n \in \{1, 3, 5, 7, \dots, 49\}

Now, forming the elements of SS by taking the square root of each nn: S={1,3,5,7,,49}S = \{\sqrt{1}, \sqrt{3}, \sqrt{5}, \sqrt{7}, \dots, \sqrt{49}\} This set contains 25 elements, as there are 25 odd numbers between 1 and 49. (Number of terms = Last termFirst termCommon difference+1=4912+1=24/2+1=12+1=25\frac{\text{Last term} - \text{First term}}{\text{Common difference}} + 1 = \frac{49-1}{2} + 1 = 24/2 + 1 = 12+1 = 25).

3. Calculating the Determinant of Matrix A

The given matrix is: A = \left[ {\matrix{ 1 & 0 & a \cr { - 1} & 1 & 0 \cr { - a} & 0 & 1 \cr } } \right] To find detA\det A, we will expand along the first row. The formula for the determinant of a 3×33 \times 3 matrix \left[ {\matrix{ p & q & r \cr s & t & u \cr v & w & x \cr } } \right] is p(txuw)q(sxuv)+r(swtv)p(tx-uw) - q(sx-uv) + r(sw-tv).

Following this, for matrix AA: \det A = 1 \cdot \det \left[ {\matrix{ 1 & 0 \cr 0 & 1 \cr } } \right] - 0 \cdot \det \left[ {\matrix{ { - 1} & 0 \cr { - a} & 1 \cr } } \right] + a \cdot \det \left[ {\matrix{ { - 1} & 1 \cr { - a} & 0 \cr } } \right] Let's calculate each 2×22 \times 2 determinant:

  • 1(1100)=1(10)=11 \cdot (1 \cdot 1 - 0 \cdot 0) = 1 \cdot (1 - 0) = 1
  • 0()0 \cdot (\dots) will be 00.
  • a((1)01(a))=a(0(a))=aa=a2a \cdot ((-1) \cdot 0 - 1 \cdot (-a)) = a \cdot (0 - (-a)) = a \cdot a = a^2

Combining these terms: detA=10+a2=a2+1\det A = 1 - 0 + a^2 = a^2 + 1 This result is crucial for the next step.

4. Calculating the Determinant of Adjoint A

Now we use the property of the determinant of an adjoint matrix. Since AA is a 3×33 \times 3 matrix (n=3n=3), we have: det(adj A)=(detA)31=(detA)2\det(\text{adj } A) = (\det A)^{3-1} = (\det A)^2 Substituting the value of detA=a2+1\det A = a^2+1 that we just calculated: det(adj A)=(a2+1)2\det(\text{adj } A) = (a^2+1)^2 This expression gives us the determinant of the adjoint matrix for any aSa \in S.

5. Evaluating the Summation

The problem asks us to find the sum aSdet(adjA)\sum_{a\, \in \,S}^{} {\det (adj\,A)}. Substituting the expression we just found for det(adj A)\det(\text{adj } A): aSdet(adjA)=aS(a2+1)2\sum_{a\, \in \,S}^{} {\det (adj\,A)} = \sum_{a\, \in \,S}^{} {({a^2} + 1)^2} Now, we iterate through each element aa in the set S={1,3,5,,49}S = \{\sqrt{1}, \sqrt{3}, \sqrt{5}, \dots, \sqrt{49}\} and substitute it into the expression (a2+1)2(a^2+1)^2:

  • For a=1a = \sqrt{1}: The term is ((1)2+1)2=(1+1)2=22((\sqrt{1})^2 + 1)^2 = (1 + 1)^2 = 2^2.
  • For a=3a = \sqrt{3}: The term is ((3)2+1)2=(3+1)2=42((\sqrt{3})^2 + 1)^2 = (3 + 1)^2 = 4^2.
  • For a=5a = \sqrt{5}: The term is ((5)2+1)2=(5+1)2=62((\sqrt{5})^2 + 1)^2 = (5 + 1)^2 = 6^2.
  • ...
  • For a=49a = \sqrt{49}: The term is ((49)2+1)2=(49+1)2=502((\sqrt{49})^2 + 1)^2 = (49 + 1)^2 = 50^2.

So, the summation becomes: aS(a2+1)2=22+42+62++502\sum_{a\, \in \,S}^{} {({a^2} + 1)^2} = 2^2 + 4^2 + 6^2 + \dots + 50^2 This is a sum of squares of even numbers. We can factor out 222^2 from each term: 22(12)+22(22)+22(32)++22(252)2^2(1^2) + 2^2(2^2) + 2^2(3^2) + \dots + 2^2(25^2) =22(12+22+32++252)= 2^2 (1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 + \dots + 25^2) =4(12+22+32++252)= 4 (1^2 + 2^2 + 3^2 + \dots + 25^2) Now we can use the formula for the sum of the squares of the first NN natural numbers, where N=25N=25: 12+22++252=25(25+1)(225+1)61^2 + 2^2 + \dots + 25^2 = \frac{25(25+1)(2 \cdot 25+1)}{6} =2526516= \frac{25 \cdot 26 \cdot 51}{6} Let's simplify this expression: =25(213)(317)23= \frac{25 \cdot (2 \cdot 13) \cdot (3 \cdot 17)}{2 \cdot 3} =251317= 25 \cdot 13 \cdot 17 =25221= 25 \cdot 221 =5525= 5525 Now, substitute this back into our summation: aSdet(adjA)=4(25221)=100221\sum_{a\, \in \,S}^{} {\det (adj\,A)} = 4 \cdot (25 \cdot 221) = 100 \cdot 221 So, the total sum is 2210022100.

6. Determining the Value of λ\lambda

The problem states that aSdet(adjA)=100λ\sum_{a\, \in \,S}^{} {\det (adj\,A) = 100\lambda}. We have calculated the sum to be 100221100 \cdot 221. Therefore, we can set up the equation: 100λ=100221100\lambda = 100 \cdot 221 Dividing both sides by 100, we get: λ=221\lambda = 221

7. Tips for Success and Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Memorize Key Formulas: Ensure you know the determinant properties (especially det(adj A)\det(\text{adj } A) and det(AB)\det(AB)) and standard series summation formulas (sum of first NN natural numbers, sum of squares, sum of cubes).
  • Careful with Set Definition: Always carefully interpret the definition of sets like SS. List out a few terms to confirm your understanding before proceeding.
  • Determinant Calculation: Be meticulous when calculating determinants. A single sign error can propagate and lead to an incorrect final answer. Expanding along a row or column with zeros can simplify calculations.
  • Algebraic Manipulation: Pay attention to algebraic steps, especially when factoring out common terms from a series.
  • Recognize Patterns: In summations, look for patterns. Here, recognizing 22+42++5022^2 + 4^2 + \dots + 50^2 as 4(12+22++252)4(1^2 + 2^2 + \dots + 25^2) is crucial.

8. Summary and Key Takeaway

This problem is a good example of how JEE problems often combine multiple mathematical concepts. Here, we used:

  1. Matrix and Determinant Properties: Specifically, the relationship between the determinant of a matrix and the determinant of its adjoint.
  2. Set Theory Interpretation: Correctly identifying the elements of set SS.
  3. Series and Summation: Recognizing and applying the formula for the sum of squares of natural numbers.

The ability to seamlessly transition between these topics and perform accurate calculations is key to solving such problems efficiently. The final answer is λ=221\lambda = 221, which corresponds to option (B).

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