Medium MCQ +4 / -1 PYQ · JEE Mains 2021

Let $$A = \left[ {\matrix{ i & { - i} \cr { - i} & i \cr } } \right],i = \sqrt { - 1} $$. Then, the system of linear equations $${A^8}\left[ {\matrix{ x \cr y \cr } } \right] = \left[ {\matrix{ 8 \cr {64} \cr } } \right]$$ has :

  1. A Exactly two solutions
  2. B Infinitely many solutions
  3. C A unique solution
  4. D No solution Correct answer

Solution

$$A = \left[ {\matrix{ i &amp; { - i} \cr { - i} &amp; i \cr } } \right]$$<br><br>$${A^2} = \left[ {\matrix{ i &amp; { - i} \cr { - i} &amp; i \cr } } \right]\left[ {\matrix{ i &amp; { - i} \cr { - i} &amp; i \cr } } \right] = \left[ {\matrix{ { - 2} &amp; 2 \cr 2 &amp; { - 2} \cr } } \right] = 2\left[ {\matrix{ { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr } } \right]$$<br><br>$${A^4} = 4\left[ {\matrix{ { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr } } \right]\left[ {\matrix{ { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr } } \right] = 4\left[ {\matrix{ 2 &amp; { - 2} \cr { - 2} &amp; 2 \cr } } \right] = 8\left[ {\matrix{ 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr } } \right]$$<br><br>$${A^8} = 64\left[ {\matrix{ 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr } } \right]\left[ {\matrix{ 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr } } \right] = 64\left[ {\matrix{ 2 &amp; { - 2} \cr { - 2} &amp; 2 \cr } } \right] = 128\left[ {\matrix{ 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr } } \right]$$<br><br>$$128\left[ {\matrix{ 1 &amp; { - 1} \cr { - 1} &amp; 1 \cr } } \right]\left[ {\matrix{ x \cr y \cr } } \right] = \left[ {\matrix{ 8 \cr {64} \cr } } \right]$$<br><br>$$128\left[ {\matrix{ {x - y} \cr { - x + y} \cr } } \right] = \left[ {\matrix{ 8 \cr {64} \cr } } \right] $$ <br><br>$\Rightarrow 128(x - y) = 8$<br><br>$\Rightarrow x - y = {1 \over {16}}$ .... (1)<br><br>and $128( - x + y) = 64 \Rightarrow x - y = {{ - 1} \over 2}$ .... (2)<br><br>$\Rightarrow$ No solution (from eq. (1) &amp; (2))

About this question

Subject: Mathematics · Chapter: Matrices and Determinants · Topic: Types of Matrices and Operations

This question is part of PrepWiser's free JEE Main question bank. 274 more solved questions on Matrices and Determinants are available — start with the harder ones if your accuracy is >70%.

Drill 25 more like these. Every day. Free.

PrepWiser turns these solved questions into a daily practice loop. Chapter-wise drills, full mocks, AI doubt chat. No auto-renew.

Start free →