JEE Matrices and Determinants PYQs
JEE Matrices and Determinants PYQs are an important part of the JEE Mathematics syllabus. They help you understand the kind of questions asked from this chapter and show how well you know the main concepts, such as types of matrices, matrix operations, transpose, inverse of a matrix, determinants, properties of determinants, adjoint, and solving equations using matrices.
In the exam, questions from matrices and determinants usually come as direct numerical problems or simple concept-based questions. The good thing is that this chapter becomes much easier when your basics are clear. Once you understand the concepts properly and know which formula or method to use, solving questions feels much more manageable. You do not need to think of matrices and determinants as a very difficult chapter. With regular revision and smart practice, it can become one of the more scoring parts of JEE Mathematics.
In this blog, you will find a simple formula PDF, a section for important JEE Matrices and Determinants PYQs in download format, a few practice questions with answers, and some extra questions to solve on your own. You will also learn about common mistakes students often make and a few easy tips to save time in the exam.
JEE Matrices and Determinants Important PYQs PDF
This PDF can include the most important previous year questions from matrices and determinants. It may cover topics like matrix addition, subtraction, multiplication, transpose, determinant value, properties of determinants, minors and cofactors, inverse of a matrix, adjoint, and solving linear equations using matrices.
Practicing these questions will help you understand the exam pattern better. It will also improve your speed, accuracy, and confidence before the exam.
Important Formulas for JEE Matrices and Determinants PYQs
You only need a few important formulas and ideas to solve most matrices and determinants questions in JEE. These formulas help you understand matrix operations, determinant values, inverse of a matrix, and equation-based problems more clearly.
You can download the full formula PDF from the link above. Here is a quick look at some of the main formulas:
Concept | Formula |
Matrix Addition | A + B = [aᵢⱼ + bᵢⱼ] |
Matrix Multiplication | AB = [Σ aᵢₖbₖⱼ] |
Transpose of Matrix | (Aᵀ)ᵢⱼ = aⱼᵢ |
Determinant of 2 × 2 Matrix | |A| = ad − bc |
Determinant of 3 × 3 Matrix | Expansion by rows or columns |
Inverse of 2 × 2 Matrix | A⁻¹ = 1/|A| × [d -b; -c a] |
Condition for Inverse | |A| ≠ 0 |
Adjoint of Matrix | adj A = transpose of cofactor matrix |
Relation Between Matrix and Inverse | AA⁻¹ = I |
Solution of AX = B | X = A⁻¹B |
Property of Determinant | |AB| = |A| × |B| |
Determinant of Transpose | |Aᵀ| = |A| |
These formulas are commonly used in questions based on matrix operations, determinants, inverse, adjoint, and solving systems of equations. If you revise them properly, many JEE questions start to feel much easier.
Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in JEE Matrices and Determinants PYQs
Many students find this chapter confusing at first because it includes different operations and many important properties. But most mistakes happen because small details are missed while solving. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:
Mixing up matrix addition and matrix multiplication
Matrix addition is done element by element, but matrix multiplication follows a completely different rule. Many students confuse these two and get the wrong answer.
Forgetting the condition for matrix multiplication
Two matrices can be multiplied only when the number of columns of the first matrix is equal to the number of rows of the second matrix. This basic condition is often missed.
Making mistakes in determinant expansion
In determinants, sign changes and expansion steps matter a lot. A small sign mistake can change the whole result.
Using the inverse formula when the determinant is zero
A matrix has an inverse only when its determinant is not zero. Many students apply the inverse formula directly without checking this condition first.
Confusing adjoint and inverse
Adjoint and inverse are related, but they are not the same. Students often mix up their formulas and use the wrong one in questions.
List of JEE Matrices and Determinants PYQs
Here is a short set of JEE-style matrices and determinants questions for practice. These include common question types from matrix operations, determinant value, inverse, and equation solving. Solving them regularly can help you become faster and more confident.
Question 1
For the matrices $$A=\begin{bmatrix}3 -4 \\1 -1 \end {bmatrix}$$ and $$B=\begin{bmatrix}-29 49 \\-13 18 \end{bmatrix}$$, if $$\left(A^{15} + B \right) \begin{bmatrix}x \\y\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0 \\0 \end{bmatrix}$$, then among the following which one is true ?
correct answer:- 1
Question 2
For some $$\alpha,\beta\epsilon R$$, let $$A=\begin{bmatrix}\alpha & 2 \\ 1 & 2 \end{bmatrix}\text{ and }B=\begin{bmatrix}1 & 1 \\1 & \beta \end{bmatrix}$$ be such that $$A^{2}-4A+2I=B^2-3B+I=0$$. Then $$(det(adj(A^3-B^3)))^2$$ is equal to _______.
correct answer:- 225
Question 3
If $$X=\begin{bmatrix}x \\y \\z \end{bmatrix}$$ is a solution of the system of equations AX= B, where adj $$A= \begin{bmatrix}4 & 2 & 2 \\-5 & 0 & 5 \\1 & -2 & 3 \end{bmatrix}$$ and $$B=\begin{bmatrix}4 \\0 \\2 \end{bmatrix}$$, then |x+y+z| is equal to :
correct answer:- 3
Question 4
Let |A|=6, Where A is a $$3\times3$$ matrix. If $$|adj(3adj(A^{2}\cdot adj(2A)))|=2^{m}\cdot3^{n},m,n\epsilon N$$, then m+n is equal to:
correct answer:- 62
Question 5
If $$A=\begin{bmatrix}2 & 3 \\3 & 5 \end{bmatrix}$$, then the determinant of the matrix $$ (A^{2025}-3A^{2024}+ A^{2023})$$ is
correct answer:- 3
Question 6
Let A be a $$3 \times 3$$ matrix such that A+ A^{T} = 0. If $$A\begin{bmatrix} 1 \\-1 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix} 3 \\3 \\ 2 \end{bmatrix},A^{2}\begin{bmatrix} 1 \\-1 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix} -3 \\19 \\ -24 \end{bmatrix}$$ and $$det(adj(2 adj(A+I))) = (2)^{\alpha }\cdot (3)^{\beta}\cdot (11)^{\gamma},\alpha,\beta,\gamma$$ are non-negative integers, then $$\alpha+\beta+\gamma$$ is equal to _____
correct answer:- 18
Question 7
The number of $$3\times 2$$ matrices A, which can be formed using the elements of the set {-2, -1 , 0, 1, 2} such that the sum of all the diagonal elements of $$A^{T}A$$ is 5, is_____
correct answer:- 312
Question 8
Let $$f(x)=\int_{}^{} \frac{7x^{10}+9x^{8}}{(1+x^{2}+2x^{9})^{2}}dx, x>0, \lim_{x \rightarrow 0}f(x)=0$$ and $$f(1)=\frac{1}{4.}$$ If $$A= \begin{bmatrix}0 & 0 & 1 \\ \frac{1}{4} & f'(1) & 1 \\ \alpha^{2} & 4 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$$ and B = adj(adj A) be such that |B| = 81 , then $$\alpha^{2}$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 9
Let $$P[P_{ij}]$$ and $$Q=[q_{ij}]$$ be two square matrices of order 3 such that $$q_{ij}= 2^{(i+j-1)}p_{ij}$$ and $$\det (Q)=2^{10}.$$ Then the value of det(adj(adj P)) is:
correct answer:- 4
Question 10
Let A, Band C be three $$2\times 2$$ matrices with real entries such that $$B=(I+A)^{-1}$$ and A+C=1. If $$BC=\begin{bmatrix}1 & -5 \\-1 & 2 \end{bmatrix}$$ and $$CB\begin{bmatrix}x_{1}\\ x_{2} \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}12\\-6 \end{bmatrix}$$, then $$x_{1}+x_{2}$$ is
correct answer:- 1
Question 11
Let $$A = \begin{bmatrix}0 & 2 & -3 \\-2 & 0 & 1 \\ 3 & -1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$$ and B be a matrix such that $$B(I- A)=I+A.$$ Then the sumof the diagonal elements of $$B^{T}B$$ is equal to _________
correct answer:- 3
Question 12
Let $$A=\begin{bmatrix}3 & -4 \\1 & -1 \end{bmatrix}$$ and B be two matrices such that $$A^{100}=100B+I$$. Then the sum of all the elements of $$B^{100}$$ is_______
correct answer:- 0
Question 13
For a $$3\times 3$$ matrix , let trace (M) denote the sum of all the diagonal elements of M. Let A be a $$3\times 3$$ matrix such that $$|A|=\frac{1}{2}$$ trace (A) =3.If B=adj(adj(2A)), then the value of $$|B|+$$ trace (B)equals:
correct answer:- 4
Question 14
Let $$ A $$ be a square matrix of order 3 such that $$det(A)=-2 \text{ and }det(3adj(-6adj(3A)))=2^{m+n}\cdot3^{mn}$$, $$m>n. \text{ Then } 4m+2n\text{ is equal to } $$_______
correct answer:- 34
Question 15
Let $$A = [a_{ij}]$$ be $$3\times 3$$ matrix such that $$A\begin{bmatrix}0 \\1\\0 \end{bmatrix} =\begin{bmatrix}0 \\0\\1 \end{bmatrix},A\begin{bmatrix}4 \\1\\3 \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}0 \\1\\0 \end{bmatrix}$$ and $$A\begin{bmatrix}2 \\1\\2 \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0\\0 \end{bmatrix}$$, then $$a_{23}$$ equals :
correct answer:- 1
Question 16
$$ \text{Let } A \text{ be a } 3\times 3 \text{ matrix such that } X^TAX=0 \text{ for all nonzero } 3\times1 \text{ matrices } X=\begin{bmatrix}x\\y\\z\end{bmatrix}. \text{ If } A\begin{bmatrix}1\\1\\1\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}1\\4\\-5\end{bmatrix}, \; A\begin{bmatrix}1\\2\\1\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0\\4\\-8\end{bmatrix}, \text{ and } \det(\operatorname{adj}(2(A+I)))=2^\alpha 3^\beta 5^\gamma, \; \alpha,\beta,\gamma\in\mathbb{N}, \text{ then } \alpha^2+\beta^2+\gamma^2 \text{ is:} \underline{\hspace{2cm}}$$
correct answer:- 44
Question 17
If the system of equations $$\begin{aligned}x + 2y - 3z &= 2, \\2x + \lambda y + 5z &= 5, \\14x + 3y + \mu z &= 33\end{aligned}$$ has infinitely many solutions, then $$\lambda + \mu \text{ is equal to:} $$
correct answer:- 3
Question 18
Let $$A=[a_{ij}]$$ be a square matrix of order 2 with entries either 0 or 1. Let $$E$$ be the event that $$A$$ is an invertible matrix. Then the probability $$P(E)$$ is:
correct answer:- 3
Question 19
Let M denote the set of all real matrices of order $$3\times 3$$ and let$$S=\left\{-3,-2,-1,1,2\right\}$$. Let
$$S_{1}=\left\{A=[a_{ij}] \in M : A=A^{T}\text{ and }a_{ij} \in S,\forall i,j\right\},$$
$$S_{2}=\left\{A=[a_{ij}] \in M : A=-A^{T}\text{ and }a_{ij} \in S,\forall i,j\right\},$$
$$S_{3}=\left\{A=[a_{ij}] \in M : a_{11}+a_{22}+a_{33}=0\text{ and }a_{ij} \in S,\forall i,j\right\},$$
If $$n(S_{1}\cup_{2} US_{3})=125\alpha$$, then $$alpha$$ equals___________
correct answer:- 1613
Question 20
Let $$A = [a_{ij}] = \begin{bmatrix}\log_{5}{128} & \log_{4}5 \\\log_{5}8 & \log_{4}25 \end{bmatrix}$$. If $$A_{ij}$$ is the cofactor of $$a_{ij},C_{jk} = \sum_{k=1}^{2}a_{ik}A_{ik},1 \leq i,j \leq 2$$,and $$C = [C_{ij}],$$ then $$8|C|$$ is equal to :
correct answer:- 3
Question 21
Let $$S = \left\{m \in Z : A^{m^{2}}+A^{m} = 3I - A^{-6}\right\}$$, where $$ A =\begin{bmatrix}2 & -1 \\1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$$. Then n(S) is equal to ______.
correct answer:- 2
Question 22
If A, B and $$(adj (A^{-1})+adj(B^{-1}))$$ are non-singular matrices of same order, then the inverse of $$A(adj(A^{-1}+adj(B^{-1}))^{-1}B$$, is equal to
correct answer:- 4
Question 23
Let A = $$[a_{ij}]$$ be a matrix of order $$3 \times 3$$, with $$a_{ij}$$ = $$(\sqrt{2})^{i+j}$$. If the sum of all the elements in the third row of $$A^{2}$$ is $$\alpha + \beta\sqrt{2}, \quad \alpha,\beta \in \mathbb{Z}$$, then $$\alpha + \beta$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 2
Question 24
Let A be a square matrix of order 2 such that |A| = 2 and the sum of its diagonal elements is −3. If the points (x, y) satisfying $$A^2 + xA + yI = O$$ lie on a hyperbola whose length of semi major axis is x and semi minor axis is y, eccentricity is e and the length of the latus rectum is l, then $$81(e^4 + l^2)$$ is equal to ______.
correct answer:- 745
Question 25
Let A be a 3×3 matrix of non-negative real elements such that $$A\begin{bmatrix}1\\1\\1\end{bmatrix} = 3\begin{bmatrix}1\\1\\1\end{bmatrix}$$. Then the maximum value of det(A) is ______.
correct answer:- 27
Question 26
If the system of equations
3x + y + 4z = 3
$$2x+\alpha y-z = -3$$
x+ 2y + z = 4
has no solution, then the value of $$\alpha$$ is equal to :
correct answer:- 1
Question 27
Let n be the number obtained on rolling a fair die. If the probability that the system
x - ny + z = 6
x + (n - 2)y + (n + 1)z = 8
(n - 1)y + z = 1
has a unique solution is $$\frac{k}{6}$$, then the sum of k and all possible values of n is:
correct answer:- 4
Question 28
Among the statements :
I: If $$ \begin{vmatrix}1 & \cos\alpha & \cos\beta \\\mathbf{\cos\alpha} & 1 & \mathbf{\cos\gamma} \\\mathbf{\cos\beta} & \mathbf{\cos\gamma} & 1\end{vmatrix}=\begin{vmatrix}0 & \mathbf{\cos\alpha}&\mathbf{\cos\beta} \\\mathbf{\cos\alpha} & 0 & \mathbf{\cos\gamma} \\\mathbf{\cos\beta} & \mathbf{\cos\gamma} & 0\end{vmatrix}$$, then $$\cos^{2}\alpha+\cos^{2}\beta+\cos^{2}\gamma=\frac{3}{2}$$, and
II: $$\begin{vmatrix}x^{2}+x & x+1 & x-2 \\2x^{2}+3x-1 & 3x & 3x-3 \\x^{2}+2x+3 & 2x-1 & 2x-1\end{vmatrix} = px + q$$, then $$p^{2}=196q^{2}$$
correct answer:- 2
Question 29
The system of linear equations
$$x + y + z = 6$$
$$2x + 5y + az =36$$
$$x + 2y + 3z = b$$
correct answer:- 4
Question 30
If the system of linear equations : $$x+y+2z=6\\2x+3y+az=a+1\\-x-3y+bz=2b$$ where $$a,b \in R$$, has infinitely many solutions, then 7a + 3b is equal to :
correct answer:- 1
Question 31
The system of equations $$x+y+z=6\\x+2y+5z=9,\\x+5y+\lambda z=\mu,$$ has no solution if
correct answer:- 3
Question 32
If the system of equations $$\begin{aligned} 2x - y + z &= 4, \\ 5x + \lambda y + 3z &= 12, \\ 100x - 47y + \mu z &= 212 \end{aligned}$$ has infinitely many solutions, then $$\mu - 2\lambda$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 1
Question 33
$$\text{For some } a,b,\text{ let }f(x)=\left|\begin{matrix}a+\dfrac{\sin x}{x} & 1 & b \\a & 1+\dfrac{\sin x}{x} & b \\a & 1 & b+\dfrac{\sin x}{x}\end{matrix}\right|,x\neq 0,\lim_{x\to 0} f(x)=\lambda+\mu a+\nu b,\text{ Then } (\lambda+\mu+\nu)^2 \text{ is equal to:}$$
correct answer:- 1
Question 34
Let M and m respectively be the maximum and the minimum value of
$$f(x) =\begin{vmatrix}\mathbf{1+\sin^{2}x} & \mathbf{\cos^{2}x} & \mathbf{4\sin 4x} \\\mathbf{\sin^{2}x} &\mathbf{1+\cos^{2}x} & \mathbf{4\sin 4x} \\\mathbf{\sin^{2}x} &\mathbf{\cos^{2}x} & \mathbf{1+4\sin 4x}\end{vmatrix}$$, $$x \in R$$ then $$M^{4}-m^{4}$$ is equal to :
correct answer:- 1
Question 35
Let $$A =[a_{ij}]$$ be a 2$$\times$$2 matrix such that $$a_{ij} \in \left\{0,1\right\}$$ for all i and j . Let the random variable X denote the possible values of the determinant of the matrix A . Then, the variance of x is :
correct answer:- 3
Question 36
Let $$\alpha \in (0,\infty)$$ and $$A = \begin{bmatrix}1 & 2 & \alpha\\ 1 & 0 & 1\\ 0 & 1 & 2\end{bmatrix}$$. If $$\det(\text{adj}(2A-A^T)\cdot\text{adj}(A-2A^T)) = 2^8$$, then $$(\det(A))^2$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 2
Question 37
If the system of equations $$x + (\sqrt{2}\sin\alpha)y + (\sqrt{2}\cos\alpha)z = 0$$, $$x + (\cos\alpha)y + (\sin\alpha)z = 0$$, $$x + (\sin\alpha)y - (\cos\alpha)z = 0$$ has a non-trivial solution, then $$\alpha \in \left(0,\frac{\pi}{2}\right)$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 2
Question 38
If $$A = \begin{pmatrix} \sqrt{2} & 1 \\ -1 & \sqrt{2} \end{pmatrix}$$, $$B = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$$, $$C = ABA^T$$ and $$X = A^TC^2A$$, then $$\det X$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 2
Question 39
The values of $$\alpha$$, for which $$\begin{vmatrix} 1 & \frac{3}{2} & \alpha + \frac{3}{2} \\ 1 & \frac{1}{3} & \alpha + \frac{1}{3} \\ 2\alpha + 3 & 3\alpha + 1 & 0 \end{vmatrix} = 0$$, lie in the interval
correct answer:- 2
Question 40
Let $$A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \alpha & \beta \\ 0 & \beta & \alpha \end{bmatrix}$$ and $$|2A|^3 = 2^{21}$$ where $$\alpha, \beta \in Z$$, Then a value of $$\alpha$$ is
correct answer:- 2
Question 41
If $$f(x) = \begin{vmatrix} 2\cos^4 x & 2\sin^4 x & 3 + \sin^2 2x \\ 3 + 2\cos^4 x & 2\sin^4 x & \sin^2 2x \\ 2\cos^4 x & 3 + 2\sin^4 x & \sin^2 2x \end{vmatrix}$$ then $$\frac{1}{5}f'(0)$$ is equal to ________.
correct answer:- 1
Question 42
Consider the system of linear equation $$x + y + z = 4\mu$$, $$x + 2y + 2\lambda z = 10\mu$$, $$x + 3y + 4\lambda^2 z = \mu^2 + 15$$, where $$\lambda, \mu \in \mathbb{R}$$. Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
correct answer:- 2
Question 43
Consider the system of linear equations $$x + y + z = 5$$, $$x + 2y + \lambda^2 z = 9$$ and $$x + 3y + \lambda z = \mu$$, where $$\lambda, \mu \in R$$. Then, which of the following statement is NOT correct?
correct answer:- 3
Question 44
If $$f(x) = \begin{vmatrix} x^3 & 2x^2+1 & 1+3x \\ 3x^2+2 & 2x & x^3+6 \\ x^3-x & 4 & x^2-2 \end{vmatrix}$$ for all $$x \in \mathbb{R}$$, then $$2f(0) + f'(0)$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 45
Let $$A$$ be a $$3 \times 3$$ matrix and $$\det(A) = 2$$. If $$n = \det(\underbrace{adj(adj(\ldots adj(A)))}_{\text{2024 times}})$$, then the remainder when $$n$$ is divided by 9 is equal to
correct answer:- 7
Question 46
Let $$\alpha\beta \neq 0$$ and $$A = \begin{bmatrix} \beta & \alpha & 3 \\ \alpha & \alpha & \beta \\ -\beta & \alpha & 2\alpha \end{bmatrix}$$. If $$B = \begin{bmatrix} 3\alpha & -9 & 3\alpha \\ -\alpha & 7 & -2\alpha \\ -2\alpha & 5 & -2\beta \end{bmatrix}$$ is the matrix of cofactors of the elements of $$A$$, then $$\det(AB)$$ is equal to :
correct answer:- 2
Question 47
For $$\alpha, \beta \in \mathbb{R}$$ and a natural number $$n$$, let $$A_r = \begin{vmatrix} r & 1 & \frac{n^2}{2} + \alpha \\ 2r & 2 & n^2 - \beta \\ 3r - 2 & 3 & \frac{n(3n-1)}{2} \end{vmatrix}$$. Then $$\sum_{r=1}^{n} A_r$$ is
correct answer:- 2
Question 48
Let $$\alpha\beta\gamma = 45$$; $$\alpha, \beta, \gamma \in \mathbb{R}$$. If $$x(\alpha, 1, 2) + y(1, \beta, 2) + z(2, 3, \gamma) = (0, 0, 0)$$ for some $$x, y, z \in \mathbb{R}, xyz \neq 0$$, then $$6\alpha + 4\beta + \gamma$$ is equal to _______
correct answer:- 55
Question 49
If $$A$$ is a square matrix of order 3 such that $$\det(A) = 3$$ and $$\det(\text{adj}(-4 \text{adj}(-3 \text{adj}(3 \text{adj}((2A)^{-1}))))) = 2^m 3^n$$, then $$m + 2n$$ is equal to :
correct answer:- 4
Question 50
Let $$A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & -1 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}$$. If the sum of the diagonal elements of $$A^{13}$$ is $$3^n$$, then $$n$$ is equal to ________
correct answer:- 7
Group