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Question

If A is an invertible matrix of order n and k is any positive real number, then the value of [det(kA)] -1 det A is

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2015 GAT Previous Year Paper (16-Dec-2015)
The correct answer is

k -n

Understanding Determinants and Scalar Multiples

This question asks us to evaluate an expression involving the determinant of an invertible matrix A and a scalar multiple of A. The expression is $[det(kA)]^{-1} det A$. To solve this, we need to use properties of determinants, specifically how the determinant changes when a matrix is multiplied by a scalar.

Key Property of Determinants

For an n x n matrix A and a scalar k, the determinant of the scalar multiple kA is given by:

\(det(kA) = k^n det A\)

Here, A is an invertible matrix of order n, and k is a positive real number.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Let's break down the given expression step by step:

We are given the expression: \([det(kA)]^{-1} det A\)

  1. First, let's find the value of \(det(kA)\). Using the property mentioned above, for an n x n matrix A and scalar k, we have:

    \(det(kA) = k^n det A\)

  2. Now, substitute this into the original expression:

    \([k^n det A]^{-1} det A\)

  3. Recall that for any non-zero number x, \(x^{-1} = \frac{1}{x}\). Also, for any numbers a and b, \((ab)^{-1} = a^{-1} b^{-1}\). Applying this to \([k^n det A]^{-1}\):

    \([k^n det A]^{-1} = (k^n)^{-1} (det A)^{-1}\)

    Also, \((k^n)^{-1} = k^{-n}\).

    So, \([k^n det A]^{-1} = k^{-n} (det A)^{-1}\)

  4. Substitute this result back into the expression from step 2:

    \(k^{-n} (det A)^{-1} det A\)

  5. Since \(det A\) is a non-zero number (because A is invertible), the product of \((det A)^{-1}\) and \(det A\) is 1:

    \((det A)^{-1} det A = 1\)

  6. Finally, substitute 1 into the expression from step 4:

    \(k^{-n} \times 1 = k^{-n}\)

Thus, the value of the expression \([det(kA)]^{-1} det A\) is \(k^{-n}\).

Analysis of Options

Let's compare our result with the given options:

  • Option 1: \(k^{-n}\)
  • Option 2: \(k^{-1}\)
  • Option 3: \(k^n\)
  • Option 4: \(nk\)

Our calculated value, \(k^{-n}\), matches Option 1.

Expression Part Property Used Result
\(det(kA)\) \(det(kA) = k^n det A\) \(k^n det A\)
\([det(kA)]^{-1}\) \((xy)^{-1} = x^{-1}y^{-1}\) and \((a^m)^n = a^{mn}\) \((k^n det A)^{-1} = k^{-n} (det A)^{-1}\)
\([det(kA)]^{-1} det A\) \(y^{-1} y = 1\) for \(y \neq 0\) \(k^{-n} (det A)^{-1} det A = k^{-n} \times 1 = k^{-n}\)

This confirms our result that the value of \([det(kA)]^{-1} det A\) is \(k^{-n}\).

Revision Table: Determinant Properties

Property Description Formula
Determinant of Scalar Multiple If A is an n x n matrix and k is a scalar. \(det(kA) = k^n det A\)
Determinant of Inverse If A is an invertible matrix. \(det(A^{-1}) = (det A)^{-1} = \frac{1}{det A}\)
Determinant of Product If A and B are n x n matrices. \(det(AB) = det A \times det B\)
Determinant of Identity The identity matrix \(I_n\) of order n. \(det(I_n) = 1\)

Additional Information: Invertible Matrices and Determinants

A matrix A is considered invertible (or non-singular) if and only if its determinant is non-zero. That is, \(det A \neq 0\).

The determinant of a matrix is a scalar value that can be computed from the elements of a square matrix. It has many uses, including determining if a matrix is invertible, solving systems of linear equations, and finding eigenvalues.

In this problem, the fact that A is invertible is crucial because it guarantees that \(det A \neq 0\), which allows us to use the property \((det A)^{-1} det A = 1\).

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Similar Questions

  1. If Δ(a, b, c, α) = 0 for every α > 0, then which one of the following is correct ? 

  2. What are the values of x that satisfy the equation \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} x&0&2\\ {2x}&2&1\\ 1&1&1 \end{array}} \right| + \left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {3x}&0&2\\ {{x^2}}&2&1\\ 0&1&1 \end{array}} \right| = 0\;?\)

  3. If x + a + b + c = 0, then what is the value of \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {x + a}&b&c\\ a&{x + b}&c\\ a&b&{x + c} \end{array}} \right|?\)

  4. Which one of the following factors does the expansion of the determinant

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  5. If \(u, v\) and \(w\) (all positive) are the \(p^{\text{th}}, q^{\text{th}}\) and \(r^{\text{th}}\) terms of a GP, then the determinant of the matrix is \(\begin{vmatrix} \ln u & p & 1 \\ \ln v & q & 1 \\ \ln w & r & 1 \end{vmatrix}.\)

  6. Let matrix B be the adjoint of a square matrix A, l be the identify matrix of same order as A. If k (≠ 0) is the determinate of the matrix A, then what is AB equal to?

  7. What is the determinant of the matrix?

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  9. Which of the following determinants have value zero?

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    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  10. Consider the following statements in respect of the determinant \(\left| {\begin{array}{} {{{\cos }^2}\frac{\alpha }{2}}&{{{\sin }^2}\frac{\alpha }{2}}\\ {{{\sin }^2}\frac{\beta }{2}}&{{{\cos }^2}\frac{\beta }{2}} \end{array}} \right|\)

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Important Questions from Determinants

  1. Let $A$ and $B$ be two invertible matrices of order $3 \times 3$. If $\det(A^2 B (A^T)^3) = 16$ and $\det(A^3 B^{-2}) = 32$, then $\det(B^2 A^{-1} (B^T)^3)$ is equal to:

  2. The value of determinant \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {a - b - c}&{2a}&{2a}\\ {2b}&{b - c - a}&{2b}\\ {2c}&{2c}&{c - a - b} \end{array}} \right|\) is:

  3. If \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 5&a\\ a&2 \end{array}} \right| = \left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 2&1\\ 3&2 \end{array}} \right|\), then the values of a are:

  4. The value of the determinant \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\sqrt {13} + \sqrt 3 }&{2\sqrt 5 }&{\sqrt 5 }\\ {\sqrt {15} + \sqrt {26} }&5&{\sqrt {10} }\\ {3 + \sqrt {65} }&{\sqrt {15} }&5 \end{array}} \right|\) is

  5. The determinant \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {xp + y}&x&y\\ {yp + z}&y&z\\ 0&{xp + y}&{yp + z} \end{array}} \right| = 0,\) if

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