GATE EC 2026 Set 1 — Question 26
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Engineering Mathematics → Linear Algebra → Determinants
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Question
Consider the matrix . Which of the following options is/ are TRUE if ?
Correct answer
(B) a = (1)/(2) and b = (1)/(2); (D) a = (1)/(2) and b = -3
Solution
To find the condition for , we first calculate the determinant of matrix :Expanding along the first row:For the matrix to be non-singular, we require , which implies .Now, let's check the given options:
(A) . (Singular)
(B) . (Non-singular, TRUE)
(C) . (Singular)
(D) . (Non-singular, TRUE)Thus, options (B) and (D) are correct.
(A) . (Singular)
(B) . (Non-singular, TRUE)
(C) . (Singular)
(D) . (Non-singular, TRUE)Thus, options (B) and (D) are correct.
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