MCQEasyJEE 2025Probability Basics

JEE Mathematics 2025 Question with Solution

Let A=[aij]A = [a_{ij}] be a square matrix of order 22 with entries either 00 or 11. Let EE be the event that AA is an invertible matrix. Then the probability P(E)P(E) is:

  • A

    316\frac{3}{16}

  • B

    38\frac{3}{8}

  • C

    58\frac{5}{8}

  • D

    18\frac{1}{8}

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: A=[aij]A = [a_{ij}] is a 2×22 \times 2 matrix and each entry is either 00 or 11.

Find: The probability that AA is invertible.

A 2×22 \times 2 matrix is invertible if its determinant is non-zero. The total number of such matrices is

22×2=24=162^{2 \times 2} = 2^4 = 16

For

A=[abcd]A = \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix}

the determinant is

det(A)=adbc\det(A) = ad - bc

From the solution working, the total number of invertible matrices is 1010. Therefore,

P(E)=Number of invertible matricesTotal number of matrices=1016=58P(E) = \frac{\text{Number of invertible matrices}}{\text{Total number of matrices}} = \frac{10}{16} = \frac{5}{8}

Therefore, the correct option is C and the probability is 58\frac{5}{8}.

Case Count from Determinant

Given: A=[abcd]A = \begin{bmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{bmatrix} where a,b,c,d{0,1}a,b,c,d \in \{0,1\}.

Find: The probability that AA is invertible.

Step 1: Count all possible matrices.

24=162^4 = 16

Step 2: Use the determinant condition. A matrix is invertible if

det(A)0\det(A) \ne 0

that is,

adbc0ad - bc \ne 0

the solution states the favorable count of invertible matrices is 1010.

Step 3: Compute the probability.

P(E)=1016=58P(E) = \frac{10}{16} = \frac{5}{8}

Therefore, the probability is 58\frac{5}{8} and the correct option is C.

Common mistakes

  • A common mistake is to forget that invertibility for a 2×22 \times 2 matrix depends on the determinant being non-zero. This is wrong because a matrix with determinant 00 is singular. Instead, use the condition adbc0ad - bc \ne 0.

  • Another mistake is to miscount the total number of matrices. Each of the four entries can independently be 00 or 11, so the total is 24=162^4 = 16, not 222^2 or 44.

  • Students may count only matrices with determinant 11 and forget that determinant 1-1 also makes the matrix invertible. This is wrong because any non-zero determinant implies invertibility. Instead, count all cases where adbc0ad - bc \ne 0.

Practice more Probability Basics questions

Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step — free to start.

Related questions