MCQMediumJEE 2025Solving Linear Equations (Matrix Method)

JEE Mathematics 2025 Question with Solution

If the system of equation 2x+λy+3z=52x + \lambda y + 3z = 5 3x+2yz=73x + 2y - z = 7 4x+5y+μz=94x + 5y + \mu z = 9 has infinitely many solutions, then λ2+μ2\lambda^2 + \mu^2 is equal to:

  • A

    2222

  • B

    1818

  • C

    2626

  • D

    3030

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given:

2x+λy+3z=53x+2yz=74x+5y+μz=9\begin{aligned} 2x + \lambda y + 3z &= 5 \\ 3x + 2y - z &= 7 \\ 4x + 5y + \mu z &= 9 \end{aligned}

Find: λ2+μ2\lambda^2 + \mu^2 when the system has infinitely many solutions.

For infinitely many solutions, the determinants must satisfy Δ=0\Delta = 0 and Δz=0\Delta_z = 0.

The coefficient determinant is

Δ=2λ332145μ=0\Delta = \begin{vmatrix} 2 & \lambda & 3 \\ 3 & 2 & -1 \\ 4 & 5 & \mu \end{vmatrix} = 0

Expanding along the first row,

2(2μ(5))λ(3μ(4))+3(158)=02(2\mu - (-5)) - \lambda(3\mu - (-4)) + 3(15 - 8) = 0 2(2μ+5)λ(3μ+4)+21=02(2\mu + 5) - \lambda(3\mu + 4) + 21 = 0 4μ+103λμ4λ+21=04\mu + 10 - 3\lambda\mu - 4\lambda + 21 = 0 4μ4λ3λμ+31=04\mu - 4\lambda - 3\lambda\mu + 31 = 0

Using $$\Delta_z = 0$$ to find the parameters

Now compute

Δz=2λ5327459=0\Delta_z = \begin{vmatrix} 2 & \lambda & 5 \\ 3 & 2 & 7 \\ 4 & 5 & 9 \end{vmatrix} = 0

Expanding along the first row,

2(2975)λ(3974)+5(3524)=02(2 \cdot 9 - 7 \cdot 5) - \lambda(3 \cdot 9 - 7 \cdot 4) + 5(3 \cdot 5 - 2 \cdot 4) = 0 2(1835)λ(2728)+5(158)=02(18 - 35) - \lambda(27 - 28) + 5(15 - 8) = 0 2(17)λ(1)+5(7)=02(-17) - \lambda(-1) + 5(7) = 0 34+λ+35=0-34 + \lambda + 35 = 0 λ=1\lambda = -1

Substitute and conclude

Substitute λ=1\lambda = -1 into

4μ4λ3λμ+31=04\mu - 4\lambda - 3\lambda\mu + 31 = 0

Then

4μ4(1)3(1)μ+31=04\mu - 4(-1) - 3(-1)\mu + 31 = 0 4μ+4+3μ+31=04\mu + 4 + 3\mu + 31 = 0 7μ+35=07\mu + 35 = 0 μ=5\mu = -5

Therefore,

λ2+μ2=(1)2+(5)2=1+25=26\lambda^2 + \mu^2 = (-1)^2 + (-5)^2 = 1 + 25 = 26

The correct option is C.

Common mistakes

  • Setting only Δ=0\Delta = 0 is not sufficient for infinitely many solutions. That condition gives a singular system, but consistency must also be checked using determinants like Δz\Delta_z. Use both conditions, not only the coefficient determinant.

  • Making an error while expanding the determinant is common, especially with the minus sign in the middle term. In the cofactor expansion, the term involving λ\lambda carries a negative sign. Keep the cofactor signs as +,,++,-,+.

  • After finding λ=1\lambda = -1, students may substitute it incorrectly into 4μ4λ3λμ+31=04\mu - 4\lambda - 3\lambda\mu + 31 = 0. Carefully replace both occurrences of λ\lambda by 1-1 before simplifying.

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