Question Details

An×n,n > 1. If (1, 0, 1, 0, 0, ..., 0) ∈ Rn belongs to the null space of A then

Options

A

|A| = 0

B

|A| = 1

C

Rank A = 1

D

There are at least 2 non zero vectors in the null space of A.

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

|A| = 0

Solution :

The correct option is:

|A| = 0

Let us understand why this option is correct by breaking down the definition of the null space of a matrix and its relation to the determinant and invertibility of the matrix.

First, recall the definition of the null space of a matrix. For an n×n matrix A, the null space (or kernel) of A, denoted by N(A), is the set of all vectors xn such that:
Ax=0
where 0 is the zero vector in n.

In this problem, we are given that a specific vector v=(1,0,1,0,0,...,0)n belongs to the null space of A.
Since v has non-zero components (specifically, the first and third components are 1), it is a non-zero vector:
v0

Because vN(A) and v0, the matrix equation Ax=0 has a non-trivial (non-zero) solution.
According to the fundamental properties of square matrices, the homogeneous system of linear equations Ax=0 has a non-trivial solution if and only if the matrix A is singular (not invertible).

A square matrix A is singular if and only if its determinant is equal to zero:
|A|=0

Therefore, since there exists a non-zero vector in the null space of A, the determinant of A must be zero, confirming that |A|=0 is the correct option.

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