The number of singular matrices of order 2, whose elements are from the set \2, 3, 6, 9\, is .
Answer
36
Solution
Let the matrix be bmatrix a & b \ c & d bmatrix, a, b, c, d \2, 3, 6, 9\ (repetition allowed).
Singular ad - bc = 0 ad = bc
Number of ordered pairs giving each product p, say N(p):
4 = 2 2: 1; 6 = 2 3: 2; 9 = 3 3: 1; 12 = 2 6: 2; 18 = 2 9 = 3 6: 4;
27 = 3 9: 2; 36 = 6 6: 1; 54 = 6 9: 2; 81 = 9 9: 1
For each p, (a, d) and (b, c) can each be chosen in N(p) ways.
number of singular matrices = N(p)2
= 1 + 4 + 1 + 4 + 16 + 4 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 36
Answer: 36