OCR Further Pure Core 1 2019 June — Question 10

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleFurther Pure Core 1 (Further Pure Core 1)
Year2019
SessionJune
Topic3x3 Matrices

10 You are given the matrix \(\mathbf { A }\) where \(\mathbf { A } = \left( \begin{array} { l l l } a & 2 & 0
0 & a & 2
4 & 5 & 1 \end{array} \right)\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(a\), the determinant of \(\mathbf { A }\), simplifying your answer.
  2. Hence find the values of \(a\) for which \(\mathbf { A }\) is singular. You are given the following equations which are to be solved simultaneously. $$\begin{aligned} a x + 2 y & = 6
    a y + 2 z & = 8
    4 x + 5 y + z & = 16 \end{aligned}$$
  3. For each of the values of \(a\) found in part (b) determine whether the equations have
    • a unique solution, which should be found, or
    • an infinite set of solutions or
    • no solution.