Question 20

Mathematics Determinants Medium

The number of values of \( \theta \) in the interval \( [0,2\pi] \) for which the following homogeneous system of equations has a non-trivial solution is \[ \begin{cases} x + (\sin \theta)y + (\cos \theta)z = 0 \\ x + (\cos \theta)y + (\sin \theta)z = 0 \\ x - (\sin \theta)y - (\cos \theta)z = 0 \end{cases} \]

(A) 0
(B) 2
(C) 4
(D) 6
✓ Correct Answer: Option C Verified Solution

📘 Step-by-Step Solution & Detailed Explanation:

For a homogeneous system of equations to have a non-trivial solution, the determinant of the coefficient matrix must be zero.\n\n\[ \begin{vmatrix} 1 & \sin\theta & \cos\theta \\ 1 & \cos\theta & \sin\theta \\ 1 & -\sin\theta & -\cos\theta \end{vmatrix} = 0 \]\n\nExpanding the determinant along the first column:\n\[ 1(-\cos^2\theta + \sin^2\theta) - 1(-\sin\theta\cos\theta + \sin\theta\cos\theta) + 1(\sin^2\theta - \cos^2\theta) = 0 \]\n\[ -\cos 2\theta - 0 - \cos 2\theta = 0 \]\n\[ -2\cos 2\theta = 0 \]\n\[ \cos 2\theta = 0 \]\n\nSince \( \theta \in [0, 2\pi] \), \( 2\theta \in [0, 4\pi] \).\nThe solutions for \( 2\theta \) are \( \frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{3\pi}{2}, \frac{5\pi}{2}, \frac{7\pi}{2} \).\n\nThus, \( \theta = \frac{\pi}{4}, \frac{3\pi}{4}, \frac{5\pi}{4}, \frac{7\pi}{4} \).\n\nThere are 4 values of \( \theta \).

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