Let n > 1. Consider an n × n matrix M with its elements from R. Let the vector (0, 1, 0, 0, , 0) ∈ Rn be in the null space of M. Which of the following options is/are always correct?
Topic-wise GATE CS PYQs with verified steps
GATE CSE 2026 Set 1 · Q20
Time
Select all that applyOne or more correct
Solution
Official answer: B) Determinant of M is 0; D) There are at least two non-zero vectors in the null space of M
Linear AlgebraLet .
Determinant of : Since is a non-zero vector and , we have . This implies that the null space of has dimension at least (i.e., ). Therefore, is an eigenvalue of , which means:
Hence, (B) is correct and (A) is incorrect.
Rank of : By the Rank-Nullity Theorem, . For an arbitrary , is not necessarily . Hence, (C) is incorrect.
Vectors in the Null Space: Since is a subspace over , for any scalar , . Since contains infinitely many non-zero scalars, there exist infinitely many distinct non-zero vectors in (for example, and ). Thus, there are at least two non-zero vectors in the null space of . Hence, (D) is correct.
Therefore, the correct options are B and D.
Try the question first, then check your work.
Examiner trap
Recall that a non-trivial vector in the null space implies the matrix is singular (determinant is zero) and its null space contains all scalar multiples of that vector.
This Linear Algebra previous year question is Q20 of the GATE CSE 2026 Set 1 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Linear Algebra in Engineering Mathematics, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.
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Linear Algebra has 46 GATE CSE PYQs across 26 papers from 2011 to 2026. 2 of them are 1-mark MSQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2026 Set 1 has 2.
How GATE tests Linear AlgebraIndependent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.