VINOD YADAV MATHEMATICS

JEE-Mathematics

DETERMINANT
1. INTRODUCTION :
If the equations a1x + b 1 = 0, a2x + b 2 = 0 are satisfied by the same value of x, then a1b 2 – a2 b 1 = 0. The
expression a1b2 – a2b1 is called a determinant of the second order, and is denoted by :
a1 b1
a2 b2
A determinant of second order consists of two rows and two columns.
Next consider the system of equations a1x + b1y + c1 = 0, a2x + b2y + c2 = 0, a3x + b3y + c3 = 0
If these equations are satisfied by the same values of x and y, then on eliminating x and y we get.
a1(b2c3 – b3c2) + b1(c2a3 – c3a2) + c1(a2b3 – a3b2) = 0
The expression on the left is called a determinant of the third order, and is denoted by
a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c2
a3 b3 c3
A determinant of third order consists of three rows and three columns.

Illustration 1 : Eliminate , m, n from the equations a + cm + bn = 0, c + bm + an = 0, b + am + cn = 0

and express the result in the simplest form.
Solution : The given set of equations can also be written as (if n  0) :
 m   m   m 
a   c   b  0 ; c   b   a  0 ; b  a  c  0
n
  n  n  n  n n 
 m
Then, let x; y
n n
 System of equations :
ax + cy + b = 0 ...(i)
cx + by + a = 0 ...(ii)
bx + ay + c = 0 ...(iii)
We have to eliminate x & y from these simultaneous linear equations.
Since these equations are satisfied by the same values of x and y, then eliminating x
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and y we get,
a c b
c b a 0
b a c

2. VALUE OF A DETERMINANT :
a1 b1 c1
D  a2 b2 c2  a1 b2 c2 a
 b1 2
c2 a
 c1 2
b2
a3 b3 c3 b3 c3 a3 c3 a3 b 3 = a1(b2c3 – b3c2) – b1(a2c3 – a3c2) + c1(a2b3 – a3b2)

Note : Sarrus diagram to get the value of determinant of order three :

–ve –ve –ve
a1 b1 c1 a1 b1 c1 a1 b1
D  a2 b2 c 2 = a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 = (a1b 2c 3 + a2b3c 1 +a3b1c 2) – (a3b2c 1 + a2b 1 c3 + a1b 3c 2)
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3 a3 b3
+ve +ve +ve
Note that the product of the terms in first bracket (i.e. a1a2a3b1b 2b3c 1c2c 3) is same as the product of the terms
in second bracket.
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1 2 3
Illustration 2 : The value of 4 3 6 is -
2 7 9

(A) 213 (B) – 231 (C) 231 (D) 39

1 2 3
3 6 4 6 4 3
Solution : 4 3 6 =1 –2 3
7 9 2 9 2 7
2 7 9

= (27 + 42) – 2 (–36 –12) + 3 (28 – 6) = 231

Alternative : By sarrus diagram

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2
4 3 6 = 4 3 6 4 3
2 7 9 2 7 9 2  7

= (27 + 24 + 84) – (18 – 42 – 72)= 135 – (18 – 114) = 231 Ans. (C)

3. MINORS & COFACTORS :

The minor of a given element of determinant is the determinant obtained by deleting the row & the column in
which the given element stands.

a1 b1 c1
b2 c2 a1 c1
For example, the minor of a1 in a2 b2 c2 is & the minor of b2 is .
b3 c3 a3 c3
a3 b3 c3

Hence a determinant of order three will have “9 minors”.

If Mij represents the minor of the element belonging to ith row and jth column then the cofactor of that element is

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given by : Cij = (–1)i + j. Mij

2 3 1
Illustration 3 : Find the minors and cofactors of elements '–3', '5', '–1' & '7' in the determinant 4 0 5
1 6 7

4 5
Solution : Minor of –3 =
1 7
= 33 ; Cofactor of – 3 = –33

2 3
Minor of 5 =  9 ; Cofactor of 5 = –9
1 6

3 1
Minor of –1 =  15 ; Cofactor of –1 = –15
0 5

2 3
Minor of 7 =  12 ; Cofactor of 7 = 12
4 0

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4. EXPANSION OF A DETERMINANT IN TERMS OF THE ELEMENTS OF AN Y ROW OR COLUMN :

a1 b1 c1
Let D = a2 b2 c2
a3 b3 c3

(i) The sum of the product of elements of any row (column) with their corresponding cofactors is always equal
to the value of the determinant.
D can be expressed in any of the six forms :
a 1 A 1 + b 1 B 1 + c 1C 1 , a 1A 1 + a 2 A 2 + a 3 A 3 ,
a2 A 2 + b 2 B2 + c 2 C 2 , b 1B 1 + b 2 B 2 + b 3 B 3 ,
a3 A 3 + b 3 B3 + c 3 C 3 , c 1C 1 + c 2C 2 + c 3C 3 ,
where Ai,Bi & Ci (i = 1,2,3) denote cofactors of ai,bi & ci respectively.
(ii) The sum of the product of elements of any row (column) with the cofactors of other row (column) is always
equal to zero.
Hence,
a2A1 + b 2B 1 + c 2C1 = 0,
b1A1 + b2A2 + b3A3 = 0 and so on.
where Ai,Bi & Ci (i = 1,2,3) denote cofactors of ai,bi & ci respectively.

Do yourself -1 :
2 1 3
(i) Find minors & cofactors of elements '6', '5', '0' & '4' of the determinant 6 5 7 .
3 0 4
5 3 7
(ii) Calculate the value of the determinant 2 4 8
9 3 10
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a b 0
(i i i ) The value of the determinant 0 a b is equal to -
b 0 a

(A) a3 – b3 (B) a3 + b3 (C) 0 (D) none of these

1 2 0
(iv) Find the value of 'k', if 2 3 1  4
3 k 2
1 z y
(v) Prove that z 1 x  1  x2  y 2  z2
y x 1

5. PROPERTIES OF DETERMINANTS :
(a) The value of a determinant remains unaltered, if the rows & columns are inter-changed,

a 1 b1 c 1 a1 a 2 a 3
e.g. if D  a 2 b 2 c 2  b1 b 2 b 3
a3 b3 c3 c1 c 2 c 3

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(b) If any two rows (or columns) of a determinant be interchanged, the value of determinant is changed in sign
only. e.g.

a 1 b1 c1 a 2 b2 c2
Let D  a 2 b2 c2 & D 1  a 1 b1 c1 Then D1 = – D.
a 3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

(c) If all the elements of a row (or column) are zero, then the value of the determinant is zero.
(d) If all the elements of any row (or column) are multiplied by the same number, then the determinant is
multiplied by that number.

a1 b1 c1 Ka 1 Kb1 Kc1
e.g. If D = a 2 b2 c2 and D1 = a 2 b2 c 2 Then D = KD
1
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

(e) If all the elements of a row (or column) are proportional (or identical) to the element of any other row,
then the determinant vanishes, i.e. its value is zero.

a1 b1 c1 a1 b1 c1
e.g. If D = a 1 b1 c1  D = 0 ; If D 1  ka 1 kb1 kc 1  D 1  0
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

a b c y b q
Illustration 4 : Prove that x y z  x a p
p q r z c r

a b c a x p
Solution : D = x y z = b y q (By interchanging rows & columns)
p q r c z r

x a p

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= y b q (C1  C2)
z c r

y b q
= x a p (R1  R2)
z c r

a2 ab ac
Illustration 5 : Find the value of the determinant ab b2 bc
ac bc c2

a2 ab ac a b c a b c
2 2
Solution : D = ab b bc = a ab b bc = abc a b c = 0
2
ac bc c ac bc c2 a b c

Since all rows are same, hence value of the determinant is zero.

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Do yourself -2 :

a p  r n c
(i) Without expanding the determinant prove that b q m  q m b 0
c r n p  a

  2  2
(ii) If D  , then is equal to -
  2  2
(A) D (B) 2D (C) 4D (D) 16D

p q r
(i i i ) If D  x y z , then KD is equal to -
 m n

Kp q r p q r p Kx  Kp Kx K 
(A) x Ky z (B) x y z (C) q Ky m (D) Kq Ky Km
 m Kn K  Km Kn r Kz n Kr Kz Kn

(f) If each element of any row (or column) is expressed as a sum of two (or more) terms, then the determinant
can be expressed as the sum of two (or more) determinants.
a1  x b1  y c1  z a1 b1 c1 x y z
e.g. a 2 b2 c2  a2 b2 c2  a2 b2 c2
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

ƒ(r) g(r) h(r)

Note that : If Dr  a b c
a1 b1 c1
where r  N and a,b,c, a1, b1,c1 are constants, then
n n n
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 ƒ(r)  g(r )  h(r)

r 1 r 1 r 1
n

Dr 
r 1
a b c
a1 b1 c1
(g) Row - column operation : The value of a determinant remains unaltered under a column (C i) operation
of the form Ci  Ci + Cj + Ck (j, k  i) or row (Ri) operation of the form Ri  Ri + Rj + Rk (j, k  i).
In other words, the value of a determinant is not altered by adding the elements of any row (or column) to
the same multiples of the corresponding elements of any other row (or column)
a1 b1 c1
e.g. Let D = a2 b2 c2
a3 b3 c3

a 1  a 2 b1  b 2 c 1  c 2
D= a2 b2 c2 (R1  R1 + R2; R3  R3 + R2)
a 3  a1 b 3  b1 c 3   c1
Note : (i) By using the operation Ri  xRi + yRj + zRk (j, k  i), the value of the determinant becomes x
times the original one.
(ii) While applying this property ATLEAST ONE ROW (OR COLUMN) must remain unchanged.
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r r3 2 n

Illustration 6 : If D r  n n3 2n , find D
r 0
r .
2
n(n  1)  n(n  1) 
 2  2(n  1)
2  

n n n 2
n(n  1)  n(n  1) 
r r3 2 2   2(n  1)
n r 0 r 0 r 0  2 
Solution : D r  n n3 2n  n n3 2n = 0 Ans.
r 0 2 2
n(n  1)  n(n  1)  n(n  1)  n(n  1) 
 2  2(n  1)   2(n  1)
2   2  2 

a b c 2a 2a
2b b c a 2b  (a  b  c) 3
Illustration 7 : Prove that
2c 2c c a b

a b c 2a 2a
Solution : D 2b b c a 2b
2c 2c c a b

a bc a bc a bc

D 2b b c a 2b (R1  R1 + R2 + R3)
2c 2c c a b

1 1 1
D  (a  b  c) 2b b  c  a 2b
2c 2c c a b

1 0 0
D  (a  b  c) 2b (a  b  c) 0
(C3 C3 – C1 ; C2  C2 – C1)

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2c 0 (a  b  c)
D = (a + b + c)3
a  b  nc (n  1)a (n  1)b
Illustration 8 : Determinant (n  1)c b  c  na (n  1)b is equal to -
(n  1)c (n  1)a c  a  nb

(A) (a + b + c)3 (B) n (a + b + c)3 (C) (n – 1) (a + b + c)3 (D) none of these

Solution : Applying C1  C1 + (C2 + C3)

1 (n  1)a (n  1)b
D = n(a + b + c) 1 b  c  na (n  1)b
1 (n  1)a c  a  nb

1 (n  1)a (n  1)b
R 2  R 2  R 1 
D = n(a + b + c) 0 abc 0  
R 3  R 3  R 1 
0 0 abc

= n(a + b + c)3 Ans. (B)

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32  k 42 32  3  k
Illustration 9 : If 42  k 52 42  4  k = 0, then the value of k is-
52  k 62 52  5  k

(A) 2 (B) 1 (C) –1 (D) 0

Solution : Applying (C3  C3 – C1)

32  k 42 3
D  42  k 52 4 0
52  k 62 5

9  k 16 3
 7 9 1 0 (R3  R3 – R2; R2  R2 – R1)
9 11 1
k – 1 = 0  k = 1 Ans. (B)

Do yourself - 3 :

x 2 0
53 106 159
2x 5 1  0
(i) Find the value of 52 65 91 . (ii) Solve for x :
5x 1 2
102 153 221
(i i i ) Using row-column operations prove that

xa xb xc 1 bc a(b  c)

(a) ya yb yc = 0 (b) 1 ca b(c  a)  0
za zb zc 1 ab c(a  b)

2r 1 n n
(iv) If Dr = 1 2 3 , then find the value of  Dr .
r 1
3 2 1
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(h) Factor theorem : If the elements of a determinant D are rational integral functions of x and two rows
(or columns) become identical when x = a then (x – a) is a factor of D.
Note that if r rows become identical when a is substituted for x, then (x – a)r–1 is a factor of D.

a a x
Illustration 10 : Prove that m m m  m (x  a)(x  b)
b x b

Solution : Using factor theorem,

Put x = a

a a a
D = m m m = 0
b a b

Since R1 and R2 are proportional which makes D = 0, therefore (x – a) is a factor of D.

Similarly, by putting x = b, D becomes zero, therefore (x – b) is a factor of D.
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a a x
D = m m m   (x  a)(x  b) ..........(i)
b x b

To get the value of  put x = 0 in equation (i)

a a 0
m m m  ab
b 0 b

amb = ab   = m
 D = m(x – a)(x – b)

(x  a) 2 (x  b)2 (x  c) 2
Illustration 11 : Prove that (y  a) 2 (y  b) 2 (y  c) 2 = 2(x – y) (y – z) (z – x) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a)
(z  a) 2 (z  b) 2 (z  c)2

(x  a) 2 (x  b)2 (x  c) 2
2 2
Solution : D = (y  a) (y  b) (y  c) 2
(z  a) 2 (z  b) 2 (z  c)2

Using factor theorem,

Put x = y

(y  a) 2 (y  b)2 (y  c)2
2 2
D  (y  a) (y  b) (y  c)2
(z  a ) 2 (z  b) 2 (z  c) 2

R1 and R2 are identical which makes D = 0. Therefore, (x–y) is a factor of D.

Similarly (y – z) & (z – x) are factors of D

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Now put a = b

(x  b)2 (x  b) 2 (x  c) 2
D  (y  b) 2 (y  b)2 (y  c) 2
(z  b)2 (z  b)2 (z  c) 2

C1 and C2 become identical which makes D = 0. Therefore, (a–b) is a factor of D.

Similarly (b–c) and (c–a) are factors of D.
Therefore, D = (x – y) (y – z) (z – x) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a)
To get the value of  put x = –1 = a, y = 0 = b and z = 1 = c

0 1 4
D  1 0 1  ( 1)( 1)(2)( 1)( 1)(2)
4 1 0

 4 = 8   = 2

 D = 2(x – y) (y – z) (z – x) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a)

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Do yourself - 4 :

1 a bc
(i) Without expanding the determinant prove that 1 b ca  (a  b)(b  c)(c  a)
1 c ab

1 4 20
(ii) Using factor theorem, find the solution set of the equation 1 2 5 0
2
1 2x 5x

6. MULTIPLICATION OF T WO DETERMINANTS :

a 1 b1 l1 m1 a 1 l1  b1 l2 a 1 m 1  b1 m 2
 
a 2 b2 l2 m2 a 2 l1  b 2 l2 a 2 m 1  b2 m 2

Similarly two determinants of order three are multiplied.

(a) Here we have multiplied row by column. We can also multiply row by row, column by row and column by
column.

(b) If D 1 is the determinant formed by replacing the elements of determinant D of order n by their
corresponding cofactors then D1 = Dn–1

(a  x)2 (b  x)2 (c  x)2 (1  ax)2 (1  bx)2 (1  cx)2

Illustration 12 : If a, b, c x, y, z  R, then prove that (a  y )2 (b  y )2 (c  y )2  (1  ay )2 (1  by )2 (1  cy )2
(a  z)2 (b  z)2 (c  z)2 (1  az)2 (1  bz)2 (1  cz)2

(a  x)2 (b  x)2 (c  x)2 a 2  2ax  x 2 b 2  2bx  x 2 c 2  2cx  x 2

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2 2
Solution : L.H.S. = (a  y)
2
(b  y)2 (c  y)2  a  2ay  y b 2  2by  y 2 c 2  2cy  y 2
(a  z)2 (b  z)2 (c  z)2 a 2  2az  z 2 b 2  2bz  z 2 c 2  2az  z 2

1 x x2 a2 2a 1
2 2
= 1 y y b 2b 1 (Row by Row)
1 z z2 c2 2c 1

1 x x2 a2 2a 1
= 1 y y  ( 1) b 2
2
2b 1
1 z z2 c2 2c 1

1 x x2 1 2a a 2
= 1 y y 2  ( 1)( 1) 1 2b b 2 (C1  C3)
1 z z2 1 2c c 2

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1 x x 2 1 2a a 2
1 y y 2  1 2b b 2
1 z z 2 1 2c c 2

Multiplying row by row

1  2ax  a 2 x 2 1  2bx  b 2 x 2 1  2cx  c 2 x 2

1  2ay  a 2 y 2 1  2by  b 2 y 2 1  2cy  c 2 y 2
=
1  2az  a 2 z 2 1  2bz  b 2 z 2 1  2cz  c 2 z 2

(1  ax)2 (1  bx) 2 (1  cx) 2

 (1  ay) 2 (1  by)2 (1  cy )2
(1  az)2 (1  bz)2 (1  cz)2

= R.H.S.

Illustration 13 : Let   be the roots of equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 and Sn = n + n for n  1. Evaluate the value
3 1  S1 1  S2
of the determinant 1  S1 1  S2 1  S3 .
1  S2 1  S3 1  S4

3 1  S1 1  S2 1 1 1 1 1  2  2
Solution : D = 1  S1 1  S2 1  S3 = 1     1  2  2 1  3  3
1  S2 1  S3 1  S4 1  2  2 1  3  3 1   4  4

2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2
= 1    1   = 1   =[(1 – )(1 – )( – )]2
1  2 1 2 2 1  2

D = ()2 ( 1)2

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    are roots of the equation ax 2
+ bx + c = 0

b c b 2  4ac
   &      
a a a

2
(b 2  4ac)  a  b  c  (b 2  4ac)(a  b  c)2
D =   = Ans.
a2  a  a4

y 5 z 6 (z 3  y 3 ) x 4 z 6 (x 3  z 3 ) x 4 y 5 (y 3  x 3 ) x y2 z3
4
2 3 6 6 3 6 6 2
Illustration 14 : If D 1  y z (y  z ) xz (z  x ) xy (x  y ) and D 2  x 6 6
y5 z 6 . Then D1D2 is equal to -
y 2 z 3 (z 3  y 3 ) xz 3 (x 3  z 3 ) xy 2 (y 3  x 3 ) x7 y8 z9

(A) D 23 (B) D 22 (C) D 24 (D) none of these

Solution : The given determinant D1 is obtained by corresponding cofactors of determinant D2.

Hence D1 = D22  D 1 D 2  D 22 D 2  D 23 Ans. (A)

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Do yourself - 5 :

1 1 1 1 0 0
2 2
(i) If the determinant D =       2  and D 1  0   , then find the determinant D2
2 2
 2    0  
D
such that D2 = .
D1

ab 2  ac 2 bc 2  a 2 b a 2 c  b 2 c 1 1 1
(ii) If D 1  ac  ab ab  bc bc  ac & D 2  a b c , then D1D2 is equal to -
cb a c b a bc ac ab

(A) 0 (B) D12 (C) D 22 (D) D 23

7. SPECIAL DETERMINANTS :
(a) Cyclic Determinant :
The elements of the rows (or columns) are in cyclic arrangement.

a b c
b c a  (a 3  b 3  c 3  3abc) = –(a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ac)
c a b

1
  (a  b  c) {(a  b) 2  (b  c)2  (c  a)2 }
2
= – (a + b + c) (a + b + c2) (a + b2 + c), where  ,2 are cube roots of unity

(b) Other Important Determinants :

0 b c
(i) b 0 a 0
c a 0
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1 1 1 1 1 1
(ii) a b c  a b c  (a  b)(b  c)(c  a)
2 2 2
bc ac ab a b c

1 1 1
(iii) a b c  (a  b)(b  c)(c  a)(a  b  c)
3 3 3
a b c

1 1 1
2 2
(iv) a b c2  (a  b) (b  c)(c  a ) (ab  bc  ca )
3 3 3
a b c

1 1 1
(v) a b c  (a  b) (b  c) (c  a) (a 2  b 2  c 2  ab  bc  ca)
a4 b4 c4

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1  2
Illustration 15 : Prove that  2 1 = –(1– 3)2.
2 1 

Solution : This is a cyclic determinant.

1  2
  2 1 = – (1 + 2)(1 + 2 + 4 –  – 2 – 3)
2 1 

= – (1 +  + 2)(– + 1 – 3 + 4) = – (1 +  + 2)(1 – )2(1 +  + 2)

= – (1 – )2(1 +  + 2)2 = –(1 – 3)2

Do yourself - 6 :

ka k2  a2 1
2 2
(i) The value of the determinant kb k  b 1 is
kc k 2  c2 1

(A) k(a + b)(b + c)(c + a) (B) kabc(a2 + b 2 + c2)

(C) k(a – b)(b – c)(c – a) (D) k(a + b – c)(b + c – a)(c + a – b)

a2  b2 a2  c2 a2  c2
(ii) Find the value of the determinant a 2 0 c2  a2 .
b2 c 2 b2

a b c
(i i i ) Prove that bc ca ab  (a  b  c)(a  b)(b  c)(c  a)
bc ca ab

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8. CR A MER'S RULE (SYSTEM OF LINE AR EQUATIONS) :

Simultaneous linear equations

Consistent Inconsistent
(at least one solution) (no solution)

Exactly one solution Infinite solutions

or
Unique solution

Trivial solution Non trivial solution

All variable At least one

zero is the non zero variable
only solution satisfies the system

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(a) Equations involving two variables :

(i) Consistent Equations : Definite & unique solution (Intersecting lines)
(ii) Inconsistent Equations : No solution (Parallel lines)
(iii) Dependent Equations : Infinite solutions (Identical lines)
Let, a1x + b1y + c1 = 0
a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 then :

a 1 b1
(1)   Given equations are consistent with unique solution
a 2 b2

a 1 b1 c 1
(2)    Given equations are inconsistent
a 2 b2 c2

a 1 b1 c 1
(3)    Given equations are consistent with infinite solutions
a 2 b2 c2

(b) Equations Involving Three variables :

Let a1x + b1y + c1z = d1 ............ (i)

a2x + b2y + c2z = d2 ............ (ii)

a3x + b3y + c3z = d3 ............ (iii)

D1 D2 D3
Then, x = , y = , z = .
D D D

a1 b1 c1 d1 b1 c1 a1 d1 c1 a1 b1 d1
Where D = a 2 b2 c 2 ; D1 = d 2 b2 c2 ; D2 = a 2 d2 c2 & D3 = a 2 b2 d2
a3 b3 c3 d3 b3 c3 a3 d3 c3 a3 b3 d3

Note :
(i) If D  0 and atleast one of D1 , D2 , D3  0, then the given system of equations is consistent
and has unique non trivial solution.
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(ii) If D  0 & D1 = D2 = D3 = 0, then the given system of equations is consistent and has trivial
solution only.
(iii) If D = D1 = D2 = D3 = 0, then the given system of equations is consistent and has infinite solutions.

a 1 x  b1 y  c 1 z  d 1 

Note that In case a 1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 2  (Atleast two of d1 , d2 & d3 are not equal)
a 1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d 3 

D = D 1 = D 2 = D 3 = 0. But these three equations represent three parallel planes. Hence the
system is inconsistent.
(iv) If D = 0 but atleast one of D1, D2, D3 is not zero then the equations are inconsistent and have
no solution.

(c) Homogeneous system of linear equations :

Let a1x + b1y + c1z = 0 ............ (i)
a2x + b2y + c2z = 0 ............ (ii)
a3x + b3y + c3z = 0 ............ (iii)
 D1 = D2 = D3 = 0

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 The system always possesses atleast one solution x = 0, y = 0, z = 0, which is called Trivial
solution, i.e. this system is always consistent.
Check value of D

D 0  D=0

Unique Trivial solution Trivial & Non-Trivial solutions (infinite solutions)
Note that if a given system of linear equations has Only Zero solutions for all its variables then the given
equations are said to have TRIVIAL SOLUTION.
Also, note that if the system of equations a1x + b1y + c1 = 0; a2x + b2y + c2 = 0; a3x + b3y + c3 = 0

a1 b1 c1
is always consistent then a 2 b2 c2  0 but converse is NOT true.
a3 b3 c3

9. APPLICATION OF DETERMINANTS IN GEOMETRY :

(a) The lines : a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 ........ (i)
a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 ........ (ii)
a3x + b3y + c3 = 0 ........ (iii)
a1 b1 c1
are concurrent if a2 b2 c 2 = 0.
a3 b3 c3
This is the condition for consistency of three simultaneous linear equations in 2 variables.
(b) Equation ax² + 2 hxy + by² + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0 represents a pair of straight lines if :
a h g
abc + 2 fgh  af²  bg²  ch² = 0 = h b f
g f c

x1 y1 1
1
(c) Area of a triangle whose vertices are (xr , yr) ; r = 1 , 2 , 3 is D = x2 y2 1

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2
x3 y3 1
If D = 0 then the three points are collinear.
x y 1
(d) Equation of a straight line passing through points (x1 , y1) & (x2 , y2) is x1 y1 1 = 0
x2 y2 1

Illustration 16 : Find the nature of solution for the given system of equations :
x + 2y + 3z = 1; 2x + 3y + 4z = 3; 3x + 4y + 5z = 0
1 2 3
Solution : D = 2 3 4 = 0
3 4 5

1 2 3
Now, D1 = 3 3 4 = 5
0 4 5
 D = 0 but D1  0
Hence no solution. Ans.

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Illustration 17 : Find the value of , if the following equations are consistent :

x + y – 3 = 0; (1 + )x + (2 + )y – 8 = 0; x – (1 + )y + (2 + ) = 0
Solution : The given equations in two unknowns are consistent, then  = 0
1 1 3
1 2 8  0
i.e.
1 (1   ) 2  
Applying C2  C2 – C1 and C3  C3 + 3C1

1 0 0
1 1 3  5  0

1 2   5 

 (5  )  (3   5)( 2   )  0  3 2  2   5  0

   1,  5 / 3

Illustration 18 : If the system of equations x + y + 1 = 0, x + y + 1 = 0 & x + y +  = 0. is consistent then find

the value of .
Solution : For consistency of the given system of equations

1  1
D   1 1 0
1 1 

 3 = 1 + 1 + 3 or 3 – 3 + 2 = 0  (–1)2 ( + 2) = 0   = 1 or  =–2 Ans.

Illustration 19 : If x, y, z are not all simultaneously equal to zero, satisfying the system of equations

sin(3) x – y + z = 0; cos(2)x + 4y + 3z = 0; 2x + 7y + 7z = 0, then find the values of (0    2 ) .

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Solution : Given system of equations is a system of homogeneous linear equations which posses non-zero
solution set, therefore D = 0.

sin 3  1 0
sin3  1 1
cos 2  4 7
 D = cos 2  4 3  D = (C3  C3 + C2)
2 7 14
2 7 7

sin 3  1 0
R3
D = cos 2   1 0.5 0 (R2  R2 – )
2
2 7 14

 sin 3  
D = 14   cos 2   1 
 2 

 D = 0
 sin3 + 2cos2 – 2 = 0
 3sin – 4sin3 = 4sin2  (sin)(4sin2 + 4sin – 3) = 0

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1 3
 (sin)(2sin – 1)(2sin + 3) = 0  sin = 0 ; sin   ; sin  = –
2 2

1  5 3
sin = 0   = 0, , 2; sin    , ; sin     no solution.
2 6 6 2

 5
   0, , , , 2  Ans.
6 6

Do yourself -7 :
(i) Find nature of solution for given system of equations
2x + y + z = 3; x + 2y + z = 4 ; 3x + z = 2
(ii) If the system of equations x + y + z = 2, 2x + y – z = 3 & 3x + 2y + kz = 4 has a unique solution then
(A) k  0 (B) –1 < k < 1 (C) –2 < k < 1 (D) k = 0
(i i i ) The system of equations x + y + z = 0, –x + y + z = 0 = 0 & –x – y + z = 0 has a non-trivial solution,
then possible values of  are -
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) –3 (D) 3

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ANSWERS FOR DO YOURSELF

1. (i) minors : 4, –1, –4, 4 ; cofactors : –4, –1, 4, 4 ( i i ) –9 8 (i i i ) B (iv) 0
2. (ii) C (i i i ) B,C
3. (i) 0 (ii) 2 (iv) 0
4. (ii) x = –1, 2

1 1 1
5. (i) 1   (ii) D
1  
6. (i) C (ii) 0
7. (i) infinite solutions (ii) A (iii) A

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