DETERMINANTS

Total No.of questions in Determinants are -

In Chapter Examples.............................................................. 15
Solved Examples ................................................................... 14

Total No. of questions .......................................................... 29

 determinant. The value of the determinant is
1. DEFINITION
defined as
We know how to solve an equation of the type a1 b1
b = a1 b2 – a2 b1
ax + b = 0. This has the solution x = – a2 b2
a
provided a  0. Now consider the two equation of The expanded form of determinant has 2! terms.
this type (ii) The 9 numbers ar, br, cr (r = 1, 2, 3) arranged
ax + b = 0 ...(i) a1 b1 c1
cx + d = 0 ...(ii) a2 b2 c2
as is determinant of third order..
If these two equations are satisfied by the same a3 b3 c3
value of x, they are said to be consistent. i.e. Take any row (or column) ; the value of the
b d determinant is the sum of products of the
If – = –
a c elements of the row (or column) and the
if ad = bc corresponding determinant obtained by omitting
if ad – bc = 0 the row and the column of the element with a
proper sign, given by the rule (–1)r+s, where r
The expression ad – bc is called the eliminant and s are the number of rows and the number of
for the equations (i) and (ii). If we write the column respectively of the element of the row (or
coefficient of the equations in the following the column) chosen
a b Thus
way , then such an arrangement is called
c d
a determinant of order 2 and its value is defined a1 b1 c1
to be ad – bc which is our eliminant, a2 b2 c2 =
a3 b3 c3
Thus
A determinant is a special kind of symbol used
into determine certain properties of systems of b2 c2 a2 c2 a2 b2
equations and functions. Many complicated a1 b c3 –b1 a3 c3 + c1 a b3
3 3
expressions can be easily handled if they are
The diagonal through the left-hand top corner
expressed as determinants
which contains the element a1, b2, c3 is called
or the leading diagonal or principal diagonal and the
An expression expressed in equal number of rows terms are called the leading terms. The expanded
and column and put between two vertical lines is form of determinant has 3! terms
named as determinant of that expression e.g.

a1 b1 c1 Short cut
a1 b1
a2 b2 c2 To find the value of third order determinant,
a2 b2 , are the determinants
following method is also useful
a3 b3 c3
of second and third order respectively.

2. EXPANSION OF DETERMINANT
Unlike a matrix, determinant is not just a table
of numerical data but (quite differently) a short
hand way of writing an algebraic expression,
whose value can be computed when the values
of terms or elements are known.
(i) The 4 numbers a1, b1, a2, b2 arranged as
a1 b1
a2 b2 is a determinant of second order..
Taking product of R.H.S. diagonal element positive
These numbers are called the elements of the and L.H.S. diagonal elements negative and adding
 them. We get the value of Determinant as = 3. MINOR & COFACTOR
a1b2c3 + b1c2a3 + c1a2b3 – c1b2a3 – a1c2b3 – b1a2c3
Minor
Examples
Expansion of Determinant The Determinant that is left by cancelling the row
based on
and column intersecting at a particular element
a 1 a  2 is called the minor of that element.
Ex.1 The value of is - a11 a12 a13
a  2 a 1
(A) 2a2 (B) 0 If  = a 21 a 22 a 23
then Minor of a11 is
a 31 a 32 a 33
(C) – 3 (D) 3
a 22 a 23 a 21 a 23
a 1 a  2 M11 = a a 33 , Similarly M12 = a 31 a 33
Sol. 32
a  2 a 1
Using this concept the value of Determinant can
= (a + 1) (a – 1) – (a + 2) (a – 2) be
= (a2 – 1) – (a2 – 4) = 3   = a11 M11– a12 M12 + a13 M13
or   =  – a21 M21 + a22 M22 – a23 M23
Ans. [D]
or   = a31 M31 – a32 M32 + a33 M33
Cofactor
1  cos  sin 
Ex.2 The value of is - The cofactor of an element aij is denoted by Fij
sin  1  cos 
(A) 2 (B) – 1 and is equal to (–1)i + j Mij where M is a minor of
(C) 0 (D) cos 2 element aij

1  cos  sin  a11 a12 a13

Sol.
sin  1  cos 
if   = a 21 a 22 a 23
= (1 + cos) (1 – cos) – (sin) (sin) a 31 a 32 a 33
= 1 – cos2 – sin2 = 0 Ans. [C]
a 22 a 23
then F11 = (–1)1+1 M11 = M11 = a 32 a 33
1 2 3
4 3 6
Ex.3 The value of is –
2 7 9 a 21 a 23
F12 = (–1)1+2 M12 = – M12 = – a
(A) 213 (B) – 231 31 a 33

(C) 231 (D) 39

Note :
1 2 3 (i) The sum of products of the element of any
4 3 6 row with their corresponding cofactor is equal
Sol. =
2 7 9 to the value of determinant i.e.
 = a11F 11 + a12F 12 + a13 F13
3 6 4 6 4 3 (ii) The sum of the product of element of any
1 – 2 + 3 row with corresponding cofactor of another
7 9 2 9 2 7
row is equal to zero i.e.
= 1 (3 × 9 – 6 (–7)) – 2 (– 4 × 9 – 2 × 6)
a11 F21 + a12 F 22 + a13 F 23 = 0
+ 3 [(– 4) (–7) – 3 × 2]
(iii) If order of a determinant () is 'n' then the
= (27 + 42) – 2 (–36 – 12) + 3 (28 – 6)
value of the determinant formed by replacing
= 231 Ans. [C]
every element by its cofactor is  n-1
 Examples P-3 If a Determinant has two rows (or columns)
based on Minor and Cofactor identical, then its value is zero.
Ex.4 The Cofactor of element 2 in Determinant a1 b1 c1
1 0 a1 b1 c1
is - e.g. Let D =
2 2 a2 b2 c2
(A) – 1 (B) 0 (C) 2 (D) – 2 Then, D = 0
Sol. F22 = (–1) 2+2 M22 P-4 If all the elements of any row (or column) be
= 1 (–1) = – 1 Ans.[A] multiplied by the same number, then the value of
Determinant is multiplied by that number.
Ex.5 The cofactor of element 0 in Determinant
a1 b1 c1 ka1 kb1 kc1
1 2 1
a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2
2 3 3 e.g. D = and D' =
is - a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3
4 0 4
Then D' = kD
(A) 2 (B) 5 (C) – 5 (D) 9
P-5 If each element of any row (or column) can be
1 1 expressed as a sum of two terms, then the
Sol. F32 = (–1)3+2 determinant can be expressed as the sum of the
2 3
Determinants
= – ( 1)( 3 )  ( 2)(1) a1  x b1  y c1  z
= – [ 3 + 2] = – 5 Ans.[C] a2 b2 c2
e.g.
a3 b3 c3
4. PROPERTIES OF DETERMINANT
a1 b1 c1 x y z
P-1 The value of Determinant remains unchanged, if a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2
= +
the rows and the column are interchanged. a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3
This is always denoted by ' and is also called
transpose P-6 The value of a Determinant is not altered by
adding to the elements of any row (or column)
a1 b1 c1 a1 a 2 a3 the same multiples of the corresponding elements
a2 b2 c2 b1 b2 b3 of any other row (or column)
e.g. D = and D' =
a2 b3 c3 c1 c 2 c3
a1 b1 c1
Then D' = D, D and D' are transpose of each a2 b2 c2
other e.g. D =
a3 b3 c3
Note :
a1  ma 2 b1  mb2 c1  mc 2
Since the Determinant remains unchanged when a2 b2 c2
and D' =
rows and columns are interchanged, it is obvious a3  na1 b3  nb1 c 3  nc1
that any theorem which is true for 'rows' must
Then D' = D
also be true for 'Columns'
Note :
P-2 If any two rows (or columns) of a determinant be
interchanged, the determinant is unaltered in It should be noted that while applying P-6 at
numerical Value, but is changed in sign only, least one row (or column) must remain unchanged
P-7 If = f (x) and f (a) = 0 then (x-a) is a factor
a1 b1 c1 a2 b2 c2
of 
a2 b2 c2 a1 b1 c1
e.g. D = and D' =
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3 1 1 1
a b c
Then D' = – D e.g. D =
a2 b2 c2
 if we replace a by b then Sol. We know that if any row of a determinant is
multiplied by k, then the value of the
1 1 1 determinant is also multiplied by k. Here all
b b c the three rows are multiplied by k, therefore
D = = 0
b2 b2 c2 the value of new determinant will be k3  
Ans [C]
 (a – b)is a factor of D

Examples
Ex.9 The value of the determinant
based on Properties of Determinant
265 240 219
19 6 7 240 225 198
is -
21 3 15 219 198 181
Ex.6 The value of the determinant
28 11 6 (A) 1000 (B) 779 (C) 679 (D) 0
Sol. Applying C1 – C2 and C2 – C3, we get
is -
(A) 150 (B) – 110 25 4 21
21 2199
(C) 0 (D) none of these Det. = 15 27 198 =  12 27  72
Sol. Applying C 1 – (C 2 + C 3) we get Det. 21 17 181 4 17 11
[ by C1 – C2, C3 – 10 C2]
6 6 7
4 21 9
= 3 3 15 = 0 ( C1 = C2)
11 11 6 = 0 90  45 [By R2 + 3R1, R3 – R1]
0 4 2
Ans.[C]
= 4 ( 180 – 180 ) = 0 Ans.[D]
1 1 1
bc ca ab Ex.10 Determinant
Ex.7 equals -
bca cab abc
a  b  nc (n  1) a (n  1) b
(A) 0 (B) ab + bc + ca (n  1) c b  c  na (n  1) b
is equal
(C) abc (D) a + b + c (n  1) c (n  1) a c  a  nb
Sol. Determinant
to -
1 1 1 (A) (a + b + c)3
bc ca ab (B) n (a + b + c)3
( a  b  c ) ( a  b  c ) ( a  b  c ) (C) (n – 1) (a + b + c)3
(D) None of these
Applying [R3 + (–2R2)], We get Sol. Applying C 1 + (C 2 + C 3 ) and taking
n(a + b + c) common from C1, we get
1 1 1
= – (a + b+ c) b  c c  a a  b = 0 1 (n  1)a (n  1)b
1 1 1 1 b  c  na (n  1)b
 = n(a + b + c)
1 (n  1)a c  a  nb
Ans.[A]
1 (n  1)a (n  1)b
a b c ka kb kc
0 abc 0
x y z kx ky kz = n(a + b + c)
Ex.8 If  = , then 0 0 abc
p q r kp kq kr
[By R2 – R1, R3 – R1]
equals -
= n(a + b + c)3 Ans[C]
(A) k  (B) 3 k  (C) k3  (D) k  
Ex.11 If x, y, z are unequal and
2 3
ac bc
x x 1 x = (a – b) (b – c)
(a  c)(a  b  c) b  c 2  bc
2
y y2 1  y3
= 0 then the value of xyz is-
z z2 1  z3 [by C1 – C2]
(A) 0 (B) 1 = (a – b) (b – c) (a – c)
(C) – 1 (D) none of these 1 bc

Sol. Writing the given determinant as the sum of

a  b  c b  c2  bc 2

two determinants, we have = (a – b) (b – c) (a – c) (–ab – bc – ca)

= (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (ab + bc + ca)
x x2 1 x x2 x3
Ans.[B]
y y2 1 y y2 y3
+ = 0
z z2 1 z z2 z3 5. MULTIPLICATION OF TWO DETERMINANTS
x x2 1 Multiplication of two second order determinants
y y2 1 is defined as follows
    (1 + xyz) = 0
z z2 1
a1 b1 1 m1
 (x – y) (y – z ) (z – x) (1 + xyz) = 0 ×
a2 b2  2 m2
 1 + xyz = 0(  x  y  z)
 xyz = – 1 Ans.[C] a1 1  b1  2 a1 m1  b1 m 2
= a  b 
2 1 2 2 a 2 m1  b 2 m 2
a b c
2 2 Multiplication of two third order determinants is
a b c2
Ex.12 is equal to - defined as follows
bc ca ab
a1 b1 c1 1 m1 n1
(A) abc (a – b) (b – c) (c – a)
a2 b2 c2 × 2 m2 n2
(B) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (ab + bc + ca)
a3 b3 c3 3 m3 n3
(C) (a + b + c) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a)
a11  b1  2  c1 3 a1m1  b1m2  c1m3 a1n1  b1n 2  c1n3
(D) None of these
= a 2 1  b 2  2  c 2  3 a2m1  b2m2  c 2m3 a 2n1  b2 n 2  c 2n3
Sol. Multiplying C1, C2, C3 by a, b, c we get a3 1  b3  2  c 3  3 a3 m1  b3 m2  c 3m3 a 3n1  b 3 n2  c 3 n3

a2 b2 c2 Note :
1
Det.= a3 b3 c3
abc In above case the order of Determinant is same,
abc abc abc if the order is different then for their multiplication
first of all they should be expressed in the same
a2 b2 c2
order.
= a3 b3 c3
1 1 1 Examples
based on Multiplication of Two Determinants
s

a2  b2 b2  c2 c2 a b
= a3  b3 b3  c3 c3 Ex.13 If in the multiplication of
b a
and
0 0 1
c d
, A, B are the elements of the first
[by C1 – C2, C2 – C3] d c
ab bc row then the elements of the second row will
= (a – b) (b – c) 2 2 2 2 be -
a  b  ab b  c  bc
(A) –B, A (B) A, B
(C) B, A (D) –B, –A
 a b c d ac  bd ad  bc 0 ab e f
Sol. = ba 0 lm = 0 (  order  # 3)
b a d c bc  ad bd  ac
f e ml 0
ac  bd bc  ad A B
= = B A 7. APPLICATIONS OF DETERMINANT
(bc  ad) ac  bd
 required elements are –B, A. Crammer's Rule
Ans [A] Consider three linear simultaneous equation in
6. SYMMETRIC & SKEW SYMMETRIC 'x', 'y', 'z'

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

a2x + b2y + c2z = d2 ...(ii)
Symmetric determinant a3x + b3y + c3z = d3 ...(iii)
A determinant is called symmetric Determinant if and
for its every element. a1 b1 c1 d1 b1 c1
aij = aji  i, j if  = a2 b2 c2  = d2 b2 c2
1
a3 b3 c3 d3 b3 c3
a h g
e.g. h b f a1 d1 c1 a1 b1 d1
g f c a2 d2 c2   = a2 b2 d2
2 = 3
a3 d3 c3 a3 b3 d3
Skew Symmetric determinant

A determinant is called skew Symmetric then using Crammer's rule of determinant we get
determinant if for its every element
x y z 1
aij = – aji  i, j 1 = 2 = 3 = 
0 3 1
e.g. 3 0 5 1  
i.e. x = , y = 2 , z = 3
  
1 5 0
Note :
Case-I If   0
(i) Every diagonal element of a skew symmetric
determinant is always zero 1 2 3
Then x = , y = , z =
(ii) The value of a skew symmetric determinant   
of even order is always a perfect square and
 The system is consistent and has unique
that of odd order is always zero.
solutions

0 c b Case-II If   = 0 and
e.g. (order # 3) c 0 a (i) If at least one of  1, 2 3is not zero then
b a 0 the system of equations is inconsistent i.e.
has no solution
= –c ( 0 – ab) – b (ac– 0) = abc – abc = 0

0 a
(order # 2) = 0 + a2 = a2
a 0

(perfect square)
 (ii) If d1 = d2 = d3 = 0 or 1,  2, 3 are all
zero then the system of equations has
infinitely many solutions.
The above can be shown diagrammatically
as follows

Find 

   0   = 0
Unique solution
1 2 
x = , y = , z = 3
  

Equations are consistent 1 2,  3 are not all zero 1, 2 3 are all zero

No solution Infinitely many solution

Equations are inconsistent Equations are consistent

Examples Ex.15 The system of equations x + y + z = 2,

based on Crammer's Rule 2x + y – z = 3, 3x + 2y + kz = 4 has unique
solution if -
Ex.14 If the system of equations x + 4ay + az = 0,
x + 3by + bz = 0, x + 2cy + cz = 0 has a (A) k = 0 (B) k  0
non-zero solution, then a, b, c are in - (C) –1 < k < 1 (D) –2 < k < 2
(A) A.P. (B) G.P. Sol. Given system will have unique solution, if
(C) H.P. (D) None of these
1 1 1
Sol. For a non-zero solution, we must have = 0
2 1 1  0  k  0 Ans.[B]
1 4a a 3 2 k
   1 3b b = 0
1 2c c

2ac
   bc – 2ac + ab = 0   b =
ac
 a, b, c are in H.P. Ans.[C]
 SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1 The value of the determinant 0 c 2 b 2
= 2 b2 c  a2
2
b2
a  b  2c a b
c2 c2 a2  b2
c b  c  2a b is -
c a c  a  2b 0 c2 b 2
= 2 b2 a2 0
(A) 2(a + b + c) (B) 2(a + b + c) 2
c2 0 a2
(C) 2(a + b + c) 3 (D) (2a + 2b + 2c) 3
Sol. Applying C1 + C2 + C3, we get (by R2 + R1, R3 + R1)
= 2 (a2b2c2 + a2b2c2) = 4a2b2c2
1 a b
Ans.[C]
Det. = 2(a + b + c) 1 b  c  2a b
1 a c  a  2b a 5x p
Ex.4 If b 10 y 5 = 125, then
1 a b c 15 z 15
= 2(a + b + c) 0 a  b  c 0
0 0 abc 3a 3b c
[by R2 – R1, R3 – R1] x 2y z is equal to -
= 2(a + b + c)3 Ans.[C] p 5 5

(A) 25 (B) 50 (C) 75 (D) 100

a b a  b
Ex.2 b c b  c = 0, then a, b,c 3a 3b c 3a x p
a  b b  c 0 Sol. x 2y z = 3b 2y 5
p 5 5 c z 5
are in -
(A) A.P. (B) G.P. (changing rows into columns)
(C) H.P. (D) None of these
3a x p
Sol. By the operation C3 –(C1 + C2), we get 1
= 3b 2y 5
a b 0 3
3c 3 z 15
b c 0 = 0
a 5x p
a  b b  c (a 2  2b  c) 3 1
= × b 10 y 5
3 5
 –(a +
2b  c) (ac – = 0 b2) c 15 z 15
 b2 = ac  a, b, c are in G.P. 1
Ans.[B] = (125) = 25.
5
Ans.[A]
b2  c 2 a2 a2
Ex.3 b2 c2  a2 b2 is equal to -  c b
c2 c2 a 2  b2 Ex.5   = c  a , then the value of
b a 
(A) a2b2c2 (B) 2a2b2c2
2 2
(C) 4a b c 2 (D) None of these a 2  2 ab  c ca  b
Sol. Applying R1–(R2 + R3), we get ab  c b 2  2 bc  a
' = is -
0 2c 2 2b 2 ac  b bc  a c 2  2
2 2 2
Det. = b c a b2 (A) 3  (B) 2
c 2
c 2
a b2 2
(C)  3 (D) None of these
Sol. Here the cofactors of , c, – b,.......in  are Ex.8 If 0 <   <  / 2 and
a2 + 2, ab + c, ca – b,.....respectively.
Therefore the value of ' is 2. 1 sin 2  cos 2  4 sin 4
Ans.[B] sin2  1 cos 2  4 sin 4 = 0 then
sin2  cos 2  1  4 sin 4 
32  k 42 32  3  k is equal to
Ex.6 If 42  k 52 42  4  k = 0, then the (A) /24, 524 (B) 524, 7/24
52  k 62 52  5  k (C) 7/24, 11/24 (D) None of these
value of k is – Sol. Applying R2 – R1 and R3 – R1, We get
(A) 2 (B) 1 (C) –1 (D) 0
1 sin 2  cos 2  4 sin 4
Sol. Breaking the given determinant into two
determinants, we get 1 1 0 = 0
1 0 1
32  k 42 32  k 32  k 42 3  2 + 4 sin 4  = 0
2 2 2 2 2
4 k 5 4 k + 4 k 5 4 =0  sin 4  = –1/2
52  k 62 52  k 52  k 62 5         4  = n + (–1)n (–/6)
          = n/4 + (–1)n(–/24)
9 k 16 3            = 7/24, 11 /24.
  0 + 7 9 1 = 0 Ans.[C]
9 11 1 x x x
C1 C2 C3
[Applying R3 – R2 and R2 – R1 in second y y y
Ex.9 C1 C2 C3 is equal to -
det.] z z z
C1 C2 C3
9 k 16 3
(A) xyz (x – y)(y – z)(z – x)
 7 9 1 = 0 [Applying R3 – R2]
2 2 0 xyz
(B) (x – y)(y– z) (z – x)
6
9 k 7k 3
xyz
 7 2 1 = 0 [Applying C2 – C1] (C) (x – y)(y – z)(z – x)
12
2 0 0 (D) None of these
      2(7–k–6) = 0
x( x  1) x( x  1)( x  2)
      k = 1. x
Ans.[B] 2 6
y( y  1) y( y  1)( y  2) xyz
Ex.7 The determinant Sol. Det. = y =
2 6 12
z( z  1) z( z  1)( z  2)
0 ( a  b) 2 ( a  c) 2 z
2 6
2 2
(b  a) 0 (b  c ) is equal to -
( c  a) 2 ( c  b) 2 0
1 x  1 ( x  1) ( x  2) 1 x x2
xyz
(A) (a – b)2 (b – c)2 (c – a)2 1 y  1 ( y  1) ( y  2) = 1 y y2
(B) 0 12
1 z  1 (z  1) ( z  2) 1 z z2
(C) 2(a – b)2 (b – c)2 (c – a)2
(D) None of these (by C2 + C1, C3 + C1 + 3C2)
Sol. Expanding the det., we get xyz
= (x – y) (y – z) (z – x)
 =  – (b – a)2 [0 – (a – c)2 (c – b)2] + 12
Ans.[C]
(c – a)2 [(a – b)2 (b – c)2 – 0]
= 2(a – b)2 (b – c)2 (c – a)2.
Ans.[C]
 Sol. Here D = (n!)3
x b b
x b
Ex.10 If 1 = a x b and 2 = then 1 n 1 n  2n  1
a x
a a x n1 n  2n  1 n  3n  2n  1
n  2n  1 n  3n  2n  1 n  4n  3n  2n  1
d
(A) 1 = 322 (B) ( 1) = 322 = (n!)3 (n + 1)2 (n + 2)
dx
1 1 1
d
(C)
dx
(1) = 3 2 (D) None of these n 1 n2 n  3 
n  2n  1 n  3n  2 n  4 n  3 
R1
operating C2 – C1 C3 – C2 and expanding
Sol. Since we know that if = f(x) = R2 , then
= (n!)3 (n+1)2 (n + 2). 2
R3 = (n! ) 3 ((2n 3 + 8n 2 + 10n + 4) as on
d simplification.
(R1) R1 R1
dx Note : The answer may be verified by taking n = 1
d d R2
( = R2 + (R 2) + Ans.[A]
dx dx
R3 d x2  x x 1 x  2
R3 R3
dx 2
Ex.12 If 2x  3 x  1 3 x 3 x  3 = Px – 12
d d d x 2  2x  3 2x  1 2x  1
( x) (b) (b)
d dx dx dx then-
 ( 1) = a x b +
dx (A) P = 24 (B) P = – 24
a a x
(C) P = 0 (D) P = 12
Sol. Applying - R2  R2 – (R1 + R3)
x b b x b b
d d d
(a) ( x) (b) + a x b x2  x x 1 x  2
dx dx dx d d d
a a x (a) (a) ( x) Determinant 4 0 0
dx dx dx
x2  2 x  3 2 x  1 2 x  1
1 2
1 0 0 x b b x b b Applying = R1  R1 + x R2
4
= a x b + 0 1 0 + a x b 1 2
a a x a a x 0 0 1 and R3  R3 + x R2
4
x b x b x b x b
= + + = 3 x x 1 x2
a x a x a x a x
Determinant = 4 0 0
= 32. Ans.[C]
2x  3 2x  1 2x  1

Ex.11 The value of the determinant (when n  N)

Applying = R3  R3 – 2R1
n! (n  1)! (n  2)!
x  0 x 1 x  2
D = (n  1)! (n  2)! (n  3)! =
Determinant = 4 0 0
(n  2)! (n  3)! (n  4)!
3 3 3
(A) (n!)3 ((2n3
+ 8n2
+ 10n + 4)
3 2
x x x 0 1 2
(B) (n!) (2n + 8n + 10)
= 4 0 0 + 4 0 0
(C) (n!)2 (2n3 + 8n2 + 10n + 4)
3 3 3 3 3 3
(D) none of these
 Ex.14 If a, b, c, are pth, qth and rth terms
1 1 1 0 1 2 respectively of a H.P., then value of the
= x 4 0 0 + 4 0 0
bc ca ab
3 3 3 3 3 3
determinant p q r is -
1 1 1
= (24x – 12)   P = 24.
(A) p + q + r (B) 0
Ans.[B]
(C) 1/p + 1/q + 1/r (D) None of these
Sol. Let A and d be the first term and common
r 1 n 6 difference of the corresponding A.P., then
Ex.13 If r = (r  1) 2 2n 2 4n  2 , t hen 1
(r  1) 3
3n 2 2
3n  3n = A + (p – 1)d
a
n
1

r 1
 r equals -
b
= A + (q – 1)d

1
(A) 1 (B) – 1 = A + (r – 1)d
c
(C) 0 (D) None of these
1/ a 1/ b 1 / c
n
Now det. = abc p q r
Sol.  
r 1
(r  1) = 1 + 2 +...+ (n – 1)
1 1 1
= abc
n(n 1)
= A  (p  1)d A  (q  1)d A  (r  1)d
2
n p q r
 (r  1)2 = 12 + 22 +...+ (n – 1)2 1 1 1
r 1

n(n  1)(2n  1) A A A p1 q1 r 1

= = abc p q r + abcd p q r
6
n 1 1 1 1 1 1
 (r  1)3 = 13 + 23 +...+ (n – 1)3 = 0 + 0 = 0
r 1 Ans.[B]
2 2
n (n  1)
=
4
n

 r 1
r

n(n  1)
n 6
2
1
n(n  1)(2n  1) 2n2 2(2n  1)
6
1 2
n (n  1) 2 3n3 3n(n  1)
4
6 n 6
n(n 1) 2
2(2n  1) 2n 2(2n  1)
=
12 3n (n  1) 3n 3
3n(n  1)
= 0 Ans.[C]