DETERMINANT

DETERMINANT
 DETERMINANT
COFACTOR AND MINOR OF AN ELEMENT

 MINOR
• Minor of an element is defined as the minor determinant
obtained by deleting a particular row or column in which that
element lies.
a11 a12 a13
Let Mij= minor of element aij in D where i & j
D = a21 a22 a23
represents positions of row and column
a31 a32 a33 respectively
 DETERMINANT
 COFACTOR
a11 a12 a13
D = a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33

Let Cij = cofactor of aij in D , Where Cij = (–1) i+j Mij

 DETERMINANT
 EXPANSION/VALUE OF DETERMINANT
• The value of a determinant of order three in terms of ‘Minor’ &
‘Cofactor’ can be written as D = a11M11 – a12M12 + a13M13 or
a11C11 + a12C12 + a13C13
• Similarly it can be done in 6 ways.
 DETERMINANT
Example
If elements of second row of a determinant of order 3 are given by
a21 = 1, a22 = 2 & a23 = -3. And their corresponding minors are 2, 3 & -
1. Then find the value of determinant
 DETERMINANT
INTRODUCTION

 SECOND ORDER DETERMINANT

• A determinant of the second order is denoted by the symbol

a1 b1
= D or where = a1b2 – a2b1
a2 b2
 DETERMINANT
 THIRD ORDER DETERMINANT
• A determinant of the third order is denoted by the symbol
a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c 2 = D or where = [a1(b2c3 – b3c2) + b1(c2a3 – c3a2)
a3 b3 c 3 + c1(a2b3 –a3b2)]
 DETERMINANT
 THIRD ORDER DETERMINANT
b2 c 2 a2 c 2 a2 b2
• D is obtained by the manner a1 -b + c1
b3 c3 1 a3 c3 a3 b3
 DETERMINANT
 SARRUS METHOD

a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c 2 = (a1b2c3 + a2b3c1 + a3b1c2) – (a1b3c2 + a2b1c3 +
a3 b3 c3 a3b2c1)

• Note that the product of terms in first bracket = product of terms

in second bracket
 DETERMINANT
Example
If third order determinants are formed by using elements 1 or –1,
then find the maximum possible value of determinant.
 DETERMINANT
 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞
• Sum of products of elements of any row (column) with their
corresponding cofactors is equal to the value of Determinant.
3
D =  aijCij etc. for i = 1,2,3
j=1
 DETERMINANT
 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞
• Sum of products of elements of any row (column) with cofactors
of corresponding elements of any other row (column) is ZERO.
 DETERMINANT
Example
Let aij = element of ith row and jth coloumn in determinant whose
𝟑 𝟑
value is Then find the value of 𝐚𝐢𝐣𝐂𝐢𝐣 , 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐣 is cofactor of
𝐢 𝟏 𝐣 𝟏
aij in determinant.
 DETERMINANT
NOTE
𝐚𝟏 𝐚𝟐 𝐚𝟑 𝐀𝟏 𝐀𝟐 𝐀𝟑
𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐃 = 𝐛𝟏 𝐛𝟐 𝐛𝟑 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃′ = 𝐁𝟏 𝐁𝟐 𝐁𝟑
𝐜𝟏 𝐜𝟐 𝐜𝟑 𝐂𝟏 𝐂𝟐 𝐂𝟑

where A1 , A2 , A3 ………, C1, C2, C3 are cofactors of a1,

𝐁𝟐 𝐁 𝟑
a2, a3,……..c1, c2, c3 respectively then prove that = 𝐚𝟏𝐃.
𝐂𝟐 𝐂𝟑
DETERMINANT
 DETERMINANT
PROPERTIES OF DETERMINANTS

P-1 : The value of a determinant remains unaltered, if the

rows & columns are interchanged. (Transpose)
a1 b1 c1
Let D = a2 b2 c2
a3 b3 c3
 DETERMINANT
P-2 : If any two rows (or columns) of a determinant be
interchanged, the value of determinant is changed in sign
only.

a1 b1 c1
Let D = a2 b2 c 2
a3 b3 c 3
 DETERMINANT
P-3 : If a determinant has any two rows (or columns) identical /
proportional, then its value is zero.
a1 b1 c1
Let D = ka1 kb1 kc1 then it can be verified that D = 0.
a3 b3 c3
 DETERMINANT
P-4 : If all the elements of any row (or column) be multiplied by
the same number, then the determinant is multiplied by
that number.
a1 b1 c1 Ka1 Kb1 Kc1
Let D = a2 b2 c 2 and D' = a2 b2 c.2
a3 b3 c 3 a3 b3 c3
Then D'= KD
 DETERMINANT
Example

xn x n+2 x 2n
If 1 xp p = 0, then p is given by -
x n+5 x p+6 x 2n+5

(A) xn (B) n + 1 (C) both A and B (D) none of these

 DETERMINANT
P-5 : If each element of any row (or column) can be expressed
as a sum of ‘k’ terms, then the determinant can be
expressed as the sum of ‘k’ determinants.
a1 +x b1 +y c1 +z a1 b1 c1 x y z
a2 b2 c 2 = a2 b2 c 2 + a 2 b2 c2
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3
DETERMINANT
 DETERMINANT
 SUMMATION OF DETERMINANTS

f(r) g(r) h(r)  f(r)  g(r)  h(r)

Let Dr = a1 b1 c1 Then ∑𝐧𝐫 𝟏 𝐃𝐫 = a1 b1 c1
a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2
 DETERMINANT
Example

x y z x + 2y y + 2z z + 2x
Let Δ = y z x & Δ1 = y + 2z z + 2x x + 2y
z x y z + 2x x + 2y y + 2z

Δ1
then the value of is ( 0)
Δ
 DETERMINANT
x + 2y y + 2z z + 2x
Δ1 = y + 2z z + 2x x + 2y
z + 2x x + 2y y + 2z

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 2𝑦 2𝑧 2𝑥
𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦
𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑦 + 2𝑧

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 2𝑦 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 2𝑥
𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 + 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 + 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 + 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦
𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑦 + 2𝑧 𝑧 + 2𝑥 𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑦 + 2𝑧

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 2𝑦 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 2𝑥
𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 + 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 + 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 + 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 + 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦 + 2𝑧 2𝑥 2𝑦
𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 2𝑥 2𝑦 2𝑧
 DETERMINANT
P-6 : The value of a determinant is not altered by adding to
the elements of any row (or column) the same multiples
of the corresponding elements of any other row (or
column).
a1 b1 c 1
Let D = a2 b2 c 2
a3 b3 c3
 DETERMINANT
 SPECIAL DETERMINANTS

1 x x2
1 y y 2 =(x - y)(y - z)(z - x)
1 z z2

1 x x3
1 y y 3 =(x - y)(y - z)(z - x)(x + y + z)
1 z z3
 DETERMINANT
 SPECIAL DETERMINANTS

1 x2 x3
1 y2 y 3 =(x - y)(y - z)(z - x)(xy + yz + zx)
1 z2 z3

a b c
b c a = -(a3 + b3 + c3 -3abc) (cyclic determinant)
c a b
 DETERMINANT
 SPECIAL DETERMINANTS
• For the determinants where aij = –aji  i & j
(i) Diagonal elements are ZERO.
(ii) If the order of above determinant is ODD then its value is
ZERO.
 DETERMINANT
 MISCELLENEOUS EXAMPLES
b a c
If a, b, c > 0, and distinct then find the sign of c b a
a c b
 DETERMINANT
FACTOR THEOREM

• If by putting x = a the value of a determinant vanishes then

(x - a) is a factor of the determinant.
 DETERMINANT
Example
xy x + y 1
Prove that yz y + z 1 =(x - y)(y - z)(z - x)
zx z + x 1
 DETERMINANT
 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞
a1 b1 c1 A1 B1 C1
Let D = a2 b2 c 2  0 & D’ = A 2 B2 C2
a3 b3 c3 A 3 B3 C3
where Ai , Bi , Ci are cofactors of corresponding elements of D.
Then D’ = D2
 DETERMINANT
 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞

• Similarly if D is of order ‘n’, then D’ = D(n-1)

 DETERMINANT
Example
Show that

a2 + λ 2 ab + cλ ca - bλ λ c -b
ab - cλ b2 + λ 2 bc + aλ × -c λ a = λ 3 (λ 2 + a2 + b2 + c 2 )3
ac + bλ bc - aλ c2 + λ 2 b -a λ
 DETERMINANT
MULTIPLICATION OF TWO DETERMINANTS

• Row by column
• Row by row
• Column by row
• Column by column
 DETERMINANT
MULTIPLICATION OF TWO DETERMINANTS
 DETERMINANT
 EXPRESSING DETERMINANTS AS A PRODUCT OF 2
DETERMINANTS
 DETERMINANT
Example

2bc - a2 c2 b2
Show that c2 2ac - b2 a2 =(a3 + b3 + c3 -3abc)2
b2 a2 2ab - c 2
 DETERMINANT
Example
For all values of A, B, C & P, Q, R show that

cos (A - P) cos (A - Q) cos (A -R)

cos (B - P) cos (B - Q) cos (B - R) = 0
cos (C - P) cos (C - Q) cos (C - R)
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (TWO VARIABLES)
Let, a1x + b1y = c1
a2x + b2y = c2
Clearly this system represents two straight lines in 2-D
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (TWO VARIABLES)
a1 b1
Case (i) :   unique solution ( intersecting lines)
a 2 b2

a1 b1 c1
Case(ii) : =   no solution (parallel lines)
a 2 b2 c 2

a1 b1 c1
Case(iii) : = = infinite solutions (identical lines)
a 2 b2 c 2
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (THREE VARIABLES)

Let, a1x + b1y + c1z = d1

a2x + b2y + c2z = d2

a3x + b3y + c3z = d3

Clearly this system represents three planes in 3-D

 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (THREE VARIABLES)
• GEOMETRICAL ASPECT
Case (i) : Unique solution
In this case all the three planes are intersecting at a unique
point.
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (THREE VARIABLES)
• GEOMETRICAL ASPECT

Case (ii) : No solution

In this case at least two of the planes are parallel or all the three
planes form a triangular prism.
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (THREE VARIABLES)
• GEOMETRICAL ASPECT

Case (iii) : Infinite solutions

In this case all the three planes are identical or sharing a
common line of intersection
 DETERMINANT
Simultaneous linear equations

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

Exactly one solution Infinite solution

Unique solutions

Non trivial solution Trivial solution

At least one non All variable zero is

zero variable the only solution
satisfy the system
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (THREE VARIABLES)
• USE OF DETERMINANTS TO SOLVE THE SYSTEM
a1 b1 c1 d1 b1 c1 a1 d1 c1
Let D = a2 b2 c 2 D1 = d2 b2 c 2 D2 = a 2 d 2 c 2
a3 b3 c3 d3 b3 c3 a3 d3 c3

a1 b1 d1
and D3 = a2 b2 d2
a3 b3 d3
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (THREE VARIABLES)
• USE OF DETERMINANTS TO SOLVE THE SYSTEM
 DETERMINANT
 SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS (THREE VARIABLES)
D

D0 D=0
Unique solution
𝐃 𝐃 𝐃
x = 𝐃𝟏, y = 𝐃𝟐, z = 𝐃𝟑

At least one of D1, D2, D3

D1 = D2 = D3 = 0
is non-zero
(Infinite solutions)
(No solution)
 DETERMINANT
 SPECIAL CASE

a1 x + b1 y + c1 z = d1 

a1 x + b1 y + c1 z = d2  At least two of d1 , d2 & d3 are not equal
a1 x + b1 y + c1 z = d3 

Clearly this system is a system of parallel planes. Hence system has

no solutions. But observe that D = D1= D2 = D3 = 0
 DETERMINANT
 HOMOGENEOUS SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS :

• Let a1x + b1y + c1z = 0

a2x + b2y + c2z = 0

a3x + b3y + c3z = 0

• All the three planes always pass through origin.

• D1 = D2 = D3 = 0

• System is always consistent (at least one solution)

 DETERMINANT
 HOMOGENEOUS SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS :
D

D0 D=0
Unique Trivial Non-Trivial solutions / Non-
solutions zero solutions
x=y=z= 0 (infinite solutions)

If a given system of linear equations have Only Zero Solution for all
its variables then the given equations are said to have TRIVIAL
SOLUTION.
 DETERMINANT
Example

Solve the system of equations:

x+y+z=6
x–y+z=2
2x + y – z = 1
 DETERMINANT
Example

Solve the system of equations:

x + 2y + 3z = 6
4x + 5y + 6z = 15
7x + 8y + 9z = 24