Remesh’s Maths Coaching

4. DETERMINANTS
Deleted: Properties of Determinants

To each square matrix 𝐴 = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ], we associate a number called determinant, or in other words value
of a square matrix is called determinant. It is denoted by 𝑑𝑒𝑡. 𝐴 or |𝐴|.

Determinant of order 1
Determinant of 1  1 matrix A = a  is det A (or) A = a.

E.g.: If A = [3] be a square matrix of order 1, then |𝐴| = |3| = 3

Determinant of order 2
𝑎1 𝑏1
Let A = [ ] be a square matrix of order 2.
𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑎1 𝑏1
Then |𝐴| = | | = 𝑎1 𝑏2 − 𝑎2 𝑏1
𝑎2 𝑏2
(product of the elements of the main diagonal minus product of the elements of the secondary
diagonal.)
3 2
E.g.: 𝐴 = | | = (3)(5) − (−1)(2) = 15 + 2 = 17
−1 5

Determinant of order 3

𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1
Let 𝐴 = [𝑎 2 𝑏2 𝑐2 ] be a square matrix of order 3.
𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3
𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1
𝑏 𝑐2 𝑎2 𝑐2 𝑎2 𝑏2
Then |𝐴| = |𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2 |=𝑎1 | 2 | − 𝑏1 |𝑎 𝑐3 | + 𝑐1 |𝑎3 |
𝑏3 𝑐3 3 𝑏3
𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3
= 𝑎1 (𝑏2 𝑐3 − 𝑏3 𝑐2 ) – 𝑏1 (𝑎2 𝑐3 − 𝑎3 𝑐2 ) + 𝑐1 (𝑎2 𝑏3 − 𝑎3 𝑏2 )

2 3 2
−2 −1 5 −1 5 −1
Evaluate: |5 −2 −1| = 2 | | − 3| | + 2| |
6 2 1 2 1 6
1 6 2
= 2(−4 − −6) − 3(10 − −1) + 2(30 − −2)
= 2(2) − 3(11) + 2(32) = 4 − 33 + 64 = 68 − 33 = 35

Sarrus method to evaluate a 𝟑 × 𝟑 determinant.

A method of solving a 3 × 3 determinant developed by Sarrus. But it should be noted that this method
is not adequate for determinant of order greater than 3.

𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1 𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1 𝑎1 𝑏1
|𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2 | = 𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2 𝑎2 𝑏2
𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3 𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3 𝑎3 𝑏3
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Example:
2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3
|5 −2 −1| = 5 −2 −1 5 −2
1 6 2 1 6 2 1 6
= (2)(−2)(2) + (3)(−1)(1) + (2)(5)(6) − (1)(−2)(2) − (6)(−1)(2) − (2)(5)(3)
= −8 − 3 + 60 + 4 + 12 − 30 = 76 − 41 = 35
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: Let A be a square matrix of order n and k be any scalar, then |𝒌𝑨| = 𝒌𝒏 |𝑨|
2 3
E.g.: 𝐴 = [ ] 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 = 2, show that |2𝐴| = 4|𝐴|
1 5
|𝐴| = |2 3
| = 10 − 3 = 7
1 5
2 3 4 6
2𝐴 = 2 [ ]=[ ]
1 5 2 10
|2𝐴| = |4 6
| = 40 − 12 = 28 ………… (1)
2 10
4|𝐴| = 4 × 7 = 28 ………… (2)
From (1) and (2), we have |2𝐴| = 22 |𝐴|.
𝑥 2 6 2
Q: Find 𝑥 if | |=| |
18 𝑥 18 6
𝑥 2 − 36 = 36 − 36
𝑥 2 − 36 = 0 ⟹ 𝑥2 = 36 ⟹ 𝑥 = ±6

Minors and co-factors

Minor of any element of a determinant is obtained by eliminating the row and column containing that
element and take the remaining elements as a determinant.

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13

E.g.: Let |𝐴| = |𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33
𝑎22 𝑎23
Minor of a11 = M11 = |𝑎 𝑎33 |
32
𝑎21 𝑎23
Minor of a12 = M12 = |𝑎 𝑎33 |
31
𝑎21 𝑎22
Minor of a13 = M13 = |𝑎 𝑎32 |
31
𝑎12 𝑎13
Minor of a21 = M21 = |𝑎 𝑎33 |, etc.
32

Cofactors of a determinant

Signed minor is known as co-factor, cofactor of any element of a determinant is

𝑨𝒊𝒋 = (−𝟏)𝒊+𝒋 . 𝑴𝒊𝒋 .

From the above results, we have,

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𝑎22 𝑎23
𝐴11 = (−1)1+1 . 𝑀11 = (−1)2 . 𝑀11 = 𝑀11 =|𝑎 𝑎33 |
32
1+2 3
𝑎21 𝑎23
𝐴12 = (−1) . 𝑀12 = (−1) . 𝑀12 = −1. 𝑀12 = −𝑀12 = − |𝑎 𝑎33 |, etc..
31

3 2
Q Find the minors and cofactors of the matrix 𝐴 = [ ]
−1 5

Minors:
3 2
Let |𝐴| = | |
−1 5
𝑀11 = 5
𝑀12 = −1
𝑀21 = 2
𝑀22 = 3

Cofactors: [Short cut: Signs of middle two minors will be multiplying by −1]

𝐴11 = 5
𝐴12 = −(−1) = 1
𝐴21 = −(2) = −2
𝐴22 = 3
5 1
Note: Thus, coefficient matrix of 𝐴 = [ ]
−2 3

Applications of determinants

i. Area of a triangle:
Area of a triangle whose vertices are (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ), (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑥3 , 𝑦3 ) is
𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3
1 1
𝛥 = 2 |𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑦3 | = 2 [𝑥1 (𝑦2 − 𝑦3 ) − 𝑥2 (𝑦1 − 𝑦3 ) + 𝑥3 (𝑦1 − 𝑦2 )]
1 1 1

ii. Collinearity of three points:

If three points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ), (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑥3 , 𝑦3 ) are collinear or lie on a line, then 𝛥 = 0
𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3 𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3
1
i.e., 2 |𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑦3 | = 0 ⟹ |𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑦3 | = 0
1 1 1 1 1 1

iii. Equation of a line passing through two given points

Let 𝐴(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) be any two points. Let 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) be any point on the line joining A
𝑥 𝑦 1
and B. Since A, B and P are collinear, |𝑥1 𝑦1 1| = 0
𝑥2 𝑦2 1

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𝑥 𝑦 1
Thus, equation of a line passing through two points 𝐴(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )𝑎𝑛𝑑𝐵(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is |𝑥1 𝑦1 1| = 0.
𝑥2 𝑦2 1
Adjoint of a matrix
𝑎11 𝑎12
Consider a square matrix 𝐴 = [𝑎 ]
21 𝑎22
𝑎11 𝑎12
Then |𝐴| = |𝑎 |
21 𝑎22
𝐴 𝐴12
Then cofactor matrix of A= | 11 |
𝐴21 𝐴22
∴ adjoint of A, 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 = transpose of cofactor matrix of A
𝐴 𝐴21
∴ 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 = [ 11 ].
𝐴12 𝐴22

3 −1
• Find the adjoint of a matrix: [ ]
2 4

Cofactors:
𝐴11 = 4, 𝐴12 = −2, 𝐴21 = −(−1) = 1, 𝐴22 = 3
4 −2
Cofactor matrix of A= [ ]
1 3
4 −2 ′ 4 1
∴ 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴 = [ ] =[ ]
1 3 −2 3

Short cut Method to find adjA

Sign change
3 −1
E.g.: Find 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 𝑖𝑓 𝐴 = [ ]
2 4
Interchange
4 1
Hence, 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 = [ ].
−2 3

1 −1 2
Q Find the minors and cofactors of [0 2 −3]
3 −2 4
1 −1 2
|𝐴| = |0 2 −3|
3 −2 4
Minors:
𝑀11 = 2 𝑀12 = 9 𝑀13 = −6
𝑀21 = 0 𝑀22 = −2 𝑀23 = 1
𝑀31 = −1 𝑀32 = −3 𝑀33 = 2

𝐴11 = 2 , 𝐴12 = −9 , 𝐴13 = −6

𝐴21 = 0 , 𝐴22 = −2 , 𝐴23 = −1
𝐴31 = −1 , 𝐴32 = 3 , 𝐴33 = 2

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Adjoint of a matrix A

If A be any square matrix of order n,

𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴 = 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥 𝑜𝑓 𝐴

2 −9 −6 ′
= [0 −2 −1]
−1 3 2
2 0 −1
= [−9 −2 3 ].
−6 −1 2

Note1: If A be any square matrix of order n, then 𝐴(𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴) = (𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴)𝐴 = |𝐴|𝐼, where I is
an identity matrix of order n.

Note2: If square matrix A is said to be singular, if |𝑨| = 𝟎 and non-singular, if |𝑨| ≠ 𝟎.

2 4 2 4
E.g.: Let 𝐴 = [ ] ⟹ |𝐴| = | | = 12 − 12 = 0
3 6 3 6
∴ 𝐴 is singular.
Note3: If A and B are two matrices of the same order, then |𝑨𝑩| = |𝑨||𝑩|.
Note4: If A is a non-singular matrix of order n, then |𝒂𝒅𝒋𝑨| = |𝑨|𝒏−𝟏 .

Invertible and inverse of a matrix.

Let A and B be any two square matrices of the same order, if 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐼, an identity matrix of
the same order, then A is known as invertible matrix and B is known as inverse matrix of A.
Note1: If A is a non-singular matrix of order n, then
𝟏
a) 𝑨−𝟏 = 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝑨.
|𝑨|

b) (𝑨−𝟏 )−𝟏 = 𝑨
𝟏
c) 𝒅𝒆𝒕(𝑨−𝟏 ) =
𝒅𝒆𝒕(𝑨)

d) 𝑨𝑨−𝟏 = 𝑨−𝟏 𝑨 = 𝑰
Note2: If A and B are non-singular matrices, then (𝑨𝑩)−𝟏 = 𝑩−𝟏 𝑨−𝟏 .

1 3
Q If 𝐴 = [ ], find 𝐴2 . Hence, find 𝐴−1 .
−2 4
1 3 1 3 −5 15
𝐴2 = [ ][ ]=[ ]
−2 4 −2 4 −10 10
5 15
5𝐴 = [ ]
−10 20
10 0
10𝐼 = [ ]
0 10

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−5 15 5 15 10 0
𝐴2 − 5𝐴 + 10𝐼 = [ ]−[ ]+[ ]
−10 10 −10 20 0 10
−10 0 10 0 0 0
=[ ]+[ ]=[ ]=0
0 −10 0 10 0 0
Hence proved.
Again, 𝐴2 − 5𝐴 + 10𝐼 = 0
× 𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑦 𝐴−1
𝐴2 𝐴−1 − 5𝐴𝐴−1 + 10𝐼𝐴−1 = 0𝐴−1
𝐴 − 5𝐼 + 10𝐴−1 = 0
10𝐴−1 = 5𝐼 − 𝐴
1 1 5 0 1 3 1 4 −3
𝐴−1 = 10 (5𝐼 − 𝐴) = 10 ([ ]−[ ]) = 10 [ ]
0 5 −2 4 2 1

Applications of Determinants and matrices

Consistent and Inconsistent Equations

A system of equations is consistent if it has one or more solution(s) and inconsistent if it has
no solution.
Check the consistency of the equation:
2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 1
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 7
Then the system of equations can be written as
𝐴𝑋 = 𝐵
2 5 𝑥 1
Where 𝐴 = [ ] , 𝑋 = [𝑦] , 𝐵 = [ ]
3 2 7
|𝐴| = |2 5| = 4 − 8 = −4 ≠ 0
3 2
Hence, A is non-singular.
∴ the system is consistent.
Q Consider another system of equations:
5𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 2
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 3
Then the system of equations can be written as 𝐴𝑋 = 𝐵
5 5 𝑥 2
Where 𝐴 = [ ] , 𝑋 = [𝑦] , 𝐵 = [ ]
2 2 3
|𝐴| = |5 5| = 10 − 10 = 0
2 2
Hence, A is a singular matrix.

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2 −5
Now 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴 = [ ]
−2 5
2 −5 2 4 − 15 −11
Now, (𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴)𝐵 = [ ][ ] = [ ]=[ ]≠𝑂
−2 5 3 −4 + 15 11
∴ the system is inconsistent.

Note: If (𝒂𝒅𝒋𝑨)𝑩 = 𝟎, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚

𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔.

Consider the system of equations:

𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑏1 𝑦 + 𝑐1 𝑧 = 𝑑1
𝑎2 𝑥 + 𝑏2 𝑦 + 𝑐2 𝑧 = 𝑑2
𝑎3 𝑥 + 𝑏3 𝑦 + 𝑐3 𝑧 = 𝑑3
𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1 𝑥 𝑑1
Let 𝐴 = [𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2 ] , 𝑋 = [𝑦] , 𝐵 = [𝑑2 ]
𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3 𝑧 𝑑3
Then the system of equations can be written as
𝐴𝑋 = 𝐵
𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1 𝑥 𝑑1
[𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑦
𝑐2 ] [ ] = [𝑑2 ]
𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3 𝑧 𝑑3
𝑿 = 𝑨−𝟏 𝑩

Q Solve the system of equations:

3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 8, 2𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 4
Let 𝐴𝑋 = 𝐵
3 −2 3 𝑥 8
𝐴 = [2 1 −1] , 𝑋 = [𝑦] , 𝐵 = [1]
4 −3 2 𝑧 4
3 −2 3
|𝐴| = |2 1 −1| = 3(2 − 3) + 2(4 + 4) + 3(−6 − 4)
4 −3 2
= 3(−1) + 2(8) + 3(−10) = −3 + 16 − 30 = −17 ≠ 0
𝐴11 = −1 , 𝐴12 = −5 , 𝐴13 = −1
𝐴21 = −8 , 𝐴22 = −6 , 𝐴23 = 9
𝐴31 = −10 , 𝐴32 = 1 , 𝐴33 = 7
−1 −5 −1
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝐴 = [ −8 −6 9]
−10 1 7
−1 −5 −1 1 5 1
−1 1 1 1
𝐴 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 = [ −8 −6 9 ] = 17 [ 8 6 −9]
|𝐴| −17
−10 1 7 10 −1 −7
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1 5 1 8 8+5+4 17 1
−1 1 1 1
𝑋=𝐴 𝐵= [8 6 −9] [1] = 17 [64 + 6 − 36] = 17 [34] = [2]
17
10 −1 −7 4 80 − 1 − 28 51 3
∴ 𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 2, 𝑧 = 3

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