Ch.

4 Determinants

Topics
1. Introduction
2. Properties of Determinants
3. Area of Triangle
4. Minors and Cofactors
5. Adjoint of Matrix
6. Inverse of Matrix
7. Applications of Determinants and Matrices
1
1. Introduction:
Determinant: To every square matrix A = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ] of order n, we can associate a number
(real or complex) called determinant of the square matrix A, where 𝑎𝑖𝑗 = 𝑖, 𝑗 𝑡ℎ
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
element of A. For example- If A = , then determinant of A is written as |A|=
𝑐 𝑑 𝑐 𝑑

Determinant of a matrix of order 1:

Let A = [a] be the matrix of order 1, then
determinant of A is defined to be equal
to a
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
Determinant of a matrix of order 2:
𝑎11 𝑎12 2 4
Let A = 𝑎 𝑎22 then Evaluate
21 −1 2
Solution:
𝑎11 𝑎12
det(A) =|A|= ∆ = 𝑎 𝑎22 = 𝑎11 𝑎22 − 𝑎21 𝑎12
21 2 4
= = 2 2 − 4(−1)
−1 2
=4+4

=8
Note: Only square matrices have determinants. 2
Determinant of a matrix of order 3:
Determinant of a matrix of order three can be determined by expressing it in terms of
second order determinants. This is known as expansion of a determinant along a row
(or a column). There are six ways of expanding a determinant of order 3
corresponding to each of three rows (𝑅1 , 𝑅2 and 𝑅3 ) and three columns (𝐶1 , 𝐶2 and 𝐶3)
giving the same value.

𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
1 2 3
Compute the determinant of A = 0 1 2
3 1 1
Solution:
Step 1: Choose any row or column. We Step 1: We choose the first row with elements 1,2, and 3.
usually choose the first row to find the
determinant. Step 2: Let us compute the cofactors of these elements:
1 2
Step 2: Find the co-factors of each of the Co-factors of 1 = −1 1+1 = 1 1 − 1 2 = −1
1 1
elements of the row/column that we have
chosen in Step 1. 0 2
Co-factors of 2 = −1 1+2 = -1[0 1 − 3 2 ] = 6
3 1
0 1 = 0 1 − 1 3 = −3
Co-factors of 3 = −1 1+3
3 1
Step 3: Multiply the elements of the Step 3: Multiply the elements by their cofactors and add
row/column from Step 1 with the them.
corresponding co-factors obtained from
1 −1 + 2 6 + 3(−3) = −1 + 12 − 9 = 2
Step 2. Add them. 3
Trick-1 Trick-2
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
1 2 3 1 2 3
Compute the determinant of A = 0 1 2 Compute the determinant of A = 0 1 2
3 1 1 3 1 1
Solution: Solution:
Step 1: Expand along with any row or Step 1: Write the determinant in the
column taking care of the sign of + − + following way
each element. We choose the first − + −
row with elements 1,2, and 3. + − + 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 =
1 2 0 2 0 1 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
= 1 + −2 + (3)
1 1 3 1 3 1

Step 2: Find the value of corresponding

determinants and simplify.
= 1 1 × 1 − 2 × 1 − 2 0 × 1 − 2 × 3 + 3(0 × 1 − 1 × 3) 1 2 3 1 2 3
= 1 −1 + 2 6 + 3(−3)
=0 1 2 0 1 2
3 1 1 3 1 1
= −1 + 12 − 9
= 1.1.1 + 2.2.3 + 3.0.1 − 1.2.1 − 2.0.1 − 3.1.3
=2
= 1 + 12 + 0 − 2 − 0 − 9
=2 4
2. Properties of Determinants:
1. Interchange Property: The value of a determinant remains unchanged if
the rows or the columns of a determinant are interchanged.

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑎 𝑝 𝑥
𝐴= 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 , 𝐴𝑇 = 𝑏 𝑞 𝑦 ⇒ det 𝐴 = det(𝐴𝑇 )
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑐 𝑟 𝑧

2. Sign Property: The sign of the value of the determinant changes if any two
rows or any two columns are interchanged.

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
𝐴= 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 ,𝐵 = 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
⇒ det 𝐴 = −det(𝐵)
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟

3. Zero Property: The value of a determinant is equal to zero if any two rows
or any two columns have the same elements.

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
𝐴= 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 ⇒ det 𝐴 = 0
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
5
4. Multiplication Property: If each element of a row(or a column) of a
determinant is multiplied by a constant k, then its value gets multiplied by k.

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
𝐴= 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 , 𝐵 = 𝑘𝑝 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑟 ⇒ det 𝐵 = 𝑘 × det(𝐴)
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧

5. Sum Property: If a few elements of a row or column are expressed as a

sum of terms, then the determinant can be expressed as a sum of two or
more determinants.
𝑎+𝑘 𝑏+𝑙 𝑐+𝑚 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑘 𝑙 𝑚
𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 = 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 + 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧

6. Property of Invariance: If each element of a row and column of a

determinant is added with the equimultiples of the elements of another row or
column of a determinant, then the value of the determinant remains
unchanged. This can be expressed in the form of a formula as 𝑅𝑖 → 𝑅𝑖 + k𝑅𝑗 or
𝐶𝑖 → 𝐶𝑖 + k𝐶𝑗
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑎 + 𝑘𝑥 𝑏 + 𝑘𝑦 𝑐 + 𝑘𝑧
𝐴= 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 ,𝐵 = 𝑝 𝑞 𝑟 ⇒ det 𝐵 = det(𝐵)
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
6
1. Evaluate the determinants

7
2. Evaluate the determinants

8
 1 2
3. If A = , then show that | 2A | = 4 | A |
4 2

9
 1 0 1
4. If A = 0 1 2 , then show that | 3 A | = 27 | A |
0 0 4

10
5. Evaluate the determinants

11
5. Evaluate the determinants

12
 1 1 −2
6. If A = 2 1 −3 , find | A |
5 4 −9

13
7. Find values of x, if

14
8. If , , then x is equal to

(A) 6 (B) ± 6 (C) – 6 (D) 0

15
3. Area of Triangle:
Area of a triangle whose vertices are (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ),(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) and (𝑥3 , 𝑦3 ) is given by the
following determinant
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
𝑥 𝑦1 1 Find the area of the triangle whose
1 1
∆ = 𝑥2 𝑦2 1 vertices are (3,8), (-4,2) and (5,1)
2 𝑥 𝑦3 1
3
Solution:
1 3 8 1
∆ = −4 2 1
2
5 1 1
1
= [3 2 − 1 − 8 −4 − 5 + 1 −4 − 10 ]
2

61
= 𝑠𝑞. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
2

Note: (i) Since area is always positive, take absolute value of the determinant.
(ii) If the area is given, use both positive and negative values of the
determinant for calculation.
(iii) The area of the triangle formed by the three collinear points is zero.
1
6
1. Find area of the triangle with vertices at the point given in each of the following :
(i) (1, 0), (6, 0), (4, 3) (ii) (2, 7), (1, 1), (10, 8) (iii) (–2, –3), (3, 2), (–1, –8)

17
2. Show that points A (a, b + c), B (b, c + a), C (c, a + b) are collinear

18
3. Find values of k if area of triangle is 4 sq. units and vertices are
(i) (k, 0), (4, 0), (0, 2) (ii) (–2, 0), (0, 4), (0, k)

19
4. (i) Find equation of line joining (1, 2) and (3, 6) using determinants.

20
4. (ii) Find equation of line joining (3, 1) and (9, 3) using determinants.

21
5. If area of triangle is 35 sq units with vertices (2, – 6), (5, 4) and (k, 4). Then k is
(A) 12 (B) –2 (C) –12, –2 (D) 12, –2

22
4. Minors and Cofactors: 𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
Find minors and cofactors of the elements
Minors: Minor of an element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 of a 𝑎11 , 𝑎21 in the determinant 2 −3 5
determinant is the determinant 6 0 4
obtained by deleting its 𝑖𝑡ℎ row and Solution: 1 5 −7
𝑗𝑡ℎ column in which element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 lies. 2 −3 5 2 −3 5
Minor of an element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 is denoted by For 𝑀11 6 0 4 For 𝑀21 6 0 4
𝑀𝑖𝑗 . 1 5 −7 1 5 −7

Cofactors: Cofactors of an element

𝑎𝑖𝑗 , denoted by 𝐴𝑖𝑗 is defined by 0 4
Minor 𝑀11 = = 0 − 20 = −20
5 −7
𝐴𝑖𝑗 = −1 𝑖+𝑗 𝑀𝑖𝑗 , where 𝑀𝑖𝑗 is minor of
Using sign
𝑎𝑖𝑗 . Cofactor 𝐴11 = 𝑀11 = −20 convention of
Sign convention of elements elements

+ − + −3 5
Minor 𝑀21 = = 21 − 25 = −4
− + − 5 −7
+ − + Using sign
Cofactor 𝐴21 = −𝑀11 = 4 convention of
elements

Note: If elements of a row (or column) are multiplied with cofactors of any other row
(or column), then their sum is zero. For example, ∆= 𝑎11 𝐴21 + 𝑎12 𝐴22 + 𝑎13 𝐴23 = 0 etc.
2
3
1. Write Minors and Cofactors of the elements of following determinants:

24
2. Write Minors and Cofactors of the elements of following determinants:

25
3. Using Cofactors of elements of second row, evaluate ∆ =

26
4. Using Cofactors of elements of third column, evaluate ∆ =

27
5. If ∆ = and Aij is Cofactors of aij , then value of ∆ is given by

(A) a11 A31+ a12 A32 + a13 A33 (B) a11 A11 + a12 A21 + a13 A31
(C) a21 A11 + a22 A12 + a23 A13 (D) a11 A11+ a21 A21 + a31 A31

28
5. Adjoint of Matrix:
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
Adjoint: The adjoint of a ssquare matrix Find the adjoint of the matrix 2 −1 3
0 5 2
𝐴 = [𝑎𝑖𝑗 ]𝑛×𝑛 is defined as the transpose
1 −1 −2
of the matrix [𝐴𝑖𝑗 ]𝑛×𝑛 where 𝐴𝑖𝑗 is the
Solution:
cofactor of the element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 . Adjoint of the
matrix is denoted by 𝑎𝑑𝑗 A. Minor 𝑀11 =
5 2
= −10 − 9 = 7
−1 −2

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13 Using sign convention of

Cofactor 𝐴11 = 𝑀11 = 7 elements
Let 𝐴 = 𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33
Similarly 𝐴12 = −1, 𝐴13 = −1, 𝐴21 = −3, 𝐴22 = 1,
𝐴23 = 0, 𝐴31 = −3, 𝐴32 = 0, 𝐴33 = 1
𝐴11 𝐴12 𝐴13
Then 𝑎𝑑𝑗 A = Transpose of 𝐴21 𝐴22 𝐴23 7 −1 −1
𝐴31 𝐴32 𝐴33 Then 𝑎𝑑𝑗 A = Transpose of −3 1 0
−3 0 1
𝐴11 𝐴21 𝐴31
= 𝐴12 𝐴22 𝐴32 7 −3 −3
𝐴13 𝐴23 𝐴33 = −1 1 0
−1 0 1

2
9
6. Inverse of Matrix: 𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
2 −1 3
Inverse: If A be any given square matrix Find the adjoint of the matrix 0 5 2
of order n, then 1 −1 −2
Solution:
𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴
𝐴−1 = 7 −3 −3
Calculated in previous
𝐴 𝑎𝑑𝑗 A = −1 1 0 example
−1 0 1
Theorem1: If A be any given square 2 −1 3
matrix of order n, then And A = 0 5 2 = −33
1 −1 −2
A(adj A) = (adj A) A = |A| I ,
𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴
where I is the identity matrix of order n Then 𝐴−1 =
𝐴
Theorem2: If A and B are nonsingular
7 −3 −3
matrices of the same order, then AB and 1
= −1 1 0
BA −33
−1 0 1
are also nonsingular matrices of the
same order
Theorem3: The determinant of the
Singular Matrix: A square matrix A is
product of matrices is equal to product
said to be singular if |A|= 0
of their
respective determinants, that is, Nonsingular Matrix: A square matrix A is
|AB| = |A| |B| , where A and B are square said to be singular if |A|≠ 0
matrices of same order. 30
1. Find adjoint of each of the matrices in Exercises 1 and 2

31
2. Find adjoint of each of the matrices in Exercises 1 and 2

32
3. Verify A (adj A) = (adj A) A = |A|I in Exercises 3 and 4

33
4. Verify A (adj A) = (adj A) A = |A|I in Exercises 3 and 4

34
5. Find the inverse of each of the matrices (if it exists) given in Exercises 5 to 11

35
6. Find the inverse of each of the matrices (if it exists) given in Exercises 5 to 11

36
7. Find the inverse of each of the matrices (if it exists) given in Exercises 5 to 11

37
8. Find the inverse of each of the matrices (if it exists) given in Exercises 5 to 11

38
9. Find the inverse of each of the matrices (if it exists) given in Exercises 5 to 11

39
10. Find the inverse of each of the matrices (if it exists) given in Exercises 5 to 11

40
11. Find the inverse of each of the matrices (if it exists) given in Exercises 5 to 11

41
12. Let A = and B = , Verify that 𝐴𝐵 –1 = 𝐵 –1 𝐴–1 .

42
 3 1
13. If A = , show that 𝐴2 – 5𝐴 + 7𝐼 = 𝑂. Hence find 𝐴–1
−1 2

43
 3 2
14. For the matrix A = , find the numbers a and b such that 𝐴2 + 𝑎𝐴 + 𝑏𝐼 = 𝑂.
1 1

44
 1 1 1
15. For the matrix A = 1 2 −3 , Show that 𝐴3 – 6𝐴2 + 5𝐴 + 11 𝐼 = 𝑂. Hence, find 𝐴–1
2 −1 3

45
 2 −1 1
16. If A = −1 2 −1 , Verify that 𝐴3 – 6𝐴2 + 9𝐴 – 4𝐼 = 𝑂 and hence find 𝐴–1
1 −1 2

46
17. Let A be a nonsingular square matrix of order 3 × 3. Then |adj A| is equal to
(A) | A | (B) | 𝐴 |2 (C) | 𝐴 |3 (D) 3|A|

47
18. If A is an invertible matrix of order 2, then det (𝐴–1 ) is equal to
1
(A) det (A) (B) (C) 1 (D) 0
det 𝐴

48
7. Applications of Determinants and Matrices :
Solution of system of linear equations using inverse of a matrix:
𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒃𝟏 𝒚 + 𝒄𝟏 𝒛 = 𝒅𝟏
Solve the following system of equations by
𝒂𝟐 𝒙 + 𝒃𝟐 𝒚 + 𝒄𝟐 𝒛 = 𝒅𝟐 matrix method. 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐𝒚 + 𝟑𝒛 = 𝟖
𝒂𝟑 𝒙 + 𝒃𝟑 𝒚 + 𝒄𝟑 𝒛 = 𝒅𝟑 𝟐𝒙 + 𝒚 – 𝒛 = 𝟏
𝟒𝒙 – 𝟑𝒚 + 𝟐𝒛 = 𝟒
𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑐1 𝑥 𝒅𝟏
Let 𝐴 = 𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2 , X= 𝑦 , B= 𝒅𝟐 Solution:
𝑎3 𝑏3 𝑐3 𝑧 𝒅𝟑 Step 1: The system can be written as AX=B, where
3 −2 3 𝑥 𝟖
Then, the system of the equation can be 𝐴 = 2 1 −1 , X= 𝑦 , B= 𝟏
written as, AX = B 4 −3 2 𝑧 𝟒

Case 1: If A is a nonsingular matrix, then Since, A = 3 (2 – 3) + 2(4 + 4) + 3 (– 6 – 4) = – 17 ≠ 0

its inverse exists. Then, X = A−1 B −1 −5 −1
1
Hence, A =
−1
− 17 −8 −6 9
Case 2: If A is a singular matrix, then |A| = 0. −10 1 7
In this case, we calculate (adj A) B.
−1 −5 −1 8
If (adj A) B ≠ O, (O being zero matrix), then 1
Step 2: Therefore, X= A B = −
−1
−8 −6 9 1
solution does not exist and the 17
−10 1 7 4
system of equations is called inconsistent.
If (adj A) B = O, then system may be have 𝑥 𝟏
either infinitely many solutions or no ⇒ 𝑦 = 𝟐 Hence, x=1, y=2 and z=3
solution. 𝑧 𝟑
49
1. Examine the consistency of the system of equations in Exercises 1 to 6
𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 2
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 3

50
2. Examine the consistency of the system of equations in Exercises 1 to 6
2x – y = 5
x+y=4

51
3. Examine the consistency of the system of equations in Exercises 1 to 6
x+ 3y = 5
2x + 6y = 8

52
4. Examine the consistency of the system of equations in Exercises 1 to 6
𝑥+𝑦+𝑧 =1
2x + 3y + 2z = 2
ax + ay + 2az = 4

53
5. Examine the consistency of the system of equations in Exercises 1 to 6
3x–y – 2z = 2
2y – z = –1
3x – 5y = 3

54
5. Examine the consistency of the system of equations in Exercises 1 to 6
5x – y + 4z = 5
2x + 3y + 5z = 2
5x – 2y + 6z = –1

55
7. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
5x + 2y = 4
7x + 3y = 5

56
8. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
2x – y = –2
3x + 4y = 3

57
9. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
4x – 3y = 3
3x – 5y = 7

58
10. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
5x + 2y = 3
3x + 2y = 5

59
11. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
2x + y + z = 1
3
x – 2y – z =
2
3y – 5z = 9

60
12. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
x–y+z=4
2x + y – 3z = 0
x+y+z=2

61
13. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
2x + 3y +3 z = 5
x – 2y + z = – 4
3x – y – 2z = 3

62
14. Solve system of linear equations, using matrix method, in Exercises 7 to 14
x – y + 2z = 7
3x + 4y – 5z = – 5
2x – y + 3z = 12

63
1. Prove that the determinant is independent of θ

64
2. Evaluate

65
 3 −1 1 1 2 −2
3. If 𝐴−1 = −15 6 −5 and B = −1 3 0 , find 𝐴𝐵 −1

5 −2 2 0 −2 1

66
 1 2 1
4. Let A = 2 3 1 verify that
1 1 5

(i) 𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝐴 –1 = 𝑎𝑑𝑗 (𝐴–1 ) (ii) 𝐴–1 –1 = 𝐴

67
5. Evaluate

68
6. Evaluate

69
7. Solve the system of equations

70
8. If x, y, z are nonzero real numbers, then the inverse of matrix A =

71
9. Let A = , where 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π. Then

(A) Det(A) = 0 (B) Det(A) ∈ (2, ∞) (C) Det(A) ∈ (2, 4) (D) Det(A) ∈ [2, 4]

72