Determinants

For every square matrix A = [aij] of order n, we can associate a

number called determinant of square matrix. It is denoted by |A|
or det(A).

Evaluating Determinants
(1) Order One: (2) Order Two:
A=[a] a11 a12
A=
|A| = | a | a21 a22
=a a11 a12
|A| = = a11 a22 - a12 a21
(3) Order Three: a21 a22
a11 a12 a13
A = a21 a22 a23
a31 a32 a33

a11 a12 a13

a22 a23 a21 a23 a21 a22
|A| = a21 a22 a23 = a11 - a12 + a13
a32 a33 a31 a33 a31 a32
a31 a32 a33

Properties Of Determinants
(1) Property 1: Interchanging rows with columns
a1 a2 a3 a1 b1 c1
b1 b2 b3 = a2 b2 c2
c1 c2 c3 a3 b3 c3
(2) Property 2: Interchanging any two rows/ columns
a1 a2 a3 b1 b2 b3
b1 b2 b3 = - a1 a2 a3
c1 c2 c3 c1 c2 c3
(3) Property 3: When any two rows/ columns are equal
a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3 = 0
b1 b2 b3
(4) Property 4: Multiplying rows/ columns with constant
Ka1 Ka2 Ka3 a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3 = K b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3 c1 c2 c3
(5) Property 5: Representing a determinant as sum of two or more
determinants
a1 + d1 a2+ d2 a3+ d3 a1 a2 a3 d1 d2 d3
b1 b2 b3 = b1 b2 b3 + b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3 c1 c2 c3 c1 c2 c3
(6) Property 6: Value of determinants remains same if we apply
operation Ri Ri + KRj
OR
Ci Ci + KCj

a1 a2 a3 a1 + Kb1 a2+ Kb2 a3+ Kb3

b1 b2 b3 = b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3 c1 c2 c3

Minor of An Element
It is a determinant obtained by deleting the ithrow and jth column in
which aij lies. Minor of aij is denoted by mij.
Minor of an element of a determinant of order n is a determinant of
order n-1.

Cofactor of An Element
It is denoted by Aij and defined as
Aij = (-1)i+j mij
Where mij is a minor of aij

Area Of A Triangle Using Determinant

For a triangle with vertices (x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y3),
x1 y1 1 x1 x2 x3
Area = 1
2 x2 y2 1 =1
2 y1 y2 y3
x3 y3 1 1 1 1