MATHEMATICS

Target IIT JEE

DETERMINANT & MATRICES

Theory and Exercise Booklet

CONTENT

DETERMINANT

S.No. Topic Page No.

1. Theory 1-16
2. Level - 1 16-21
3. Level - 2 22-24
4. Level - 3 25-36
5. Exercise - 1 27-30
6. Exercise - 2 31-32
7. Exercise - 3 32-34
8. Answers 35-36

MATRICES

S.No. Topic Page No.

1. Theory 37-49
2. Level - 1 50-57
3. Level - 2 58-59
4. Level - 3 60-62
5. Exercise - 1 63-64
6. Exercise - 2 65-66
7. Exercise - 3 67-68
8. Answers 69-70

Determinant & Matrices [1]

1. Definition:
Let us consider the equations a 1x + b1y = 0, a2x + b2y = 0
a1 y a2
 – = =–
b1 x b2
a1 a2
 =
b1 b2
 a1b2 – a2b1 = 0
a1 b1
we express this eliminant as =0
a2 b2
a1 b1
The symbol is called the determinant of order two.
a2 b2
Its value is given by: D = a1 b2  a2 b1

2. Expansion of Determinant:
a1 b1 c1
The symbol a 2 b 2 c 2 is called the determinant of order three.
a3 b3 c3
Its value can be found as:
b2 c 2 b1 c1 b1 c1
D = a1  a2 + a3 OR
b3 c 3 b3 c3 b2 c2

b2 c 2 a2 c2 a2 b2
D = a1  b1 + c1 ... & so on.
b3 c 3 a3 c3 a3 b3
In this manner we can expand a determinant in 6 ways using elements of ; R 1, R2, R3 or C1, C2, C3.

3. Mino rs:
The minor of a given element of a determinant is the determinant of the elements which remain after
deleting the row & the column in which the given element stands. For example, the minor of a 1 in
a1 b1 c1
b2 c2 a1 c1
a2 b2 c2 is & the minor of b2 is .
b3 c3 a3 c3
a3 b3 c 3
Hence a determinant of order two will have “4 minors” & a determinant of order three will have “9
minors”.
4. Cofac tor:
Cofactor of the element aij is Cij = (1)i+j. Mij ; Where i & j denotes the row & column in which the
particular element lies.
Note that the value of a determinant of order three in terms of ‘Minor’ & ‘Cofactor’ can be written as:
D = a11M11  a12M12 + a13M13
OR D = a11C11 + a12C12 + a13C13 & so on.

5. Transpose of a Determinant:
The transpose of a determinant is a determinant obtained after interchanging the rows & columns.

Determinant & Matrices [2]

 a1 b1 c1 a1 a 2 a3
D = a2 b2 c2  DT  b1 b 2 b3
a3 b3 c3 c1 c 2 c3

6. Symmetric, Skew -Symmetric, Asymmetric Determinants:

(i) A determinant is symmetric if it is identical to its transpose. Its i th row is identical to its i th
column i.e. aij = aji for all values of ' i ' and ' j '
(ii) A determinant is skew-symmetric if it is identical to its transpose having sign of each element
inverted i.e. aij = – aji for all values of ' i ' and ' j '. A skew-symmetric determinant has all elements
zero in its principal diagonal.
(iii) A determinant is asymmetric if it is neither symmetric nor skew-symmetric.

7. Properties of Determinants:
(i) The value of a determinant remains unaltered, if the rows & columns are inter changed,

a1 b1 c1 a1 a 2 a3
i.e. D = a2 b2 c 2  b1 b 2 b 3 = D
a3 b3 c3 c1 c 2 c3
(ii) If any two rows (or columns) of a determinant be interchanged, the value of determinant
is changed in sign only. e.g.

a1 b1 c1 a2 b2 c2
Let D = a 2 b 2 c2 & D = a1 b1 c1 Then D =  D.
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c 3

NOTE : A skew-symmetric deteminant of odd order has value zero.

(iii) If a determinant has all the elements zero in any row or column then its value is zero,

0 0 0
i.e. D = a2 b2 c2 = 0.
a3 b3 c3
(iv) If a determinant has any two rows (or columns) identical, then its value is zero,
a1 b1 c1
i.e. D = a1 b1 c1 = 0.
a3 b3 c 3
(v) If all the elements of any row (or column) be multiplied by the same number, then the determinant
is multiplied by that number, i.e.

a1 b1 c1 Ka1 Kb1 Kc1

D = a2 b2 c2 and D = a 2 b2 c2 Then D= KD
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

(vi) If each element of any row (or column) can be expressed as a sum of two terms then the
determinant can be expressed as the sum of two determinants, i.e.

a1x b1y c1z a1 b1 c1 x y z

a2 b2 c2  a2 b 2 c 2  a2 b 2 c2
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

Determinant & Matrices [3]

 (vii) The value of a determinant is not altered by adding to the elements of any row (or column) a
constant multiple of the corresponding elements of any other row (or column),

a1 b1 c1 a1  ma 2 b1  mb 2 c 1  mc 2
i.e. D = a2 b2 c2 and D = a2 b2 c2 . Then D= D.
a3 b3 c3 a 3  na1 b 3  nb1 c 3  nc1

a b c
Example : Simplify b c a
c a b

Solution. Let R1  R1 + R2 + R3

abc abc abc

 b c a
c a b

1 1 1
= (a + b + c) b c a
c a b
Apply C1 C1 – C2, C2  C2 – C3

0 0 1
= (a + b + c) b  c c  a a
c a ab b

= (a + b + c) ((b – c) (a – b) – (c – a) 2)
= (a + b + c) (ab + bc – ca – b 2 – c2 + 2ca – a2)
= (a + b + c) (ab + bc + ca – a 2 – b2 – c2)
= 3abc – a3 – b3 – c3

a b c
Example : Simplify a2 b2 c2
bc ca ab

Solution. Given detereminant is equal to

a2 b2 c2
1 3 3
= a b c3
abc
abc abc abc

a2 b2 c2
abc
= a3 b3 c3
abc
1 1 1

Apply C1  C1 – C2, C2  C2 – C3

a2  b 2 b2  c 2 c2
= a3  b3 b3  c 3 c3
0 0 1

Determinant & Matrices [4]

 ab bc c2
2 2 2 2
= (a – b) (b – c) a  ab  b b  bc  c c3
0 0 1

= (a – b) (b – c) [ab2 + abc + ac2 + b3 + b2C + bc2 – a2b – a2c – ab2 – abc – b3 – b2c]
= (a – b) (b – c) [c(ab + bc + ca) – a(ab + bc + ca)]
= (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (ab + bc + ca)
Use of factor theorem.

USE OF FACTOR THEOREM TO FIND THE VALUE OF DETERMINANT

If by putting x = a the value of a determinant vanishes then (x  a) is a factor of the determinant.

a b c
2 2 2
Example : Prove that a b c = (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (ab + bc + ca) by using factor theorem.
bc ca ab

Solution. Let a = b

a b c
2 2 2
 D= a b c =0
bc ac ab

Hence (a – b) is a factor of determinant

Similarly, let b = c, D = 0
c = a, D = 0
Hence, (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) is factor of determinant. But the given determinant is of fifth
order so

a b c
2 2
a b c2 = (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) ( (a2 + b2 + c2) + µ (ab + bc + ca))
bc ca ab

Since this is an identity so in order to find the values of  and µ. Let

a = 0, b = 1, c = – 1
– 2 = (2) (2 – µ)
(2 – µ) = – 1. ........(i)
Let a = 1, b = 2, c = 0

1 2 0
1 4 0 = (–1) 2 (– 1) (5 + 2µ)
0 0 2

 5 + 2µ = 2 .......(ii)
from (i) and (ii)  = 0 and µ = 1

a b c
Hence a b c 2 2 2
= (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (ab + bc + ca).
bc ca ab

Self Practice Problems

Determinant & Matrices [5]

 0 ba c a
1. Find the value of  = a  b 0 c b .
ac bc 0

Ans. 0

b 2  ab b  c bc  ac
2 2
2. Simplify ab  a a  b b  ab .
bc  ac c  a ab  a 2

Ans. 0

abc 2a 2a
2b bc a 2b
3. Prove that = (a + b + c)3.
2c 2c c ab

1 a bc
4. Show that 1 b ca = (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) by using factor theorem .
1 c ab

8. Multiplication Of Two Determinants:

a1 b1 1 m1 a1 1b1 2 a1m1b1m2

 
a2 b 2 2 m2 a 2  1b 2  2 a 2 m1b 2 m2

a1 b1 c1  1 m1 n1 a1 1  b1 2  c1 3 a1m1  b1m 2  c 1m3 a1n1  b1n 2  c1n3

a2 b2 c 2 ×  2 m2 n 2 = a 2  1  b 2  2  c 2  3 a 2m1  b 2m 2  c 2m3 a 2n1  b 2n 2  c 2n3
a3 b3 c3  3 m3 n 3 a3 1  b3 2  c 3 3 a 3m1  b3m 2  c 3m3 a 3n1  b3n 2  c 3n3

We have multiplied here rows by rows but we can also multiply rows by columns, columns by rows and
columns by columns.
If  = |aij| is a detereminant of order n, then the value of the determinant |A ij | =  n – 1. This is also known
as power cofactor formula.
1 2 3 0 1 8
Example : Find the value of × and prove that it is equal to .
1 3 1 4  6 12

1 2 3 0
Solution. ×
1 3 1 4

1 3  2  1 1 0  2  4
=
 1 3  3  ( 1)  1 0  3  4

1 8
=
 6 12
= 60

a1x1  b1y1 a1x 2  b1y 2 a1x 3  b1y 3

Example : Prove that a 2 x1  b 2 y1 a 2 x 2  b 2 y 2 a2 x 3  b2 y 3 = 0
a 3 x1  b 3 y1 a 3 x 2  b 3 y 2 a 3 x 3  b3 y 3

Determinant & Matrices [6]

Solution. Given determinant can be splitted into product of two determinants

a1x1  b1y1 a1x 2  b1y 2 a1x 3  b1y 3 a1 b1 c1 x1 x 2 x3

i.e. a 2 x1  b 2 y1 a 2 x 2  b 2 y 2 a2 x 3  b2 y 3 = a2 b2 c 2 × y1 y 2 y3 = 0
a 3 x1  b 3 y1 a 3 x 2  b 3 y 2 a 3 x 3  b3 y 3 a3 b3 c3 0 0 0

(a1  b1 )2 (a1  b 2 )2 (a1  b 3 )2

Example : Prove that (a 2  b1 )2 (a 2  b 2 )2 (a 2  b 3 )2
(a 3  b1 )2 (a3  b 2 )2 (a 3  b 3 )2

= 2(a1 – a2) (a2 – a3) (a3 – a1) (b1 – b2) (b2 – b3) (b3 – b1).

(a1  b1 )2 (a1  b 2 )2 (a1  b 3 )2

2 2
Solution. (a 2  b1 ) (a 2  b 2 ) (a 2  b 3 )2
(a 3  b1 )2 (a3  b 2 )2 (a 3  b 3 )2

2 2 2 2 2 2
a1  b1  2a1b1 a1  b 2  2a1b 2 a1  b 3  2a1b 3
2 2 2 2 2 2
= a 2  b1  2a 2b1 a 2  b 2  2a 2b 2 a 2  b 3  2a 2b 3
2 2 2 2 2 2
a 3  b1  2a 3b1 a 3  b 2  2a 3b 2 a 3  b 3  2a 3b 3
2
a1 1  2a1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2
= a 2 1  2a 2 × b1 b2 b3
2
a 3 1  2a 3 b1 b2 b3

2 2
1 a1 a1 1 b1 b1
2 2
= 2 1 a2 a2 × 1 b2 b2
2 2
1 a3 a3 1 b3 b 3
= 2(a1 – a2) (a2 – a3) (a3 – a1) (b1 – b2) (b2 – b3) (b3 – b1)

cos( A  P) cos( A  Q) cos( A  R)

Example : Prove that cos(B  P) cos(B  Q ) cos(B  R) =0
cos(C  P) cos(C  Q) cos(C  R)

cos( A  P) cos( A  Q) cos( A  R)

Solution. cos(B  P) cos(B  Q ) cos(B  R)
cos(C  P) cos(C  Q) cos(C  R)
cos A cos P  sin A sin P cos A cos Q  sin A sin Q cos A cos R  sin A sin R
= cos B cos P  sin B sin P cos B cos Q  sin B sin Q cos B cos R  sin B sin R
cos C cos P  sin C sin P cos C cos Q  sin C sin Q cos C cos R  sin C sin R

cos A sin A 0 cos P cos Q cos R

cos B sin B 0 sin P sin Q sin R
= ×
cos C sin C 0 0 0 0

= 0 × 0 = 0.

Self Practice Problems

Determinant & Matrices [7]

1. Find the value of 

2bc  a 2 c2 b2
c2 2ca  b 2 a2
b2 a2 2ab  c 2

Ans. (3abc – a3 – b3 – c3)2

1 cos(B  A ) cos( C  A )
2. If A, B, C are real numbers then find the value of  = cos( A  B) 1 cos(C  B) .
cos( A  C) cos(B  C) 1

Ans. 0

9. Summation of Determinants

f(r) g(r ) h(r )

Let (r) = a1 a 2 a 3
b1 b 2 b 3

where a1, a2, a3, b1, b2, b3 are constants indepedent of r, then

n n n

n

r 1
f (r ) 
r 1
g(r )  h(r )
r 1


r 1
(r ) = a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3

Here function of r can be the elements of only one row or column. None of the elements other then that
row or column should be dependent on r. If more than one column or row have elements dependent on
r then first expand the determinant and then find the summation.

n
2r  1 nCr 2r
Example : Evaluate  x cos 2  y
r 1 n2 n n1
2 1 2  2

n n n
r
n  (2r  1)  n Cr 2
Solution : D
r 1
r = r 1
x
r 1
cos2  y
r 1

n2 2n  1 2n 1  2

n2 2n  1 2n 1  2
= x cos 2  y
2 n n 1
n 2 1 2 2

=0

Determinant & Matrices [8]

 n 2 n2 n2
Cr 2 Cr 1 Cr
Example : Dr = 3 1 1
2 1 0

evaluate D
r 2
r

n 2 n2 n2
n n Cr 2 Cr 1 Cr
Solution : D r = 
r2
3 1 1
r 2 2 1 0

n 2
C0  n2 C1  ....  n 2Cn 2 n2
C1  n 2C 2  ....  n2Cn 2 n2
C 2  n 2C3  ....  n2Cn 2
= 3 1 1
2 1 0

2n2 2n 2  1 2n2  1  n
= 3 1 1
2 1 0

C1  C1 – 2 × C2

2n2  2n1  2 2n 2  1 2n 2  1  n

= 1 1 1
0 1 0

2n 2  2n1  2 2n 2  1  n

= (–1)
1 1

= 2n – 1 – n – 3

r 1 1 0 n
Example : If  r = 2 r 3  r , find 
r 1
r
r 1 1  2

Solution. On expansion of determinent, we get

Dr = (r –1) (3 – r) + 7 + r 2 + 4r = 8r + 4
n
 
r 1
r = 4n (n + 2)

Self Practice Problem

n r 1 x 6
1. Evaluate 
r 1
Dr (r  1) 2
y 4n  2
(r  1)3 z 3n2  3n

Ans. 0

Determinant & Matrices [9]

1 0 . Integration of a determinant

f ( x) g( x) h( x )
a1 b1 c1
Let (x) =
a2 b2 c2

where a1, b1, c1, a2, b2, c2 are constants independent of x. Hence

b b b

b

a
f ( x ) dx 
a
g( x) dx  h(x) dx
a

 (x ) dx = a1 b1 c1
a a2 b2 c2

Note : If more than one row or one column are function of x then first expand the determinant and then
integrate it.

cos x 1 0 /2

Example : If f(x) = 1 2 cos x 1 , then find  f (x ) dx

0
0 1 2 cos x

Solution. Here f(x) = cos x (4 cos2x – 1) –2 cos x

= 4 cos3x – 3 cos x = cos 3x
/2 /2
sin 3 x  1
so 
0
cos 3 x dx =
3  0
=–
3

 2  1 2  2  2  3 1
6 4 3
Example : If  =
x x 2
x 3
, then find  (x ) dx
0

1 2  1 2  2 2  3
6 4 3
Solution.  (x ) dx
0
=
1 1 1
2 3
 x dx  x
0 0
dx x
0
dx

 2  1 2  2  2  3  2  1 2  2  2  3
6 4 3 1 6 4 3
= 1 1 1 = =0
12 6 4 3
2 3 4

1 1 . Differentiation of Determinant:

Determinant & Matrices [10]

 f1( x ) f2 ( x ) f3 ( x )
Let (x) = g1( x) g2 ( x ) g3 ( x )
h1( x ) h2 ( x) h3 ( x )

f1( x ) f1( x ) f 2 ( x ) f3 ( x )
f 2 ( x ) f3 ( x ) f1( x ) f 2 ( x ) f3 ( x )
then (x) = g1( x ) g2 ( x ) g3 ( x ) + g1 ( x ) g2 ( x ) g3 ( x ) + g1( x ) g2 ( x ) g3 ( x )
h1( x ) h 2 ( x ) h3 ( x) h1( x ) h 2 ( x ) h3 ( x) h1( x ) h2 ( x ) h3 ( x)

3 2 1
2
Example : If f(x) = 6 x 2x3 x 4 , then find the value of f(a).
1 a a2

3 2 1
2
Solution. f(x) = 12 x 6 x 4x3
1 a a2

3 2 1
2
f(x) = 12 12 x 12x
1 a a2

3 2 1
2
 f(a) = 12 1 a a = 0.
1 a a2

Example : Let  be a repeated root of quadratic equation f(x) = 0 and A(x), B(x) and C(x) be polynomial of
degree 3, 4 and 5 respectively, then show that

A( x ) B( x ) C( x )
A( ) B( ) C( )
A( ) B( ) C( )

divisible by f(x).

A( x ) B( x ) C( x )
Solution. Let g(x) = A( ) B( ) C( )
A( ) B( ) C( )

A( x ) B( x ) C( x )

 g(x) = A( ) B( ) C( )
A( ) B( ) C( )

Since g() = g() = 0

 g(x) = (x – )2 h(x) i.e.  is the repeated root of g(x) and h(x) is any polynomial
expression of degree 3. Also f(x) = 0 have repeated root . So g(x) is divisible by f(x).

Example : Prove that F depends only on x 1, x 2 and x 3

Determinant & Matrices [11]

 1 1 1
F= x1  a1 x 2  a1 x 3  a1
x12  b1x1  b 2 x 22  b1x 2  b 2 x 32  b1x 3  b 2
and simplify F.

0 0 0
dF
Solution : = x1  a1 x 2  a1 x 3  a1
da1
x12  b1x1  b 2 x 22  b1x 2  b 2 x 32  b1x 3  b 2

1 1 1 1 1 1
+ 1 1 1 + x1  a1 x 2  a1 x 3  a1 = 0
x12  b1x1  b 2 x 22  b1x 2  b 2 x 32  b1x 3  b 2 0 0 0

Hence F is independent of a1.

dF dF
Similarly = = 0.
db1 db 2

Hence F is independent of b1 and b2 also.

So F is dependent only on x 1, x 2, x 3
Put a1 = 0, b1 = 0, b2 = 0

1 1 1
 F = x1 x2 x3
x12 x 22 x 32

= (x 1 – x 2) (x 2 – x 3) (x 3 – x 1).

ex sin x
Example : If = A + Bx + Cx 2 + ....., then find the value of A and B.
cos x n(1  x )
Solution : Put x = 0 in

ex sin x
= A + Bx + Cx 2 + .......
cos x n(1  x )

1 0
 =A
1 0
A = 0.
Differentiating the given determinant w.r.t x, we get

ex cos x ex sin x
+  sin x 1 = B + 2 C x + ......
cos x n(1  x ) 1 x
Put x = 0, we get
1 1 1 0
+ =0
1 0 0 1
 B = –1 + 1 = 0
 A = 0, B = 0

Self Practice Problem

Determinant & Matrices [12]

 x x 1 x
 2x x  1 1
1. If = ax 3 + bx 2 + cx + d. Find
x 1 1 x

(i) d Ans. [– 1]
(ii) a+b+c+d Ans. [– 5]
(iii) b Ans. [– 4]

1 2 . Cramer's Rule: System of Linear Equations

(i) Two Variables
(a) Consistent Equations: Definite & unique solution. [ intersecting lines ]
(b) Inconsistent Equation: No solution. [ Parallel line ]
(c) Dependent equation: Infinite solutions. [ Identical lines ]

Let a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 & a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 then:

a1 b c
 1  1  Given equations are inconsistent &
a2 b2 c2

a1 b c
 1  1  Given equations are dependent
a2 b2 c2
(ii) Three Variables

Let, a1x + b1y + c1z = d1............ (I)

a2x + b2y + c2z = d2............ (II)
a3x + b3y + c3z = d3............ (III)
D1 D D
Then, x= ,Y= 2 ,Z= 3 .
D D D

a1 b1 c1 d1 b1 c1 a1 d1 c1 a1 b1 d1
a2 b2 c2 d2 b 2 c 2 a2 d2 c2 a2 b2 d2
Where D = ; D1 = ; D2 = & D3 =
a3 b3 c3 d3 b 3 c3 a3 d3 c3 a3 b3 d3

(iii) Consistency of a system of Equations

(a) If D  0 and alteast one of D1, D2, D3  0, then the given system of equations are consistent and
have unique non trivial solution.
(b) If D  0 & D1 = D2 = D3 = 0, then the given system of equations are consistent and have trivial
solution only.
(c) If D = D1 = D2 = D3 = 0, then the given system of equations have either infinite solutions or no
solution.

(Refer Example & Self Practice Problem with*)

(d) If D = 0 but atleast one of D1, D2, D3 is not zero then the equations are inconsistent and have no
solution.

Determinant & Matrices [13]

 (e) 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.
(iv) Three equation in two variables :
If x and y are not zero, then condition for a 1x + b1y + c1 = 0 ; a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 &

a1 b1 c1
a3x + b3y + c3 = 0 to be consistent in x and y is a 2 b 2 c 2 = 0.
a3 b3 c3

Example: Find the nature of solution for the given system of equations.
x + 2y + 3z = 1
2x + 3y + 4z = 3
3x + 4y + 5z = 0

1 2 3
Solution. Let D = 2 3 4
3 4 5

apply C1  C1 – C2 , C2  C2 – C3
1 1 3
D= 1 1 4 =0 D=0
1 1 5
1 2 3
Now, D1 = 3 3 4
0 4 5

C3  C3 – C2

1 2 1
D1 = 3 3 1
0 4 1

R1  R1 – R2 , R2  R2 – R3

 2 1 0
D1 = 3 1 0 =5
0 4 1

D = 0 But D1  0 Hence no solution

*Example : Solve the following system of equations

x+y+z=1
2x + 2y + 2z = 3
3x + 3y + 3z = 4

1 1 1
Solution.  D= 2 2 2 =0
3 3 3

D1 = 0, D2 = 0, D3 = 0
 Let z = t
x+y=1–t
2x + 2y = 3 – 2t
Since both the lines are parallel hence no value of x and y Hence there is no solution of the

Determinant & Matrices [14]

 given equation.

*Example : Solve the following system of equations

x+y+z=2
2x + 2y + 2z = 4
3x + 3y + 3z = 6

1 1 1
2 2 2
Solution.  D= =0
3 3 3

D1 = 0, D2 = 0, D3 = 0
All the cofactors of D, D1, D2 and D3 are all zeros, hence the system will have infinite solutions.
Let z = t 1, y = t 2  x = 2 – t1 – t2
where t 1, t 2  R.

Example : Consider the following system of equations

x+y+z=6
x + 2y + 3z = 10
x + 2y + z = 
Find values of  and  if such that sets of equation have
(i) unique solution (ii) infinite solution
(iii) no solution
Solution. x+y+z=6
x + 2y + 3z = 10
x + 2y + z = 

1 1 1
1 2 3
D=
1 2 

Here for  = 3 second and third rows are identical hence D = 0 for  = 3.

6 1 1
10 2 3
D1 =
 2 

1 6 1
1 10 3
D2 =
1  

1 1 6
1 2 10
D3 =
1 2 

If  = 3 then D1 = D2 = D3 = 0 for µ = 10

(i) For unique solution D  0

i.e. 3

(ii) For infinite solutions

D=0  =3
D1 = D2 = D3 = 0  µ = 10.
(iii) For no solution

Determinant & Matrices [15]

 D=0  =3
Atleast one of D1, D2 or D3 is non zero  µ  10.

Self Practice Problems

*1. Solve the following system of equations

x + 2y + 3z = 1
2x + 3y + 4z = 2
3x + 4y + 5z = 3
Ans. x=1+t y = –2t z=t where t  R

2. Solve the following system of equations

x + 2y + 3z = 0
2x + 3y + 4z = 0
x–y–z=0
Ans. x = 0, y = 0, z = 0

3. Solve: (b + c) (y + z)  ax = b  c, (c + a) (z + x)  by = c  a, (a + b) (x + y)  cz = a  b
where a + b + c  0.
c b ac ba
Ans. x= ,y= ,z=
a bc a bc a b c

4. Let 2x + 3y + 4 = 0 ; 3x + 5y + 6 = 0, 2x 2 + 6xy + 5y2 + 8x + 12y + 1 + t = 0, if the system of equations

in x and y are consistent then find the value of t.
Ans. t = 7

1 3 . Application of Determinants:
Following examples of short hand writing large expressions are:
(i) Area of a triangle whose vertices are (x r, yr); r = 1, 2, 3 is:

x1 y1 1
1 x2 y2 1
D= If D = 0 then the three points are collinear.
2 x y3 1
3

x y 1
(ii) Equation of a straight line passing through (x 1, y1) & (x 2, y2) is x1 y1 1 = 0
x2 y2 1

(iii) The lines: a1x + b1y + c1 = 0........ (1)

a2x + b2y + c2 = 0........ (2)
a3x + b3y + c3 = 0........ (3)

a1 b1 c1
are concurrent if, a2 b2 c 2 = 0.
a3 b3 c3

Condition for the consistency of three simultaneous linear equations in 2 variables.

(iv) ax² + 2 hxy + by² + 2 gx + 2 fy + c = 0 represents a pair of straight lines if:

a h g
abc + 2 fgh  af²  bg²  ch² = 0 = h b f
g f c

Determinant & Matrices [16]

 LEVEL # 1

Questions
based on Expansion of Determinants

a 1 1 1
Q.1 If 1 1 1 = 4, then the value a is -
1 1 1

(A) 1 (B) – 1 (C) –2 (D) 0

x y 2 3
Q.2 If = 7 and = 4, then -
4 2 y x

5 5 5 5
(A) x = – 3, y = – (B) x = – , y = – 3 (C) x = 3, y = (C) x = , y = 3
2 2 2 2

5  i 3 i
Q.3 The value of is -
4i 5 i

(A) 12 (B) 17 (C) 14 (D) 24

sec x sin x tan x

0 1 0
Q.4 is equal to -
tan x cot x sec x

(A) 0 (B) – 1 (C) 1 (D) None of these

1 0 0
1 3
Q.5 The value of 3 x 1 is -
xy
5 y3 1

(A) x + y (B) x2 – xy + y2 (C) x2 + xy + y2 (D) x3 – y3

Questions
based on

1 2
Q.6 The cofactors of 1, – 2, – 3 and 4 in are -
3 4

(A) 4, 3, 2, 1 (B) – 4, 3, 2, –1 (C) 4, – 3, – 2, 1 (D)– 4, – 3, – 2, – 1

2 1 4
4 2 3
Q.7 The minors of the elements of the first row in the determinant are-
1 1 2

Determinant & Matrices [17]

 (A) 2, 7, 11 (B) 7, 11, 2 (C) 11, 2, 7 (D) 7, 2, 11

a1 b1 c1
Q.8 If  = a 2 b2 c 2 and A2, B2, C2 are respectively cofactors of a2, b2, c2 then a1A2 + b1B2 + c1C2
a3 b3 c3

is equal to -
(A) –  (B) 0 (C)  (D) None of these

Q.9 If A = (aij) is a 4 × 4 matrix and c ij is the co-factor of the element aij in Det (A) , then the expression
a11c11+ a12c12+ a13c13 + a14 c14 equals-
(A) 0 (B) – 1 (C) 1 (D) Det. (A)

x 1 2
Q.10 If cofactor of 2x in the determinant 1 2x x  1 is zero, then x equals to -
x 1 x 0
(A) 0 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) –1

Questions
based on Some basic properties

a1 ma1 b1
Q.11 The value of the determinant a2 ma2 b2 is -
a3 ma3 b3
(A) 0 (B) ma1a2a3 (C) ma1b2a2 (D) mb1b2b3

a 0 0 p 2a 0 0
b c a pb c a
Q.12 If  = , then is equal to -
c a b pc a b

(A) p  (B) p2  (C) p3  (D) 2p 

1/ a 1 bc
Q.13 The value of the determinant 1/ b 1 ca is equal to
1/ c 1 ab
(A) abc (B) 1/abc (C) 0 (D) None of these

Q.14 If each row of a determinant of third order of value  is multiplied by 3, then the value of new
determinant is -
(A)  (B) 27  (C) 21  (D) 54 

Q.15 The sum of infinite series

1
1 2 1 2
2 4
+ 2 + 2 + ........ is -
6 4 2 4 4
3

(A) –10 (B) 0 (C) 10 (D) 

Determinant & Matrices [18]

 a ma  nx x
Q.16 The value of b mb  ny y is -
c mc  nz z
(A) a + b + c (B) x + y + z
(C) m(a + b + c) + n(x + y + z) (D) 0

a ab abc
Q.17 The value of 2a 3 a  2b 4a  3b  2c is equal to -
3a 6a  3b 10a  6b  3 c

(A) a3 (B) b3 (C) c3 (D) a3 + b3 + c3

ka k 2  a2 1
Q.18 The value of the determinant kb k 2  b 2 1 is -
kc k 2  c 2 1

(A) k (a + b) (b + c) (c + a) (B) k abc (a2 + b2 + c2)

(C) k (a – b) (b – c) ( c – a) (D) k (a + b – c) (b + c – a) (c + a – b)

r x n(n  1) / 2 n

Q.19 If Dr = 2r  1 y n2 , then D r is equal to -

3r  2 z n(3n  1) / 2 r 1

1 1 2
(A) n(n + 1)(2n + 1) (B) n (n + 1)2 (C) 0 (D) None of these
6 4

a x a x a x
Q.20 If a  x a  x a  x = 0, then value of x are-
a x a x a x

(A) 0, a (B) 0, – a (C) a, – a (D) 0, 3a

a b c
a2 b 2 c2
Q.21 The value of the determinant is -
bc ca ab

(A) abc (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (B) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (a + b + c)

(C) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (ab + bc + ca) (D) None of these

a2 b2 c2
Q.22 If (a  1) 2 (b  1)2 (c  1)2 = k
(a  1) 2 (b  1)2 (c  1)2

a 2 b2 c2
a b c
, then k is equal to –
1 1 1

(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 0

Determinant & Matrices [19]

 a b  c a3
Q.23 The value of b c  a b3 is -
c a  b c3

(A) (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (B) abc (a – b) (b – c) (c – a)

(C) – (a + b + c)2 (a – b) (b – c) (c – a) (D) None of these

x 1 x  2 x  
Q.24 If x is real number such that x  2 x  3 x = 0 then    are in
x 3 x 4 x 

(A) A.P. (B) G.P. (C) H.P. (D) None of these

1 1 1
Q.25 The determinant a b c is equal to -
2 2 2
a  bc b  ca c  ab
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) – 1 (D) None of these

1 1 1
m m 1 m 2
Q.26 C1 C1 C1 =
m m 1 m2
C2 C2 C2
(A) m(m + 1) (B) m(m – 1) (C) 1 (D) 0

1 4 20
Q.27 Find the value of x in the equation 1 2 5 = 0
1 2x 5x 2

(A) –1, 2 (B) –1, 0 (C) 2, 0 (D) 1, 2

x  2 x  3 x  2a
Q.28 If a, b, c are in A.P., then the value of x  3 x  4 x  2b equals -
x  4 x  5 x  2c

(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 2a (D) 2x

1 i 1 i i
Q.29 1 i i 1 i (where i = 1 ) equals -
i 1 i 1 i

(A) 7 + 4i (B) 7 – 4i (C) 4 + 7i (D) 4 – 7i

a a b a b c
Q.30  = 3a 4a  3b 5a  4b  3c where a = i,b =   c =     then   is equal to-
6a 9a  6b 11a  9b  6c
(A) i (B) – 2 (C)  (D) – i

Determinant & Matrices [20]

 ( x  2) 2 ( x  1) 2 x2
2 2
Q.31 The value of the determinant ( x  1) x ( x  1)2 is -
x2 ( x  1) 2 ( x  2)2

(A) 0 (B) 8x 2 (C) 8 (D) –8

7579 7589
Q.32 =
7581 7591
(A) 20 (B) – 2 (C) – 20 (D) 4

3x 6 3
Q.33 If 6 3x 3 = 0 then x =
3 3 6  x

(A) 6 (B) 3 (C) 0 (D) None of these

Questions Symmetric and Skew symmetric
based on Determenants

sin( A  B  C) sinB cos C

Q.34 If A + B + C =  , then  sin B 0 tan A equals –
cos( A  B)  tan A 0

(A) 0 (B) 2sin B tanA cosC (C) 1 (D) None of these

Q.35 The value of an even order skew symmetric determinant is -

(A) 0 (B) perfect square (C)  1 (D) None of these

Q.36 The value of an odd order skew symmetric determinant is -

(A) perfect square (B) negative (C)  1 (D) 0

0 a b a c
ba 0 bc
Q.37 The value of is -
ca cb 0
(A) 0 (B) abc (C) (a – b)(b – c)(c – a) (D) None of these
Q.38 The equations x + 2y + 3z = 1, 2x + y + 3z = 2 and 5x + 5y + 9z = 4 have-
(A) unique solution (B) many solutions (C) inconsistent (D) None of these

Q.39 The existence of unique solution of the system x + y + z = b, 2x + 3y – z = 6,

5x – y + az = 10 depends on ––
(A) b only (B) a only (C) a and b (D) neither a nor b

Q.40 Given the system of equations px + y + z = 1, x + py + z = p, x + y + pz = p2, then for what value
of p does this system have no solution –
(A) 0 (B) 1, –2 (C) 1 (D) 0, 1
Q.41 The value of k for which the set of equations 3x + ky – 2z = 0, x + ky + 3z = 0 and
2x + 3y – 4z = 0 has a non – trivial solution is-
(A) 15 (B) 16 (C) 31/2 (D) 33/2

Determinant & Matrices [21]

 LEVEL # 2

a2  b2
c c
c
b2  c 2
Q.1 a a is equal to –
a
c2  a2
b b
b
(A) abc (B) 2abc (C) 4abc (D) 0

23 33 3.2 2  3.2  1
Q.2 33 43 3.3 2  3.3  1 is equal to-
43 53 3.4 2  3.4  1

(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 92 (D) None of these

a b b c c  a a b c
Q.3 If b  c c  a a  b =  b c a then  is equal to-
ca ab bc c a b

(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4

a b c y b q
Q.4 If  = x y z and  2 = x a p then  1 is equal to –
p q r z c r
(A) 2 2 (B)  2 (C) –  2 (D) None of these

ax by cz
2
Q.5 The determinant x y2 z2 is equal to –
1 1 1

1 1 1 a b c 1 1 1
a b c x y z x y z
(A) (B) (C) (D) None of these
2 2 2 2 2
x y z yz zx xy a b c2

p 15 8
2
Q.6 If Dp = p 35 9 , then D1 + D2 + D3 + D4 + D5 is equal to –
p3 25 10

(A) 0 (B) 25 (C) 625 (D) None of these

bc ca a b a b c
Q.7 If the determinant b  c c   a a  b is expressible as m a b c , then the value of
b   c  c   a  a   b  a  b  c 

m is-
(A) – 1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) 2

Determinant & Matrices [22]

Q.8 In a third order determinant each element of the first column consists of sum of two terms, each
element of the second column consists of sum of three terms and each element of third column
consists of sum of four terms, then it can be decomposed into n determinants, where n has the value
(A) 1 (B) 9 (C) 16 (D) 24

sin 2 A cot A 1
2
Q.9 For any ABC, the value of determinant sin B cot B 1 is –
sin 2 C cot C 1

(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) sin A sin B sin C (D) sin A + sin B + sin C

2r x n(n  1) r 1

Q.10 If Sr = 6r 2  1 y n2 (2n  3) then S

n
r does not depends on
3
4r  2nr z n 3 (n  1)

(A) x (B) y (C) n (D) all of these

bc b  c b2 c 2
Q.11 If a, b, c are non-zero real numbers, then c 2 a2 ca c  a is equal to
a 2b2 ab a  b
(A) abc (B) a2b2c2 (C) ab + bc + ca (D) None of these

x p q
p x q
Q.12 is equal to -
p q x

(A) (x + p) (x + q) (x – p – q) (B) (x – p) (x – q) (x + p + q)
(C) (x – p) (x – q) (x – p – q) (D) (x + p) (x + q) (x + p + q)

x! ( x  1)! ( x  2)!
Q.13 If x is a positive integers then the value of determinant ( x  1)! ( x  2)! ( x  3)! is -
( x  2)! ( x  3)! ( x  4)!

(A) (2x) !. (x + 1) !. (x + 2) !. (x + 3) ! (B) 2 (x) !. (x + 1) !. (x + 2) !

(C) (2x) !. (x + 3) ! (D) None of these

cos(  )  sin(  ) cos 2

Q.14 The determinant sin  cos  sin  is –
 cos  sin  cos 

(A) 0 (B) independent of 

(C) independent of  (D) independent of both and 

13  3 2 5 5
Q.15 15  26 5 10 equals –
65  3 15 5

(A) 0 (B) 5 3 ( 6 – 5) (C) 5 3 (5 – 6) (D) None of these

Determinant & Matrices [23]

Q.16 If [a] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to a and – 1  x < 0, 0  y < 1, 1  z < 2,
then

[ x]  1 [ y] [ z]
[ x] [ y]  1 [ z] is equal to –
[ x] [ y] [ z]  1
(A) [x] (B) [y] (C) [z] (D) None of these

5 5
C0 C 3 14
5 5
Q.17 The value of the determinant C1 C4 1 is –
5 5
C2 C5 1

(A) 0 (B) –(6 !) (C) 80 (D) None of these

a b c
Q.18 If  = b c a , then 2 is equal to –
c a b
bc  a2 ca  b2 ab  c 2 bc  a2 ca  b2 ab  c 2
2 2 2 2 2
(A) ca  b ab  c bc  a (B) ca  b ab  c bc  a2
ab  c 2 bc  a 2 ca  b 2 ab  c 2 bc  a 2 ca  b 2

a 2  bc b2  ca c 2  ab
(C) b 2  ca c 2  ab a2  bc (D) None of these
c 2  ab a 2  bc b 2  ca

x y z a b c
Q.19 If ax + by + cz = 1, bx + cy + az = 0 = cx + ay + bz, then z x y c a b is equal to -
y z x b c a
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) – 1 (D) 2

Determinant & Matrices [24]

 LEVEL # 3
xn x n 2 x n 3
yn y n 2 y n 3  1 1 1
Q.1 If n    
n3 = (x–y) (y–z) (z–x)  x y z  , then n is equals to-
z z n 2 z

(A) 1 (B) –1 (C) 2 (D) –2

  
Q.2 If    are the roots of x3 + ax2 + b = 0, then the value of    is equals to-
  
(A) – a3 (B) a3 –3b (C) a3 (D) a2 – 3b

1 1 1
Q.3 If A, B and C are the angles of a triangle and 1  sin A 1  sin B 1  sin C 0,
sin A  sin2 A sin B  sin 2 B sin C  sin2 C
then the triangle ABC is-
(A) isosceles (B) equilateral
(C) right angled isosceles (D) none of these

cos   sin  1
Q.4 The value of the determinant sin  cos  1 is-
cos(   )  sin(   ) 1
(A) independent of  (B) independent of 
(C) independent of  and  (D) none of these

a 2r 216  1 16
Q.5 Let Dr  b 3(4 r ) 2(416  1) ,then the value of Σ Dr is equals to-
k 1
c 7(8 r ) 4(816  1)

(A) 0 (B) a + b + c (C) ab + bc + ca (D) none of these

Q.6 The v alues  and  f or which the system of equations x + y + z = 6, x + 2y + 3z = 10
and x + 2y + z =  have unique solution are-
(A)   3,   R (B)   3,   10 (C)   3,   10 (D)   3,   10

Q.7 The system of linear equations x + y + z = 2, 2x + y – z = 3, 3x + 2y + kz = 4 has a unique solution

if-
(A) k   (B) –1 < k > 1 (C) –2 < k < 2 (D) k = 0

x2  x x 1 x  2
2
2x  3x  1 3x 3x  3
Q.8 If 2 = Ax – 12 , then the value of A is-
x  2x  3 2x  1 2x  1

(A) 12 (B) 24 (C) –12 (D) –24

441 442 443

Q.9 The value of 445 446 447 is-
449 450 451

(A) 441 × 446 × 451 (B) 0 (C) –1 (D) 1

Determinant & Matrices [25]

 x  3 2x 2  18 3 x 3  81
x  5 2x 2  50 4x 3  500
Q.10 If f(x) = 1 2 3 then f(1).f(3) + f(3).f(5) + f(5).f(1) is equal to-

(A) f(1) (B) f(3) (C) f(1) + f(3) (D) f(1) + f(5)

Q.11 If the system of equations, x + 2y – 3z =1, (k + 3)z = 3, (2k + 1) x + z = 0 is inconsistent, then the value
of k is-
(A) –3 (B) 1/2 (C) 0 (D) 2

1 a b
Q.12 In a ABC, if 1 c a  0 then sin2 A + sin2 B + sin2 C is equal to-
1 b c

9 4
(A) (B) (C) 1 (D) 3 3
4 9
Q.13 The equation x + 2y + 3z = 1, 2x + y + 3z = 2, 5x + 5y + 9z = 4 have-
(A) Unique solution (B) Infinitely many solutions
(C) Inconsistent (D) None of these

1 1 1
Q.14 cos(nx ) cos(n  1)x cos(n  2)x is not dependent-
sin(nx ) sin(n  1)x sin(n  2)x

(A) On x (B) On n (C) Both on x and n (D) None of these

Determinant & Matrices [26]

 EXERCISE I
Q 1. Without expanding the determinant prove that :
2
0 b c 0 pq pr 7 5  3i  4i
3
(a) b 0 a =0 (b) q  p 0 q r = 0 (c) 5  3i 8 4  5i is real
c a 0 rp rq 0 2
 4i 4  5i 9
3

a x by cz a b c 1 a a2  b c
2 2 2 2
(d) x y z = x y z (e) 1 b b  ca = 0
1 1 1 y z zx xy 1 c c2  a b

Q 2. Without expanding as far as possible , prove that :

a 2  2 a 2 a 1 1 1 1 1
1 = (a  1) 3 z = [(xy) (yz) (z x) (x+y+z)]
(a) 2 a 1 a 2 (b) x y
3 3 1 x 3 y3 z3

x3 1 x2 x
Q 3. If y3 1 y2 y =0 and x , y , z are all different then , prove that xyz =  1 .
z3  1 z2 z

18 40 89
Q 4. Using properties of determinants or otherwise evaluate 40 198 .
89
89 198 440

a b c 2a 2a
Q 5. Prove that 2b b  c a 2b = (a + b + c) 3 .
2c 2c c a  b

a b c b  c c a ab
Q 6. If D = c a b and D = a  b b  c c  a then prove that D= 2 D .
b c a c a a  b b  c

2a a  b a  c
Q 7. Prove that b  a  2 b b  c = 4 [(a+b) (b+c) (c+a)]
c a c b  2c

1 a 2  b2 2 ab 2b
2 2
Q 8. Prove that 2 ab 1 a  b 2a = (1 + a² + b²) 3 .
2b  2a 1 a 2  b2

a b  c c b
Q 9. Prove that ac b c  a = (a + b + c) (a² + b² + c²) .
a b ba c

tan(A  P ) tan(B  P ) tan(C  P )

Q 10. Show that the value of the determinant tan(A  Q) tan(B  Q) tan(C  Q) vanishes for all values of
tan(A  R) tan(B  R) tan(C  R)
A, B, C, P, Q & R where A + B + C + P + Q + R = 0
Determinant & Matrices [27]
 b c b c  b  c b  c
Q 11. Factorise the determinant ca ca   c a c a  .
a b a b  a  b a  b

       4        2 1
4 2
Q 12. Prove that                 1 =  64(  ) (  )(  ) (  ) (  ) ( )
        4         2 1

n! (n  1)! (n  2)!
 D 
Q 13. For a fixed positive integer n , if D = ( n  1)! ( n  2)! (n  3)! then show that  3
 4 
(n  2)! (n  3)! (n  4)!  (n!) 

is divisible by n .
x  2 2 x  3 3x  4
Q 14. Solve for x 2 x  3 3x  4 4 x  5 =0 .
3 x  5 5 x  8 10 x  17

ax c b
Q 15. If a + b + c = 0 , solve for x : c bx a =0 .
b a cx

Q 16. If a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 then show that the value of the determinant

a 2  (b 2  c 2 ) cos  ba (1  cos ) ca (1  cos )

2 2 2
ab(1  cos ) b  (c  a ) cos  cb(1  cos )
simplifies to cos2.
ac(1  cos ) bc (1  cos ) c  (a 2  b 2 ) cos 
2

pa qb rc a b c
Q 17. If p + q + r = 0 , prove that q c ra p b = pqr c a b .
r b pc qa b c a

a a3 a4  1
Q 18. If a , b , c are all different & b b 3 b 4  1 = 0 , then prove that :
c c3 c4  1

abc (ab + bc + ca) = a + b + c .

Q 19. Show that
a2   ab ac
2
ab b  bc
is divisible by 2 and find the other factor..
2
ac bc c 

bc a a2 1 a2 a3
2 2
Q 20. (a) Without expanding prove that ca b b  1 b b3 .
ab c c2 1 c2 c3

a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2
(b) (a  1) 2 (b  1) 2 (c  1)2  4 a b c .
(a  1) 2 (b  1) 2 (c  1)2 1 1 1

Determinant & Matrices [28]

 x2  x x 1 x  2
2
Q 21. Without expanding a determinant at any stage, show that 2 x  3 x  1 3 x 3 x  3 = Ax + B where A
x2  2x  3 2 x 1 2 x 1
& B are determinants of order 3 not involving x .

bc b 2  b c c2  b c
Q 22. Prove that a 2  a c c2  a c = (ab + bc + ca)3 .
a c
a 2  a b b2  a b a b

x2  a 2 x2  b2 x 2  c2
Q 23. Solve (x  a ) 3 (x  b)3 (x  c) 3 = 0 where a , b , c are non zero and distinct .
(x  a ) 3 (x  b) 3 (x  c) 3

x2 2x  3
3x  4
Q 24. Solve for x : x 4 3 x  16 = 0 .
2x  9
x  8 2 x  27 3 x  64

1 1 1
a x bx c x
P
Q 25. If a 1 y 1
by
1
c y  Q where Q is the product of the denominator , prove that
1 1 1
az bz c z

P = (a  b) (b  c) (c  a) (x  y) (y  z) (z  x)

  4 5 
2 r  1 2 3r  1 r 1
n
Q 26. If Dr = x
n n
y z then prove that  Dr = 0 .
2  1 3 1 5n  1 r 1

a2 (s  a ) 2 (s  a ) 2
2
b2 (s  b)2
Q 27. If 2 s = a + b + c then prove that (s  b)2 = 2 s3 (s  a) (s  b) (s  c) .
(s  c) (s  c)2 c2

cot A2 cot B2 cot C2

Q 28. In a  ABC, determine condition under which tan B2  tan C2 tan C2  tan A2 tan A2  tan B2 = 0
1 1 1

 b 2 c2 
a b c2  a 2  
a c a 2  b2 
Q 29. Show that b a b  c  2 2
 c a2 2
b c a 2
b 2
= (a²b² + b²c² + c²a²)3 .
ca  b 2
c 
2

c b c2  a 2   a 2b2

Q 30. Prove that

b c  a2 ca  b 2 a b  c2
 b c  c a  a b b c  ca  a b b c  ca  a b = 3 . (b  c) (c  a) (a  b) (a + b + c) (ab + bc + ca)
(a  b) (a  c) (b  c) (b  a ) (c  a ) (c  b)

Determinant & Matrices [29]

 cos (A  P ) cos (A  Q) cos (A  R)
Q 31. For all values of A , B , C & P , Q , R show that cos (B  P ) cos (B  Q) cos (B  R) = 0.
cos (C  P) cos(C  Q) cos (C  R)

a 1 l1  b1 m1 a 1 l 2  b1 m 2 a 1 l 3  b1 m 3
Q 32. Show that a 2 l1  b 2 m1 a 2 l 2  b 2 m2 a 2 l 3  b 2 m3 = 0 .
a 3 l1  b 3 m1 a 3 l 2  b 3 m 2 a 3 l 3  b 3 m3

 a 1  b1  2  a 1  b 2  2  a 1  b 3  2
2 2 2
Q 33. Prove that a 2  b1   a 2  b 2   a 2  b 3  = 2 (a1 a2) (a2 a3) (a3 a1) (b1 b2) (b2 b3) (b3 b1)
 a 3  b 1  2 a 3  b 2  2  a 3  b 3  2
2         
Q 34. Prove that        2 (  ) (  )   (   )    (  ) =0 .
      (   )    (  ) 2   

Q 35. If ax² + 2 hxy + by² + 2 gx + 2 fy + c  (l1x + m1y + n1) (l2x + m2y + n2) , then prove that
a h g
h b f = 0 .
g f c
Q 36. Prove that
1 cos 2 (A  B) cos 2 (A  C)
cos 2 (B  A) 1 cos 2 (B  C)
= 2sin2(A – B)sin2(B – C)sin2(C – A)
cos 2 (C  A) cos 2 (C  B) 1

Q 37. If ax1² + by1² + cz12 = ax22 + by22 + cz22 = ax32 + by32 + cz32 = d and
ax2x3 + by2y3 + cz2z3 = ax3x1 + by3y1 + cz3z1 = ax1x2 + by1y2 + cz1z2 = f , then prove that
x1 y1 z1 1/ 2
d  2f 
x2 y2 z2 = (d  f)  abc  (a , b , c  0)
 
x3 y3 z3

Q 38. If (x1–x2)2 + (y1– y2)2 = a2 , (x2–x3)2 + (y2– y3)2 = b2 and (x3–x1)2 + (y3– y1)2 = c2
2
x1 y1 1
prove that 4 x 2 y 2 1 = (a + b + c) (b + c  a) (c + a  b) (a + b  c) .
x3 y3 1

S0 S1 S2
r
Q 39. If Sr =  +  +  then show that S1 S2 S3 = (  )2 ( )2 (  )2 .
r r

S2 S3 S4

Q 40. If u = ax2 + 2 bxy + cy2 , u = ax2 + 2 bxy + cy2 . Prove that

y2  xy x 2
ax  by bx  cy 1 u u
a b c   .
a x  b y b x  c y y ax  by a x  b y
a b c

Determinant & Matrices [30]

 EXERCISE II
4 3 6 6
Q 1. Solve using Cramer’s rule :  = 1 &  = 5 .
x5 y7 x5 y7
Q 2. Solve the following using Cramer’s rule and state whether consistent or not.
x  2y  z  1 x  3y  z  2 7 x  7 y  5z  3
(a) 3 x  y  z  6 (b) 3 x  y  z  6 (c) 3x  y  5z  7
x  2y  0 5x  y  3z  3 2 x  3y  5z  5

z  a y  a 2x  a 3  0 

Q 3. Solve the system of equations ; z  b y  b 2x  b 3  0
z  cy  c2 x  c3  0 

Q 4. For what value of K do the following system of equations possess a non trivial
(i.e. not all zero) solution over the set of rationals Q ?
x + Ky + 3 z = 0 , 3 x+ K y 2 z = 0 , 2 x+ 3 y 4 z = 0 .
For that value of K , find all the solutions of the system .
Q 5. Given x = cy + bz ; y = az + cx ; z = bx + ay where x , y , z are not all zero , prove that
a² + b² + c² + 2 abc = 1 .

x y z
Q 6. Given a = ; b= ;c= where x , y , z are not all zero , prove that :
yz zx xy
1 + ab + bc + ca = 0 .
Q 7. If sin q  cos q and x, y, z satisfy the equations
x cos p – y sin p + z = cos q + 1
x sin p + y cos p + z = 1 – sin q
x cos(p + q) – y sin (p + q) + z = 2
then find the value of x2 + y2 + z2.
Q 8. If A, B and C are the angles of a triangle then show that
sin 2A·x + sin C·y + sin B·z = 0
sin C·x + sin 2B·y + sin A·z = 0
sin B·x + sin A·y + sin 2C·z = 0
possess non-trivial solution.
Q 9. Investigate for what values of  ,  the simultaneous equations x + y + z = 6 ;
x + 2 y + 3 z = 10 & x + 2 y +  z =  have ; (a) A unique solution .
(b) An infinite number of solutions . (c) No solution .
Q 10. For what values of p , the equations : x + y + z = 1 ; x+2y+4 z = p &
x + 4 y + 10 z = p² have a solution ? Solve them completely in each case .
Q 11. Solve the equations : K x + 2 y  2 z = 1 , 4 x + 2 K y  z = 2 , 6 x + 6 y + K z = 3
considering specially the case when K = 2 .
Q 12. Solve the system of equations :
x + y + z = m , x + y + z = n and x + y + z = p
Q 13. Find all the values of t for which the system of equations ;
(t  1) x + (3 t + 1) y + 2 t z = 0
(t  1) x + (4 t  2) y + (t + 3) z = 0
2 x + (3 t + 1) y + 3 (t  1) z = 0 has non trivial solutions and in this context find the ratios of
x : y : z , when t has the smallest of these values.
Determinant & Matrices [31]
Q 14. Solve : (b + c) (y + z)  ax = b  c , (c + a) (z + x)  by = c  a and
(a + b) (x + y)  cz = a  b where a + b + c  0.

ap a p
Q 15. If bc + qr = ca + rp = ab + pq =  1 show that b q b q = 0 .
cr c r

Q 16. If x, y, z are not all zero & if ax + by + cz = 0, bx + cy + az = 0 & cx + ay + bz = 0, then prove that
x : y : z = 1 : 1 : 1 OR 1 :  : ² OR 1 : ² :  , where  is one of the complex cube root of unity.

Q 17. If the following system of equations (a  t)x + by + cz = 0 , bx + (c  t)y + az = 0 and

cx + ay + (b  t)z = 0 has nontrivial solutions for different values of t , then show that we can
express product of these values of t in the form of determinant .

Q18. Show that the system of equations

3x – y + 4z = 3 , x + 2y – 3z = –2 and 6x + 5y + z = – 3
has atleast one solution for any real number . Find the set of solutions of  = –5.

EXERCISE III

Q.1 For what values of p & q, the system of equations 2 x + p y + 6 z = 8 ; x + 2 y + q z = 5 &

x + y + 3 z = 4 has ; (i) no solution (ii) a unique solution (iii) infinitely many solutions
[ REE ’95 , 6 ]

Q.2 (i) Let a , b , c positive numbers . The following system of equations in x , y & z.
x2 y 2 z2 x2 y2 z2 x2 y2 z2
  =1 ;  = 1 ;    =1 has:
a 2 b 2 c2 a2 b2 c2 a2 b2 c2
(A) no solution (B) unique solution
(C) infinitely many solutions (D) finitely many solutions

1 1 i   2 2
(ii) If  ( 1) is a cube root of unity , then 1 i 1  2  1 equals :
i  i   1 1
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) i (D)  [ IIT '95 , 1 + 1 ]
Q.3 Let a > 0, d > 0 . Find the value of determinant

1 1
a a (a  d )
1 1
(a  d ) (a  d ) (a  2 d )
1 1
(a  2 d ) (a  2 d ) (a  3 d )
1
(a  d ) (a  2 d )
1
(a  2 d ) (a  3 d ) . [ IIT ’96 , 5 ]
1
(a  3 d ) ( a  4 d )

Q.4 Find those values of c for which the equations :

2 x+3y = 3
(c + 2) x + (c + 4) y = c + 6
(c + 2)² x + (c + 4)² y = (c + 6)² are consistent .
Also solve above equations for these values of c . [ REE ’96 , 6 ]
Determinant & Matrices [32]
Q.5 For what real values of k , the system of equations x + 2y + z = 1 ; x + 3y + 4z = k ;
x + 5y + 10z = k2 has solution ? Find the solution in each case. [ REE ' 97, 6 ]

1 a a2
Q.6 The parameter, on which the value of the determinant cos( p  d) x cos px cos( p  d) x does not
sin ( p  d) x sin px sin ( p  d) x

depend upon is :
(A) a (B) p (C) d (D) x
[ JEE '97 , 2 ]
6i  3i 1
4 3i  1
Q.7 If = x + iy , then :
20 3 i
(A) x = 3 , y = 1 (B) x = 1 , y = 3 (C) x = 0 , y = 3 (D) x = 0 , y = 0
[ JEE '98 , 2 ]
Q.8
1 x x 1
(i) If f(x) = 2x x  x  1 x  1 x then f(100) is equal to :
3x  x  1 x  x  1  x  2 x  1 x x  1
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 100 (D)  100
(ii) Let a, b, c, d be real numbers in G.P. If u, v, w satisfy the system of equations,
u + 2v + 3w = 6
4u + 5v + 6w = 12
6u + 9v = 4 then show that the roots of the equation,
1 1 1 2 2 2 2
    x + [(b  c) + (c  a) + (d  b) ] x + u + v + w = 0 and
 u v w
20 x2 + 10 (a  d)2 x  9 = 0 are reciprocals of each other .
[ JEE '99, 2 + 10 out of 200 ]
Q.9 If the system of equations x – Ky – z = 0, Kx – y – z = 0 and x + y – z = 0 has a non zero solution,
then the possible values of K are
(A) –1, 2 (B) 1, 2 (C) 0, 1 (D) –1, 1
[ JEE 2000 (Screening)]

sin  cos  sin 2 

2 2 4
Q.10 Prove that for all values of , sin    3  cos    3  sin  2   3  = 0
2 2 4
sin    3  cos    3  sin  2   3 

[ JEE 2000 (Mains), 3 out of 100 ]

Q.11 Find the real values of r for which the following system of linear equations has a non-trivial solution
. Also find the non-trivial solutions :
2 rx  2y + 3z = 0
x + ry + 2z = 0
2x + rz = 0 [ REE 2000 (Mains) , 3 out of 100 ]

Determinant & Matrices [33]

Q.12 Solve for x the equation
a2 a 1
sin(n  1)x sin nx sin(n  1)x
=0
cos(n  1)x cos nx cos(n  1)x
[ REE 2001 (Mains) , 3 out of 100 ]
Q.13 Test the consistency and solve them when consistent, the following system of equations for all
values of :
x+y+z =1
x + 3y – 2z = 
3x + ( + 2)y – 3z = 2 + 1 [ REE 2001 (Mains) , 5 out of 100 ]
Q.14 Let a, b, c be real numbers with a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 . Show that the equation
ax  by  c bx  ay cx  a
bx  ay  ax  by  c cy  b
= 0
cx  a cy  b  ax  by  c
represents a straight line. [ JEE 2001 (Mains) , 6 out of 100 ]
Q.15 The number of values of k for which the system of equations
(k + 1)x + 8y = 4k
kx + (k + 3)y = 3k – 1
has infinitely many solutions is
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) inifinite
[JEE 2002 (Screening), 3]
Q.16 The value of for which the system of equations 2x – y – z = 12, x – 2y + z = –4, x + y + z = 4 has no
solution is
(A) 3 (B) –3 (C) 2 (D) –2
[JEE 2004 (Screening)]
 ANSWER KEY
LEVEL # 1
Q.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Ans. D B C C C A B B D C A B C B A D A C C D C
Q.No. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
Ans. C C A A C A B C A D C C A B D A A B A D

LEVEL # 2
Q.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Ans. C A B B B D B D A D D B B B B C D A B

LEVEL # 3
Q.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Ans. B C A A A A A B B B A A A B

EXERCISE I

Q 4.  1 Q 11. (ab  ab) (bc  bc) (ca  ca) Q 14. x =  1 or x =  2

3 2
Q 15. x = 0 or x = ±
2

a  b 2  c2  Q19. 2 ( a2 + b2 + c2 + )

Q 23. If ab + bc + ca  0 , then x = 0 is the only real root ; If ab + bc + ca > 0 ,

ab  bc  ca
then x = 0 or x = 
3
Q 24. x = 4 Q 28. Triangle ABC is isosceles .

EXERCISE II
Q 1. x =  7 , y =  4
Q 2. (a) x = 2 , y =  1 , z = 1 ; consistent
13 7 35
(b) x = , y= , z= ; consistent (c) inconsistent
3 6 6
Q 3. x = (a + b + c) , y = ab + bc + ca , z = abc
33 15
Q 4. K = , x: y: z =  :1:3 Q7. 2
2 2
Q 9. (a)   3 (b)  = 3,  =10 (c)  = 3,   10

Q 10. x = 1 + 2 K , y =  3 K , z = K , when p = 1 ; x = 2 K , y = 1  3 K , z = K when p = 2 ;

where K  R
x y z 1
Q 11. If K  2 ,   
2 (K  6) 2 K  3 6 (K  2) 2 K 2  2 K  15  
Determinant & Matrices [35]
 1  2
If K= 2 , then x =  , y = and z = 0 where   R
2
Q 12. If   1 or –2 , unique solution ;
If  = – 2 & m + n + p = 0 , infinite solution ;
If  = – 2 & m + n + p  0 , no solution ;
If  = 1 , infinite solution if m = n = p ;
If  = 1 , no solution if m  n or n  p or p  m
c b ac ba
Q 13. t = 0 or 3 ; x : y : z = 1 : 1 : 1 Q 14. x = , y= , z=
a bc a bc a b c

a b c
Q 17. b c a
c a b

4 9
Q18. If   –5 then x = ; y = – and z = 0 ;
7 7
4  5K 13K  9
If  = 5 then x = ;y= and z = K where K  R
7 7
EXERCISE III

Q 1. (i) p  2 , q = 3 (ii) p  2 & q  3 (iii) p = 2

Q 2. (i) d (ii) a

4 d4
Q 3.
a (a  d )2 (a  2 d) 3 (a  3 d) 2 (a  4 d)

1 4
Q 4. for c = 0 , x =  3 , y = 3 ; for c =  10 , x =  , y=
2 3
Q 5. k = 1 : ( 5t+1, 3t, t) ; k = 2 : (5t  1, 1  3 t, t) for t  R ; no solution
Q 6. B Q 7. D Q 8. (i) A Q9. D
k
Q 11. r=2 ; x=k ; y= ; z=k where k  R  {0} Q 12. x = n, n  I
2
1
Q 13. If  = 5, system is consistent with infinite solution given by z = K, y = (3K + 4) and
2
1
x=– (5K + 2) where K  R
2
1 1
If  5, system is consistent with unique solution given by x = (1 – ); x = ( + 2) and y =
3 3
0.

Q15. B Q.16 D

Determinant & Matrices [36]