Matrices and Determinants

Chapter 7
Exercise - 7.1

1. Construct an m × n matrix A = [aij ],which is given by

(i − 2j)2
(a) aij = with m = 2, n = 3
2
Solution.    
  1 9 25 1 9 25
a11 a12 a13 2 2 2  2
 =    2 2 
Let A =   4 16  =  4 
a21 a22 a23
0 0 8
2 2 2
 
1 9 25
1
A =  
2 0 4 16

|3i − 4j|
(b) aij = with m = 3, n = 4
4
Solution.  
  1 5 9 13
a11 a12 a13 a14 a15 4 4 4 4
   
a21 a22 a23 a24 a25  2 2 6 10 
Let A =   = 
4

   4 4 4
a31 a32 a33 a34 a35 5 1 3 7
4 4 4 4
 
1 5 9 13
1 
 
A = 4 2 2 6 10
 
5 1 3 7

2. Find the values of p, q, r and s if 

 2  0 −4
p − 1 0 −3l − q 2 1
   
 7   3 
 r+1 9  =  7 9 

   2 
−2 8 s−1 −2 8 −π

Solution.
√
p2 − 1 = 1 ⇒ p2 = 2 ⇒ p=± 2
−3l − q 3 = −4 ⇒ q 3 = −27 ⇒ q = −3
3 3 1
r+1= ⇒ r= −1 ⇒ r =
2 2 2
s − 1 = −π ⇒ s=1−π
2 Matrices and Determinants
√ 1
Hence the values of p, q, r and s are respectively ± 2, −3, and 1 − π.
2
   
2x + y 4x 7 7y − 13
3. Determine the values of x + y if  = 
5x − y 4x y x+6

Solution.
2x + y = 7 =⇒ (1)
x+6 = 4x =⇒ x = 2
4+y = 7 =⇒ y = 3

4. Determine the matrices A and B if they satisify

   
6 −6 0 3 2 8
2A − B +   = 0 and A − 2B =  
−4 2 1 −2 1 −7

Solution.
 
−6 6 0
2A − B =  
4 −2 −1
 
3 2 8
A − 2B =   −→ (1)
−2 1 −7
 
6 4 16
2A − 4B =   −→ (2)
−4 2 −14

(1) − (2) ⇒
 
−12 2 −16
3B =  
8 −4 13
 
−12 2 −16
1
B =  
3 8 −4 13

(1) ⇒
   
−6 6 0 −12 2 −16
2A =  + 1 
4 −2 −1 3 8 −4 13
 3
   
−18 18 0 −12 2 −16
1 + 1
=  
3 12 −6 −3 3 8 −4 13
 
−30 20 −16
1 
=
3 20 −10 10
 
−15 10 −8
1
A =  
3 10 −5 5
 
1 a
5. If A =   , then compute A4
0 1

Solution.
      
1 a 1 a 1+0 a+a 1 2a
2
A =    =   =  
0 1 0 1 0+0 0+1 0 1
    
1 2a 1 a 1 3a
3
A =    =   Similarly
0 1 0 1 0 1
 
1 4a
A4 =  
0 1
 
cos α − sin α
6. Consider the matrix Aα =  
sin α cos α

(a) show that Aα Aβ = Aα+β

Solution.
  
cos α − sin α cos β − sin β
Aα Aβ =   
sin α cos α sin β cos β
 
cos α cos β − sin α sin β − cos α sin β − sin α cos β
=  
sin α cos β + cos α sin β − sin α sin β + cos α cos β
 
cos(α + β) − sin(α + β)
=   = Aα+β
sin(α + β) cos(α + β)

(b) find all possible real values of α satisfying the condition Aα + ATα = I
4 Matrices and Determinants
 
cos α sin α
ATα =  
− sin α cos α
   
cos α − sin α cos α sin α
Aα + ATα =  + 
sin α cos α − sin α cos α
 
2 cos α 0
=  
0 2 cos α

Since Aα + ATα = I,we have,

   
2 cos α 0 1 0
 = 
0 2 cos α 0 1

1 π
⇒ 2 cos α = 1 ⇒ cos α = ⇒ α = 2nπ ± , n ∈ Z
  2 3
4 2
7. If A =   and (A − 2I)(A − 3I) = O, find the value of x.
−1 x

Solution.
     
4 2 1 0 2 2
A − 2I =   − 2  =  
−1 x 0 1 −1 x − 2
     
4 2 1 0 1 2
A − 3I =   −3   =  
−1 x 0 1 −1 x − 3

(A − 2I)(A − 3I) = O ⇒
    
2 2 1 2 0 0
   =  
−1 x − 2 −1 x − 3 0 0
   
0 4 + 2x − 6 0 0
  =  
−1 − x + 2 −2 + (x − 2)(x − 3) 0 0
   
0 2x − 2 0 0
  =  
−x + 1 x2 − 5x + 4 0 0

Solving x2 − 5x + 4 = 0, we get, x = 1, x = 4. But when x = 4, the entry a21 = −x + 1 =

−4 + 1̸= 0. Hence
 the solution is x = 1.
1 0 0
 
 
8. If A = 0 1 0  , show that A2 is a unit matrix.
 
a b −1

Solution.
 5
    
1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
    
 1 0    0
A2 =  0  0 1 0  =  0 1 
    
a b −1 a b −1 a−a b−b 1
 
1 0 0
 
 1 0
= 0  = I
 
0 0 1
 
1 0 2
 
0 2 1
9. If A =   and A3 − 6A2 + 7A + kI = O, find the value of k.
 
2 0 3

Solution.
    
1 0 2 1 0 2 5 0 8
    
    
A2 = 0 2 1 0 2 1 = 2 4 5 
    
2 0 3 2 0 3 8 0 13
A3 = A2 A
  
5 0 8 1 0 2
  
2 4 5  0 2 1
=   
  
8 0 13 2 0 3
   
5 + 0 + 16 0 + 0 + 0 10 + 0 + 24 21 0 34
   
   
= 2 + 0 + 10 0 + 8 + 0 4 + 4 + 15  = 12 8 23
   
8 + 0 + 26 0 + 0 + 0 16 + 0 + 39 34 0 55

A3 − 6A2 + 7A + kI = O
       
21 0 34 5 0 8 1 0 2 1 0 0
       
12 8 23      0
  − 6 2 4 5  + 7 0 2 1 + k 0 1  = O
       
34 0 55 8 0 13 2 0 3 0 0 1
21 − 30 + 7 + k = 0
k = 2

10. Give your own examples of matrices satisfying the following conditions in each case.
(a) A and B are such that AB ̸= BA.
(b) A and B are such that AB = 0 = BA, A ̸= 0 and B ̸= 0
(c) A and B are such that AB = 0 and BA ̸= 0.
Solution.
6 Matrices and Determinants
   
1 2 −1 0
Let A =   and B =  
3 4 1 2
  
 
1 2 −1 0 1 4
AB =   = 
3 4 1 2 1 8
  
 
−1 0 1 2 −1 −2
BA =   = 
1 2 3 4 7 10

Hence AB ̸= BA.

 
cos x sin x 0
 
 sin x cos x 0
11. Show that f (x)f (y) = f (x + y), where f (x) =  
 
0 0 1

Solution.
 
cos y sin y 0
 
 
f (y) =  sin y cos y 0
 
0 0 1
  
cos x sin x 0 cos y sin y 0
  
 sin x cos x 0  sin y cos y 0
f (x) − f (y) =   
  
0 0 1 0 0 1
 
cos x cos y − sin x sin y − cos x sin y − sin x cos y 0
 
sin x cos y + cos x sin y − sin x sin y + cos x cos y 0
=  
 
0 0 1
= f (x + y)

12. If A is a square matrix such that A2 = A, find the value of 7A − (I + A)3 .

Solution.
7A − (I + A)3 = 7A − [I 3 + 3A + 3A2 + A3 ]
= 7A − [I + 3A + 3A + A2 A]
= 7A − [I + 6A + A2 ]
= 7A − [I + 6A + A]
= 7A − I − 7A = −I
 7

 A(B + C) = AB +AC, when the matrices A, B, C are given by A =

13. Verify the property
  3 1 4 7
2 0 −3    
 B =   
−1 0 and C = 2 1 

1 4 5    
4 2 1 −1

Solution.
    
3 1 4 7 7 8
     
−1 0 2 1   1
B+C =   
+  = 1 
     
4 2 1 −1 5 1
 
  7 8  
2 0 −3   −1 13
A(B + C) =  1 1

=   −→ (1)
1 4 5   36 17
5 1
 
  3 1  
2 0 −3   −6 −4
AB =  −1 0

=  
1 4 5   19 11
4 2
 
  4 7  
2 0 −3   5 17
AC =  2 1 

=  
1 4 5   17 6
1 −1
     
−6 −4 5 17 −1 13
AB + AC =  +  =   −→ (2)
19 11 17 6 36 17

Hence, from (1) and (2) we have A(B + C) = AB + AC.

14. Find the matrix A which satisfies the matrix relation
   
1 2 3 −7 −8 −9
A = 
4 5 6 2 4 6

Solution.
   
1 2 3 −7 −8 −9
A  =  
4 5 6 2 4 6
2×3 2×3

⇒ Order of A must be 2 × 2.
 
a b
Let A =  
x y

Therefore,
8 Matrices and Determinants
    
a b 1 2 3 −7 −8 −9
   =  
x y 4 5 6 2 4 6
   
a + 4b 2a + 5b 3a + 6b −7 −8 −9
  =  
x + 4y 2x + 5y 3x + 6y 2 4 6

a + 4b = −7 (1) x + 4y = 2 (3)
2a + 5b = −8 (2) 2x + 5y = 4 (4)

2a + 8b = −14 2 × (1) 2x + 8y = 4 2 × (3)

2a + 5b = −8 (2) 2x + 5y = 4 (4)
3b = −6 3y = 0
b = −2 y = 0
a = 1 by (1) x = 2 by (3)
 
1 −2
Hence A is  
2 0
 
4 5  
  2 −1 1
 
15. If AT = −1 0 and B =   Verify the following
  7 5 −2
2 3

( )T
(i) (A + B)T = AT + B T (ii) (A − B)T = AT − B T (iii) B T = B
Solution. :
 
4 −1 2
A =  
5 0 3
     
4 −1 2 2 −1 1 6 −2 3
(i) A + B =  +  =  
5 0 3 7 5 −2 12 5 1
 
6 12
 
−2 5 
(A + B)T =   −→ (1)
 
3 1
     
4 5 2 7 6 12
     
−1 0 −1 5  −2 5 
AT + B T =   
+  =   −→ (2)
     
2 3 1 −2 3 1

(1), (2) ⇒ (A + B)T = AT + B T

 9
     
4 −1 2 2 −1 1 2 0 1
(ii) A − B =  −  =  
5 0 3 7 5 −2 −2 −5 5
 
2 −2
 
 −5
(A − B)T = 0  −→ (3)
 
1 5
     
4 5 2 7 2 −2
     
     
AT − B T = −1 0 − −1 5  = 0 −5 −→ (4)
     
2 3 1 −2 1 5

(3), (4) ⇒ (A − B)T = AT − B T

 
2 7
 
−1 5 
(iii) B T
=  
 
1 −2
 
2 −1 1
( T )T
B =   = B
7 5 −2

16. If A is 3 × 4 matrix and B is a matrix such that both AT B and BAT are defined, what is the order
of the matrix B?
Solution. Let the order of B be m × n. Since the order of A is 3 × 4, we have the order of AT is
4 × 3.
Now AT B is defined. Hence m = 3.Similarly BAT is defined.
Hence, n = 4. ∴ the order of B is 3 × 4 .
17. Express the following matrices as the sum of a symmetric matrix and a skew-symmetric matrix:
 
4 −2
(a)   and
3 −5
 
3 3 −1
 
 
(b) −2 −2 1 
 
−4 −5 2

Solution.
   
4 −2 4 3
(i) Let A =   AT =  
3 −5 −2 −5

1( )
Let P = A + AT
2      
 4 −2 4 3  8 1
1  +  = 1 
=
2  3 −5 −2 −5  2 1 −10
10 Matrices and Determinants
1( )
Let Q = A − AT
2      
 4 −2 4 3  0 −5
1  −  = 1 
=
2  3 −5 −2 −5  2 5 0
     
8 1 0 −5 4 −2
1 + 1
P +Q =   =   = A
2 1 −10 2 5 0 3 −5
 
3 3 −1
 
 −2 1 
(ii) Let A = −2 
 
−4 −5 2
 
3 −2 −4
 
 −2 −5
AT = 3 
 
−1 1 2
1( )
Let P = A + AT
2
     
 3 3 −1 3 −2 −4  6 1 −5

 
1    
 1 
−2 −2 1   3 −2 −5  1 −4 −4
=  +  =  
2    
 2 

 −4 −5 2 −1 1 2   −5 −4 4
1( )
Let Q = A − AT
2
     
 3 3 −1 3 −2 −4  0 5 3

 
1    
 1 
−2 −2 1   3 −2 −5 −5 0 6
=  −  =  
2    
 2 

 −4 −5 2 −1 1 2   −3 −6 0
    
1 −5 6 0 5 3 6 6 −2
1  
 1 −4 −4 1 −5 0 6
 1
−4 −4 2 

Now P + Q =  +   =  
2  2  2 
−5 −4 4 −3 −6 0 −8 −10 4
= A
   
2 −1 −1 −8 −10
   
1 0 T  1 2 −5 
18. Find the matrix A such that  A =  
   
−3 4 9 22 15
   
2 −1 −1 −8 −10
   
1 0  1 2 −5 
Solution.   AT =  
   
−3 4 9 22 15
3×2 3×3

⇒ Order of A is 2 × 3
T
 11
 
a x p
Let AT =  
b y q
   
2 −1   −1 −8 −10
  a x p  
 1 0    −5 
  = 1 2 
  b y q  
−3 4 9 22 15
   
2a − b 2x − y 2p − q −1 −8 −10
   
 a x p   −5 
  = 1 2 
   
−3a + 4b −3x + 4y −3p + 4q 9 22 15

2a − b = −1 2x − y = −8 2p − q = −10
a = 1 x = 2 p = −5
b = 3 y = 12 q = 0
 
  1 3
1 2 −5  
T
A =   A =   2 12

3 12 0  
−5 0
 
1 2 2
 
 2 1 −2
19. If A =   is a matrix such that AAT = 9I, find the value of x and y.
 
x 2 y

Solution. AAT = 9I.

    
1 2 2 1 2 x 1 0 0
    
 2 1 −2 2 1 2  0 1 0
   = 9  
    
x 2 y 2 −2 y 0 0 1
   
9 0 x + 4 + 2y 9 0 0
   
 0 9 2x + 2 − 2y   
  = 0 9 0
   
x + 4 + 2y 2x + 2 − 2y x2 + 4 + y 2 0 0 9

x + 2y = −4 −→ 1

2x − 2y = 2 −→ 2

Solving 1 and 2 we get x = −2, y = −1

 
01 −2
 
 3
20. (a) For what value of x, the matrix A = −1 0 x  is skew-symmetric
 
2 −3 0
12 Matrices and Determinants
 
1 −2
0
 
 3
Solution. A= −1 0 x  is skew-symmetric.
 
2 −3 0
1
Therefore, x3 = +3 ⇒ x = (3) 3
 
0 p 3
 2 
 
(b) If 2 q −1 is a skew-symmetric, find the values of p, q and r.
 
r 1 0

⇒ q 2 = 0, p = −2, r = −3
q=0

p = −2, q = 0, r = −3

21. Construct the matrix A = [aij ]3×3 , where aij = i − j. State whether A is symmetric or skew-
symmetric.
Solution. A = [aij ]3×3 , where aij = i − j
   
a11 a12 a13 0 −1 −2
   
a21 a22 a23  1 0 −1
A= = 
   
a31 a32 a33 2 1 0

Hence A is skew-symmetric.
22. Let A and B be two symmetric matrices.Prove that AB = BA if and only if AB is a symmetric
matrix.
Solution. A and B are symmetric matrices.∴ AT = A, B T = B. Let AB be a symmetric matrix
(AB)T = AB
B T AT = AB
BA = AB

Let AB = BA
(AB)T = B T AT
= BA
(AB)T = AB

⇒ AB is a symmetric matrix.

23. If A and B are symmetric matrices of same order,prove that

(a) AB + BA is a symmetric matrix
(b) AB − BA is a skew-symmetric matrix.
Solution. A and B are symmetric matrices of same order.
 13

Therefore AB and BA are symmetric matrices. Hence (AB)T = AB, (BA)T = BA.
(i) (AB + BA)T = (AB)T + (BA)T
= AB + BA
= (AB + BA)

(ii) (AB − BA)T = (AB)T − (BA)T

= AB − BA
= (AB − BA)

Hence, AB − BA is a skew-symmetric matrix.

24. A shopkeeper in a Nuts and spices shop makes gift packs of cashew nuts, raisins and almonds.
Pack I contains 100gm of cashew nuts, 100gm of raisins and 50gm of almonds.
Pack II contains 200gm of cashew nuts, 100gm of raisins and 100gm of almonds.
Pack III contains 250gm of cashew nuts, 250gm of raisins and 150gm of almonds.
The cost of 50gm of cashew nuts is |50 and 50gm of raisins is |10
50gm of almonds is |60. What is the cost of each giftpack?
Solution.
[ ]
Cost Matrix C = 50 60 60

 Pack I Pack II Pack III 

Cashew 100 200 250
A= Raisin  100 100 250 
Almond 50 100 150
 
2 4 5
 
 
Considering the ingredients in multiples of 50gm,A = 2 2 5
 
1 2 3

Now, the cost of each giftpack is given by CA.

     
2 4 5 100 + 120 + 60 280
[ ]      
50 60 60 2 2 5 200 + 120 + 120 440
CA =  = = 
     
1 2 3 250 + 300 + 180 730

Hence the cost of

Pack I = |280
Pack II = |440
Pack III= |730

Exercise - 7.2
14 Matrices and Determinants

 2 2 
s a b + c2 
 
 2 2 
 2
1. Without expanding the determinant, prove that s b c + a  = 0
 
s c2 a2 + b2 

Solution.
Let
 2 2   2 2 
s a b + c2  s a a + b2 + c2 
   
 2 2   2 2 
 2  2
|A| = s b c + a  = s b b + c + a  c3 → c3 + c2
2
   
s c2 a2 + b2  s c2 c2 + a2 + b2 
 
1 a2 1 
 
 
= s(a2 + b2 + c2 ) 1 b2 1  = 0 (c1 , c3 are identical )
 
1 c2 1]
 
 b + c bc b2 c2 
 
 
2. Show that c + a ca c a  = 0
2 2
 
a + b ab a2 b2 

Solution.
Let
   
 b + c bc b2 c2  ab + ac abc ab2 c2 
   
  1  
c + a ca c2 a2  2 2
∆ =   =  bc + ab abc a bc  ∵ aR1 , bR2 , cR3
  abc  
a + b ab a2 b2  ab + ac abc a2 b2 c
 
 
ab + ac 1 ab2 c2 
 
(abc) (abc)  bc + ab 1 a2 bc2 
=   Take out abc from c2 and c3
abc  
ab + ac 1 a2 b2 c
 
   
ab + ac 1 bc   ab + ac + bc 1 bc 
   
(abc) (abc)    
  bc + ab + ac 1 ac
=  bc + ab 1 ac  = (abc) 
abc    
ab + ac 1 ab ab + ac + ab 1 ab
 
 
1 1 bc 
 
 
= (abc)(ab + bc + ca) 1 1 ac =0

 
1 1 ab
 2 
 a bcac + c2 
 
 2 
3. Prove that a + abb ac = 4a2 b2 c2
2
 
 abb2 + bcc2 

Solution. Let
 15
 
 a2 bc ac + c 2
 
 2 

△ = a + ab b 2
ac 
 
 ab b2 + bc c2 
Take out a, b, c common respectively from C1 , C2 , C3
   
 a c a + c 0 c a + c
 
   
= abc a + b b a  = abc 2b b a  C1 −→ C1 + C2
   
 b b+c c  2b b + c c 
 
0 c a + c

 
= abc  0 −c a − c R2 −→ R2 − R3
 
2b b + c c 
 
0 0 2a 
 
 
= abc  0 −c a − c R1 −→ R1 + R2
 
2b b + c c 
= (abc)2a[0 + 2bc]
= 4a2 b2 c2
 
1 + a 1 1 
  ( )
  1 1 1
 
4. Prove that  1 1 + b 1  = abc 1 + + +
  a b c
 1 1 1+a 

Solution.
   
1 + a 1 1  a −b 0 
   
   
 
LHS =  1 1 + b 1  = 0 b −c  = a [b(1 + c) + c] + b [0 + c]

   
 1 1 1 + a  1 1 1 + c
= a [b + bc + c] + bc
= ab + abc + ac + bc
[ ]
1 1 1
= abc 1 + + +
c b a
 2 
 sec θ tan2 θ 1 
 
 2 
5. Prove that tan θ sec θ −1 = 0.
2
 
 38 36 2
Solution.
16 Matrices and Determinants
 2   2 
 sec θ tan2 θ 1  sec θ − tan2 θ tan2 θ 1 
   
 2   2 
LHS = tan θ sec θ −1 = tan θ − sec θ sec θ −1
 2   2 2
C1 _ C1 − C2
   
 38 36 2  2 2
  36
 1 tan θ 1 
2
 
 
= −1 sec2 θ −1 = 0(∵ C1 , C3 are identical)
 
2 36 2
  = RHS
x + 2a y + 2b z + 2c
 
 

6. Show that  x y z 
 
 a b c 
Solution.
   
x + 2a y + 2b z + 2c  0 0 0
   
   
LHS =  x y z  = x y z  R1 _ R1 − R2 − 2R3
 
   
 a b c  a b c 
= 0
7. Write the general form of an 3 × 3 skew-symmetric matrix and prove that its determinant value is
0.
Solution.
By definition, if A = [aij ]3×3 is a skew-symmetric matrix, then aij = −aji , ∀i, j. For example,
consider
 
A = 0 −a −ba 0 −cb c 0
 
|A| = 0 −a −ba 0 −cb c 0
= 0 (0 + c2 ) + a (0 + bc) − b (ac − 0)
= 0 + abc − abc
= 0
 
 a b aα + b 
 
 

8. If  b c bα + c  = 0
 
aα + b bα + c 0 
prove that a, b, c are in G.P or α is a root of ax2 + 2bx + c = 0.
Solution.
 17
 
 a b aα + b 
 
 
△ =  b c bα + c 
 
 
aα + b bα + c 0 
 
 0 b aα + b

 
=  0 c bα + c 
 
 
aα2 + 2bα + c bα + c 0 
= (aα2 + 2bα + c) [b(bα + c) − c(aα + b)]
[ ]
= (aα2 + 2bα + c) b2 α + bc − acα − bc
= (aα2 + 2bα + c) [α (b2 − ac)]

Now, △ = 0.
⇒ aα2 + 2bα + c = 0 (or) α (b2 − ac) = 0
⇒ aα2 + 2bα + c = 0 (or) (b2 − ac) = 0 (∵ α ̸= 0)
2
Hence a, b,c are in G.P (or)
 α is a root of ax + 2bx + c = 0.
1 a a2 − bc
 
 
9. Prove that 1 b b − ca = 0
2
 
1 c c2 − ab

Solution.
   
1 a a2 − bc 1 a a2 − bc 
   
    R2 → R2 − R1
△ = 1 b b − ca = 0 b − a
2
b − a + bc − ca
2 2
   
1 c c2 − ab 0 c − a c2 − b2 + ca − ab R3 → R3 − R1
 
1 a a2 − bc 
 
 
= 0 b − a (b − a)(a + b + c)
 
0 c − a (c − a)(a + b + c) 
 
(b-a)(c-a) 1 a a − bc 
2

 
= 0 1 (a + b + c) = 0 (∵ R2 and R3 are identical)
 
 
0 1 (a + b + c)

Aliter:
     
1 a a2 − bc 1 a a2  1 a bc 
     
     
△ = 1 b b − ca = 1 b b  − 1 b ca
 2   2 
     
1 c c2 − ab 1 c c2  1 c ab
18 Matrices and Determinants
   
1 a a2  1 a2 abc
 
  1  2 
1 2
b b − abc (∵ aR1 , bR2 , cR3 )
=  1 b
  abc  
1 c c2   1 c2 abc 
  
1 2
a a a a 2 1
 
  abc  2 
= 1 b b2  − b b 1 (∵ Take out abc common from C3 )
 abc 
   
1 2
c c   1 c2 1

1 a a2  1 a a2 

   
= 1 b b2  − 1 b b2 

   
1 c c2  1 c c2 
= 0  
a b c 
 
 
10. If a, b, c are pth , q th , and rth terms of an A.P find the value of p q r 
 
 1 1 1

Solution.
a, b, c are pth , q th , and rth terms of an A.P.
a = tp = A + (p − 1)D
b = tq = A + (q − 1)D
c = tr = A + (r − 1)D
where A is the first term and D is the common difference of an A.P
   
a b c  a a − b b − c 
   
   
  
Let △ = p q r  = p p − q q − r Expanding along R3 ,
   
 1 1 1 1 0 0 
 
(p − q)D (q − r)D
 
=  
 p−q q−r 
= 0  (∵ R1 andR
 2 are proportional)
a2 + x2 ab ac 

 
11. Show that  ab b2 + x2 bc  is divisible by x4 .
 
 ac bc c2 + x2 
Solution.
Taking out a, b, c common respectively from C1 , C2 and C3 .
 
 2 
a + x a a 
 
 a 
 x 2 
△ = abc  b b+ b 
 b 
 2
 x 
 c c c+ 
c
Again taking out a, b, c common respectively from R1 , R2 , R3 ,
 19
   
 2   x2 x2 
1 + x 1 1   1 + − 0 
 2   a 2 a 2 
 a   

2 2 2 x 2   x 2 2
x 
△ = abc  1 1+ 2  2 2 2
1  = abc  1 − 2  ∵ C2 → C2 − C1
 b   b2 c 
 2  2 
 x   1 0
x  C3 → C3 − C2
 1 1 1+ 2  c2 
c {( )[ 4 ] [ ]}
2 2 2 x2 x x2 x2 x2
= abc 1+ 2 + 2 2 + 2
[ a b 2 c2 a c ]b
2
1 x 1 1
△ = a2 b2 c2 x4 2 2 + 2 2 2 + 2 2 + 2 2
bc abc ac ab
Hence, △ is divisible by x4 .
 
log a p 1
 
 
 log b q 1
12. If a, b, c are all positive and are p , q and r terms of an G.P., show that 
th th th
 = 0.
 
 log c r 1
 

Solution.
Since a, b, c are all positive and are pth , q th and rth terms of an G.P.,
a = tp = AR(p−1) ⇒ log a = log A + (p − 1) log R
b = tq = AR(q−1) ⇒ log b = log A + (q − 1) log R
c = tr = AR(r−1) ⇒ log c = log A + (r − 1) log R

where A is the first term and R is the common ratio of G.P.

   
log a p 1 log A + (p − 1) log R p 1
   
   
△ =  log b q 1 = log A + (q − 1) log R q 1
   
 log c r 1 log A + (r − 1) log R r 1
Let  
log A + (p − 1) log R p 1
 
 
=  (q − p) log R q − p 0 C2 → C2 − C1
 
 (r − q) log R r − q 0 C3 → C3 − C2
 
(q − p) log R q − p
 
Expanding along C3 , we have △ =   = 0 (C1 and C2 are proportional)
(r − q) log R r − q 
 
 1 logx y logx z 
 
 
13. Find the value of logy x 1 logy z  if x, y, z ̸= 1.
 
log x log y 1 
z z

Solution.
20 Matrices and Determinants
 
 log y log z 
   1  
 1 logx y logx z   log x log x  log x log y log z 
    
   log x log z  1  
△ = logy x 1 logy z  =  1  = log x log y log z 
 
Let    log y log y  log x log y log z  
log x log y 1   log x log y  log x log y log z 
z z  1 
 log z log z
= 0
1 1 1
(∵ Taking out , , common respectively from R1 , R2 and R3
  log x log y log z
1  ( )
 α ∑
2  n 1 1
14. If A =  , prove that k
det(A ) = 1− n
 1 3 4
0  k=1
2
Solution.
 
1 
 α
 
A = 2 
 1
0 
 2    
1  1  1 
 α  α  α
2  2   
A = 
2
  = 4 
 1  1  1
0  0  0 
 2  2  4 
1  1  1 3 
 α  α  α
4  2  8 4 
A = 
3
  =  
 1  1  1 
0  0  0 
4 2 8
etc., Now,
∑n
det(Ak ) = |A| + |A2 | + |A3 | + · · · + |An |
k=1
1 1 1 1
= + + + ··· + n
4 16 64 4
1 1 1 1
= + 2 + 3 + ··· + n
4[ 4 4] 4
1 1
1− n
4 4 1 1 a(1 − rn )
= a = , r=, , Sn =
1 4 4 1−r
1−
[ 4 ]
1 1
1− n ( )
4 4 1 1
= 1− n
3 3 4
4
15. Without expanding, evaluate the following determinants

 
2 3 4 
 
 
(a)  5 6 8 

 
6x 9x 12x

Solution.
 21
 
2 3 4 
 
 
Let ∆ =  5 6 8 

 
6x 9x 12x

Taking out 3x common from R3 ,

 
2 3 4
 
 
∆ = 3x 5 6 8 = 0(∵ R1 and R3 are identical)
 
2 3 4
 
x + y y + z z + x
 
 
(b)  z x y 
 
 1 1 1 
   
x + y y + z z + x  x + y + z x + y + z x + y + z 
   
   

∆ =  z x y  =  z x y 

   
 1 1 1 R1 →R1 +R2  1 1 1 
Taking out (x + y + z) common from R1 ,
 
x + y + z x + y + z x + y + z 
 
 
∆ = (x + y + z)   z x y 

 
 1 1 1 
16. If A is a square matrix and |A| = 2,find the value of |AAT |.

Solution.
|A| = 2
 T  
AA  = |A| AT 
[  T ]
= |A| |A| ∵ A  = |A|
= (2)(2)
= 4
17. If A and B are square matrices of order 3 such that |A| = −1 and |B| = 3,find the value of |3AB|.
Solution.
|A| = −1 , |B| = 3
|3AB| = 33 |A| |B| = 27(−1)(3) = −81
 
0 2λ 1 

 
18. If λ = −2, determine the value of  λ2 0 3λ2 + 1
 
−1 6λ − 1 0 
Solution.
22 Matrices and Determinants
 
0 2λ 1 
 
 2 
∆ = λ 0 3λ + 1
2
 
−1 6λ − 1 0 
When λ = −2, we have
 
 0 −4 1 
 
 
∆ =  4 0 13
 
−1 −13 0 
= 0 [∵ determinant
 value
 of a skew-symmetric matrix of order 3 × 3 is zer
1 4 20 
 
 
19. Determine the roots of the equation 1 −2 5 
 
1 2λ 5λ2 

Solution.
 
1 4 20 
 
 
Let ∆ = 1 −2 5 
 
1 2λ 5λ2 

Taking out 2,5 common respectively from C2 , C3

   
1 2 4  1 2 4 
   
   
= 
(2)(5) 1 −1 1  = 
10 1 −3 −3  R2 → R2 − R1
   
1 λ λ2   
 1 λ+1 λ −1  R3 → R3 − R2
2

1 2 4 
 
 
= (−30) 0 1 1 

 
1 λ + 1 (λ + 1)(λ − 1)
 
1 1 
 
= (−30)(λ + 1)  
1 λ − 1
= (−30)(λ + 1)(λ − 1 − 1)
= (−30)(λ + 1)(λ − 2)
Now, ∆=0 ⇒ −30(λ + 1)(λ − 2) = 0

 by {x 
Hence the roots of the equation ∆ = 0 are given =-1,2}  
4 3 −2 1 3 3
   
20. Verify that det(AB) = (detA)(detB) for A =  1 0 7  and B = −2 4 0
  
2 3 −5 9 7 5
Solution.
 23
    
4 3 −2 1 3 3 −20 10 2
    
AB = 1 0 7 
 −2 4 0 
 =  64 52 38 
2 3 −5 97 5 −49 −17 −19 
−20 10 2  −10 5 1 
 
   
|AB| =  64 52 38  = (2)(2)  32 26 19 
   
−49 −17 −19 −49 −17 −19
= 4 [−10(−494 + 323) − 5(−608 + 931) + 1(−544 + 1274)]
= −40(−171) − 20(323) + 4(730)
= 6840 − 6460 + 2920
= 3300
 
4 3 −2
 
 
|A| = 1 0 7  = 4(0 − 21) − 3(−5 − 14) − 2(3 − 0)
 = −84 + 57 − 6 |A| = −33
 
 
2 3 −5
 1 3 3
 
 

|B| = −2 4 0 = 1(20 − 0) − 3(−10 − 0) + 3(−14 − 36) = −100
 
 9 7 5

Now |A| |B| = (−33)(−100) = 3300 = |AB|

Hence verified.  
5 3 8
 
21. Using Co-factors of elements of second row, evaluate |A|, where A = 
2 0 1 

1 2 3
Solution.
 
5 3 8
 
 
|A| = 2 0 1
 
1 2 3
Expanding along R2 , we have
     
3 8 5 8  5 3
    
|A| = (−2)   + (0)   + (−1)   = (−2) [9 − 16] − 1 [10 − 3] = 7
2 3 1 3  1 2
|A| = 7

Exercise - 7.3
 
x a a
 
 
1. Show that a x a = (x − a)2 (x + 2a)
 
 a a x

Solution.
24 Matrices and Determinants
 
x a a 
 
 
Let |A| = a x a

 
 a a x
 
a a a
 
 

Put x = a in |A|,then |A| = a a a = 0 [∵ R1 ≡ R2 ≡ R3 ]
 
a a a

Since all the three rows(columns) are identical, (x − a)2 is a factor of |A|.
Put x = −2a in |A|,then
   
−2a a a 0 a a 
  
   
|A| =  a −2a a = 0 −2a a  = 0 [∵ C1 → C1 + C2 + C3 ]
   
 a a x 0 a −2a

Therefore (x + 2a) is a factor of |A|.

The product (x − 2a)2 (x + 2a) is a factor of |A| and is of degree 3.
The degree of the product of leading diagonal elements x · x · x is also 3.
Therefore the remaining factor must be a constant’k’.
 
x a a
 
 
Therefore a x a = k (x − a)2 (x + 2a) −→ 1 .
 
 a a x

Equating x3 term on both sides, we get k = 1. Thus |A| = (x − a)2 (x + 2a)

Remark: The value of k can also be determined as follows:
 
0 1 1 
 
 
put x = 0 and a = 1 in 1 ,we get 1 0 1 = k (0 − 1)2 (0 + 2)

 
1 1 0 

= 0 (0 − 1) − 1 (0 − 1) + 1 (1 − 0) = 2k
= 0 + 1 + 1 = 2k
= 2 = 2k
= k = 1
Therefore |A| = (x − a)2 (x + 2a)
 
b + c a − c a − b
 
 
2. Show that b − c c + a b − a = 8abc.
 
c − b c − a a + b

Solution.
 25
 
 b + c a − c a − b
 
 
Let |A| = b − c c + a b − a = 8abc.

 
c − b c − a a + b 
 
b + c −c a − b
 
 

Put a = 0 in |A|, then |A| = b − c c + a b − a
 
c − b c − a a + b
3.
4.