8/30/2019 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

Important Properties of Determinants

1. Reflection Property:
The determinant remains unaltered if its rows are changed into columns and the columns into rows. This is
known as the property of reflection.

2. All-zero Property:
If all the elements of a row (or column) are zero, then the determinant is zero.

3. Proportionality (Repetition) Property:

If the all elements of a row (or column) are proportional (identical) to the elements of some other row (or
column), then the determinant is zero.

4. Switching Property:
The interchange of any two rows (or columns) of the determinant changes its sign.

5. Scalar Multiple Property:

If all the elements of a row (or column) of a determinant are multiplied by a non-zero constant, then the
determinant gets multiplied by the same constant.

6. Sum Property:
∣ a 1 + b1 c1 d1 ∣ ∣ a 1 c1 d1 ∣ ∣ b1 c1 d1 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ a 2 + b2 c2 d2 ∣ = ∣ a 2 c2 d2 ∣ + ∣ b2 c2 d2 ∣
∣ a 3 + b3 c3 d3 ∣ ∣ a 3 c3 d3 ∣ ∣ b3 c3 d3 ∣
7. Property of Invariance:
∣ a1 b1 c1 ∣ ∣ a 1 + αb1 + βc1 b1 c1 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ a2 b2 c2 ∣ = ∣ a 2 + αb2 + βc2 b2 c2 ∣
∣ a3 b3 c3 ∣ ∣ a 3 + αb3 + βc3 b3 c3 ∣
That is, a determinant remains unaltered under an operation of the form C i → C i + αC j + βC k , where
j, k ≠ i, or an operation of the form R i → R i + αR j + βR k , where j, k ≠ i

8. Factor Property:
If a determinant Δ becomes zero when we put x = α, then (x − α) is a factor of Δ.

9. Triangle Property:
If all the elements of a determinant above or below the main diagonal consist of zeros, then the determinant is
equal to the product of diagonal elements. That is,
∣ a1 a2 a3 ∣ ∣ a1 0 0∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣0 b2 b3 ∣ = ∣ a 2 b2 0 ∣ = a 1 b2 c3
∣0 0 c3 ∣ ∣ a 3 b3 c3 ∣

10. Determinant of cofactor matrix:

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8/30/2019 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

∣ a 11 a 12 a 13 ∣ ∣ C 11 C 12 C 13 ∣
Δ = ∣ a 21 a 22 ∣ then Δ = ∣
a 23 ∣
∣ 2
C 23 ∣ = Δ where C ij denotes the cofactor of
∣ 1 ∣ C 21 C 22
∣ a 31 a 32 a 33 ∣ ∣ C 31 C 32 C 33 ∣
the element a ij in Δ.

Example Problems on Properties of Determinants

Question 1: Using properties of determinants, prove that
∣a b c ∣
∣ ∣ = (a + b + c) (ab + bc + ca − 2 − 2 − 2 )
∣b c a ∣ a b c
∣ c a b∣
Solution:
By using invariance and scalar multiple property of determinant we can prove the given problem.
∣a b c ∣ ∣ a + b + c b c∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
Δ = ∣b c a ∣ = ∣b + c + a c a ∣ [OperatingC 1 → C 1 + C 2 + C 3 ]
∣ c a b∣ ∣ c + a + b a b∣
∣1 b c∣
= (a + b + c) ∣∣ 1 c a ∣∣
∣ 1 a b∣
∣1 b c ∣
∣ ∣
= (a + b + c) ∣ 0 c − b a − c ∣ [Operating (R 2 → R 2 − R 1 and R 3 → R 3 − R 1 )]
∣0 a − b b − c ∣
= (a + b + c) [(c – b) (b – c) – (a – b) (a – c)]
= (a + b + c) (ab + bc + ca − a 2 − b2 − c2 )
∣ −α 2 βα γα ∣
∣ ∣ 2 2 2
Question 2: Prove the following identity ∣ αβ −β 2 γβ ∣ = 4α β γ
∣ ∣
∣ αγ βγ −γ 2 ∣
Solution:
Take α, β, γ common from the L.H.S. and then by using scalar multiple property and invariance property of
determinant we can prove the given problem.
∣ −α 2 βα γα ∣
∣ ∣
Δ = ∣ αβ −β 2 γβ ∣
∣ ∣
∣ αγ βγ −γ 2 ∣
∣ −α α α ∣
T aking α, β, γ common from C 1 , C 2 , C 3 respectively Δ = αβγ ∣∣ β −β β
∣
∣
∣ γ γ −γ ∣
Now taking [α, β, γ] common from R 1 , R 2 , R 3 respectively

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8/30/2019 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

∣ −1 1 1 ∣
Δ= α 2β 2γ 2 ∣ ∣
∣ 1 −1 1 ∣
∣ 1 1 −1 ∣
∣ −1 1 1∣
Now applying and R 3 → R 3 + R 1 we have Δ = α 2β 2γ 2 ∣ ∣
∣ 0 0 2∣
∣ 0 2 0∣
∣0 2∣
Now expanding along C 1 , Δα 2 × β 2 (−1) × γ 2 (−1) ∣ ∣= α 2 β 2 (−1) γ 2 (0 − 4)
∣2 0∣
= 4α 2 β 2 γ 2
Hence proved.
∣α β γ ∣ ∣β μ ϕ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
Question 3: Show that θ
∣ ϕ ψ ∣ = ∣α λ θ∣
∣λ μ v ∣ ∣γ v ψ∣
Solution:
Interchange the rows and columns across the diagonal using reflection property and then using the switching
property of determinant we can obtain the required result.
∣α β λ ∣ ∣α θ λ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
L.H.S. = θ
∣ ϕ ψ ∣ = ∣β ϕ μ∣
∣λ μ v ∣ ∣γ ψ v∣
(Interchanging rows and columns across the diagonal)
∣α λ θ∣ ∣β μ ϕ ∣ ∣β μ ϕ∣
= (−1) ∣∣ β ∣
μ ϕ ∣ = (−1)
2∣
∣α
∣ ∣
λ θ ∣ = ∣α
∣
λ θ∣=
∣γ v ψ∣ ∣γ v ψ ∣ ∣γ v ψ∣
R.H.S.
∣ a a2 1 + a3 ∣
∣ ∣
Question 4: If a, b, c are all different and if ∣ b b2 1 + b3 ∣ = 0,
∣ ∣
∣ c c2 1 + c3 ∣
prove that abc = –1.
Solution:
Split the given determinant using sum property. Then by using scalar multiple, switching and invariance
properties of determinants, we can prove the given equation.
∣ a a2 1 + a3 ∣ ∣ a a2 1∣ ∣ a a2 a3 ∣ ∣ a a2 1∣ ∣ 1 a a2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
D = ∣ b b2 1 + b3 ∣ = ∣ b b2 1 ∣ + ∣ b b2 b3 ∣ = ∣ b b2 1 ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ c c3 1 + c3 ∣ ∣ c c2 1 ∣ ∣ c c2 c3 ∣ ∣ c c2 1∣ ∣ 1 c c2 ∣
∣ 1 a2 a∣ ∣ 1 a a2 ∣
1∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
= (−1) ∣ 1 b2 b ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b2 ∣ [C 1 ↔ C 3 in 1st det. ]
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ 1 c2 c∣ ∣ 1 c c2 ∣
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8/30/2019 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

∣ 1 a a2 ∣ ∣ 1 a a2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
= (−1) 2 ∣ 1 b b2 ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b2 ∣ [C 2 ↔ C 3 in 1st det. ]
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ 1 c c2 ∣ ∣ 1 c c2 ∣
∣ 1 a a2 ∣ ∣ 1 a a2 ∣ ∣ 1 a a2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
= ∣ 1 b b2 ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b2 ∣ = (1 + abc) ∣ 1 b b2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ 1 c c2 ∣ ∣ 1 c c2 ∣ ∣ 1 c c2 ∣
∣1 a a2 ∣
∣ ∣
= (1 + abc) ∣ 0 b − a b2 − a 2 ∣ [R 2 → R 2 − R 1 and R 3 → R 3 − R 1 ]
∣ ∣
∣0 c − a c2 − a 2 ∣
∣b − a b2 − a 2 ∣
= (1 + abc) ∣ ∣ (expanding along 1st row)
∣c − a c2 − a 2 ∣
∣1 b+a ∣
= (1 + abc) (b − a) (c − a) ∣ ∣
∣1 c+a ∣
= (1 + abc) (b − c) (c − a) (c + a − b − a) = (1 + abc) (b − a) (c − a) (c − b)
⇒ D = (1 + abc) (a − b) (b − c) (c − a) ; But given D = 0
⇒ (1 + abc) (a − b) (b − c) (c − a) = 0
∴ ( 1 + abc) = 0
[since a, b, c are different a ≠ b, b ≠ c, c ≠ a Hence, abc = -1
∣ a + b + 2c a b ∣
∣ ∣ 3
c b + c + 2a b ∣ = 2(a + b + c)
Question 5: Prove that
∣
∣ c a c + a + 2b ∣
Solution:
Simply by using switching and scalar multiple property we can expand the L.H.S.
∣ a + b + 2c a b ∣
Given determinant =
∣ ∣
∣ c b + c + 2a b ∣
∣ c a c + a + 2b ∣
Applying C 1 → C 1 + (C 2 + C 3 ) , we obtain
∣ 2 (a + b + c) a b ∣ ∣1 a b ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ 2 (a + b + c) b + c + 2a b ∣ = 2 (a + b + c) ∣ 1 b + c + 2a b ∣
∣ ∣
∣ 2 (a + b + c) a c + a + 2b ∣ ∣1 a c + a + 2b ∣
R 1 → R 2 − R 1 and R 3 → R 3 − R 1 (given)
∣1 a b ∣
2 (a + b + c) ∣∣ 0 b+c+a 0
∣ = 2 (a + b + c.1) {(b + c + a) (c + a + b) − (0 × 0)}
∣
∣0 0 c+a+b ∣
3
= 2(a + b + c)
Hence proved.
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8/30/2019 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

∣ a2 + 1 ab ac ∣
∣ ∣ 2
Question 6: Prove that ∣ ab b2 + 1 bc ∣ = 1 + a 2 + b + c2
∣ ∣
∣ ac bc c2 + 1 ∣
Solution:
∣ a2 + 1 ab ac ∣
∣ ∣
Expand the determinant ∣ ab b2 + 1 bc ∣
∣ ∣
∣ ac bc c2 + 1 ∣
by using scalar multiple and invariance property.
∣ a2 + 1 ab ac ∣
∣ ∣
L.H.S.= ∣ ab b2 + 1 bc ∣ ; Multiplying C1,C2,C3 by a, b, c respectively
∣ ∣
∣ ac bc c2 + 1 ∣
∣ a (a 2 + 1) ab2 ac2 ∣
1
∣ ∣
= abc ∣ a 2b b (b2 + 1) bc2 ∣ ; Now taking a, b, c common from R1,R2,R3 respectively
∣ ∣
∣ a 2c b2 c c (c2 + 1) ∣
∣ a2 + 1 b2 c2 ∣ ∣ 1 + a 2 + b2 + c2 b2 c2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
= abc
abc ∣ a
∣ 2 b2 + 1 c2 ∣ = ∣ 1 + a 2 + b2 + c2 b2 + 1 c2 ∣ [C 1 → C 1 + C 2 + C 3 ]
∣ ∣ ∣
∣ a2 b2 c2 + 1 ∣ ∣ 1 + a 2 + b2 + c2 b2 c2 + 1 ∣
∣1 b2 c2 ∣ ∣1 b2 c2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
= (1 + a 2 + b2 + c2 ) ∣ 1 b2 + 1 c2
2
∣ = (1 + a 2 + b + c2 ) 0 1 0∣
∣ ∣ ∣
∣1 b2 c2 + 1 ∣ ∣0 0 1∣
[R 2 → R 2 − R 1 and R 3 → R 3 − R 1 ]
= (1 + a 2 + b2 + c2 ) (1.1.1) = 1 + a 2 + b2 + c2 = R. H. S.
Hence proved

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