Lesson Name: Determinants Properties

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Properties of Determinants
There are 10 main properties of determinants which include reflection property, all-zero
property, proportionality or repetition property, switching property, scalar multiple property, sum property,
invariance property, factor property, triangle property, and co-factor matrix property. All the determinant
properties have been covered below in a detailed way along with solved examples.

All Topics in Determinants

Introduction to Determinants (https://byjus.com/jee/determinants/)
Minors and Cofactors (https://byjus.com/jee/minors-and-cofactors/)
Properties of Determinants
System of Linear Equations Using Determinants (https://byjus.com/jee/system-of-linear-equations-
using-determinants/)
Differentiation and Integration of Determinants (https://byjus.com/jee/differentiation-integration-of-
determinants/)
Standard Determinants (https://byjus.com/jee/standard-determinants/)

Determinants have some properties that are useful as they permit us to generate the same results with
different and simpler configurations of entries (elements).

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:
∣ a1 + b1 c1 d1 ∣ ∣ a1 c1 d1 ∣ ∣ b1 c1 d1 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
a2 + b2 c2 d2 = a2 c2 d2 + b2 c2 d2
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ a3 + b3 c3 d3 ∣ ∣ a3 c3 d3 ∣ ∣ b3 c3 d3 ∣

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 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

7. Property of Invariance:
∣ a1 b1 c1 ∣ ∣ a1 + αb1 + βc1 b1 c1 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
a2 b2 c2 = a2 + αb2 + βc2 b2 c2
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ a3 b3 c3 ∣ ∣ a3 + αb3 + βc3 b3 c3 ∣

That is, a determinant remains unaltered under an operation of the form Ci → Ci + αCj + βCk ,

where j, k ≠ i, or an operation of the form Ri → Ri + αRj + βRk , 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 = a2 b2 0 = a1 b2 c3
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ 0 0 c3 ∣ ∣ a3 b3 c3 ∣

10. Determinant of cofactor matrix:

∣a a12 a13 ∣ ∣C C12 C13 ∣
11 11
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ 2
Δ = a21 a22 a23 then Δ1 = C21 C22 C23 = Δ where Cij denotes the cof actor of
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣a a32 a33 ∣ ∣C C32 C33 ∣
31 31

the element aij in Δ.

Example Problems on Properties of Determinants

Question 1: Using properties of determinants, prove that
∣a b c ∣
∣ ∣ 2 2 2
b c a = (a + b + c) (ab + bc + ca − 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 [OperatingC1 → C1 + C2 + C3 ]
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ 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 (R2 → R2 − R1 and R3 → R3 − R1 )]
∣ ∣
∣ 0 a − b b − c ∣

= (a + b + c) [(c – b) (b – c) – (a – b) (a – c)]
2
= (a + b + c) (ab + bc + ca − a2 − b − c )
2

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 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

∣ −α2 βα γα ∣
∣ ∣
2
Question 2: Prove the following identity ∣ αβ −β
2
γβ
2
∣ = 4α β γ
2

∣ ∣
2
∣ αγ βγ −γ ∣

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.

∣ −α2 βα γα ∣
∣ ∣
2
Δ = ∣ αβ −β γβ ∣
∣ ∣
2
∣ αγ βγ −γ ∣

∣ −α α α ∣
∣ ∣
T aking α, β, γ common f rom C1 , C2 , C3 respectively Δ = αβγ β −β β
∣ ∣
∣ γ γ −γ ∣

N ow taking [α, β, γ] common f rom R1 , R2 , R3 respectively

∣ −1 1 1 ∣

2 2 2 ∣ ∣
Δ = α β γ 1 −1 1
∣ ∣
∣ 1 1 −1 ∣

∣ −1 1 1∣
2 ∣ ∣
Now applying and R3 → R3 + R1 we have Δ = α β γ
2 2
0 0 2
∣ ∣
∣ 0 2 0∣

∣ 0 2∣
2 2 2 2 2 2
N ow expanding along C1 , Δα × β (−1) × γ (−1) ∣ ∣ = α β (−1) γ (0 − 4)
∣ 2 0∣

2 2 2
= 4α β γ

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 ∣
∣ ∣ 2 ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
= (−1) β μ ϕ = (−1) α λ θ = α λ θ =
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
∣ γ v ψ ∣ ∣ γ v ψ ∣ ∣ γ v ψ ∣

R.H.S.

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 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples
2 3
∣a a 1 + a ∣
∣ ∣
Question 4: If a, b, c are all different and if ∣ b b
2
1 + b
3
∣ = 0,
∣ ∣
2 3
∣ c c 1 + c ∣

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.
2 3 2 2 3 2 2
∣a a 1 + a ∣ ∣a a 1∣ ∣a a a ∣ ∣a a 1∣ ∣ 1 a a ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2 3 2 2 3 2 2
D = ∣ b b 1 + b ∣ = ∣ b b 1∣ + ∣ b b b ∣ = ∣ b b 1 ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
3 3 2 2 3 2 2
∣ c c 1 + c ∣ ∣ c c 1∣ ∣ c c c ∣ ∣ c c 1∣ ∣ 1 c c ∣

2 2
∣ 1 a a∣ ∣ 1 a a ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
1
2 2
= (−1) ∣ 1 b b ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b ∣ [C1 ↔ C3 in 1st det. ]
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2 2
∣ 1 c c ∣ ∣ 1 c c ∣

2 2
∣ 1 a a ∣ ∣ 1 a a ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2
2 2
= (−1) ∣ 1 b b ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b ∣ [C2 ↔ C3 in 1st det. ]
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2 2
∣ 1 c c ∣ ∣ 1 c c ∣

2 2 2
∣ 1 a a ∣ ∣ 1 a a ∣ ∣ 1 a a ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2 2 2
= ∣ 1 b b ∣ + abc ∣ 1 b b ∣ = (1 + abc) ∣ 1 b b ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2 2 2
∣ 1 c c ∣ ∣ 1 c c ∣ ∣ 1 c c ∣

2
∣ 1 a a ∣
∣ ∣
2 2
= (1 + abc) ∣ 0 b − a b − a ∣ [R2 → R2 − R1 and R3 → R3 − R1 ]
∣ ∣
2 2
∣ 0 c − a c − a ∣

2 2
∣b − a b − a ∣
= (1 + abc) ∣ ∣ (expanding along 1st row)
2 2
∣c − a c − a ∣

∣ 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 ∣
∣ ∣
Question 5: Prove that c b + c + 2a b = 2(a + b + c)
3

∣ ∣
∣ c a c + a + 2b ∣

Solution:

Simply by using switching and scalar multiple property we can expand the L.H.S.

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 Properties of Determinants - Detailed Explanation with Examples

∣ a + b + 2c a b ∣
∣ ∣
Given determinant = c b + c + 2a b
∣ ∣
∣ c a c + a + 2b ∣

Applying C1 → C1 + (C2 + C3 ) , 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 ∣

R1 → R2 − R1 and R3 → R3 − R1 (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.

∣ a2 + 1 ab ac ∣
∣ ∣
2
Question 6: Prove that ∣ ab b
2
+ 1 bc ∣ = 1 + a
2
+ b + c
2

∣ ∣
2
∣ ac bc c + 1∣

Solution:

∣ a2 + 1 ab ac ∣
∣ ∣
Expand the determinant ∣ ab b
2
+ 1 bc ∣
∣ ∣
2
∣ ac bc c + 1∣

by using scalar multiple and invariance property.

∣ a2 + 1 ab ac ∣
∣ ∣
L.H.S.= ∣ ab
2
b + 1 bc ∣; Multiplying C1,C2,C3 by a, b, c respectively
∣ ∣
2
∣ ac bc c + 1∣

2
∣ a (a2 + 1) ab ac
2
∣
∣ ∣
=
1
∣ a b
2
b (b
2
+ 1) bc
2
∣; Now taking a, b, c common from R1,R2,R3
abc
∣ ∣
2 2 2
∣ a c b c c (c + 1) ∣

respectively
2 2 2
∣ a2 + 1 b c
2
∣ ∣ 1 + a2 + b 2
+ c b
2
c ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
abc 2 2 2 2 2
= ∣ a b + 1 c ∣ = ∣ 1 + a2 + b + c2 b + 1
2
c ∣ [C1 → C1 + C2 + C3 ]
abc
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
∣ a b c + 1∣ ∣1 + a + b + c b c + 1∣

2 2 2
∣ 1 b c ∣ ∣ 1 b c
2 ∣
∣ ∣ ∣ ∣
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
= (1 + a + b + c )∣ 1 b + 1 c ∣ = (1 + a + b + c ) 0 1 0
∣ ∣
∣ ∣
2 2
∣ 1 b c + 1∣ ∣ 0 0 1 ∣

[R2 → R2 − R1 and R3 → R3 − R1 ]

2 2 2 2 2 2
= (1 + a + b + c ) (1.1.1) = 1 + a + b + c = R. H . S .

Hence proved

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