KEY CONCEPTS

a1 b1
1. The symbol a b is called the determinant of order two .
2 2

Its value is given by : D = a1 b2  a2 b1

a1 b1 c1
2. The symbol a 2 b 2 c2 is called the determinant of order three .
a3 b3 c3

b2 c2 b1 c1 b1 c1
Its value can be found as : D = a1 b c  a2 b c + a3 b c OR
3 3 3 3 2 2

b2 c2 a2 c2 a2 b2
D = a1  b1 a c + c1 a b ....... and so on .
b 3 c3 3 3 3 3

In this manner we can expand a determinant in 6 ways using elements of ;

R1 , R2 , R3 or C1 , C2 , C3 .
3. Following examples of short hand writing large expressions are :
(i) 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 c2 = 0 .
a3 b3 c3
Condition for the consistency of three simultaneous linear equations in 2 variables.
(ii) 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
(iii) Area of a triangle whose vertices are (x r , yr) ; r = 1 , 2 , 3 is :
x1 y1 1
1
D= x2 y2 1 If D = 0 then the three points are collinear .
2
x3 y3 1

x y 1
(iv) Equation of a straight line passsing through (x1 , y1) & (x2 , y2) is 1
x y1 1 = 0
x2 y2 1
4. MINORS :
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
b2 c2 a1 c1
minor of a1 in (Key Concept 2) is & the minor of b2 is a c3
.
b3 c3 3
Hence a determinant of order two will have “4 minors” & a determinant of order three
will have “9 minors” .
5. COFACTOR :
If Mij represents the minor of some typical element then the cofactor is defined as :
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 .......

Determinant [2]
6. PROPERTIES OF DETERMINANTS :
P 1 : The value of a determinant remains unaltered , if the rows & columns are
a1 b1 c1 a1 a2 a3
inter changed . e.g. if D = a 2 b2 c2  b1 b2 b 3 = D
a3 b3 c3 c1 c2 c3

D & D are transpose of each other . If D=  D then it is SKEW SYMMETRIC

determinant but D= D  2 D = 0  D = 0  Skew symmetric determinant of
third order has the value zero .
P 2 : 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 = a 1 b1 c1 Then D =  D .
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

P 3 : If a determinant has any two rows (or columns) identical , then its value is
a1 b1 c1
zero . e.g. Let D = a 1 b1 c1 then it can be verified that D = 0.
a3 b3 c3

P 4 : If all the elements of any row (or column) be multiplied by the same number ,
then the determinant is multiplied by that number.
a1 b1 c1 Ka 1 Kb1 Kc1
e.g. If D = a 2 b2 c2 and D = a2 b2 c2 Then D= KD
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

P5 : 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 . e.g.
a 1  x b1  y c1  z a1 b1 c1 x y z
a2 b2 c2  a2 b2 c2  a 2 b2 c2
a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3 a3 b3 c3

P 6 : The value of a determinant is not altered by adding to the elements of any

row (or column) the same multiples of the corresponding elements of any
a1 b1 c1
other row (or column) . e.g. Let D = a 2 b 2 c2 and
a3 b3 c3

a 1  ma 2 b1  m b 2 c1  m c2
D = a2 b2 c2 . Then D= D .
a 3  n a1 b 3  n b1 c3  n c1

Note : that while applying this property ATLEAST ONE ROW (OR COLUMN)
must remain unchanged .
P 7 : If by putting x = a the value of a determinant vanishes then (x  a) is a factor
of the determinant .
7. MULTIPLICATION O F T WO DETERMINANTS :
a1 b1 l1 m1 a 1 l1  b1 l 2 a 1 m1  b1 m 2
(i) x 
a2 b2 l2 m2 a 2 l1  b 2 l 2 a 2 m1  b 2 m 2
Similarly two determinants of order three are multiplied.
Determinant [3]
 a1 b1 c1 A1 B1 C1
(ii) If D = a 2 b 2 c2  0 then , D² = A 2 B2 C2 where Ai , Bi , Ci are cofactors
a3 b3 c3 A3 B3 C3

a1 b1 c1 A1 A 2 A3 D 0 0
PROOF : Consider a2 b2 c2 × B1 B2 B3 = 0 D 0
a3 b3 c3 C1 C2 C3 0 0 D
Note : a1A2 + b1B2 + c1C2 = 0 etc.
A1 A 2 A3 A1 A 2 A3 A1 B1 C1
therefore , D x B1 B2 B3 = D  B1 B2 B3 = D² 3
OR A2 B2 C 2 = D²
C1 C2 C3 C1 C2 C3 CA 3 B3 C3
8. SYSTEM O F LINEAR EQUATION (IN TWO V ARIABLES) :
(i) Consistent Equations : Definite & unique solution . [ intersecting lines ]
(ii) Inconsistent Equation : No solution . [ Parallel line ]
(iii) Dependent equation :Infinite solutions . [ Identical lines ]
Let a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 & a 2x + b 2y + c 2 = 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
9. CRAMER'S RULE : [ SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS INVOLVING THREE UNKNOWNS ]
Let ,a1x + b1y + c1z = d1 ...(I) ; a2x + b2y + c2z = d2 ...(II) ; a3x + b3y + c3z = d3 ...(III)
D1 D D3
Then , x= , Y= 2 , Z= .
D D D
a1 b1 c1 d1 b1 c1 a1 d1 c1 a1 b1 d1
Where D = a 2 b 2 c2 ; D1 = d 2 b 2 c2 ; D2 = a 2 d2 c2 & D3 = a2 b2 d2
a3 b3 c3 d3 b3 c3 a3 d3 c3 a3 b3 d3
NOTE :
(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 are
consistent and have infinite solutions .
a1x  b1y  c1z  d1 
In case a 2 x  b 2 y  c 2 z  d 2  represents these parallel planes then also
a 3 x  b3 y  c3z  d 3 
D = D1 = D2 = D3 = 0 but the system is inconsistent.
(d) If D = 0 but atleast one of D1 , D2 , D3 is not zero then the equations are inconsistent and
have no solution .
10. If x , y , z are not all zero , the condition for a1x + b1y + c 1z = 0 ; a2x + b2y + c 2z = 0 &
a1 b1 c1
a3x + b3y + c 3z = 0 to be consistent in x , y , z is that a 2 b2 c2 = 0.
a3 b3 c3
Remember that 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.
Determinant [4]
 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  2a 2a 1 1 1 1 1
(a) 2a 1 a 2 1 = (a  1)3 (b) x y z = [(x y) (yz) (zx) (x+y+z)]
3 3
3 3 1 x y 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 89 198 .
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 .
2 2
2b  2a 1 a  b

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
tan(A  R) tan(B  R) tan(C  R)
values of A, B, C, P, Q & R where A + B + C + P + Q + R = 0

Determinant [5]
 bc 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
Q 12. Prove that                 
4 2
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 2x  3 3x  4
Q 14. Solve for x 2 x  3 3 x  4 4x  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 )

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

pa q b rc a b c
Q 17. If p + q + r = 0 , prove that q c r a p b = pqr c a b .
rb 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
ab b 
2
bc
is divisible by 2 and find the other factor..
ac bc c 
2

bc a a2 1 a2 a3
Q 20. (a) Without expanding prove that ca b b 2  1 b 2 b 3 .
ab c c2 1 c2 c3

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

Determinant [6]
 x2  x x 1 x2
2
Q 21. Without expanding a determinant at any stage, show that 2 x  3 x  1 3x 3 x  3 = Ax + B
2
x  2x  3 2x 1 2x 1
where A & B are determinants of order 3 not involving x .

bc b 2  b c c2  b c
2
Q 22. Prove that a  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)

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

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

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 a 2 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  ca  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 [7]
 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 m 3 = 0 .
a 3 l1  b 3 m1 a 3 l 2  b 3 m2 a 3 l 3  b 3 m3

 a 1  b 1  2  a 1  b 2  2 a 1  b 3  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)
2 2 2

 a 3  b1  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 (C  A) cos (C  B)
2 2
1

Q 37. If ax 1² + by1² + cz 12 = ax 22 + by22 + cz 22 = ax 32 + by32 + cz 32 = d and

ax 2x3 + by2y3 + cz2z3 = ax3x1 + by3y1 + cz3z1 = ax1x 2 + by1y2 + cz1z2 = f , then prove
x1 y1 z1 1/ 2
d  2f 
that x 2 y2 z 2 = (d  f)   (a , b , c  0)
 abc 
x3 y3 z3

Q 38. If (x 1–x 2)2 + (y1– y2)2 = a2 , (x 2–x 3)2 + (y2– y3)2 = b2 and (x 3–x 1)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
Q 39. If S r =  +  +  then show that S1 S2 S3 = (  )2 ( )2 (  )2 .
r r r

S2 S3 S4

Q 40. If u = ax2 + 2 bxy + cy2 , u = ax 2 + 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 [8]
 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  3 y  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  c2x  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 + 3z = 0 , 3x +Ky2z = 0 , 2x +3y 4z = 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+4z = 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 [9]
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 y2 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 1
a a (a  d ) (a  d ) (a  2 d )
1 1 1
(a  d ) ( a  d ) (a  2 d ) ( a  2 d ) (a  3 d ) . [ IIT ’96 , 5 ]
1 1 1
(a  2 d ) (a  2 d ) ( a  3 d ) (a  3 d ) (a  4 d )

Determinant [10]
Q.4 Find those values of c for which the equations :
2x+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 ]

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
sin (p  d) x sin px sin(p  d) x

not depend upon is :

(A) a (B) p (C) d (D) x
[ JEE '97 , 2 ]

6i  3i 1
1
Q.7 If 4 3i
= 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
    x + [(b  c) + (c  a) + (d  b) ] x + u + v + w = 0 and
2 2 2
 u v w
20 x 2 + 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)]

Determinant [11]
 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 ]
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)]

Determinant [12]
 ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE I
Q 4.  1 Q 11. (ab  ab) (bc  bc) (ca  ca) Q 14. x =  1 or x =  2

Q 15. x = 0 or x = ±
2

3 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 K  15
2

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
Determinant [13]
 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) (a  2 d) 3 (a  3 d) 2 (a  4 d)
2

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
3 3
y = 0.

Q15. B Q.16 D

Determinant [14]