Question

Without expanding determinants show that

`|(1, 3, 6),(6, 1, 4),(3, 7, 12)| + 4|(2, 3, 3),(2, 1, 2),(1, 7, 6)| = 10|(1, 2, 1),(3, 1, 7),(3, 2, 6)|`

Answer 1

L.H.S. = `|(1, 3, 6),(6, 1, 4),(3, 7, 12)| + 4|(2, 3, 3),(2, 1, 2),(1, 7, 6)|`

By taking 2 common from C₃ in the first determinant, we get,

L.H.S. = `2|(1, 3, 3),(6, 1, 2),(3, 7, 6)| + 4|(2, 3, 3),(2, 1, 2),(1, 7, 6)|`

= `|(2, 3, 3),(12, 1, 2),(6, 7, 6)| + |(8, 3, 3),(8, 1, 2),(4, 7, 6)|`

= `|(2 + 8, 3, 3),(12 + 8, 1, 2),(6 + 4, 7, 6)|`

as C₂ and C₃ are identical in the two determinants

= `|(10, 3, 3),(20, 1, 2),(10, 7, 6)|`

By interchanging rows and columns, we get,

L.H.S. = `|(10, 20, 10),(3, 1, 7),(3, 2, 6)|`

By taking 10 common from R₁, we get,

L.H.S. = `10|(1, 2, 1),(3, 1, 7),(3, 2, 6)|`

= R.H.S.