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Q : 4 If $a,b$ and $c$ are real numbers, and

$\Delta =\begin{vmatrix} b+c & c+a &a+b \\ c+a &a+b &b+c \\ a+b & b+c & c+a \end{vmatrix}=0$

Show that either $a+b+c=0$ or $a=b=c$

Answers (1)

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We have given $\Delta =\begin{vmatrix} b+c & c+a &a+b \\ c+a &a+b &b+c \\ a+b & b+c & c+a \end{vmatrix}=0$

Applying the row transformations; $R_{1} \rightarrow R_{1} +R_{2} +R_{3}$ we have;

$\Delta =\begin{vmatrix} 2(a+b+c) & 2(a+b+c) &2(a+b+c) \\ c+a &a+b &b+c \\ a+b & b+c & c+a \end{vmatrix}$

Taking out common factor 2(a+b+c) from the first row;

$\Delta =2(a+b+c)\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 &1 \\ c+a &a+b &b+c \\ a+b & b+c & c+a \end{vmatrix}$

Now, applying the column transformations; $C_{1}\rightarrow C_{1} - C_{2}\ and\ C_{2} \rightarrow C_{2}- C_{3}$

we have;

$=2(a+b+c)\begin{vmatrix} 0 & 0 &1 \\ c-b &a-c &b+c \\ a-c & b-a & c+a \end{vmatrix}$

$=2(a+b+c)[(c-b)(b-a)-(a-c)^2]$

$=2(a+b+c)[ab+bc+ca-a^2-b^2-c^2]$

and given that the determinant is equal to zero. i.e., $\triangle = 0$ ;

$(a+b+c)[ab+bc+ca-a^2-b^2-c^2] = 0$

So, either $(a+b+c) = 0$ or $[ab+bc+ca-a^2-b^2-c^2] = 0$ .

we can write $[ab+bc+ca-a^2-b^2-c^2] = 0$ as;

$\Rightarrow -2ab-2bc-2ca+2a^2+2b^2+2c^2 =0$

$\Rightarrow (a-b)^2+(b-c)^2+(c-a)^2 =0$

$\because (a-b)^2,(b-c)^2,\ and\ (c-a)^2$ are non-negative.

Hence $(a-b)^2= (b-c)^2=(c-a)^2 = 0$ .

we get then $a=b=c$

Therefore, if given $\triangle$ = 0 then either $(a+b+c) = 0$ or $a=b=c$ .

Posted by

Divya Prakash Singh

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