# Q : 7          Using the property of determinants and without expanding, prove that                   $\dpi{100} \begin{vmatrix} -a^2 &ab &ac \\ ba &-b^2 &bc \\ ca & cb & -c^2 \end{vmatrix}=4a^2b^2c^2$

Given determinant : $\dpi{100} \begin{vmatrix} -a^2 &ab &ac \\ ba &-b^2 &bc \\ ca & cb & -c^2 \end{vmatrix}$

$\triangle = \begin{vmatrix} -a^2 &ab &ac \\ ba &-b^2 &bc \\ ca & cb & -c^2 \end{vmatrix}$

As we can easily take out the common factors a,b,c from rows $R_{1},R_{2},R_{3}$ respectively.

So, get then:

$=abc \begin{vmatrix} -a &b &c \\ a &-b &c \\ a & b & -c \end{vmatrix}$

Now, taking common factors a,b,c from the columns $C_{1},C_{2},C_{3}$ respectively.

$=a^2b^2c^2 \begin{vmatrix} -1 &1 &1 \\ 1 &-1 &1 \\ 1 & 1 & -1 \end{vmatrix}$

Now, applying rows transformations $R_{1} \rightarrow R_{1} + R_{2}$   and then $R_{3} \rightarrow R_{2} + R_{3}$ we have;

$\triangle = a^2b^2c^2\begin{vmatrix} 0 &0 &2 \\ 1&-1 &1 \\ 2& 0 &0 \end{vmatrix}$

Expanding to get R.H.S.

$\triangle = a^2b^2c^2 \left ( 2\begin{vmatrix} 1 &-1 \\ 2& 0 \end{vmatrix} \right ) = 2a^2b^2c^2(0+2) =4a^2b^2c^2$

Exams
Articles
Questions