CHAPTER-4 – DETERMINANT

ADVANCED BUSINESS MATHEMATICS

(DSE 5.1A (Module-II)]

Dr. Rajdeep Maiti

Assistant Professor and HOD
Dept. of Mathematics
City College of Commerce and Business Administration
Kolkata- 700012, WB, India. Date -
 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

CONTENTS

• DETERMINANTS UP TO THIRD ORDER,

• MINORS AND CO-FACTORS,

• OPERATIONS ON DETERMINANTS

• ELEMENTARY PROPERTIES OF DETERMINANTS,

• SOLUTION OF A SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS BY CRAMER'S RULE (UP TO THREE

VARIABLES).

[8 MARKS, CREDIT: 8]

Dr. Rajdeep Maiti

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

CONCEPTS OF DETERMINANTS:

In mathematics, a determinant is a scalar value that can be computed from the elements of a
square matrix and encodes certain properties of the matrix. The determinant plays an
important role in linear algebra, especially in solving systems of linear equations, finding the
inverse of a matrix, and understanding matrix transformations. The determinant is only
defined for square matrices (i.e., matrices with the same number of rows and columns).

The determinant of a matrix A is commonly denoted det(A), det A, or |A|. Its value
characterizes some properties of the matrix and the linear map represented by the matrix.

We will consider square matrices of order 2 and 3 only here.

• A square matrix of order 2 can be expressed as

𝑎11 𝑎12
𝐴 = (𝑎 𝑎22 )
21

• A square matrix of order 3 can be expressed as

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13

𝐴 = (𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 )
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

Expansion of Determinants (Upto 3rd Order):

• For a square matrix of order 2, the determinant of the matrix A can be expressed as
𝑎11 𝑎12
𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴) = |𝑎 𝑎22 |
21

= 𝑎11 𝑎22 − 𝑎12 𝑎21

• For a square matrix of order 3, the determinant of the matrix A can be expressed as
𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13
𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴) = |𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33
𝑎22 𝑎23 𝑎21 𝑎23 𝑎21 𝑎22
= 𝑎11 |𝑎 |-𝑎12 | | + 𝑎13 |𝑎31 𝑎32 |
32 𝑎33 𝑎31 𝑎33
= 𝑎11 (𝑎22𝑎33 − 𝑎23 𝑎32 ) − 𝑎12( 𝑎21 𝑎33 − 𝑎31 𝑎23 ) + 𝑎13 (𝑎21 𝑎32 − 𝑎31 𝑎22 )

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

MINORS AND COFACTORS:

The minor of an element in a matrix is the determinant of the submatrix that remains after
removing the row and column of that element. The minor of an element of a given
determinant is the determinant obtained by deleting the row and column through that
element.

Suppose we have the determinant

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13

𝑎
𝐷 = | 21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

The minor of the element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 (by definition) is to be obtained by deleting the row and column
through 𝑎𝑖𝑗 (i.e i-th row and j-th column). It is denoted by 𝑀𝑖𝑗 (𝑖, 𝑗 = 1,2,3). Therefore, The
minor of the element 𝑎11 (by definition) is to be obtained by deleting the row and column
through 𝑎11 (i.e 1st row and 1st column)

𝑎22 𝑎23
𝑀11 = |𝑎 𝑎33 |
32

The co-factor of an element is determined by minor along with sign i. e

Co-factor of the element 𝑎𝑖𝑗 = 𝐴𝑖𝑗 = (−1)𝑖+𝑗 𝑀𝑖𝑗

So the co-factor of the element 𝑎11

𝑎22 𝑎23 𝑎22 𝑎23

𝐴11 = (−1)1+1 |𝑎 𝑎33 | = |𝑎32 𝑎33 |
32

It is called the co-factor of the element 𝑎11. Similarly we can obtain

𝑎21 𝑎23
co-factor of the element 𝑎12 = 𝐴12 = − |𝑎 𝑎33 |
31

𝑎21 𝑎22
co-factor of the element 𝑎13 = 𝐴13 = + |𝑎 𝑎32 |
31

𝑎12 𝑎13
co-factor of the element 𝑎21 = 𝐴21 = − |𝑎 𝑎33 |
32

𝑎11 𝑎13
co-factor of the element 𝑎22 = 𝐴22 = + |𝑎 𝑎33 |
31

Dr. Rajdeep Maiti

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

𝑎11 𝑎12
co-factor of the element 𝑎23 = 𝐴23 = − |𝑎 𝑎32 |
31

𝑎12 𝑎13
co-factor of the element 𝑎31 = 𝐴31 = + |𝑎 𝑎23 |
22

𝑎11 𝑎13
co-factor of the element 𝑎32 = 𝐴32 = − |𝑎 𝑎23 |
21

𝑎11 𝑎12
co-factor of the element 𝑎33 = 𝐴33 = + |𝑎 𝑎22 |
21

OPERATIONS OF DETERMINANTS:

Let A and B are two determinants such that

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13
𝐴 = |𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

and
𝑏11 𝑏12 𝑏13
𝐵 = |𝑏21 𝑏22 𝑏23 |
𝑏31 𝑏32 𝑏33

1. Addition and Subtraction:

By element wise and by row-wise, for two given 3rd order determinant stated above,

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13 𝑏11 𝑏12 𝑏13 𝑎11 ±𝑏11 𝑎12 ± 𝑏12 𝑎13 ± 𝑏13
𝐴 ± 𝐵 = |𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 | ± |𝑏21 𝑏22 𝑏23 | = |𝑎21 ± 𝑏21 𝑎22 ± 𝑏22 𝑎23 ± 𝑏23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33 𝑏31 𝑏32 𝑏33 𝑎31 ± 𝑏31 𝑎32 ± 𝑏32 𝑎33 ± 𝑏33

For two second order determinants, likewise, the above,

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑏11 𝑏12 𝑎 ± 𝑏11 𝑎12 ± 𝑏12

|𝑎 𝑎22 | ± |𝑏21 | = | 11 |
21 𝑏22 𝑎21 ± 𝑏21 𝑎22 ± 𝑏22

2. Multiplication of Two Determinants:

By row and by row-wise, for two given 3rd order determinant stated above,

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13 𝑏11 𝑏12 𝑏13

𝐴. 𝐵 |𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 | . |𝑏21 𝑏22 𝑏23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33 𝑏31 𝑏32 𝑏33
𝑎11 𝑏11 + 𝑎12 𝑏12 + 𝑎13 𝑏13 𝑎11 𝑏21 + 𝑎12 𝑏22 + 𝑎13 𝑏23 𝑎11 𝑏31 + 𝑎12 𝑏32 + 𝑎13 𝑏33
= |𝑎21 𝑏11 + 𝑎22 𝑏12 + 𝑎23 𝑏13 𝑎21 𝑏21 + 𝑎22 𝑏22 + 𝑎23 𝑏23 𝑎21 𝑏31 + 𝑎22 𝑏32 + 𝑎23 𝑏33 |
𝑎31 𝑏11 + 𝑎32 𝑏12 + 𝑎33 𝑏13 𝑎31 𝑏21 + 𝑎32 𝑏32 + 𝑎33 𝑏23 𝑎31 𝑏31 + 𝑎32 𝑏32 + 𝑎33 𝑏33

For two second order determinants, likewise, the above,

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑏11 𝑏12 𝑎 𝑏 + 𝑎12 𝑏12 𝑎11 𝑏21 + 𝑎12 𝑏22
|𝑎 𝑎22 | . |𝑏21 | = | 11 11 |
21 𝑏22 𝑎21 𝑏11 + 𝑎22 𝑏12 𝑎21 𝑏21 + 𝑎22 𝑏22

3. Multiplication of a Determinant by a Constant:

If any row or column of a determinant is multiplied by a constant, then the determinant is

also multiplied by that same constant.
𝑐𝑎11 𝑐𝑎12 𝑐𝑎13
𝑐. 𝐴 = | 𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

𝑘𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13

𝑘. 𝐴 = |𝑘𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑘𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

𝑐 and 𝑘 are scaler constants.

PROPERTIES OF DETERMINANTS:

1. Determinant evaluated across any row or column is same.

2. If all the elements of a row (or column) are zeros, then the value of the determinant is
zero.
3. Determinant of an identity matrix 𝐼𝑛 (of order n) is 1.
𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐼𝑛 ) = 1
4. If rows and columns are interchanged then value of determinant remains same (value
does not change). Therefore,
𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴) = 𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴𝑇 ), 𝐴𝑇 is the transpose of the matrix A.
5. If any two row (or two column) of a determinant are interchanged the value of the
determinant is multiplied by -1.
6. If two rows (or columns) of a determinant are identical the value of the determinant is
zero.

Dr. Rajdeep Maiti

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

SOME IMPORTANT THEOREMS:

• Theorem-1: Let A and B be two square matrix, then

𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴𝐵) = 𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴). 𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐵).

• Theorem-2: If A be a matrix then,

𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴𝑛 ) = |𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴)|𝑛
• Theorem-3: If A be a matrix then,
1
𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴−1 ) = |𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴)|−1 =
𝐷𝑒𝑡(𝐴)
• Theorem-4: In a determinant each element in any row (or column) consists of the sum
of two terms, then the determinant can be expressed as sum of two determinants of
same order. For example,
𝑘1 + 𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13 𝑘1 𝑎12 𝑎13 𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13
|𝑘2 + 𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 | = |𝑘2 𝑎22 𝑎23 | + |𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑘3 + 𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33 𝑘3 𝑎32 𝑎33 𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

SOLUTION OF A SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATION:

The solution of a system of linear equations involves finding the values of variables that satisfy
all the given equations simultaneously. There are several methods to solve systems of linear
equations, depending on the nature of the system and the size of the matrices involved.
Types of Systems:
• Consistent system: A system that has at least one solution.
o Unique solution: The system has exactly one solution.
o Infinitely many solutions: The system has more than one solution.

• Inconsistent system: A system that has no solution.

A system of linear equations may be defined as multiple equations involving multiple

unknown variables. Consider the following system of linear equations

𝑎11 𝑥1 + 𝑎12 𝑥2 + 𝑎13 𝑥3 = 𝑏1

𝑎21 𝑥1 + 𝑎22𝑥2 + 𝑎23𝑥3 = 𝑏2
𝑎31 𝑥1 + 𝑎32𝑥2 + 𝑎33𝑥3 = 𝑏3

involving unknown variables 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥3

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

Matrix Representation of a system of Linear Equation:

The above system can be written in the form of a matrix

𝐀. 𝐗 = 𝐁

where
𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13
𝐴 = (𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑎23 )
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

is called the coefficient matrix.

𝑏1
𝐵 = (𝑏2 )
𝑏3

is called the right value matrix.

and
𝑥1
𝑋 = ( 𝑥2 )
𝑥3

is the solution vector.

Solution of the system of linear equation as defined above can be done by following two
methods –

1. Matrix Inversion Method

(See Matrix Chapter)
2. Cramer’s Rule

CRAMER’S RULE:

Cramer’s Rule is a mathematical method for solving a system of linear equations using
determinants. It is applicable to systems of linear equations of 𝑛 variables, where the
coefficient matrix has a non-zero determinant. Cramer’s rule expresses each variable as a
ratio of determinants.

Note:
• The system must have the same number of equations as unknowns (i.e., the coefficient
matrix must be square).

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

• The determinant of the coefficient matrix must be non-zero (det(A)≠0det(A) =0) for a
unique solution to exist.

Cramer’s rule is one of the important methods applied to solve a system of equations. In this
method, the values of the variables in the system are to be calculated using the determinants
of matrices. Thus, Cramer’s rule is also known as the determinant method.

Here we will discuss the solution of the above system of linear equation by the method of
Cramer’s rule only. Consider the following system of linear equations

𝑎11 𝑥1 + 𝑎12 𝑥2 + 𝑎13 𝑥3 = 𝑏1

𝑎21 𝑥1 + 𝑎22𝑥2 + 𝑎23𝑥3 = 𝑏2
𝑎31 𝑥1 + 𝑎32𝑥2 + 𝑎33𝑥3 = 𝑏3

involving unknown variables 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥3

The solution of the above system of linear equation is possible only when the coefficient
determinant is different from 0, i. e

𝒂𝟏𝟏 𝒂𝟏𝟐 𝒂𝟏𝟑

∆= 𝑫𝒆𝒕(𝑨) = |𝒂𝟐𝟏 𝒂𝟐𝟐 𝒂𝟐𝟑 | ≠ 𝟎
𝒂𝟑𝟏 𝒂𝟑𝟐 𝒂𝟑𝟑

Whereas A must be a non-singular matrix.

Hence the solution of the above system of linear equation is obtained and given by

∆𝟏
𝒙𝟏 =
∆

∆𝟐
𝒙𝟐 =
∆

∆𝟑
𝒙𝟑 =
∆

where the associated determinants are given by

𝑏1 𝑎12 𝑎13
∆1 = |𝑏2 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑏3 𝑎32 𝑎33

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

𝑎11 𝑏1 𝑎13
∆2 = |𝑎21 𝑏2 𝑎23 |
𝑎31 𝑏3 𝑎33

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑏1
∆3 = |𝑎21 𝑎22 𝑏2 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑏3

and the coefficient determinant

𝑎11 𝑎12 𝑎13

𝑎
∆= | 21 𝑎22 𝑎23 |
𝑎31 𝑎32 𝑎33

Suggested Books/References:

1. Dr. S. N. De – Advanced Business Mathematics, Semester -V (Chayya Prakashani).

2. Solved University of Calcutta question papers (2016-2020).

Archives/ Internet Resources and Study Materials:

1. Online resources - https://www.coursesidekick.com/mathematics/226122

2. Video lecture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip3X9LOh2dk

Dr. Rajdeep Maiti

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

ASSIGNMENT

(CHAPTER -4: DETERMINANT) (NON-MCQ)

1. If 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 0, show that
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
| 𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑧 2 | = 0.
𝑦+𝑧 𝑥+𝑧 𝑥+𝑦
[CU-B. Com-2016]
2. Solve by Cramer’s rule:
𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 𝑧 = 9,
2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 3𝑧 = −2,
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9.
[CU-B. Com-2018]
3. Prove that

1+𝑎 1 1
1 1 1
| 1 1+𝑏 1 | = 𝑎𝑏𝑐(1 + 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 ). [CU-B. Com-2017,2019,2021]
1 1 1+𝑐
4. Find the value of 𝑥, when
𝑥−1 1 1
| 1 𝑥+1 −1 | = 0
−1 1 𝑥+1
[CU-B. Com-2014,2022]
5. Solve by Cramer’s rule:
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 6,
2𝑥 − 𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9,
𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 2𝑧 = 1.
[CU-B. Com-2013,2019]
6. If 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 0, show that
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
2
|𝑥 𝑦 2 𝑧 2 | = 0.
𝑥3 𝑦3 𝑧3
[CU-B. Com-2012]
7. Solve by Cramer’s rule:
1 1 1
+ + = 1,
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
2 5 3
+ + = 0,
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
1 2 4
+ + =3
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
[CU-B. Com-2017,2022]
8. Prove that

Dr. Rajdeep Maiti

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 CHAPTER -4:DETERMINANT

1 + 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 2𝑎𝑏 −2𝑏
| 2𝑎𝑏 1 − 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 2𝑎 | = (1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 ).
2𝑏 −2𝑎 1 − 𝑎2 − 𝑏2
[CU-B. Com-2017]
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
2
9. Prove that |𝑥 𝑦2 𝑧 2 | = 𝑥𝑦𝑧(𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑦 − 𝑧)(𝑧 − 𝑥).
𝑥3 𝑦3 𝑧3
[CU-B. Com-2020]

10. Solve by Cramer’s rule:

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧 = 9,
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 9,
3𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑧 = −1.
[CU-B. Com-2020]
𝑎−𝑏−𝑐 2𝑎 2𝑎
11. Prove that | 2𝑏 𝑏−𝑐−𝑎 2𝑏 | = (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)3
2𝑐 2𝑐 𝑐−𝑎−𝑏
[CU-B. Com-2021]
12. Solve by Cramer’s rule:
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1,
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 = 𝑘,
𝑎2 𝑥 + 𝑏2 𝑦+𝑐 2 𝑧 = 𝑘 2 .
[CU-B. Com-2021]
13. Prove that

1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 + 3 𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 + 4
| 𝑦2 + 2 2𝑦 2 + 6 3𝑦 2 + 8 | = 𝑥 2 𝑦 2
𝑦2 + 1 2𝑦 2 + 3 3𝑦 2 + 4
[CU-B. Com-2022]

14. Find the value of 𝑥 when,

𝑥−1 1 1
| 1 𝑥+1 −1 | = 0
−1 1 𝑥+1
[CU-B. Com-2022]

Submit Your queries/doubts at the following Email -Id- [email protected]

Dr. Rajdeep Maiti

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