Q.Using the properties of determinants, evaluate: $\begin{vmatrix} 0 & xy^2 & xz^2 \\ x^2 y & 0 & yz^2 \\ x^2 z & zy^2 & 0 \end{vmatrix}$

Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.

1. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\begin{vmatrix} -a^2 & ab & ac \\ ab & -b^2 & bc \\ ac & bc & -c^2 \end{vmatrix} =$ (A) $a^2b^2c^2$ (B) $2a^2b^2c^2$ (C) $3a^2b^2c^2$ (D) $4a^2b^2c^2$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Factoring $a$, $b$, $c$ out of the three rows reduces the determinant to a simpler $\pm1$-coefficient determinant that evaluates to $4abc$, giving a total of $4a^2b^2c^2$. Answer: (D).

   Concept and Intuition

   Each row of the given determinant has a common factor: row 1 is $a\cdot(-a,b,c)$, row 2 is $b\cdot(a,-b,c)$, row 3 is $c\cdot(a,b,-c)$. Pulling a common factor out of a row simply multiplies the determinant by that factor (a standard determinant property), so we can simplify before directly expanding the messier original $3\times3$ determinant.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Original determinant: $\begin{vmatrix} -a^2 & ab & ac \\ ab & -b^2 & bc \\ ac & bc & -c^2 \end{vmatrix}$.
   2. Factor $a$ from row 1, $b$ from row 2, $c$ from row 3:

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

   3. Expand this reduced determinant along the first row:

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

   4. Compute each $2\times2$ minor: $\begin{vmatrix}-b&c\\b&-c\end{vmatrix} = (-b)(-c)-c(b) = bc-bc=0$; $\begin{vmatrix}a&c\\a&-c\end{vmatrix} = a(-c)-c(a) = -2ac$; $\begin{vmatrix}a&-b\\a&b\end{vmatrix} = ab-(-b)(a) = 2ab$.
   5. Substitute: $-a(0) - b(-2ac) + c(2ab) = 0 + 2abc + 2abc = 4abc$.
   6. So the reduced determinant equals $4abc$, and the original determinant is $abc \times 4abc = 4a^2b^2c^2$.

   Common Mistakes

   • Sign errors when expanding the $2\times2$ minors of the reduced matrix (the $-,+,-$ cofactor pattern is easy to mis-apply).
   • Forgetting to multiply the reduced determinant's value back by the $abc$ factored out earlier.

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (D) — $4a^2b^2c^2$.

   ANSWER: D

2. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ a^2 & b^2 & c^2 \\ a^3 & b^3 & c^3 \end{vmatrix} =$ (A) $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)(a+b+c)$ (B) $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)$ (C) $(a-b)(b-c)(a-c)(ab+bc+ca)$ (D) $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)(ab+bc+ca)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This determinant is a known generalised-Vandermonde identity that factors as $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)(ab+bc+ca)$ — verified numerically, option (D).

   Concept and Intuition

   Determinants with rows $1,x,x^2$ (Vandermonde) factor neatly as $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)$. When the exponent pattern is not consecutive (here $0,2,3$ instead of $0,1,2$), the determinant still factors into the Vandermonde piece times an extra symmetric-polynomial factor — here that extra factor turns out to be $e_2 = ab+bc+ca$ (the second elementary symmetric polynomial), since the exponent set $\{0,2,3\}$ is the base set $\{0,1,2\}$ shifted up by the partition $(0,1,1)$, whose associated Schur polynomial is exactly $e_2$.

   Rather than rely purely on this identity from memory, verifying with actual numbers is the safest exam technique.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Expand the determinant along the first row (all entries 1): $D = (b^2c^3-b^3c^2) - (a^2c^3-a^3c^2) + (a^2b^3-a^3b^2)$ $= b^2c^2(c-b) + a^2c^2(a-c) + a^2b^2(b-a)$.
   2. Rather than fully factor symbolically, test with concrete numbers: let $a=1, b=2, c=3$.
      • Direct determinant: rows $(1,1,1)$, $(1,4,9)$, $(1,8,27)$. $D = 1(4\cdot27-9\cdot8) - 1(1\cdot27-9\cdot1) + 1(1\cdot8-4\cdot1) = 1(108-72)-1(27-9)+1(8-4) = 36-18+4=22$.
   3. Test option (D): $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)(ab+bc+ca)$ with these values: $(1-2)(2-3)(3-1) = (-1)(-1)(2) = 2$; $ab+bc+ca = 2+6+3=11$; product $=2\times11=22$. Matches $D=22$.
   4. Test option (A): $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)(a+b+c) = 2\times6=12\ne22$ — rejected.
   5. Test option (C): $(a-b)(b-c)(a-c)(ab+bc+ca)$: note $(a-c)=1-3=-2$ (opposite sign convention to $(c-a)=2$), giving $(-1)(-1)(-2)(11)=-22\ne22$ — rejected (sign mismatch).
   6. Option (D) is confirmed as the correct general factorisation.

   Common Mistakes

   • Sign confusion between $(c-a)$ and $(a-c)$ when comparing to option (C) — a single sign flip changes the whole product's sign.
   • Trying to factor the expression fully symbolically under time pressure instead of the much faster numeric-substitution check.

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (D) — $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)(ab+bc+ca)$.

   ANSWER: D

3. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\begin{vmatrix} a+b+2c & a & b \\ c & b+c+2a & b \\ c & a & c+a+2b \end{vmatrix} =$ (A) $(a+b+c)^3$ (B) $2(a+b+c)^3$ (C) $3(a+b+c)^3$ (D) $(a+b+c)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Writing each diagonal entry as $s+(\text{off-diagonal-like term})$ where $s=a+b+c$ reveals the matrix as $sI$ plus a rank-1 correction, whose determinant works out cleanly to $2(a+b+c)^3$ using the determinant lemma (or row operations).

   Concept and Intuition

   Many "cyclic-symmetric" determinants like this one simplify beautifully once you notice $a+b+2c = (a+b+c)+c$, etc. — subtracting off the common sum $s=a+b+c$ from every diagonal entry turns the matrix into $sI$ (a multiple of the identity) plus a very simple rank-1 matrix whose every row is identical. Determinants of $sI + \text{rank-1}$ matrices have a clean closed form.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $s=a+b+c$. Rewrite diagonal entries: $a+b+2c=s+c$, $b+c+2a=s+a$, $c+a+2b=s+b$.
   2. The matrix becomes:

   $M=\begin{bmatrix}s+c & a & b\\ c & s+a & b\\ c & a & s+b\end{bmatrix}$

   3. Subtract $sI$: $M - sI = \begin{bmatrix}c&a&b\\c&a&b\\c&a&b\end{bmatrix}$ — every row is the same vector $(c,a,b)$, so $M-sI$ has rank 1: $M-sI=\mathbf 1 v^T$ where $\mathbf 1=(1,1,1)^T$ and $v=(c,a,b)^T$.
   4. So $M=sI+\mathbf1v^T$. The determinant lemma (matrix determinant lemma) gives:

   $\det(sI+\mathbf1 v^T) = s^3 + s^2\,(v^T\mathbf1)$

   (since $\det(sI)=s^3$ and $\operatorname{adj}(sI)=s^2 I$ for a $3\times3$ matrix).

   5. $v^T\mathbf1 = c+a+b = s$. So $\det(M) = s^3+s^2\cdot s = 2s^3$.

   6. Substituting back $s=a+b+c$: $\det = 2(a+b+c)^3$.

   Common Mistakes

   • Trying to expand the $3\times3$ determinant directly by cofactors without the $s$-substitution — it's algebraically messy and error-prone; the "subtract the common sum" trick is much cleaner and standard for this whole family of problems.
   • Forgetting the factor of $s^2$ multiplying $(v^T\mathbf1)$ and just adding $s^3+v^T\mathbf1$.

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (B) — $2(a+b+c)^3$.

   ANSWER: B

4. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.What is the value of $\begin{vmatrix} a & b & c \\ a-b & b-c & c-a \\ b+c & c+a & a+b \end{vmatrix} = ?$ (A) $a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + 3abc$ (B) $a^3 + b^3 + c^3 - 3abc$ (C) $a^3 + b^3 + c^3 - 6abc$ (D) $a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + 6abc$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Direct cofactor expansion of the determinant shows all cross terms cancel, leaving the

   classical identity $a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc$.

   Concept and Intuition

   This is a disguised version of the well-known factorisation

   $a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc=(a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca)$, packaged as a determinant. Expanding carefully

   term by term (rather than guessing) confirms which of the four sign variants is correct.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Expand along the first row: $D = a\left[(b-c)(a+b)-(c-a)(c+a)\right] - b\left[(a-b)(a+b)-(c-a)(b+c)\right] + c\left[(a-b)(c+a)-(b-c)(b+c)\right]$.
   2. Compute each bracket:
      • $(b-c)(a+b)-(c-a)(c+a) = ab+b^2-ac-bc-c^2+a^2$
      • $(a-b)(a+b)-(c-a)(b+c) = a^2-b^2-bc-c^2+ab+ac$
      • $(a-b)(c+a)-(b-c)(b+c) = ac+a^2-bc-ab-b^2+c^2$
   3. Multiply through by $a$, $-b$, $c$ respectively and add. All the mixed quadratic-times-linear terms ($a^2b, ab^2, a^2c, ac^2, b^2c, bc^2$) cancel in pairs, leaving only $a^3+b^3+c^3$ from the cubic terms and $-3abc$ from the three $abc$ contributions (one from each bracket).
   4. Verify with a quick numeric check ($a=1,b=0,c=0$): the matrix becomes $\begin{bmatrix}1&0&0\\1&0&-1\\0&1&1\end{bmatrix}$, whose determinant is $1$; and $1^3+0+0-0=1$ — matches.
   5. So $D = a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc$.

   Common Mistakes

   • Sign error on the $3abc$ term (getting $+3abc$ instead of $-3abc$, or $\pm 6abc$) from mis-tracking how many times the $abc$ term appears across the three bracket expansions.

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (B) — $a^3+b^3+c^3-3abc$.

   ANSWER: B

5. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.The value of $\begin{vmatrix} b+c & a & a \\ b & c+a & b \\ c & c & a+b \end{vmatrix}$ is (A) $abc$ (B) $(a+b)(b+c)(c+a)$ (C) $4abc$ (D) $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   This classic 3×3 determinant simplifies via row operations (adding all rows together makes every entry in one row equal to $a+b+c$) to the closed form $4abc$, confirmed by direct numeric substitution.

   Concept and Intuition

   Many "nice" symmetric determinants like this one are best handled by first performing a row or column operation that reveals a common factor (here, adding all three rows makes every entry in the new row equal, exposing an $(a+b+c)$ or similar factor), then simplifying the reduced $2\times2$ structure. When the algebra gets intricate, a quick numeric sanity check with simple values of $a,b,c$ is an efficient way to confirm which answer choice matches.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. The determinant is $\begin{vmatrix} b+c & a & a \\ b & c+a & b \\ c & c & a+b \end{vmatrix}$.
   2. Apply $R_1 \to R_1 + R_2 + R_3$: the new first row becomes $(b+c+b+c,\ a+c+a+c,\ a+b+a+b)$... more carefully, summing column-wise: column 1 sum $= (b+c)+b+c = b+2c$... to avoid an error-prone symbolic expansion, verify by direct numeric substitution instead (a clean, reliable check for this type of determinant).
   3. Numeric check: let $a=1, b=2, c=3$. The matrix becomes $\begin{pmatrix}5&1&1\\2&4&2\\3&3&3\end{pmatrix}$.
   4. Expand along Row 1: $\det = 5(4\cdot3-2\cdot3) - 1(2\cdot3-2\cdot3) + 1(2\cdot3-4\cdot3) = 5(12-6) - 1(0) + 1(6-12) = 30 - 0 - 6 = 24$.
   5. Compare with each option at $a=1,b=2,c=3$: (A) $abc=6$ — no. (B) $(a+b)(b+c)(c+a)=3\cdot5\cdot4=60$ — no. (C) $4abc = 4\cdot6=24$ — matches. (D) $(a-b)(b-c)(c-a)=(-1)(-1)(2)=2$ — no.
   6. Only option (C), $4abc$, matches the computed value.

   Common Mistakes

   • Attempting a fully symbolic cofactor expansion without organising the algebra carefully, leading to sign errors — a numeric check with simple distinct values is a fast, robust way to identify the correct closed form among given options.
   • Forgetting that this determinant is NOT antisymmetric in $a,b,c$ (ruling out option D, which vanishes whenever any two variables are equal — but the original determinant does not vanish when, say, $a=b$).

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (C) — $4abc$.

   ANSWER: C

6. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $f,g,h$ are differentiable functions of $x$, then $\begin{vmatrix} f & g & h \\ (xf)' & (xg)' & (xh)' \\ f' & g' & h' \end{vmatrix} =$ (A) $fg' - gh'$ (B) $gh' + xf'$ (C) $0$ (D) $x(f'+g'+h')$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The determinant simplifies to zero because the second row is a linear combination of the first and third rows, making the rows linearly dependent.

   We are asked to evaluate

   $\Delta = \begin{vmatrix} f & g & h \\ (xf)' & (xg)' & (xh)' \\ f' & g' & h' \end{vmatrix}$

   where $f,g,h$ are differentiable functions of $x$.

   ---

   Concept and Intuition

   The key idea is to use row operations that do not change the value of a determinant, or to notice linear dependence among rows.

   Here, the second row contains derivatives of products $xf, xg, xh$. Using the product rule,

   $(xf)' = f + x f', \quad (xg)' = g + x g', \quad (xh)' = h + x h'.$

   So the second row is actually:

   $\begin{pmatrix} f + x f' & g + x g' & h + x h' \end{pmatrix}.$

   Notice that this is exactly Row 1 plus $x$ times Row 3:

   $\text{Row 2} = \text{Row 1} + x \cdot \text{Row 3}.$

   When one row is a linear combination of the others, the determinant is zero.

   ---

   Step-by-step reasoning

   1. Expand the second row entries using the product rule:

   $(xf)' = f + x f', \quad (xg)' = g + x g', \quad (xh)' = h + x h'.$

   2. Rewrite the determinant with this expanded form:

   $\Delta = \begin{vmatrix} f & g & h \\ f + x f' & g + x g' & h + x h' \\ f' & g' & h' \end{vmatrix}.$

   3. Perform a row operation that does not change the determinant: subtract Row 1 from Row 2.

   $\text{New Row 2} = \text{Row 2} - \text{Row 1} = \begin{pmatrix} x f' & x g' & x h' \end{pmatrix}.$

   So

   $\Delta = \begin{vmatrix} f & g & h \\ x f' & x g' & x h' \\ f' & g' & h' \end{vmatrix}.$

   4. Factor $x$ from Row 2:

   $\Delta = x \begin{vmatrix} f & g & h \\ f' & g' & h' \\ f' & g' & h' \end{vmatrix}.$

   5. Observe that Row 2 and Row 3 are now identical. A determinant with two equal rows is zero. Hence

   $\Delta = x \cdot 0 = 0.$

   Watch out

   A common mistake is to forget that the product rule gives $(xf)' = f + x f'$, not just $x f'$. If you miss the $f$ term, you won't see the linear dependence.

   Tip

   Whenever you see derivatives of products inside a determinant, expand them first. Often the structure reveals that rows are linear combinations, making the determinant vanish.

   ---

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (C).

   ANSWER: C

7. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If the determinant $\begin{vmatrix} \cos 2x & \sin^2 x & \cos 2x \\ \sin^2 x & \cos 2x & \cos^2 x \\ \cos 2x & \cos^2 x & \cos 2x \end{vmatrix}$ is expanded in powers of $\cos x$, then the constant term in the expansion is (A) 1 (B) $-1$ (C) 0 (D) 2

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The constant term of a polynomial in $\cos x$ is exactly the value obtained by setting $\cos x=0$. Answer: (A).

   Concept and Intuition

   If a determinant's entries are polynomials in $c=\cos x$, expanding it produces a polynomial in $c$. Its constant term (the $c^0$ coefficient) equals the value of the whole expression when $c=0$ — a shortcut that avoids expanding the full polynomial in $\cos x$.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Write each entry in terms of $c=\cos x$: $\cos2x = 2c^2-1$, $\sin^2x = 1-c^2$, $\cos^2x = c^2$.
   2. Set $c=0$: $\cos2x \to -1$, $\sin^2x \to 1$, $\cos^2x \to 0$.
   3. The matrix becomes $\begin{bmatrix}-1&1&-1\\1&-1&0\\-1&0&-1\end{bmatrix}$.
   4. Expand: $-1[(-1)(-1)-(0)(0)] - 1[(1)(-1)-(0)(-1)] + (-1)[(1)(0)-(-1)(-1)]$ $= -1(1) - 1(-1) + (-1)(-1) = -1+1+1 = 1$.

   Common Mistakes

   • Trying to fully expand the determinant symbolically in $\cos x$ (needlessly long) instead of using the $c=0$ substitution shortcut for the constant term.

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (A) — 1.

   ANSWER: A

8. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.The value of the determinant $\begin{vmatrix} a+b & a+2b & a+3b \\ a+2b & a+3b & a+4b \\ a+4b & a+5b & a+6b \end{vmatrix}$ is ____ (A) $a$ (B) $b$ (C) $0$ (D) $a+b$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The rows of this determinant are in arithmetic progression (each row's entries increase by a constant step, and consecutive rows shift by a constant amount too); row-reducing shows two rows become proportional, forcing the determinant to $0$.

   Concept and Intuition

   A determinant is zero whenever any two rows (or columns) are linearly dependent (e.g. one is a scalar multiple of another, or a linear combination of others). Rows built from an arithmetic-progression pattern (like $a+b, a+2b, a+3b$ then shifting by a constant each row) are a classic setup for this — subtracting consecutive rows collapses the "arithmetic" structure into constant, proportional rows.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Original matrix:

   $\begin{vmatrix} a+b & a+2b & a+3b \\ a+2b & a+3b & a+4b \\ a+4b & a+5b & a+6b \end{vmatrix}$

   2. Perform $R_2 \to R_2 - R_1$: new $R_2 = (a+2b-(a+b),\ a+3b-(a+2b),\ a+4b-(a+3b)) = (b,\ b,\ b)$.
   3. Perform $R_3 \to R_3 - R_2^{\text{(original)}}$: new $R_3 = (a+4b-(a+2b),\ a+5b-(a+3b),\ a+6b-(a+4b)) = (2b,\ 2b,\ 2b)$.
   4. The matrix now has rows $(a+b, a+2b, a+3b)$, $(b,b,b)$, $(2b,2b,2b)$ — and row 3 is exactly $2\times$ row 2, i.e. the rows are linearly dependent.
   5. A determinant with two proportional rows is always $0$.

   Common Mistakes

   • Trying to expand the $3\times3$ determinant directly by cofactors without first noticing the arithmetic-progression row structure — far more error-prone than the row-operation shortcut.
   • Forgetting that row operations of the type $R_i \to R_i - R_j$ don't change the determinant's value, only simplify it.

   ✓Final answer

   The correct option is (C) — $0$.

   ANSWER: C

9. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $A = \begin{bmatrix} a & 2b & 3c \\ 2b & c & 3a \\ 3c & 2a & b \end{bmatrix}$ and $\det(A) = pa^3 + qb^3 + rc^3 + s(abc)$, then $p+q+r+s =$ (A) $12$ (B) $20$ (C) $24$ (D) $30$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Expanding the determinant gives $-6a^3-4b^3-9c^3+31abc$, so $p+q+r+s=-6-4-9+31=12$ — option (A).

   $\det(A)=\begin{vmatrix} a & 2b & 3c \\2b & c & 3a \\3c & 2a & b \end{vmatrix} = a(cb-6a^2)-2b(2b^2-9ac)+3c(4ab-3c^2).$

   Expand:

   $= abc-6a^3-4b^3+18abc+12abc-9c^3 = -6a^3-4b^3-9c^3+31abc.$

   Matching $\det(A)=pa^3+qb^3+rc^3+s(abc)$:

   $p=-6,\quad q=-4,\quad r=-9,\quad s=31.$

   $p+q+r+s=-6-4-9+31=12.$

   ✓Final answer

   $p+q+r+s = 12$ — option (A).

10. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $a, b, c$ are real numbers such that $a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ac \le 0$, then $\begin{vmatrix} (a-b+1)^5 & b^7-c^7 & c^9-a^9 \\ a^{11}-b^{11} & (b-c+2)^3 & c^{13}-a^{13} \\ a^{15}-b^{15} & b^{17}-c^{17} & (c-a+3)^1 \end{vmatrix} =$ (A) $2abc$ (B) $0$ (C) $24abc$ (D) $24$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    The inequality forces $a=b=c$; substituting collapses the matrix to a simple upper-triangular-looking form whose determinant is just the product of its surviving diagonal terms, $24$.

    Concept and Intuition

    The expression $a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca$ is a sum of squares in disguise: $\tfrac12[(a-b)^2+(b-c)^2+(c-a)^2]$, which can never be negative. So the given condition "$\le 0$" combined with this built-in "$\ge0$" forces it to be exactly zero, which only happens when $a=b=c$. That single deduction massively simplifies every entry of the determinant, since almost every entry is a difference of equal powers of $a,b,c$ (which all vanish when $a=b=c$), leaving only three surviving diagonal-type terms.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Rewrite the condition: $a^2+b^2+c^2-ab-bc-ca=\tfrac12[(a-b)^2+(b-c)^2+(c-a)^2]$, which is always $\ge0$.
    2. Given this quantity is also $\le0$, it must equal exactly $0$, forcing $(a-b)^2=(b-c)^2=(c-a)^2=0$, i.e. $a=b=c$.
    3. Substitute $a=b=c$ into the matrix: all terms of the form $b^7-c^7$, $c^9-a^9$, $a^{11}-b^{11}$, $c^{13}-a^{13}$, $a^{15}-b^{15}$, $b^{17}-c^{17}$ become $0$ (difference of equal quantities).
    4. The remaining diagonal entries: $(a-b+1)^5=(0+1)^5=1$; $(b-c+2)^3=(0+2)^3=8$; $(c-a+3)^1=(0+3)=3$.
    5. The matrix reduces to $\begin{pmatrix}1&0&0\\0&8&0\\0&0&3\end{pmatrix}$, a diagonal matrix, whose determinant is the product of the diagonal entries: $1\times8\times3=24$.

    Common Mistakes

    • Missing that the inequality is actually an equality in disguise (forcing $a=b=c$), and instead trying to compute the determinant symbolically for general $a,b,c$ — a much harder path.

    ✓Final answer

    The correct option is (D) — $24$.

    ANSWER: D

11. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $k \in R$ and $\det A = \begin{vmatrix} a_1 & b_1 & c_1 \\ a_2 & b_2 & c_2 \\ a_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{vmatrix} = k$ then $\det B = \begin{vmatrix} a_1 & b_1 & c_1 \\ a_2 + 2a_1 & b_2 + 2b_1 & c_2 + 2c_1 \\ a_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{vmatrix}$ is equal to (A) $0$ (B) $2K$ (C) $K$ (D) $K^2$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    $\det B$ is obtained from $\det A$ by the elementary row operation $R_2 \to R_2 + 2R_1$, which

    leaves a determinant unchanged; so $\det B = \det A = k$.

    Concept and Intuition

    A core determinant property: adding a scalar multiple of one row to another row does not change the determinant's value. This is because splitting the determinant using linearity in

    row 2 gives the original determinant plus $2\times$ a determinant with two identical rows (rows 1

    and the added copy of row 1), and any determinant with two identical rows is exactly zero.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. $\det B = \begin{vmatrix} a_1 & b_1 & c_1 \\ a_2+2a_1 & b_2+2b_1 & c_2+2c_1 \\ a_3 & b_3 & c_3 \end{vmatrix}$.
    2. By linearity in row 2, split this into two determinants: $\det B = \begin{vmatrix} a_1&b_1&c_1\\a_2&b_2&c_2\\a_3&b_3&c_3\end{vmatrix} + 2\begin{vmatrix} a_1&b_1&c_1\\a_1&b_1&c_1\\a_3&b_3&c_3\end{vmatrix}$.
    3. The first determinant is exactly $\det A = k$.
    4. The second determinant has row 1 = row 2 (both $a_1,b_1,c_1$), so it equals 0.
    5. Hence $\det B = k + 2(0) = k$.

    Common Mistakes

    • Assuming any row modification scales or shifts the determinant — only scaling a row by a constant scales the determinant; adding a multiple of another row leaves it unchanged.

    ✓Final answer

    The correct option is (C) — $K$.

    ANSWER: C

12. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-04-AN1 markMCQ
    Q.If a, b, c are respectively the $5^{th}$, $8^{th}$, $13^{th}$ terms of an arithmetic progression, then $\begin{vmatrix} a & 5 & 1 \\ b & 8 & 1 \\ c & 13 & 1 \end{vmatrix} =$ (A) $0$ (B) $1$ (C) $abc$ (D) $520$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Since $a,b,c$ are AP terms whose positions (5, 8, 13) are also linear in the same way, the determinant with columns (term, position, 1) is identically zero.

    Concept and Intuition

    If $a,b,c$ are terms of an AP at positions $p,q,r$ respectively, then $a=A+(p-1)d,\ b=A+(q-1)d,\ c=A+(r-1)d$ — i.e. each term is an affine (linear) function of its position. A determinant of the form $\begin{vmatrix}\text{term} & \text{position} & 1\end{vmatrix}$ over three such rows is always zero, because the "term" column is a linear combination of the "position" column and the "1" column (row reduction makes a column of zeros).

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Let the AP have first term $A$ and common difference $d$. Then $a = A+4d$ (5th term), $b=A+7d$ (8th term), $c=A+12d$ (13th term).
    2. Expand the determinant along the first row: $\Delta = a(8\cdot1-1\cdot13) - 5(b\cdot1-1\cdot c) + 1(b\cdot13-8\cdot c)$ $= a(-5) -5(b-c) + (13b-8c) = -5a -5b+5c+13b-8c = -5a+8b-3c$.
    3. Substitute: $-5a = -5A-20d$, $8b=8A+56d$, $-3c=-3A-36d$.
    4. Sum coefficients of $A$: $-5+8-3=0$. Sum coefficients of $d$: $-20+56-36=0$.
    5. So $\Delta = 0\cdot A + 0\cdot d = 0$.

    Common Mistakes

    • Trying to compute the determinant assuming $a,b,c$ are arbitrary (unrelated) numbers — one must actually substitute the AP relation to see the cancellation.
    • Arithmetic slips while expanding the $3\times3$ determinant (sign errors in cofactor expansion).

    ✓Final answer

    The correct option is (A) — $0$.

    ANSWER: A