# Homework Help: Determinant of a 3x3 matrix via row reduction

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1. Sep 12, 2016

### sooyong94

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Show that the determinant of

is (a-b)(b-c)(c-a)

2. Relevant equations
Row reduction, determinants

3. The attempt at a solution

Apparently I got a (a-b)^2 instead of (a-b) when I multiplied them up. It would be grateful if someone can point me out where the mistakes are.

2. Sep 12, 2016

### Math_QED

The problem is this. You seem to believe that when you perform a row operation: $(a-c)R_2 - (a-b)R_3 \rightarrow R3$, the determinant remains unchanged.

To show you an easy example that this is not true:

$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 3 \end{pmatrix}$

It's obvious that this matrix has a determinant equal to $-1$

Now perform: $2R_1 + 3R_2 \rightarrow R_2$

Then, we obtain a new matrix A':

$A' = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 8 & 13 \end{pmatrix}$

And this matrix has a determinant equal to $-3$

Last edited: Sep 12, 2016
3. Sep 12, 2016

### sooyong94

So any ideas to work it out then?

4. Sep 12, 2016

### Math_QED

You were on the right track. I will give you this hint:

When you perform a row (kolom) operation:

$R_a + k*R_b \rightarrow R_a$, the determinant remains unchanged.
$l*R_a + R_b \rightarrow R _a$, the determinant is multiplied by $l$.
$l*R_a + k*R_b \rightarrow R_a$, the determinant is multiplied by $l$.

Where $R_a$ and $R_b$ are the a'th and the b'th row and $k,l \in \mathbb{R}$

Now, keep in mind that you had something of the form $l*R_a + k*R_b \rightarrow R_a$, so your determinant is multiplied with $-(a-b)$. To make sure that the equality will still hold, multiply the determinant with the factor $\frac{-1}{a-b}$.

Last edited: Sep 12, 2016
5. Sep 12, 2016

### PeroK

Why bother with row operations? Why not evaluate the determinant as it is and simplify?

6. Sep 12, 2016

### Math_QED

I supppose that's the exercise since it's in the title...

7. Sep 12, 2016

### PeroK

If you got this far, why not just take out the factors of $(a-b)$ and $(c-a)$ and you're nearly finished.