Vandermonde Matrix - Solving a 3x3 Determinant Question

[obiwan]

[SOLVED] Vandermonde Matrix - Help!

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum.

I'm bit confused in a particular 3by3 Vandermonde Matrix question and really appreciate if someone can help me with it.

Homework Statement

The question states 'Show that the 3 by 3 Vandermonde Determinant:
1 1 1
det x y z = (x-y) (y-z) (z-x)
x^2 y^2 z^2

I have not made an attemt to the question as I haven't got a clue.

Your help and time are much appreciated. thanksPS. Just realized the rows are not aligned under one another but It is a 3by3 Matrix with the first rows 1, 1, 1 second Row x, y, z and the third row x^2, y^2, z^2.

 

[cristo]

Well, how do you take the determinant of a 3x3 matrix?

 

[obiwan]

Thanks Cristo. I've managed to show the determinant using a simple formula I came across on wikipedia. Thanks for your help anyway.