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Question

If A, B and C are square matrices of order 3 and det(BC) = 2 det(A), then what is the value of det(2A-1BC)?

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2023 GAT Previous Year Paper (16-Apr-2023)
The correct answer is

16

Solving the Matrix Determinant Problem

We are given three square matrices A, B, and C, all of order 3. We are also given the relationship between their determinants: \( \det(BC) = 2 \det(A) \). Our goal is to find the value of \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) \).

To solve this, we will use the fundamental properties of determinants for square matrices.

Key Determinant Properties for Square Matrices

  • Determinant of a product: For square matrices X and Y of the same order, \( \det(XY) = \det(X) \det(Y) \).
  • Determinant of a scalar multiple: For a scalar \( k \) and a square matrix X of order \( n \), \( \det(kX) = k^n \det(X) \).
  • Determinant of an inverse: If a square matrix X is invertible (i.e., \( \det(X) \neq 0 \)), then \( \det(X^{-1}) = \frac{1}{\det(X)} \).

Step-by-Step Calculation of det(2A-1BC)

Let's break down the calculation of \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) \) using the properties listed above:

  1. Applying the scalar multiplication property to \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) \). The matrix is \( A^{-1}BC \) and the scalar is 2. The order of the matrix is \( n=3 \). \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) = 2^3 \det(A^{-1}BC) = 8 \det(A^{-1}BC) \)
  2. Now, apply the determinant of a product property to \( \det(A^{-1}BC) \). We can group the matrices as \( (A^{-1})(BC) \) or \( (A^{-1}B)(C) \). Let's use the first grouping: \( \det(A^{-1}BC) = \det(A^{-1}(BC)) = \det(A^{-1}) \det(BC) \)
  3. Apply the determinant of an inverse property to \( \det(A^{-1}) \). Assuming matrix A is invertible (which must be true for \( A^{-1} \) to exist), we have: \( \det(A^{-1}) = \frac{1}{\det(A)} \)
  4. Substitute the result from step 3 into the equation from step 2: \( \det(A^{-1}BC) = \left(\frac{1}{\det(A)}\right) \det(BC) \)
  5. Substitute the result from step 4 back into the equation from step 1: \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) = 8 \times \left(\frac{1}{\det(A)}\right) \det(BC) \) \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) = \frac{8 \det(BC)}{\det(A)} \)
  6. Now, use the given condition: \( \det(BC) = 2 \det(A) \). Substitute this into the equation from step 5: \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) = \frac{8 \times (2 \det(A))}{\det(A)} \)
  7. Assuming \( \det(A) \neq 0 \) (as \( A^{-1} \) exists), we can cancel \( \det(A) \) from the numerator and the denominator: \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) = 8 \times 2 \) \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) = 16 \)

Result of det(2A-1BC) Calculation

Based on the properties of determinants and the given condition, the value of \( \det(2A^{-1}BC) \) is 16.

Revision Table: Matrix Determinant Properties

Property Formula Description Condition
Scalar Multiple \( \det(kX) = k^n \det(X) \) Determinant of a matrix multiplied by a scalar \( k \). \( n \) is the order of matrix X. X is a square matrix of order \( n \).
Product \( \det(XY) = \det(X) \det(Y) \) Determinant of the product of two matrices. X and Y are square matrices of the same order.
Inverse \( \det(X^{-1}) = \frac{1}{\det(X)} \) Determinant of the inverse of a matrix. X is an invertible square matrix.
Transpose \( \det(X^T) = \det(X) \) Determinant of the transpose of a matrix. X is a square matrix.

Additional Information on Matrix Invertibility

For a square matrix \( A \) to have an inverse, denoted as \( A^{-1} \), its determinant \( \det(A) \) must be non-zero. If \( \det(A) = 0 \), the matrix \( A \) is called a singular matrix, and its inverse does not exist. In this problem, since \( A^{-1} \) is part of the expression \( 2A^{-1}BC \), it is implicitly assumed that \( A \) is invertible, meaning \( \det(A) \neq 0 \). This allows us to use the property \( \det(A^{-1}) = 1/\det(A) \) and also to cancel \( \det(A) \) during the calculation.

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Important Questions from Determinants

  1. Let $A$ and $B$ be two invertible matrices of order $3 \times 3$. If $\det(A^2 B (A^T)^3) = 16$ and $\det(A^3 B^{-2}) = 32$, then $\det(B^2 A^{-1} (B^T)^3)$ is equal to:

  2. The value of determinant \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {a - b - c}&{2a}&{2a}\\ {2b}&{b - c - a}&{2b}\\ {2c}&{2c}&{c - a - b} \end{array}} \right|\) is:

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  5. The determinant \(\left| {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {xp + y}&x&y\\ {yp + z}&y&z\\ 0&{xp + y}&{yp + z} \end{array}} \right| = 0,\) if

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