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Difficulty: 2/102024 NMTC 2024 (QII-59)

If and are square matrices of order three, then the determinant is equal to:

Options:

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

Guide / Hint

Hint 1: Recall the multiplicative property of determinants for square matrices.

Hint 2: The determinant of a product is equal to the product of the determinants.

Hint 3: Conclude that , which corresponds to option index 0.

Solution

Step 1 (Determinant Product Rule): A fundamental theorem of matrix algebra states that the determinant of the product of two square matrices of the same order is equal to the product of their individual determinants:

Step 2 (Order independence): This property holds true for square matrices of any order, including order three.

Step 3 (Conclusion): The determinant is exactly , corresponding to option index 0.

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    2024 NMTC 2024 QII-59 - Olympiad Math Olympiad Question | Leminno