Question
Evaluate:
$\begin{vmatrix}1&\text{a}&\text{bc}\\1&\text{b}&\text{ca}\\1&\text{c}&\text{ab}\end{vmatrix}$

Answer

$\triangle=\begin{vmatrix}1&\text{a}&\text{bc}\\1&\text{b}&\text{ca}\\1&\text{c}&\text{ab}\end{vmatrix}$
When a = b, the first two rows become identical. Hence, a - b is a factor. Similarly, when b = c and c = a, the second and third and third and first rows become indetical. Hence, b - c and c - a are also factors. The degree of product of the diagonal elements is 3. Hence, there are no other factors.
$\begin{vmatrix}1&\text{a}&\text{bc}\\1&\text{b}&\text{ca}\\1&\text{c}&\text{ab}\end{vmatrix}$
$=\lambda(\text{a}-\text{b})(\text{b}-\text{c})(\text{c}-\text{a})$ [Where $\lambda$ is a constant]
$\begin{vmatrix}1&0&2\\1&1&0\\1&2&0\end{vmatrix}=2\lambda$ $[$Putting a = 0, b = 1 and c = 2 to find $\lambda]$
$\Rightarrow2=2\lambda$
$\Rightarrow\lambda=1$
Hence,
$\begin{vmatrix}1&\text{a}&\text{bc}\\1&\text{b}&\text{ca}\\1&\text{c}&\text{ab}\end{vmatrix}$
$=(\text{a}-\text{b})(\text{b}-\text{c})(\text{c}-\text{a})$

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