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KCET · Maths · Determinants

If A and B are invertible square matrices of order n, then which of the following is not correct?

  1. A \(\det(AB) = \det(A) \cdot \det(B)\)
  2. B \(\det(kA) = k^n \det(A)\)
  3. C \(\det(A + B) = \det(A) + \det(B)\)
  4. D \(\det(A^{-1}) = \dfrac{1}{\det(A)}\)
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(C) \(\det(A + B) = \det(A) + \det(B)\)

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

For any two square matrices \(A\) and \(B\) of the same order, the determinant of their product is the product of their determinants, so \(\det(AB) = \det(A) \cdot \det(B)\).

If \(A\) is a square matrix of order \(n\) and \(k\) is a scalar, then multiplying \(A\) by \(k\) multiplies each of its \(n\) rows by \(k\). Thus, \(\det(kA) = k^n \det(A)\).

For an invertible matrix \(A\), \(A A^{-1} = I\). Taking the determinant on both sides gives \(\det(A) \cdot \det(A^{-1}) = \det(I) = 1\), which implies \(\det(A^{-1}) = \dfrac{1}{\det(A)}\).

However, the determinant of a sum of matrices is generally not equal to the sum of their determinants. Therefore, \(\det(A + B) = \det(A) + \det(B)\) is not correct.

Answer: \(\det(A + B) = \det(A) + \det(B)\)