Question:medium

Let $A=[a_{ij}]$ be a square matrix of order $3\times3$, where \[ a_{ij}= \begin{cases} i-2j, & i=j \\ 0, & i>j \\ 1, & i<j \end{cases} \] Then the value of $|A^T|$ is:

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Whenever you see a triangular matrix, never expand the determinant manually. Just multiply the diagonal elements directly.
Updated On: May 20, 2026
  • $1$
  • $-6$
  • $-11$
  • $-5$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To solve this problem, we need to determine the value of the determinant of the transpose of the given matrix \( A \) (i.e., \( |A^T| \)). First, let's define and construct the matrix \( A \) using the provided rules: 

Condition\( a_{ij} \) Value
\( i = j \)\( i - 2j \)
\( i > j \)0
\( i < j \)1

Let's construct the matrix \( A \) for order \( 3 \times 3 \):

\[ A = \begin{bmatrix} a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\ a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} \\ a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33} \end{bmatrix} \]\[ = \begin{bmatrix} 1 - 2 \times 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 2 - 2 \times 2 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 3 - 2 \times 3 \end{bmatrix} \]\[ = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & -2 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & -3 \end{bmatrix} \]

Next, let's transpose the matrix \( A \), denoted as \( A^T \):

\[ A^T = \begin{bmatrix} -1 & 0 & 0 \\ 1 & -2 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 & -3 \end{bmatrix} \]

Now, we find the determinant of \( A^T \), denoted as \(|A^T|\):

Using cofactor expansion along the first row, we have:

\[ |A^T| = \left(-1\right)\begin{vmatrix} -2 & 0 \\ 1 & -3 \end{vmatrix} - 0 + 0 \]

Calculate the determinant of the 2x2 matrix:

\[ \begin{vmatrix} -2 & 0 \\ 1 & -3 \end{vmatrix} = (-2)(-3) - (0)(1) = 6 - 0 = 6 \]

Substituting back, we get:

\[ |A^T| = -1 \times 6 = -6 \]

Thus, the determinant of \( A^T \) is \( -6 \). Therefore, the correct option is \( -6 \).

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