CBSE Class 12 Mathematics

Practice Sheet: Determinants

Chapter 4 | 10 Most Anticipated Questions — PYQ 2020–2024 × 2026 Syllabus Verified | Total: ~28
Marks

Subject Mathematics (041)

Chapter Chapter 4 — Determinants
Questions 10 Questions (Mix of 1, 2, 3 & 5 marks)
Based On CBSE PYQs 2020–2024 | 2025-26 Syllabus Cross-Checked
Key Note Q2 (determinant identity) and Q7 (system of equations) appear in
EVERY paper
Instructions Show all row/column operations as steps. Never skip intermediate
steps.

Questions

Q1. Evaluate the determinant: |2 -3 5| |6 0 4| |1 5 -7|

Type: Evaluate a 3×3 Determinant by Expanding Along a Row/Column | 2 marks | Asked in: 2020, 2022, 2023,
2024
🔴 MUST DO — basic skill, tested every year as MCQ or 2-marker

Q2. Prove that: |a b c | |a² b² c²| = abc(a–b)(b–c)(c–a) |bc ca ab|

Type: Prove a Determinant Identity Using Row/Column Operations | 5 marks | Asked in: 2020, 2022, 2023,
2024
🔴 MUST DO — the big 5-marker, appears in EVERY board paper without fail

Q3. Find the value(s) of x for which the determinant: |3–x –1 1 ||2 4 1 | = 0 |–1 2
3–x|
Type: Find Value of x When Determinant = 0 or Given Value | 2 marks | Asked in: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
🟠 HIGH — appears as MCQ or 2-marker, tests determinant evaluation + algebra

Q4. Find the area of the triangle with vertices A(3, 8), B(–4, 2) and C(5, –1) using determinants.
Type: Find Area of Triangle Using Determinant | 2 marks | Asked in: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
🟠 HIGH — application-based, appears almost every year as 2-marker

Q5. Show that the points A(a, b+c), B(b, c+a) and C(c, a+b) are collinear.
Type: Check Collinearity of Three Points Using Determinant | 1 mark | Asked in: 2022, 2023, 2024
🟠 HIGH — MCQ or 1-marker, direct formula application

Q6. Find the inverse of the matrix A using the adjoint method: A = |1 –1 2| |0 2 –3| |3
–2 4|
Type: Find A⁻¹ Using Adjoint (Cofactor Method) | 5 marks | Asked in: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
🔴 MUST DO — guaranteed 5-marker alongside Q7, pick this or matrix method

Q7. Using the matrix method, solve: 2x – 3y + 5z = 11 3x + 2y – 4z = –5 x + y – 2z = –3

Type: Solve 3 Equations in 3 Variables Using Cramer's Rule / Matrix Method | 5 marks | Asked in: 2020, 2022,
2023, 2024
🔴 MUST DO — the most important question of the entire Algebra unit

Q8. Without expanding, prove that: |a+b b+c c+a| |b+c c+a a+b| = 0 |c+a a+b b+c|
Type: Prove Determinant Property: Using R/C Operations to Show = 0 | 3 marks | Asked in: 2020, 2022, 2023
🟠 HIGH — 3-marker proof, tests understanding of properties deeply

Q9. Find the cofactor A₂₁ of the matrix: A = |1 2 3| |0 5 0| |2 4 6|

Type: Find Cofactors / Minors of a Matrix Element (MCQ) | 1 mark | Asked in: 2022 Term-1, 2023, 2024
🟠 HIGH — 1-mark MCQ, pure definition application

Q10. The cost of 4 kg onion, 3 kg wheat and 2 kg rice is ₹60. The cost of 2 kg onion, 4 kg
wheat and 6 kg rice is ₹90. The cost of 6 kg onion, 2 kg wheat and 3 kg rice is ₹70. Find the
cost of each item per kg using the matrix method.
Type: Word Problem: Cost-Based System of Equations → Matrix Method | 5 marks | Asked in: 2022, 2023,
2024
🟡 MEDIUM — case study / real-life application, appears as 5-mark or case study

Hints & Step-by-Step Approach

Attempt each question fully before looking here. Each numbered hint is one step — don't read ahead.

Q1 — Evaluate a 3×3 Determinant by Expanding Along a Row/Column

1. Expand along Row 1 (or Row/Column with a zero — use Row 2 here for easier calc)
2. Expanding along R1: 2×(0×(–7) – 4×5) – (–3)×(6×(–7) – 4×1) + 5×(6×5 – 0×1)
3. = 2×(0 – 20) + 3×(–42 – 4) + 5×(30 – 0)
4. = 2×(–20) + 3×(–46) + 5×(30)
5. = –40 – 138 + 150 = –28

Q2 — Prove a Determinant Identity Using Row/Column Operations

6. This is a classic — use properties instead of direct expansion
7. Take a, b, c common from C1, C2, C3 respectively → factor out abc
8. After taking common: |1 1 1 | × abc
9. |a b c |
10. |bc ca ab|
11. Apply C1→C1–C2 and C2→C2–C3 to create zeros
12. Expand the resulting determinant — factor out (a–b) and (b–c)
13. The remaining factor simplifies to (c–a) ✓
Q3 — Find Value of x When Determinant = 0 or Given Value
14. Expand the determinant along any convenient row or column
15. You'll get a polynomial equation in x (likely quadratic)
16. Expand along R1 or use C1+C2+C3 property if possible
17. After expanding: simplify and solve for x
18. Typical answer: x = 2 and x = 4 (verify by substituting back)

Q4 — Find Area of Triangle Using Determinant

19. Area formula: (1/2)|x₁(y₂–y₃) + x₂(y₃–y₁) + x₃(y₁–y₂)|
20. Or write as: (1/2) × |x₁ y₁ 1|
21. |x₂ y₂ 1|
22. |x₃ y₃ 1|
23. Substituting: (1/2)|3 8 1|
24. |–4 2 1|
25. |5 –1 1|
26. Expand: (1/2)|3(2+1) – 8(–4–5) + 1(4–10)| = (1/2)|9+72–6| = (1/2)(75) = 37.5 sq units

Q5 — Check Collinearity of Three Points Using Determinant

27. Points are collinear if area of triangle = 0
28. So show that: |a b+c 1|
29. |b c+a 1| = 0
30. |c a+b 1|
31. Apply C2 → C2 + C1: second column becomes (a+b+c) for all rows
32. Factor out (a+b+c) from C2 — then apply C2 → C2 – (a+b+c)×C3
33. The determinant becomes 0 ✓ — hence collinear

Q6 — Find A⁻¹ Using Adjoint (Cofactor Method)

34. Step 1: Find |A| by expanding — if |A| = 0, inverse doesn't exist
35. |A| = 1(8–6) – (–1)(0+9) + 2(0–6) = 2 + 9 – 12 = –1 ≠ 0 ✓
36. Step 2: Find all 9 cofactors Cᵢⱼ using sign pattern (+–+/–+–/+–+)
37. Step 3: Adj(A) = transpose of cofactor matrix
38. Step 4: A⁻¹ = Adj(A) / |A| = –1 × Adj(A)
39. Double-check: A × A⁻¹ should = I (identity matrix)

Q7 — Solve 3 Equations in 3 Variables Using Cramer's Rule / Matrix Method

40. Write AX = B: A is 3×3 coefficient matrix, X = [x y z]ᵀ, B = [11 –5 –3]ᵀ
41. Find |A|: if non-zero, unique solution exists
42. Find A⁻¹ using cofactors and adjoint
43. Then X = A⁻¹B — matrix multiply to get x, y, z
44. Answer: x = 1, y = 2, z = 3 (verify by substituting back into original equations)

Q8 — Prove Determinant Property: Using R/C Operations to Show = 0

 45. Apply R1 → R1 + R2 + R3 first
46. After addition, R1 becomes [2(a+b+c), 2(a+b+c), 2(a+b+c)]
47. Take out 2(a+b+c) from R1
48. Now R1 = [1, 1, 1]
49. Apply C1→C1–C2 and C2→C2–C3
50. Two columns become identical → determinant = 0 ✓

Q9 — Find Cofactors / Minors of a Matrix Element (MCQ)

51. Cofactor Aᵢⱼ = (–1)^(i+j) × Mᵢⱼ where Mᵢⱼ is the minor
52. A₂₁: delete row 2, column 1 → remaining matrix: |2 3|
53. |4 6|
54. M₂₁ = (2×6) – (3×4) = 12 – 12 = 0
55. A₂₁ = (–1)^(2+1) × 0 = –1 × 0 = 0

Q10 — Word Problem: Cost-Based System of Equations → Matrix Method

56. Let onion = x, wheat = y, rice = z (₹ per kg)
57. Set up: 4x+3y+2z=60, 2x+4y+6z=90, 6x+2y+3z=70
58. Write as AX = B where A is the coefficient matrix
59. Find |A| and check it's non-zero, then find A⁻¹
60. X = A⁻¹B gives the solution
61. Answer: Onion = ₹5/kg, Wheat = ₹8/kg, Rice = ₹8/kg

Priority Summary for 2026 Boards

🔴 MUST DO (5 marks): Q2 (determinant identity proof), Q6 (inverse via adjoint), Q7 (system of 3
equations)
🟠 HIGH VALUE: Q1 (evaluate 3×3), Q3 (find x), Q4 (area of triangle), Q5 (collinearity), Q8 (proof), Q9
(cofactor MCQ)
🟡 MEDIUM: Q10 (word problem) — high chance of appearing as a case-study question in 2026
💡 Pro tip: Q2 (determinant proof) and Q7 (equations) are almost always the OR pair in the 5-mark
section. In 2026 both are expected since Determinants carries 8+ marks. Master the row/column
operation properties — they unlock almost every proof question.