Question

By using properties of determinants, show that \(\begin{vmatrix} 1 & a & a^2 \\ 1 & b & b^2 \\ 1 & c & c^2 \end{vmatrix}\) = (a – b)(b – c)(c – a).

Answer 1

Applying R₂ → R₂ – R₁ and R₃ → R₃ – R₁

Taking (b – a) and (c – a) common from R₂ and R₃ respectively