Question

Using the determinants show that the points (2, 3), (-1, -2) and (5, 8) are collinear.

Answer 1

The condition are given three points to be collinear, the area of the triangle formed by these points will be zero. As we know that, vertices of a triangle are (x₁, y₁), (x₂, y₂) and (x₃, y₃), then the area of the triangle is given by,

On substituting the value of above formula

On expanding along R₁

Here, the area of triangle is zero.

Hence the points are collinear.