Elementary Linear Algebra 7th Edition

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1-13311-087-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-13311-087-3

Chapter 3 - Determinants - 3.3 Properties of Determinants - 3.3 Exercises - Page 126: 53

Answer

$k=-1$ or $k=4$.

Work Step by Step

A matrix is singular if and only if its determinant is $0$. We know that for a matrix $ \left[\begin{array}{rr} a & b \\ c &d \\ \end{array} \right] $ the determinant, $D=ad-bc.$ Hence here $D=(k-1)(k-2)-6=0\\k^2-3k+2-6=0\\k^2-3k-4=0\\(k+1)(k-4)=0.$ Thus $k=-1$ or $k=4$.
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