Chapter 11.3, Problem 3AYU

True or False A determinant can never equal 0.

To determine

True/False: A determinant can never equal 0.

Answer to Problem 3AYU

False.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

A determinant can never equal 0.

Calculation:

Let us consider the determinant:

$D=\left|\begin{array}{cc}1& 2\\ 3& 6\end{array}\right|$

Then we can find that the value of the determinant,

$D=1\times 6-2\times 3=6-6=0$

So the given statement that ‘A determinant can never equal 0’ is false.