NCERT Solutions Class 12 Maths Chapter 4 Exercise 4.1 - Determinants

NCERT Solutions Class 12 Maths Chapter 4 Exercise 4.1 - Determinants

Komal MiglaniUpdated on 09 May 2025, 11:48 AM IST

Suppose your friend told you that the following $ 2 \times 2$ matrix is given:$\left[\begin{array}{ll} 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5\end{array}\right] $ and asked you to find its determinant. How would you approach this problem? This is where the concept of determinants comes in. Determinants provide a systematic way to find a scalar value from a square matrix, which is crucial in solving systems of equations, finding the area, and understanding matrix properties. The first exercise of this chapter of the NCERT book is based on the basics of determinants and calculating determinants of different orders of square matrices. NCERT Class 12 Maths Chapter 4 - Determinants, Exercise 4.1 introduces us to the basic idea of determinants and how to evaluate them. This article on the NCERT Solutions for Exercise 4.1 Class 12 Maths Chapter 4 offers clear and step-by-step solutions for the exercise problems to help the students understand the method and logic behind it. For syllabus, notes, and PDF, refer to this link: NCERT.

LiveCBSE Exam Dates 2026 LIVE: CBSE Class 10th, 12th revised date sheet at cbse.gov.in; how to download, updatesDec 31, 2025 | 8:03 PM IST

cbse.gov.in is the link to the official website from where students can download the date sheet of the CBSE 10th, 12th examinations 2026.

Read More

Class 12 Maths Chapter 4 Exercise 4.1 Solutions: Download PDF

Download PDF

Determinants Exercise:4.1

Question:1 Evaluate the following determinant- $\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 4\\ -5 & -1\end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

The determinant is evaluated as follows

$\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 4\\ -5 & -1\end{vmatrix} = 2(-1) - 4(-5) = -2 + 20 = 18$

Question:2(i) Evaluate the following determinant- $\begin{vmatrix} \cos \theta & -\sin \theta \\ \sin \theta &\cos \theta \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

The given two by two determinant is calculated as follows

$\begin{vmatrix} \cos \theta & -\sin \theta \\ \sin \theta & \cos \theta \end{vmatrix} = \cos \theta (\cos \theta) - (-\sin \theta)\sin \theta = \cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1$

Question:2(ii) Evaluate the following determinant- $\begin{vmatrix}x^2-x+1 & x-1\\x+1 &x+1 \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

We have determinant $\begin{vmatrix}x^2-x+1 & x-1\\x+1 &x+1 \end{vmatrix}$

$\begin{vmatrix} x^2 - x + 1 & x - 1 \\ x + 1 & x + 1 \end{vmatrix} = (x^2 - x + 1)(x + 1) - (x - 1)(x + 1)$

$= (x+1)(x^2-x+1-x+1) = (x+1)(x^2-2x+2)$

$=x^3-2x^2+2x +x^2-2x+2$

$= x^3-x^2+2$

Question:3 If $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2\\ 4 &2 \end{bmatrix}$ , then show that $| 2 A |=4|A|$

Answer:

Given determinant $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2\\ 4 &2 \end{bmatrix}$ then we have to show that $| 2 A |=4|A|$,

So, $A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2\\ 4 &2 \end{bmatrix}$ then, $2A =2 \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2\\ 4 &2 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 4\\ 8 &4 \end{bmatrix}$

Hence we have $\left | 2A \right | = \begin{vmatrix} 2 &4 \\ 8& 4 \end{vmatrix} = 2(4) - 4(8) = -24$

So, L.H.S. = |2A| = -24

then calculating R.H.S. $4\left | A \right |$

We have,

$\left | A \right | = \begin{vmatrix} 1 &2 \\ 4& 2 \end{vmatrix} = 1(2) - 2(4) = -6$

hence R.H.S becomes $4\left | A \right | = 4\times(-6) = -24$

Therefore L.H.S. =R.H.S.

Hence proved.

Question:4 If $A =\begin{bmatrix} 1 &0 &1 \\ 0& 1& 2\\ 0& 0 &4 \end{bmatrix}$ then show that $|3A|=27|A|$

Answer:

Given Matrix$A =\begin{bmatrix} 1 &0 &1 \\ 0& 1& 2\\ 0& 0 &4 \end{bmatrix}$

Calculating $3A =3\begin{bmatrix} 1 &0 &1 \\ 0& 1& 2\\ 0& 0 &4 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 3 &0 &3 \\ 0& 3& 6\\ 0& 0 &12 \end{bmatrix}$

So, $\left | 3A \right | = 3(3(12) - 6(0) ) - 0(0(12)-0(6)) + 3(0-0) = 3(36) = 108$

calculating $27|A|$,

$|A| = \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 0 &1 \\ 0 & 1 & 2\\ 0& 0 &4 \end{vmatrix} = 1\begin{vmatrix} 1 &2 \\ 0 & 4 \end{vmatrix} - 0\begin{vmatrix} 0 &2 \\ 0& 4 \end{vmatrix} + 1\begin{vmatrix} 0 &1 \\ 0& 0 \end{vmatrix} = 4 -0 + 0 = 4$

So, $27|A| = 27(4) = 108$

Therefore $|3A|=27|A|$.

Hence proved.

Question:5(i) Evaluate the determinants.

$\begin{vmatrix}3 &-1 &-2 \\0 &0 &-1 \\3 &-5 & 0 \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

Given the determinant $\begin{vmatrix}3 &-1 &-2 \\0 &0 &-1 \\3 &-5 & 0 \end{vmatrix}$;

now, calculating its determinant value,

$\begin{vmatrix}3 &-1 &-2 \\0 &0 &-1 \\3 &-5 & 0 \end{vmatrix} = 3\begin{vmatrix} 0 &-1 \\ -5& 0 \end{vmatrix} -(-1)\begin{vmatrix} 0 &-1 \\ 3& 0 \end{vmatrix} +(-2)\begin{vmatrix} 0 &0 \\ 3& -5 \end{vmatrix}$

$= 3(0-5)+1(0+3) -2(0-0) = -15+3-0 = -12$.

Question:5(ii) Evaluate the determinants.

$\begin{vmatrix}3 &-4 &5 \\1 &1 &-2 \\2 &3 &1 \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

Given determinant $\begin{vmatrix}3 &-4 &5 \\1 &1 &-2 \\2 &3 &1 \end{vmatrix}$;

Now calculating the determinant value;

$\begin{vmatrix}3 &-4 &5 \\1 &1 &-2 \\2 &3 &1 \end{vmatrix} = 3\begin{vmatrix} 1 &-2 \\ 3&1 \end{vmatrix} -(-4)\begin{vmatrix} 1 &-2 \\ 2& 1 \end{vmatrix}+5\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1\\ 2& 3 \end{vmatrix}$

$= 3(1+6) +4(1+4) +5(3-2) = 21+20+5 = 46$.

Question:5(iii) Evaluate the determinants.

$\begin{vmatrix}0 & 1 & 2\\-1 &0 &-3 \\ -2 &3 &0 \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

Given determinant $\begin{vmatrix}0 & 1 & 2\\-1 &0 &-3 \\ -2 &3 &0 \end{vmatrix}$;

Now calculating the determinant value;

$\begin{vmatrix}0 & 1 & 2\\-1 &0 &-3 \\ -2 &3 &0 \end{vmatrix} = 0\begin{vmatrix} 0 &-1 \\ 3& 0 \end{vmatrix} -1\begin{vmatrix} -1 &-3 \\ -2& 0 \end{vmatrix}+2\begin{vmatrix} -1 &0 \\ -2& 3 \end{vmatrix}$

$= 0 - 1(0-6)+2(-3-0) = 6 -6 =0$

Question:5(iv) Evaluate the determinants.

$\begin{vmatrix}2 &-1 &2 \\0 &2 &-1 \\3 &-5 &0 \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

Given determinant: $\begin{vmatrix}2 &-1 &-2 \\0 &2 &-1 \\3 &-5 &0 \end{vmatrix}$,

We now calculate determinant value:

$\begin{vmatrix}2 &-1 &-2 \\0 &2 &-1 \\3 &-5 &0 \end{vmatrix} =2\begin{vmatrix} 2 &-1 \\ -5 & 0 \end{vmatrix} -(-1)\begin{vmatrix} 0 &-1 \\ 3 & 0 \end{vmatrix}+(-2)\begin{vmatrix} 0 &2 \\ 3&-5 \end{vmatrix}$

$=2(0-5)+1(0+3)-2(0-6) = -10+3+12 = 5$

Question:6 If $A=\begin{bmatrix}1 & 1 & -2\\ 2& 1 &-3 \\5 &4 &-9 \end{bmatrix}$ , then find $|A|$.

Answer:

Given the matrix $A=\begin{bmatrix}1 & 1 & -2\\ 2& 1 &-3 \\5 &4 &-9 \end{bmatrix}$ then,

Finding the determinant value of A;

$|A| = 1\begin{vmatrix} 1 &-3 \\ 4& -9 \end{vmatrix} -1\begin{vmatrix} 2 &-3 \\ 5& -9 \end{vmatrix}-2\begin{vmatrix} 2 &1 \\ 5& 4 \end{vmatrix}$

$= 1(-9+12)-1(-18+15)-2(8-5) =3+3-6 =0$

Question:7(i) Find values of x, if

$\begin{vmatrix}2 &4 \\5 &1 \end{vmatrix} =\begin{vmatrix}2x &4 \\6 &x \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

Given that $\begin{vmatrix}2 &4 \\5 &1 \end{vmatrix} =\begin{vmatrix}2x &4 \\6 &x \end{vmatrix}$

First, we solve the determinant value of L.H.S. and equate it to the determinant value of R.H.S.,

$\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 4 \\ 5 & 1 \end{vmatrix} = 2(1) - 4(5) = 2 - 20 = -18$ and $\begin{vmatrix} 2x & 4 \\ 6 & x \end{vmatrix} = 2x(x) - 4(6) = 2x^2 - 24$

So, we have then,

$-18= 2x^2-24$ or $3= x^2$ or $x= \pm \sqrt{3}$

Question:7(ii) Find values of x, if

$\begin{vmatrix}2 &3 \\ 4 &5 \end{vmatrix}=\begin{vmatrix}x &3 \\2x &5 \end{vmatrix}$

Answer:

Given $\begin{vmatrix}2 &3 \\ 4 &5 \end{vmatrix}=\begin{vmatrix}x &3 \\2x &5 \end{vmatrix}$;

So, we here equate both sides after calculating each side's determinant values.

L.H.S. determinant value;

$\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 \end{vmatrix} = 2(5) - 3(4) = 10 - 12 = -2$

Similarly R.H.S. determinant value;

$\begin{vmatrix}x &3 \\2x &5 \end{vmatrix} = 5(x) - 3(2x) = 5x - 6x =-x$

So, we have then;

$-2 = -x$ or $x =2$.

Question:8 If $\begin{vmatrix}x &2 \\18 &x \end{vmatrix}=\begin{vmatrix} 6 &2 \\ 18 &6 \end{vmatrix}$ , then $x$ is equal to

(A) $6$ (B) $\pm 6$ (C) $-6$ (D) $0$

Answer:

Solving the L.H.S. determinant ;

$\begin{vmatrix} x & 2 \\ 18 & x \end{vmatrix} = x(x) - 2(18) = x^2 - 36$

and solving R.H.S determinant;

$\begin{vmatrix} 6 &2 \\ 18 &6 \end{vmatrix} = 36-36 = 0$

So equating both sides;

$x^2 - 36 =0$ or $x^2 = 36$ or $x = \pm 6$

Hence answer is (B).


Also read,

Topics covered in Chapter 4, Determinants: Exercise 4.1

Here are the main topics covered in NCERT Class 12 Chapter 4, Determinants: Exercise 4.1.

1. Definition:

We know that multiplication and addition are basic operations in matrices. In determinants, we evaluate a scalar value from a square matrix using specific rules. For example, for a $2 \times 2$ matrix

$ \left[\begin{array}{ll} a & b \\ c & d \end{array}\right], \quad \text { the determinant is given by } a d-b c $

2. Determinant of a $\mathbf{2 \times 2}$ Matrix: Let the matrix $A$ be defined as:

$A=\left[\begin{array}{ll}a_{11} & a_{12} \\ a_{21} & a_{22}\end{array}\right]$

To evaluate the determinant of a $2 \times 2$ matrix, use the formula:

$ \operatorname{det}(A)=a_{11} a_{22}-a_{12} a_{21} $

3. Determinant of a $\mathbf{3 \times 3}$ Matrix:

For $3 \times 3$ matrices, the determinant is calculated using expansion by minors.

$ \left|\begin{array}{lll} a & b & c \\ d & e & f \\ g & h & i \end{array}\right|=a(e i-f h)-b(d i-f g)+c(d h-e g) $

Also, read,

NCERT Solutions of Class 12 Subject Wise

Given below are some useful links for subject-wise NCERT solutions of class 12.

JEE Main Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
Just Study 40% Syllabus and Score upto 100%
Download EBook
CBSE Class 12th Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: what is determinant ?
A:

The determinant is a scalar value of a square matrix which characterize some properties of the matrix.

Q: If square matrix A is order of 2 then | 2A | = ?
A:

|2A| = 2^2 = 4 | A |

Q: How many exercises are there in Class 12 Maths chapter 4 ?
A:

There are 6 exercises and one miscellaneous exercise given in the NCERT textbook Class 12 Maths chapter 4.

Q: Does CBSE provides NCERT solutions for Class 12 Maths chapter 4?
A:

No, CBSE doesn't provide NCERT solutions, you can get NCERT solutions for chapter 4 Class 12 Maths.

Q: What is the determinant of a singular matrix ?
A:

The determinant of a singular matrix is always zero.

Q: What is non-singular matrix?
A:

A matrix that is not singular is called a non-singular matrix. The determinant of a non-singular matrix is non-zero.  

Q: What is syllabus for CBSE Class 12 Maths ?
Q: how many chapters are there in NCERT Class 12 Maths syllabus?
A:

There are 13 chapters in the NCERT Class 12 Maths book.

Articles
|
Upcoming School Exams
Ongoing Dates
CGSOS 12th Application Date

1 Dec'25 - 15 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
CGSOS 10th Application Date

1 Dec'25 - 15 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
TOSS SSC Application Date

11 Dec'25 - 5 Jan'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to CBSE Class 12th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 12th ?

Failing in pre-board or selection tests does NOT automatically stop you from sitting in the CBSE Class 12 board exams. Pre-boards are conducted by schools only to check preparation and push students to improve; CBSE itself does not consider pre-board marks. What actually matters is whether your school issues your

The CBSE Sahodaya Class 12 Pre-Board Chemistry Question Paper for the 2025-2026 session is available for download on the provided page, along with its corresponding answer key.

The Sahodaya Pre-Board exams, conducted in two rounds (Round 1 typically in December 2025 and Round 2 in January 2026), are modeled precisely

Hello,

You can get the Class 11 English Syllabus 2025-26 from the Careers360 website. This resource also provides details about exam dates, previous year papers, exam paper analysis, exam patterns, preparation tips and many more. you search in this site or you can ask question we will provide you the

Hello,

No, it’s not true that GSEB (Gujarat Board) students get first preference in college admissions.

Your daughter can continue with CBSE, as all recognized boards CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards (like GSEB) which are equally accepted for college admissions across India.

However, state quota seats in Gujarat colleges (like

Hello,

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) releases the previous year's question papers for Class 12.

You can download these CBSE Class 12 previous year question papers from this link : CBSE Class 12 previous year question papers (http://CBSE%20Class%2012%20previous%20year%20question%20papers)

Hope it helps !