Evaluate \(\begin{vmatrix} 4 & 2 & -1 \\ 2 & 3 & -1 \\ -1 & 1 & 3 \end{vmatrix}\)
A. 25
B. 45
C. 15
D. 55
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
\(\begin{vmatrix} 4 & 2 & -1 \\ 2 & 3 & -1 \\ -1 & 1 & 3 \end{vmatrix}\)
4 \(\begin{vmatrix} 3 & -1 \\ 1 & 3 \end{vmatrix}\) -2 \(\begin{vmatrix} 2 & -1 \\ -1 & 3\end{vmatrix}\) -1 \(\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ -1 & 1 \end{vmatrix}\)
4[(3 x 3) - (-1 x 1)] -2 [(2x 3) - (-1 x -1)] -1 [(2 x 1) - (-1 x 3)]
= 4[9 + 1] -2 [6 - 1] -1 [2 + 3]
= 4(10) - 2(5) - 1(5)
= 40 - 10 - 5
= 25