If $x ≠ y ≠ z$ then $\begin{vmatrix}1&x&x^2\\1&y&y^2\\1&z&z^2\end{vmatrix}$ is equal to
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → $(x-y)(y-z)(z - x)$
$\begin{vmatrix}1&x&x^2\\1&y&y^2\\1&z&z^2\end{vmatrix}$
$R_2\to R_2-R_1,\ R_3\to R_3-R_1$
$=\begin{vmatrix}1&x&x^2\\0&y-x&y^2-x^2\\0&z-x&z^2-x^2\end{vmatrix}$
$=\begin{vmatrix}1&x&x^2\\0&y-x&(y-x)(y+x)\\0&z-x&(z-x)(z+x)\end{vmatrix}$
$=(y-x)(z-x)\begin{vmatrix}1&x&x^2\\0&1&y+x\\0&1&z+x\end{vmatrix}$
$C_3\to C_3-C_2$
$=(y-x)(z-x)\begin{vmatrix}1&x&0\\0&1&z-y\\0&1&z+x\end{vmatrix}$
$=(y-x)(z-x)(z-y)$
$(x-y)(y-z)(z-x)$