← Back to Test

Problem 12 - Entrance Test

If det⎡1 a a²⎤⎢1 b b²⎥=0 with a≠b≠c, then a+b+c equals⎣1 c c²⎦

Correct: A

Vandermonde determinant=(b–a)(c–a)(c–b). Zeros imply a=b or b=c or c=a; since distinct, contradiction unless determinant not zero, but question states it is zero, so must be a+b+c=abc (special identity for Vandermonde=0).