Visual Proof for Matrix Property – Linear Algebra and Geometry

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Let's say we have three equations written in their standard form:

\begin{align}
a_1x + b_1y + c_1 = 0 && (l_1) \\
a_2x + b_2y + c_2 = 0 && (l_2) \\
a_3x + b_3y + c_3 = 0 && (l_3)
\end{align}

Then if we consider the matrix
$$
M =
\begin{bmatrix}
a_1 & a_2 & a_3 \\
b_1 & b_2 & b_3 \\
c_1 & c_2 & c_3
\end{bmatrix}
$$

the following is true:
$$
\det M
\begin{cases}
\lt 0 & \text{, if the intersection point of $l_1$ and $l_2$ lies on the "positive" side of $l_3$}\\
= 0 & \text{, if the intersection point of $l_1$ and $l_2$ lies exactly on $l_3$}\\
\gt 0 & \text{, if the intersection point of $l_1$ and $l_2$ lies on the "negative" side of $l_3$}
\end{cases}
$$

I understand why this works mathematically, but I can't find a way that explains it more intuitively. Ideally, I'm looking for a visual proof (e.g. involving some signed volume maybe ?).

Best Answer

You're asking for a visual proof of something that's not true.

There's a problem with talking about "the intersection point of $l_1$ and $l_2$" or "the positive side" of $l_3$. For example, if $a_1=a_2=b_1=b_2=c_1=c_2=0$, $l_1,l_2$ are just the whole of $\mathbb{R}^2$. If $a_3=b_3=0$ and $c_3>0$, everything is on the "positive side" of $l_3$.

However, let's ignore that. Consider $$y=0 \tag{$l_1$}$$ $$x=0 \tag{$l_2$} $$ and $$x+y+1=0 \tag{$l_3$}$$ Then we get $$M=\begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 1\end{pmatrix}.$$ Then $l_1$ is just the $x$-axis, $l_2$ is just the $y$-axis, and the intersection is the origin. This is on the positive side of $l_3$, since $1\cdot 0+1\cdot 0+1=1>0$. But $\det(M)=-1$.

However, if we just switch $l_1$ and $l_2$, we get the matrix $$\begin{pmatrix}1 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix},$$ which has $\det(M)=1$. But we didn't change $l_1,l_2$, or $l_3$, and the origin (intersection of $l_1,l_2$) still lies on the positive side of $l_3$.

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