If the matrix A =
\begin{bmatrix} 0 & a & b \ -a & 0 & 1 \ -b & -1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} is skew symmetric, find the values of 'a' and 'b'.

Given
A=\begin{bmatrix} 0 & a & b \ -a & 0 & 1 \ -b & -1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}
Since A is skew-symmetric matrix
\implies -A = A^t. (i)
Now, A^t = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -a & -b \ a & 0 & -1 \ b & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}
From (i)
\begin{bmatrix} 0 & -a & -b \ a & 0 & -1 \ b & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & -a & -b \ a & 0 & -1 \ b & 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}
\implies a = -a and b = -b
\implies 2a = 0 and 2b = 0
\implies a = 0 and b = 0