Why does adding a scalar multiple of row $i$ to row $j$ not change the determinant? I'm trying to arrive at the computational definition of the determinant of a square matrix $M$ by first defining it as the signed volume of applying the corresponding linear transformation to the unit cube.

In doing so it seems essential to understand the effect each elementary row operation has on the determinant.

What geometrical argument could then be made to show that adding a scalar multiple of row $i$ to row $j$ does not change the determinant?

I would appreciate any help.
Since the determinant is a multilinear map on its rows, we have:
$$M = [R_1,...,R_n]^T$$
$$\det [R_1,...,R_n+sR_1]^T = \det [R_1,...,R_n]^T + s\det [R_1,...,R_1]^T = \det(M) + 0 = \det(M)$$
The second $\det$ annihilate because it has a repeated row.

For $i,j$ it's the same.
Since the determinant is a multilinear map on its rows, we have:
$$M = [R_1,...,R_n]^T$$
$$\det [R_1,...,R_n+sR_1]^T = \det [R_1,...,R_n]^T + s\det [R_1,...,R_1]^T = \det(M) + 0 = \det(M)$$
The second $\det$ annihilate because it has a repeated row.

For $i,j$ it's the same.