The given determinant is : $$\begin{vmatrix} \cos x& \sin x & \sin x\\ \sin x & \cos x & \sin x\\ \sin x & \sin x & \cos x\end{vmatrix} = 0$$
Taking $$\cos^3 x$$ common in the above determinant, we get,
$$\cos^3 x\begin{vmatrix} \ 1& tanx & tanx\\ tanx & \ 1 & tanx\\ tanx & tanx & \ 1\end{vmatrix} = 0$$
$$\cos^3x[1(1-\tan^2 x)-tanx(tanx-tan^2 x) + tanx(tan^2x-tanx)]=0$$
$$\cos^3x[1-3tan^2 x+ 2tan^3x]=0$$
We notice that if $$\cos^3x = 0 \rightarrow x=\dfrac{\pi}{2}$$
This is not satisfied by the given interval
Thus, $$x=\dfrac{\pi}{2}$$ is not a solution.
Now, $$1-3tan^2 x+ 2tan^3x=0$$
It is obvious from the above equation that $$tanx=1$$ is a solution.
Thus, $$x=\dfrac{\pi}{4}$$ is a solution.
We just found out that $$(tanx -1)$$ is a factor of the polynomial $$1-3tan^2 x+ 2tan^3x=0$$
Thus, dividing the polynomial by $$(tanx-1)$$, we get the quotient as $$2tanx^2 - tanx -1 $$ and remainder $$0$$
Thus, this can be written as $$(2tanx+1)(tanx-1)=0$$
Or, $$tanx=\dfrac{-1}{2}$$ or $$tanx=1$$
We already know that $$tanx=1$$ is a solution to the above equation.
Thus, $$tanx=\dfrac{-1}{2}$$
Or, $$x= tan^{-1}\left(\dfrac{-1}{2}\right)$$
This also lies in the interval $$\left[\dfrac{-\pi}{4}, \dfrac{\pi}{4}\right]$$
Thus there are two distinct real roots to the above equation.