915721, 58 AM Determinant ofa Matrix Determinant of a Matrix Advanced ‘We may use Cookies OK ‘The det “minant Is a special number that can be calculated from a matrix ‘The matrix has to be square (same number of rows and columns) like this one: 38 46 A Matrix (This one has 2 Rows and 2 Columns) Let us calculate the determinant of that matrix: 3x6 — 8x4 = 18 - 32 =-14 Easy, hey? Here is another example: Example: 12 B 34 ‘The symbol for determinant is two vertical lines either side like this IB] = 1x4 - 2x3 -6 (Note: it is the same symbol as absolute value .) What is it for? ‘The determinant helps us find the inverse of a matrix , tells us things about the matrix that are useful in systems of linear equations , calculus and more. Calculating the Determinant First of all the matrix must be square (i.e. have the same number of rows as columns). Then it is just arithmetic. htps:hwww.malhsistun comialgebraimatrx-determinant. him! 7915721, 058 AM Determinant ofa Matrix For a 2*2 Matrix For a 2x2 matrix (2 rows and 2 columns): ab A= cd The determinant is: IAL = ad — be "The determinant of A equals a times d minus b times c" It is easy to remember when you think of a cross: + Blue is positive (+ad), = Red is negative (—bc) Example: find the determinant of 46 | c=|$§ Answer: For a 3x3 Matrix For a 3x3 matrix (3 rows and 3 columns): > aan soo mo The determinant is: JAI = a(ei — fh) — b(di - fg) + c(dh - eg) "The determinant of A equals ... etc” It may look complicated, but there is a pattern htpsshwww.malhsistun comialgebraimatix-determinant him! 2a915/21, 9:58 AM Determinant of @ Matrix b x “el eal is To work out the determinant of a 3x3 matrix: ‘+ Multiply a by the determinant of the 2x2 matrix that is not in a's row or column + Likewise for b, and for € ‘+ Sum them up, but remember the minus in front of the b As a formula (remember the vertical bars || mean "determinant of”): Fe de —b.|o J lg i ig "The determinant of A equals a times the determinant of ... etc” e f| Al=arl, 5 +e Example: 611 D 4-25 28 7 IDI = 6x(-2x7 ~ 5x8) - 1x(4x7 — 5x2) + 1x(4x8 — (-2x2)) = 6x(—54) — 1x(18) + 1x(36) = -306 For 4x4 Matrices and Higher The pattern continues for 4x4 matrices: + plus a times the determinant of the matrix that is not in a’ ‘+ minus b times the determinant of the matrix that is net in b's row or column, ‘+ plus c times the determinant of the matrix that is not in ¢’s row or column, ‘+ minus d times the determinant of the matrix that is net in d's row or column, x B x x4 fgh e ghiltllef” hll"flef g jk i kt ij t ijk nop im op mn pl im n of As a formula: htps:hwww.malhsistun comialgebraimatrx-determinant. him! a6915/21, 9:58 AM Determinant of @ Matrix fg hi eg hl e f hl e fg lAlsa-|j k U-b-ji k& Ite-]i j ll-a-li jk in o pi Im o pi mn pl im no Notice the +—+= pattern (+a... —b... +... —d...), This is important to remember. ‘The pattern continues for 5x5 matrices and higher. Usually best to use 2 Matrix Calculator | for those! Not The Only Way This method of calculation is called the "Laplace expansion" and I like it because the pattern is easy to remember. But there are other methods (just so you know). Summary + For a 2x2 matrix the determinant is ad - be ‘+ For a 3x3 matrix multiply a by the determinant of the 2x2 matri kewise for b and ¢, but remember that b has a negative sign! that is not in a's row or column, ‘+ The pattern continues for larger matrices: multiply a by the determinant of the matrix that is not in a's, row or column, continue like this across the whole row, but remember the + - + — pattern. Copyright © 2021 MathsisFun.com htpsshwww.malhsistun comialgebraimatix-determinant him! 48