TOPIC 02: DETERMINANTS

A Matrix is simply a set of numbers arranged in a rectangular table.

We usually write matrices inside parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ].

We can add, subtract and multiply matrices together, under certain conditions.

We use matrices to solve simultaneous equations. Matrices are used to solve problems in:

•electronics
•statics
•robotics
•linear programming
•optimization
•intersections of planes
•genetics
A determinant of a matrix represents a single number.

We obtain this value by multiplying and adding its elements in a special way.
We can use the determinant of a matrix to solve a system of simultaneous equations.

For example, if we have the (square) 2 × 2 matrix:

then the determinant of this matrix is written within vertical lines as follows:
A determinant is a square array of numbers (written within a pair of vertical lines)
which represents a certain sum of products.

Below is an example of a 3 × 3 determinant (it has 3 rows and 3 columns).

The result of multiplying out, then simplifying the elements of a determinant is a single number
(a scalar quantity).
Calculating a 2 × 2 Determinant

In general, we find the value of a 2 × 2 determinant with elements a, b, c, d as follows:

We multiply the diagonals (top left × bottom right first), then subtract.
Using Determinants to Solve Systems of Equations

We can solve a system of equations using determinants, but it becomes very tedious for large systems.
We will only do 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 systems using determinants.

Cramer's Rule
Example 2
3 × 3 Determinants

is called the cofactor of a1 for the 3 × 3 determinant:

Expansion by Minors
Example 3
Cramer's Rule to Solve 3 × 3 Systems of Linear Equations
Example 4
Exercises
Expanding 4×4 Determinants

We will use the same approach that we saw in the previous slide, where we expanded a 3×3
determinant.

Going down the first column, we find the cofactors of each element and then multiply each
element by its cofactor.
Example 5