Linear Algebra

Determinants
 Determinant - a square array of numbers
or variables enclosed between parallel
vertical bars. The determinant of a matrix A
is denoted by |A| or det(A).
**To find a determinant you must have
a SQUARE MATRIX!!**
Finding a 2 x 2 determinant:
Find the determinant:
Finding a 3x3 determinant: Diagonal method

Step 1: Rewrite first two

rows of the matrix.
 -224 +10 +162 = -52
Step 2: multiply
diagonals going up!
Step 2: multiply
diagonals going down!
-126 +12 +240 =126

126 - (-52) Step 3: Bottom

minus top!
126 + 52
= 178
 -18 +50 +6 = 38
Step 2: multiply
diagonals going up!
Step 2: multiply
diagonals going down!
45 - 15 + 8 = 38

38 - 38 Step 3: Bottom
minus top!
=0
Definition
Let A be a square matrix.
The minor of the element aij is denoted Mij and is the determinant
of the matrix that remains after deleting row i and column j of A.
The cofactor of aij is denoted Cij and is given by
Cij = (–1)i+j Mij
Note that Cij = Mij or −Mij .

Ch03_7
 Example
Determine the minors and cofactors of the elements a11 and a32
of the following matrix A.

Solution

Ch03_8
Definition
The determinant of a square matrix is the sum of the products
of the elements of the first row and their cofactors.

These equations are called cofactor expansions of |A|.

Ch03_9
 Example
Evaluate the determinant of the following matrix A.

Solution

Ch03_10
The determinant of a square matrix is the sum of the products of
the elements of any row or column and their cofactors.
ith row expansion:
jth column expansion:

Example 4
Find the determinant of the following matrix using the second row.

Solution

Ch03_11