Determinant of a Matrix
The determinant 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:
Let us calculate the determinant of that matrix:
3×6 − 8×4
= 18 − 32
= −14
Easy, hey? Here is another example:
Example:
The symbol for determinant is two vertical lines either
side like this:
|B| = 1×4 − 2×3
=4−6
= −2
(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.
For a 2×2 Matrix
For a 2×2 matrix (2 rows and 2 columns):
The determinant is:
|A| = ad − bc
"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
Answer:
|C|= 4×8 − 6×3
= 32 − 18
= 14
For a 3×3 Matrix
For a 3×3 matrix (3 rows and 3 columns):
The determinant is:
|A| = a(ei − fh) − b(di − fg) + c(dh − eg)
"The determinant of A equals ... etc"
It may look complicated, but there is a pattern:
To work out the determinant of a 3×3 matrix:
Multiply a by the determinant of the 2×2 matrix that is not in a's
row or column.
Likewise for b, and for c
Sum them up, but remember the minus in front of the b
As a formula (remember the vertical bars || mean "determinant of"):
"The determinant of A equals a times the determinant of ... etc"
For 4×4 Matrices and Higher
The pattern continues for 4×4 matrices:
plus a times the determinant of the matrix that is not in a's row or column,
minus b times the determinant of the matrix that is not in b's row or
column,
plus c times the determinant of the matrix that is not in c's row or column,
minus d times the determinant of the matrix that is not in d's row or
column,
The pattern continues for 5×5 matrices and higher. Usually best to use
a 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 2×2 matrix the determinant is ad - bc
For a 3×3 matrix multiply a by the determinant of the 2×2 matrix that
is not in a's row or column, likewise for b and c, but remember that b has a
negative sign!
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.
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