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The Determinant
There is another way to solve systems of equations with three variables. It involves a quantity called the
determinant.
Every m×m matrix has a unique determinant. The determinant is a single number. To find the determinant of a
2×2matrix , multiply the numbers on the downward diagonal and subtract the product of the numbers on the
upward diagonal:
A=
detA = a 1 b 2 - a 2 b 1 .
For example,
To find the determinant of a 3×3 matrix, copy the first two columns of the matrix to the right of the original
matrix. Next, multiply the numbers on the three downward diagonals, and add these products together. Multiply
the numbers on the upward diagonals, and add these products together. Then subtract the sum of the products
of the upward diagonals from the sum of the product of the downward diagonals (subtract the second number
from the first number):
A=
Example: Find the determinant of:
Solution:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
10 - 80 = -70. detA = - 70 .
Cramer's Rule
Recall the general 3×4 matrix used to solve systems of three equations:
This matrix will be used to solve systems by Cramer's Rule. We divide it into four separate 3×3 matrices:
D=
Dx=
Dy=
Dz=
D is the 3×3 coefficient matrix, and D x , D y , and D z are each the result of substituting the constant column for
one of the coefficient columns in D .
x=
y=
z=
Thus, to solve a system of three equations with three variables using Cramer's Rule,
a1x+b1y+c1z=d1
a2x+b2y+c2z=d2
a3x+b3y+c3z=d3
2. Create D , D x , D y , and D z .
3. Find detD , detD x , detD y , and detD z .
4. x = ,y= , and z = .
Note: If detD = 0 and detD x , detD y , or detD z≠ 0 , the system is inconsistent. If detD = 0 and detD x = detD y =
detD z = 0 , the system has multiple solutions.
8x + 10z = 7y + 15
2x + 3y + 8z = 7
5y + 9 = 4x + 2z
8x - 7y + 10z = 15
2x + 3y + 8z = 7
-4x + 5y - 2z = - 9
D=
Dx=
Dy=
Dz=