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With each square matrix corresponds just one number. This number is called the
determinant of the matrix. The determinant of a matrix A is denoted det(A) or |A|. Now
we'll define this correspondence.
Determinant of a 1 x 1 matrix
Say S is an ordered set of n elements. A one-one transformation t of the set S onto itself is
a permutation of S.
Example: S = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) . A permutation t is defined by
t(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) = (2, 5, 4, 1, 3)
The permutation, witch transforms (2, 5, 4, 1, 3) back to (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is called the
inverse permutation of t.
Transposition
A permutation, which interchanges two elements, and fixes all others, is called a
transposition.
Example: S = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) . The permutation defined by
t(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) = (1, 4, 3, 2, 5) is a transposition
Theorem
|a b|
|c d|
= ad - cb
To calculate larger determinants there are a lot of other methods involving various
properties of determinants.
If we say the ith row of a determinant we mean the ith row of the matrix corresponding
with this determinant. If we say the ith column of a determinant we mean the ith column
of the matrix corresponding with this determinant.
If we write |A| = (ch-bi)d + (ai-cg)e + (bg-ah)f , we say that the determinant is calculated
emanating from the second row.
Similarly, we can start with a fixed column and then write |A| as a linear polynomial in a1,
j, a2, j, a3, j, ... an, j. Then one finds the same cofactors. So ai, j has a unique cofactor Ai, j.
A matrix A and its transpose have the same determinant.
Important result
Appealing on previous property, it is immediate that each property we'll find for the rows
of a matrix, also holds for the columns and each property for the columns holds for the
rows.
If we interchange these two rows, the determinant does not change. Appealing on
previous property the determinant changes in its opposite. This is only possible when the
determinant = 0.
Addition of two determinants, which differ only from the ith row
Say A and B are matrices which are only different in the ith row.
For all j different from i and all k we have aj,k = bj, k.
|A|
= sum of all products sgn(t) . a1, t(1) . a2, t(2) . a3, t(3) ... ai, t(i) ... an, t(n)
|B|
= sum of all products sgn(t) . b1, t(1) . b2, t(2) . b3, t(3) ... bi, t(i) ... bn, t(n)
= sum of all products sgn(t) . a1, t(1) . a2, t(2) . a3, t(3) ... bi, t(i) ... an, t(n)
So |A| + |B|
= sum of all products sgn(t) . a1, t(1) . a2, t(2) . a3, t(3) ... (ai, t(i) + bi, t(i)) ... an, t(n)
= determinant of the matrix formed by adding the ith row from A and B, and taking the
other elements from A or from B.
The same rule holds for columns
Ex.
|a b c| |a b' c| |a b+b' c|
|d e f|+|d e' f| = |d e+e' f|
|g h i| |g h' i| |g h+h' i|
Equal determinants
Let A be any square matrix. Focus the element e = ai, j. Interchange in succession row i
and i-1; i-1 and i-2; ... until e is on the first row. This demands i-1 steps. Then we
interchange in succession column j and j-1; j-1 and j-2; ... until e is on the first column
and on the first row. This demands j-1 steps. During this process the determinant of the
matrix changes i+j-2 times sign. Now the cofactor of e is the determinant of the sub-
matrix of obtained from by crossing out the first row and the first column. Now return to
the original matrix.
The value of Ai, j= (-1)i+j-2.(the determinant of the sub-matrix of A, obtained from A by
crossing out the ith row and the jth column.
Or stated simpler: The value of Ai, j = (-1)i+j.(the determinant of the sub-matrix of A,
obtained from A by crossing out the ith row and the jth column.
|I| = 1
We can prove this property by complete induction. It is easy to see that the property holds
for the 2 x 2 identity matrix. Assume that the property holds for the k x k identity matrix,
and we'll prove it holds for the (k+1) x (k+1) identity matrix. Let I be the (k+1) x (k+1)
identity matrix and we calculate this matrix emanating from the first row. |A| = A1, 1 . a1, 1
+ A1, 2 . a1, 2 + A1, 3 . a1, 3 + ... A1, n . a1, n. |A| = A1, 1.1 + A1, 2.0 + A1, 3.0 + ... A1, n.0. |A| = A1, 1
Now, the cofactor A1, 1 is the determinant of the k x k identity matrix, and this
determinant is 1.
Quick Reference
The determinant definition
|a b|
|c d|
= ad - cb
Cofactor of ai, j
Choose a fixed row value i.
The determinant is calculated emanating from the ith row.
|A| = Ai, 1 . ai, 1 + Ai, 2 . ai, 2 + Ai, 3 . ai, 3 + ... Ai, n.ai, n Ai, j is called the cofactor of ai, j.
The cofactor Ai, j is independent of the elements of the ith row and the elements of the jth
column.
The value of Ai, j = (-1)i+j.(the determinant of the sub-matrix of A, obtained from A by
crossing out the ith row and the jth column.
Properties