MATH301

Linear Algebra
Fall 2022

Lecture #7

• Determinants

Larson, R. and Falvo, D. (2008) Elementary Linear Algebra. 6th Edition. Brooks Cole.
 Determinants

Every SQUARE matrix is associated with a real number called its determinant.
 Determinants

The determinant of a matrix can be zero, positive or negative.

Minors and Cofactors of a Matrix
Minors and Cofactors of a matrix
Minors and Cofactors of a matrix
Minors and Cofactors of a matrix
Minors and Cofactors of a matrix
 Determinant of matrix of order higher than 2

any row or column

Example
 Determinant of matrix of order higher than 2

The determinant of a matrix can be evaluated by expanding any row or column.

Example
Determinant of matrix of order 3
 Determinant of matrix of order 4

Example
Determinant of triangular matrices

det(𝐴) = 2(−1)(3) = −6
Evaluating a Determinant Using Elementary Row Operations

Which is easier to evaluate ? det(𝑨) Or det (𝑩)

Evaluating a Determinant Using Elementary Row Operations
Evaluating a Determinant Using Elementary Row Operations
 Evaluating a Determinant Using Elementary Row Operations

Example
Zero Determinant
Properties of Determinants
Properties of Determinants
Evaluating a Determinant Using Elementary Row Operations

2 1 1 3 8 −8 13 0
1 −1 5 0 1 −1 5 0
𝐴 = =
3 2 6 0 3 2 6 0
−2 3 −4 1 −2 3 −4 1

8 −8 13
= 1 1 −1 5
3 2 6

0 0 −27
= 1 1 −1 5
0 5 −9

0 −27
= 1 (−1) = −1 ( 0 −9 − 27 5 ) = −135
5 −9
Determinants and the Inverse of a Matrix
Determinants and the Inverse of a Matrix
The Inverse of a Matrix and a Square system of Linear Equations
 Square Systems and the Determinants

Square Coefficient matrix (𝑨): the number of equations equals to the

number of the unknowns

Calculate det(𝑨)

Non-homogeneous case Homogeneous case

det(𝑨) = 0 det(𝑨) ≠ 0 det(𝑨) = 0 det(𝑨) ≠ 0

• No Solution • One Solution •Infinite number of • One Solution

• Infinite number solutions (trivial solution)
of solutions
Square Systems and the Determinants
Square Systems and the Determinants
Solving a System of Linear Equations: Exercises
 Solving a System of Linear Equations: Exercises

Find the value(s) of 𝑘 such that the following system of linear equation has
(a) One solution (b) No solution (c) Infinite number of solutions
 Solving a System of Linear Equations: Exercises

Find the value(s) of 𝑘 such that the following system of linear equation has
(a) One solution (b) No solution (c) Infinite number of solutions
 Matrix Inverse using Determinants

adj 𝐴 = 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 of the matrix of the 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 of A.

adj(𝐴) =
 Matrix Inverse using Determinants

T
adj(𝐴) =