
Definition
1. If A 5 ½a
11
is a 1 3 1 matrix, then its determinant jAj is equal to the number a
11
itself.
2. If A 5
a
11
a
12
a
21
a
22
is a 2 3 2 matrix, then the determinant is given by
jAj5
a
11
a
12
a
21
a
22
5 a
11
a
22
2 a
12
a
21
3. If A 5
a
11
a
12
a
13
a
21
a
22
a
23
a
31
a
32
a
33
2
4
3
5
is a 3 3 3 matrix, then its determinant is given by
jAj 5 a
11
a
22
a
23
a
32
a
33
2 a
12
a
21
a
23
a
31
a
32
1 a
13
a
21
a
22
a
31
a
32
5 a
11
ða
22
a
33
2 a
23
a
32
Þ2 a
12
ða
21
a
33
2 a
23
a
31
Þ1 a
13
ða
21
a
32
2 a
22
a
31
Þ
Note that the determinant is expanded along the first row. Similarly, the determi-
nant can be expanded along any other row or column carrying (1)or(2) sign
according to the place occupied by the eleme ...