Determinant of a matrix is a scalar value. It is calculated from square matrix. Its means that only matrix that has dimension 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, etc. Determinant of matrix is used to solve some problem in mathematics.

They are like system of linear equation, calculus problem, and especially invers matrix. If there is matrix A, then determinant matrix A symbolized as “|A|”. Determinant of matrix uses simple arithmetic’s operation.

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Calculating Determinant of Matrix

Generally, there are two basic concept that used to calculate determinant of matrix. Beside that, it is rarely use more than 3×3 matrix to calculate the determinant.

Determinant of 2×2 Matrix

If there is matrix M_2×2 and a, b, c, d are any numbers in the elements then

|M| = ad – bc

For example:

then

|M| = 2.4 – 5.1 = 8 – 5 = 3

Based on the concept and the example, the important things are the position of the elements and the ways (sign of operation).

Determinant of 3×3 Matrix

In spite of determinant of matrix has same basic concept but 3×3 matrix is little harder than 2×2 matrix. It needs carefulness.

There are two methods:

1. Minor – Cofactor method

Take a simplest number in row or column.
Determine the Minor based on the row or column (M_ij).
Determine cofactor (A_ij).
Find the determinant
If there is matrix B_3×3

Then

Let the simplest row is first row, the elements are a_1,1, a_1,2, and a_1,3. The numbers are a b c.

The minors are:

Then the final step is

|B| = a_{_1,1}. A_{_1,1} + a_{_1,2}. A_{_1,2} + a_{_1,3} . A_{_1,3}

In another form,

How to Calculate Determinant of Matrix 3x3

2. Sarrus Method

Rewrite first and second column in the right side of matrix
Make a line from top-left to bottom-right. Multiplying the elements and it has positive sign.
Make a line from top-right to bottom-left. Multiplying the elements and it has negative sign.

If there is matrix B_3×3