BSD1123 LINEAR ALGEBRA

CHAPTER 5
Determinants

Dr Sahimel Azwal Bin Sulaiman

Centre for Mathematical Sciences
 Outcomes
Expected Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, student should be able to:

1. calculate the determinant of matrices by using cross

multiplication and cofactor expansion.
2. find the minors and cofactors for any matrix of size n x n.
3. discuss the properties of determinant.
4. solve linear equation system using inverse matrix and
Cramer Rule’s.
5. calculate the area and volume by using the determinant.

Reference
1. Strang, G. (2016) Introduction to Linear Algebra, Fifth
Edition. Wellesley-Cambridge Press (Latest Edition).
C 5.1
Determinant
Evaluation
O Methods

N
T 5.2 The
Properties of
E Determinants

N
5.3 Applications of
T Determinants

3
 Introduction

• For a square matrix, a matrix with the same number

of rows and columns, one can capture important
information about the matrix in a just single number,
called the determinant.
• The determinant of a square matrix A is denoted by
"det A" or | A |
• The determinant only exists for square matrices (2×2,
3×3, ... n×n).
• The determinant of a 1×1 matrix is that single value
in the determinant.
• The determinant of a matrix is any real number. Thus, it
includes both positive and negative numbers along with
fractions. Suppose a matrix P has a determinant of a positive
number, then the determinant of P will be negative after
swapping any rows or columns.
• The determinant is useful for solving linear
equations using inverse matrix, capturing how
linear transformation change area or volume,
and changing variables in integrals.

• There are two methods will discuss in this

chapter to calculate the determinants:
i. cross multiplication.
ii. cofactor expansion.
 5.1 Determinant Evaluation Methods

At the end of this section, student should be able

to:
• Find the determinant by using cross
multiplication.
• List down all minors and cofactor for matrix.
• Find the determinant by using cofactor
expansion.
Cross multiplication
Example

9
10
Example

11
12
Exercise

Using cross multiplication

13
Cofactors Expansion
Example

15
Solution

The minor and cofactor for Matrix A

Minor Cofactor
C11 = ( −1) (7) = 7
1+1
M 11 = 7
C12 = ( −1) (1) = −1
1+ 2
M 12 = 1
C21 = ( −1) ( 2 ) = −2
2 +1
M 21 = 2
C22 = ( −1) ( 4 ) = 4
2+ 2
M 22 = 4

 7 −1
Cof ( A) =  
 −2 4 

16
 Solution

The minor and cofactor for Matrix B

Minor
3 2  3 2  3 3
M 11 = det   = 1 M 12 = det   = −1 M 13 = det   = −3
1 1  2 1  2 1
 2 1 3 2 1 2
M 21 = det   = 1 M 22 = det   = −1 M 23 = det   = −3
1 1 2 1 2 1
2 1 1 1  1 2 
M 31 = det   = 1 M 32 = det   = −1 M 33 = det   = −3
3 2 3 2  3 3 

1 −1 −3 ( + ) 1 ( − ) − 1 ( + ) − 3  1 1 −3

M = 1 −1 −3  Cof ( B ) = M = ( − )1 ( + ) − 1 ( − ) − 3 = −1 −1 3 
1 −1 −3 ( + )1 ( − ) − 1 ( + ) − 3  1 1 −3
17
Solution

The determinant for Matrix A

4 2  7 −1
A=  Cof ( A ) =  
 1 7   −2 4 

First Row
det ( A ) = ( 4  7 ) + ( 2  −1) = 26 Q: Which row should I choose when
calculating the determinant?

Second Row A: You may choose any row or column to compute the
determinant. However, it is best to select the row or
det ( A ) = (1 −2 ) + ( 7  4 ) = 26 column with the most zeros, because it reduces the
number of calculations and makes the process faster and
easier.

18
Solution

The determinant for Matrix B

1 2 1   1 1 −3
B =  3 3 2  Cof ( B ) =  −1 −1 3 
 2 1 1   1 1 −3

First row: det ( B ) = (11) + ( 2 1) + (1 −3) = 0

Second row: det ( B ) = ( 3  −1) + ( 3  −1) + ( 2  3) = 0

Third row: det ( B ) = ( 2 1) + (11) + (1 −3) = 0

19
Exercise

20
Did you know? You
can actually compute
a determinant using a
calculator!

Click on the picture to

learn how.

21
 5.2 The Properties of Determinants

At the end of this section, student should be able

to:
• Discuss some fundamental properties of matrices
by focusing on determinants.
23
Example

1 5 1 
A =  4 7 2 
 2 7 1 

24
Solution

det ( A ) = 7

a) det ( 4 A ) = ( 43  7 ) = 448
1 1
b) det ( A−1 ) = =
det ( A ) 7
3
5 125
c) det ( 5 A−1 ) = =
det ( A ) 7
−1 1 1
d) det ( 5 A )  = 3 =
5  det ( A ) 875
1 8
e) det ( 2 A−2T ) = 23  =
det ( A ) 
2T
49

25
 Exercise

Let B be matix with order 2  2. Find determinant for B where

 2 1
B= 
 4 5 

a) det ( 5 B )
b) det ( 3BT )
c) det ( 4 B −1 )
d) det ( B −4T )

26
 Exercise

Let C be matix with order 3  3. Find determinant for C where

2 1 2
C = 1 1 1 
 2 3 1 

a) det ( 2C )
b) det ( 6C T )
c) det ( 7C −1 )
d) det ( C −4T )

27
 5.3 Applications of Determinants

At the end of this section, student should be able

to:
• Solve the system linear equation by using
Cramer’s Rule and Inverse Matrix.
• Find the inverse matrix by using cofactor
expansion.
• Calculate the area and volume by using
determinants.
 Inverse Matrix

Definition : Inverse of Matrices n × n

Definition : Inverse of Matrices 2 × 2
a11 a12 a13
a b If A = a21 a22 a23 and |A| ≠ 0 ,
If A = , the inverse of A,
c d a31 a32 a33
then A has an inverse of A -1 given by
1 d −b 1 d −b
A -1 = =
|A| −c a ad − bc −c a 1 1 T
A -1 = adj A = C
A is invertible if and only if |A| = ad − bc ≠ 0 |A| |A|
where C is the cofactor matrix.
 Example

Given that A and B to matrices with order 2  2 given as follow:

3 5  3 4
A=  B= 
1 2  4 5

Find A−1 and B −1.

1  2 −5  2 −5
A−1 = =
 
( 3  2 ) − ( 5 1)  −1 3   −1 3 

−1 1  3 4  1  5 −4   −5 4 
B = =  =
  
( 3  5) − ( 4  4 )  4 5  −1  −4 3   4 −3

30
Finding the Inverse of a Matrix Using
Minor, Cofactor and Adjugate

Step 1
Find the Determinant of the Matrix.
If |A| = 0, no inverse.

Step 2
Find All Minors and Cofactor of the Matrix

Step 3
adj ( A ) = Cof ( A ) 
T
Form the Adjugate (Adjoint) Matrix.
Transpose the cofactor matrix

Step 4 1
−1
A = adj ( A )
Compute the Inverse det ( A )
 Example

Find the inverse of the matrix A using minor, cofactor and adjugate

3 0 2 
A =  2 0 −2 
 0 1 1 

Solution
Step 1: Find determinant by using cross multiplication
  0 −2     2 −2     2 0 
det ( A ) = 3  det  +
  0  det  +
  2  det    = 10
  1 1    0 1    0 1 

Q: Can I use the cofactor method to

find the determinant?

A: Yes, this method will be the final step before obtaining

the inverse. However, the risk is that you may not know
whether the matrix actually has an inverse until after you
complete the calculation.

32
 Example

Step 2: Find the minor and all cofactor of matrix

33
Step 4: Compute the inverse

34
 Exercise

Given the matrices

 1 2 −2   2 3 4  1 1 −1
     
A =  3 1 −1  , and B =  2 1 1  , and C =  1 2 −1
 2 −1 0   −1 1 2   −1 −1 2 
     
find its determinant and inverse for matrices A, B and C.

35
 Step 3
Solving Linear
Step 2 Solve the
Systems Using Step 1
Find Inverse linear
Determinants Change into
Matrix using equation
and Inverse matrix form
determinant using inverse
Matrices
matrix
x = A−1b

To apply this method, matrix must

a) Square Matrix
b) A  0

36
 Example

Solve the system

2x − 5y = 15 2 −5 x 15
→ 3 1 y =
31
3x + y = 31

Solution:

Inverse for A is given by

1 1 5 1 1 5
A -1 = =
2 − (−15) −3 2 17 −3 2
Applying theorem

1 1 5 15 10
X = A -1b = =
17 −3 2 31 1

Therefore x = 10 , y = 1

37
 Example

Solve the system of linear equations by using inverse matrix method.

x+ y+ z= 6
2y + 5z = − 4
2x + 5y − z = 27

Solution:
System of linear equation can be written in matrix form
1 1 1 x 6
0 2 5 y = −4
2 5 −1 z 27
Determinant for A is given by
|A| = a11C11 + a12C12 + a13C13

2 5 0 5 0 2
=1 −1 +
5 −1 2 −1 2 5
= − 21
38
System of linear equation can be written in matrix form

2 5 0 5 0 2
−
5 −1 2 −1 2 5
−27 10 −4
1 1 1 1 1 1
Adj A= − − = 6 −3 −3 T
5 −1 2 −1 2 5
3 −5 2
1 1 1 1 1 1
−
2 5 0 5 0 2

−27 6 3
1 1
A -1 = adj A = 10 −3 −5
|A| − 21
−4 −3 2

−27 6 3 6 5
1
X = A -1b = 10 −3 −5 − 4 = 3
− 21
− 4 −3 2 27 −2

39
 Exercise

Solve each of the following system of equality by Inverse Method

A B

3x − 2 y = 6 2 x1 + x2 = 4
−5 x + 4 y = 8 4 x1 + 3x2 = −3
C D

x + 2 y − 2z = 1 x1 + x2 =1
3x + y − z = 2 x1 + 2 x2 + 2 x3 = 5
2y − y =3 −2 x1 − 2 x2 − x3 = 3
40
 Example

ABC Scholarship Academy receives a gift of RM7000. The money is then

invested in stocks, bonds and Certificate of Deposits (CDs). Since CDs
investment is insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
academy invests in CDs RM1400 more than the investment in stocks and
bonds. The interest for all type of investments is tabulated in Table 1.

Type of Investment Stocks Bonds CDs

Interest 7% 5% 3%
Table 1: The interest for all type of investment

At the end of the year, the investments give academy an annual income of
RM286. This situation can be represented as
x + y + z = 7000
z = 1400 +(x + y)
0.07x + 0.05y +0.03z = 286
where x, y, z represents the money invested in stocks, bonds and CDs,
respectively.

Answer : x= 1000, y = 1800, z= 4200

41
 Cramer’s Rule

• Cramer’s Rule is a method used to solve a system

of linear equations by using determinants.
• It applies to systems where the matrix is square,
and the coefficient matrix has a non-zero
determinant.
 Solving Linear Systems with
Cramer’s Rule Step 4
Compute determinant for Ai​
for each i = 1.2.3,
• Compute each variable.

Step 1
• Write the coefficient matrix,
A.
• Make sure the coefficient
matrix is square matrix Step 3
• To find first variable,
replace column 1 of matrix
A with constant vector, b.
Call this matrix as A1
Step 2
• To find second variable,
• Compute det (𝐴) replace column 2 of matrix
• If det(A) = 0, Cramer’s Rule A with constant vector. Call
cannot be used. matrix as A2
• If det(A) not equal 0, • Continue similarly for each
continue variable.
44
 Example

Use Cramer’s Rule to solve the following system of equation.

x + y − z = 0
2y + z = 7
x − z = −2

45
Solution

1 1 −1 0
det ( A ) = det 0 2 1  = 1 b =  7 
1 0 −1  −2 

Replace 1st
 0 1 −1
column with b
det ( A1 ) 1
det ( A1 ) = det  7 2 1  = 1 x= = =1
det ( A ) 1
 −2 0 −1

Replace 2nd
1 0 −1
column with b
det ( A2 ) 2
det ( A2 ) = det 0 7 1  = 2 y= = =2
det ( A ) 1
1 −2 −1

Replace 3rd
1 1 0 
column with b
det ( A3 ) 3
det ( A3 ) = det 0 2 7  = 3 z= = =3
det ( A ) 1
1 0 −2 
46
 Exercise

Solve each of the following system of equality by Cramer’s Rule

A B

3x − 2 y = 6 2 x1 + x2 = 4
−5 x + 4 y = 8 4 x1 + 3x2 = −3
C D

x + 2 y − 2z = 1 x1 + x2 =1
3x + y − z = 2 x1 + 2 x2 + 2 x3 = 5
2y − y =3 −2 x1 − 2 x2 − x3 = 3
47
 Exercise

Rafael Nadal an exchange student from Brazil made phone calls within
Canada, to the United States and to Brazil. The rates per minute for these
calls vary for the different countries. Use the information in the following
table to determine the rates.

Month Time within Time to US Time to Brazil Charges

Canada (min) (min) (min) ($)
September 90 120 180 $252.00
October 70 100 120 $184.00
November 50 110 150 $206.00

Let p represent the rate for calls within Canada

Let q represent the rate for calls to United States (US)
Let r represent the rate for calls to Brazil

Solve the problem using Cramer’s Rule

Answer : p = $0.40/min, q = $0.60/min, r= $0.80/min

48
 Area and Volume

• From the properties of the geometric definition of the

cross product and the scalar triple product, we can
discover a link between 2×2 determinants and area,
and a link between 3×3 determinants and volume.

• The determinant of a matrix has a strong geometric

interpretation. It tells us how a linear transformation
changes size—specifically area in 2D and volume in
3D.

• All value for area and volume should be positive.

Area for Parallelogram

50
51
Example

52
Example

53
 Area for Triangle

• The area of triangle in determinant form is calculated in coordinate

geometry when the coordinates of the vertices of the triangle are given.

• Generally, we determine the area of a triangle using the formula half the
product of the base and altitude of the triangle. But if the height of the
triangle is not known and its vertices are given, then we can find the area
of the triangle using the determinant formula.

54
 Example

Compute the area of triangle PQR by the determinant method

whose vertices are P ( −3, −5 ) , Q ( −8,5 ) and R (1, 2 ) .

 −3 −5 1
1  
Area = det  −8 5 1
2  1 2 1
 
1
= −9 − 56 − 10
2
−75 75
= = = 37.5 square unit ( eg : m 2 )
2 2
Volume of Parallelepiped

56
Volume of Parallelepiped

57
 Example

Calculate the volume of parallelipiped by the column vector

1 4 3

u =  2  v =  −2  w =  1 
 −5  7  16 

 1 4 3
 
volume = det  2 −2 1 
 −5 7 16 
 
= 1( −32 − 7 ) − 4 ( 32 + 5 ) + 3 (14 − 10 )
= −175 = 175 cubic unit ( eg : m3 )
 Exercise

Find the area of parallelogram for


a) u = ( 2,1) and v = ( 3, 4 )

b) u = (1,5 ) and v = ( −2,3)

c) u = ( 4, −1) and v = ( 0, 6 )

Find the triangle area for point

d) A ( 0, 0 ) , B ( 4, 0 ) , C ( 0,3)
e) A (1, 2 ) , B ( 4, 6 ) , C ( 5,3)
f) A ( 2,1) , B ( 3,5 ) , C ( 6, 2 ) Answer
a) 5 square unit
b) 13 square unit
Find the volume of a Parallelepiped c) 24 square unit
  
g) a = (1, 0, 2 ) , b = ( 0,3,1) and c = ( 2,1, 0 )
d) 6 square unit
e) 6.5 square unit
  
h) a = ( 2,1, 0 ) , b = (1, −1,3) and c = ( 4, 0, 2 )
f) 7.5 square unit
g) 13 cubic unit
  
i) a = (1, 2,3) , b = ( 0,1, 4 ) and c = ( 2, 0,1)
h) 6 cubic unit
i) 11 cubit unit
59
Thank you.
I hope you have enjoyed this
lesson.