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Determinants · Determinants

Inverse of a Matrix Using Determinants

Yeison works at a video game design studio in Santiago, and he is asked to "undo" a transformation that the program applied to the coordinates of a spaceship. To undo it he needs the inverse matrix, but it does not always exist. How can he know in advance whether it exists, and how can he compute it without repeating the whole Gauss-Jordan method? Determinants answer both questions at once.

The Adjugate Matrix

The sign $(-1)^{i+j}$ follows a checkerboard pattern: it alternates, starting with $+$ in position $(1,1)$.

Rule of signs for cofactors in a 3x3 matrix following the alternating checkerboard pattern. + − + − + − + − + sign of Aᵢⱼ according to (i, j)
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In a strategy video game, the transformation coordinates of a unit are managed using the matrix $B$: $B = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ -3 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$ Find the…

In a strategy video game, the transformation coordinates of a unit are managed using the matrix $B$:

$B = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ -3 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$

Find the adjugate matrix, $Adj(B)$, and check whether the matrix $B$ has an inverse matrix by first calculating its determinant.

Solve

The Formula for the Inverse

Before the formula, remember how to compute a 3×3 determinant with the rule of Sarrus: add the products of the main diagonal and its two parallels, and subtract the products of the secondary diagonal and its two parallels.

$$\begin{vmatrix}a&b&c\\d&e&f\\g&h&i\end{vmatrix}=aei+bfg+cdh-ceg-afh-bdi$$ Formula for the inverse using determinants and its condition for existence. A⁻¹ = (1/|A|) · Adj(A)ᵗ exists ⟺ |A| ≠ 0

The reason is simple: multiplying $A$ by $\operatorname{Adj}(A)^t$ gives $|A|\times I$, and to get from there to $I$ you have to divide by $|A|$, which is impossible if it equals zero.

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In a small logistics company, the number of pallets of three types of products in three different warehouses is recorded using the following matrix $A$:…

In a small logistics company, the number of pallets of three types of products in three different warehouses is recorded using the following matrix $A$:

$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 4 \\ 2 & 1 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$

Calculate the determinant of the matrix $A$ using Sarrus' rule to check the consistency of the inventory data.

Solve
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Calculate the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ of the following matrix using the determinant method: $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{pmatrix}$ Remember that the formula…

Calculate the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ of the following matrix using the determinant method:

$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{pmatrix}$

Remember that the formula is $A^{-1} = \frac{1}{|A|} \times (Adj(A))^t$.

Solve
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An engineer is designing an automatic control system. For the system to be stable, the coefficient matrix $M$ must not be singular (its determinant must be non-zero).…

An engineer is designing an automatic control system. For the system to be stable, the coefficient matrix $M$ must not be singular (its determinant must be non-zero). Given the matrix:

$M = \begin{pmatrix} m & 4 \\ 1 & m \end{pmatrix}$

Determine for which values of the real parameter $m$ the matrix $M$ is singular and, therefore, the system would not have an inverse.

Solve

Computing an Inverse Step by Step

Three-step diagram for computing the inverse matrix: determinant, adjugate matrix, and transposition with division. 1. |A| compute the determinant 2. Adj(A) one cofactor per position 3. transpose and divide A⁻¹ = Adj(A)ᵗ / |A| always check: A · A⁻¹ = I

With $3\times3$ matrices the procedure is the same, but there are 9 cofactors, each one a $2\times2$ determinant. Be organized and write down the checkerboard signs.

When the matrix has a parameter, first compute $|A|$ as an expression in the parameter: the values that make it zero are the only ones for which the inverse does not exist.

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Given the matrix $A$ depending on the real parameter $k$: $$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & -1 \\ 0 & k & 3 \\ 4 & 1 & -k \end{pmatrix}$$ a) Determine, giving reasons, the…

Given the matrix $A$ depending on the real parameter $k$:

$$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & -1 \\ 0 & k & 3 \\ 4 & 1 & -k \end{pmatrix}$$
  1. a) Determine, giving reasons, the values of $k$ for which the matrix $A$ does not have an inverse.
  2. b) For the case $k = 0$, calculate the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ using the adjugate method.
A = 1 0 −1 0 k 3 4 1 -k |A| ≠ 0 A⁻¹ exists |A| = 0 A⁻¹ does not exist A⁻¹ = (1 / |A|) · Adj(A)ᵀ
Solve
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In the design of a digital filter for audio signals, a transfer matrix $H$ is used, defined as: $$H(x) = \begin{pmatrix} x & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & x & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & x…

In the design of a digital filter for audio signals, a transfer matrix $H$ is used, defined as:

$$H(x) = \begin{pmatrix} x & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & x & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & x \end{pmatrix}$$
  1. a) Find the values of the real parameter $x$ for which the determinant of the matrix is zero.
  1. b) For $x = 2$, calculate the inverse matrix $H^{-1}$. What is the significance of the determinant being very close to zero in engineering applications?
Solve
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A basic encryption system uses a matrix $K$ to transform messages in vector form. For the message to be decrypted, the matrix $K$ must be invertible. Given the matrix:…

A basic encryption system uses a matrix $K$ to transform messages in vector form. For the message to be decrypted, the matrix $K$ must be invertible. Given the matrix:

$$K = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \\ m & 0 & 3 \end{pmatrix}$$
  1. a) Find the values of $m$ that make the encryption system insecure (the matrix is not invertible).
  2. b) If $m = 1$, calculate the decryption matrix $K^{-1}$.
Message v Encrypted K · v Encrypt (K) Decrypt (K⁻¹) K = 1 2 0 0 1 −1 m 0 3 a) Insecure system: |K| = 0 ⇒ m = ? b) If m = 1: K⁻¹ = ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Solve
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Consider the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} x & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & x & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & x \end{pmatrix}$. a) Find the polynomial $P(x) = |A|$. b) Determine the values of $x$ for…

Consider the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} x & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & x & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & x \end{pmatrix}$.

  1. a) Find the polynomial $P(x) = |A|$.
  2. b) Determine the values of $x$ for which $A$ has no inverse.
  3. c) For the values of $x$ for which $A$ is invertible, find the expression for $A^{-1}$ in terms of $x$.
  4. d) Verify that for $x=0$, $A^{-1} = \frac{1}{2}(A^2 - 3I)$ holds true.
Solve

The Determinant of the Inverse and of the Adjugate

Summary of the formulas for the determinant of the inverse matrix and of the adjugate matrix. |A⁻¹| = 1 / |A| (never 0) |Adj(A)| = |A|ⁿ⁻¹ n = order of A

Also remember the usual properties: $|A^t|=|A|$, $|AB|=|A||B|$, and $|kA|=k^n|A|$ for a matrix of order $n$ (the factor $k$ comes out once for each row). For example, if $A$ has order 3 with $|A|=2$, then $|2A|=2^3\times2=16$.

There are also two properties by rows (they hold the same way for columns):

  • If you multiply a single row by $k$, the determinant is multiplied by $k$. Conversely, a common factor of one row can be taken out of the determinant.

  • If you add another row (or a multiple of it) to a row, the determinant does not change.

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Given the matrix of order 2: $A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & -1 \\ 2 & 5 \end{pmatrix}$ Calculate, giving reasons and applying the properties of determinants: a) The value of…

Given the matrix of order 2:

$A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & -1 \\ 2 & 5 \end{pmatrix}$

Calculate, giving reasons and applying the properties of determinants:

  • a) The value of $|A|$.

  • b) The value of the determinant of its transpose, $|A^t|$.

  • c) The value of $|2A|$.

Solve
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It is known that the determinant of a square matrix $X$ of order 3 is $|X| = -4$. Without calculating the elements of the matrices, find the value of the following…

It is known that the determinant of a square matrix $X$ of order 3 is $|X| = -4$. Without calculating the elements of the matrices, find the value of the following determinants:

  • a) $|X^{-1}|$

  • b) $|X^2|$

  • c) $|X \times X^t|$

Solve
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Let $A$ and $B$ be two square matrices of order 3 such that $|A| = 2$ and $|B| = -3$. Using the properties of determinants, calculate the value of the following…

Let $A$ and $B$ be two square matrices of order 3 such that $|A| = 2$ and $|B| = -3$. Using the properties of determinants, calculate the value of the following determinants:

  1. a) $|A^t \times B|$
  2. b) $|(2A)^{-1}|$
  3. c) $|A \times B^{-1} \times A^2|$
  4. d) $|B \times adj(B)|$ (Recall the relationship between a matrix, its adjugate and its determinant).
Solve
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Given that the determinant of a matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} x & y & z \\ p & q & r \\ a & b & c \end{pmatrix}$ is equal to $5$, use the properties of determinants to…

Given that the determinant of a matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} x & y & z \\ p & q & r \\ a & b & c \end{pmatrix}$ is equal to $5$, use the properties of determinants to calculate, without expanding using Sarrus' rule, the value of the determinant of the following matrix $B$:

$$B = \begin{pmatrix} 2x & 2y & 2z \\ p+x & q+y & r+z \\ 3a & 3b & 3c \end{pmatrix}$$

State in detail which property you apply at each step of the simplification.

Solve
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Let $A$ be a square matrix of order 3 such that its determinant is $|A| = \frac{1}{2}$. Without explicitly calculating the elements of the matrix, use the properties of…

Let $A$ be a square matrix of order 3 such that its determinant is $|A| = \frac{1}{2}$. Without explicitly calculating the elements of the matrix, use the properties of determinants to find, with reasoning, the value of:

  1. a) $|A^{-1} \times (2A)^t|$
  2. b) $|Adj(A)|$, where $Adj(A)$ is the matrix of cofactors of the elements of $A$.
  3. c) The determinant of the matrix $B$ given that $A \times B = Adj(A)$.
Solve

Solving for Matrices with the Inverse

Solving a matrix equation by multiplying by the inverse on the left or on the right depending on the position of the factor. A · X = B X = A⁻¹ · B A⁻¹ on the left X · A = B X = B · A⁻¹ A⁻¹ on the right

When the Unknown Is Between Two Matrices

If the equation is $A\times X\times A=B$, the unknown $X$ sits between two factors. You multiply by $A^{-1}$ on the left and also on the right, each on its own side:

$$A^{-1}\times(A\times X\times A)\times A^{-1}=A^{-1}\times B\times A^{-1}\ \Rightarrow\ X=A^{-1}\times B\times A^{-1}$$

Each inverse goes on the same side where $A$ was relative to $X$. Before anything else, check that $|A|\ne0$.

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Solve the matrix equation $A \times X = B$, where: $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & -1 \\ 2 & 6 \end{pmatrix}$ To do this,…

Solve the matrix equation $A \times X = B$, where:

$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & -1 \\ 2 & 6 \end{pmatrix}$

To do this, first calculate the inverse of $A$ using determinants and rearrange for the matrix $X$.

Solve
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Solve the following matrix equation $X \times A + B = C$, where: $$A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & 2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad B = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ -1 & 2…

Solve the following matrix equation $X \times A + B = C$, where:

$$A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 3 & 2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad B = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ -1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad C = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 4 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$$

First justify why it is possible to find the inverse matrix of $A$ and rearrange for the unknown $X$ before performing the numerical calculations.

Solve
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A square matrix $A$ is known to satisfy the following equality: $A^2 - 5A + 6I = O$, where $I$ is the identity matrix and $O$ is the zero matrix. a) Prove with reasoning…

A square matrix $A$ is known to satisfy the following equality: $A^2 - 5A + 6I = O$, where $I$ is the identity matrix and $O$ is the zero matrix.

  1. a) Prove with reasoning that the matrix $A$ is invertible.
  2. b) Express the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ as a linear combination of the matrices $A$ and $I$.
  3. c) If $A = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & 2 \\ -1 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$, verify that it satisfies the initial equation and find its inverse using the result from section (b).
Solve

Solving Systems with the Inverse

A system of equations is a matrix equation $A\times X=B$: $A$ holds the coefficients, $X$ the unknowns, and $B$ the constant terms. If $|A|\ne0$, the solution is $X=A^{-1}\times B$.

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Consider the matrix $M = \begin{pmatrix} a & 0 & 2 \\ a & a & 1 \\ 0 & a & -1 \end{pmatrix}$. a) Calculate $|M|$ in terms of $a$. b) Determine the rank of the matrix $M$…

Consider the matrix $M = \begin{pmatrix} a & 0 & 2 \\ a & a & 1 \\ 0 & a & -1 \end{pmatrix}$.

  1. a) Calculate $|M|$ in terms of $a$.
  2. b) Determine the rank of the matrix $M$ according to the values of $a$.
  3. c) For $a = 1$, solve the matrix equation $M \times X = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix}$.
Solve
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Given the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & a & a^2 \\ 1 & b & b^2 \\ 1 & c & c^2 \end{pmatrix}$: a) Calculate $|A|$ and factorise the result. b) If $a=1, b=2, c=3$,…

Given the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & a & a^2 \\ 1 & b & b^2 \\ 1 & c & c^2 \end{pmatrix}$:

  1. a) Calculate $|A|$ and factorise the result.
  2. b) If $a=1, b=2, c=3$, calculate the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ using the adjugate method.
  3. c) Solve the system of equations $A \times \begin{pmatrix} x \\ y \\ z \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}$ using the inverse matrix found in the previous part.
Solve

A Geometric Use and Longer Problems

The determinant also computes areas. The area of the triangle with vertices $(x_1,y_1)$, $(x_2,y_2)$, $(x_3,y_3)$ is

$$\text{Area}=\frac12\left|\begin{vmatrix}x_1&y_1&1\\x_2&y_2&1\\x_3&y_3&1\end{vmatrix}\right|$$

Long problems combine everything above: a determinant with a parameter, the values that make it zero, the inverse, and a matrix equation. In problems about properties, use $|AB|=|A||B|$, $|A^t|=|A|$, $|A^{-1}|=1/|A|$, and $|kA|=k^n|A|$ without computing the matrix. If a matrix satisfies an equation like $A^2-5A+6I=O$, you can factor out $A$ to solve for $A^{-1}$.

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One of the most interesting applications of determinants in geometry is calculating areas. The area of a triangle whose vertices are $(x_1, y_1)$, $(x_2, y_2)$ and…

One of the most interesting applications of determinants in geometry is calculating areas. The area of a triangle whose vertices are $(x_1, y_1)$, $(x_2, y_2)$ and $(x_3, y_3)$ is given by the formula:

$Area = \frac{1}{2} \times | \det \begin{pmatrix} x_1 & y_1 & 1 \\ x_2 & y_2 & 1 \\ x_3 & y_3 & 1 \end{pmatrix} |$

Calculate the area of the triangle shown in the following graph whose vertices are $P(1, 1)$, $Q(5, 2)$ and $R(2, 4)$.

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 0 X Y P (1, 1) Q (5, 2) R (2, 4)
Solve
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A square matrix $A$ is said to be orthogonal if it satisfies the condition $A \times A^t = I$, where $A^t$ is the transpose and $I$ is the identity matrix. a) Show that…

A square matrix $A$ is said to be orthogonal if it satisfies the condition $A \times A^t = I$, where $A^t$ is the transpose and $I$ is the identity matrix.

  1. a) Show that if $A$ is orthogonal, then its determinant can only be $1$ or $-1$.
  2. b) Check whether the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} \cos \alpha & -\sin \alpha \\ \sin \alpha & \cos \alpha \end{pmatrix}$ is orthogonal and find its inverse $A^{-1}$ in terms of $\alpha$.
Solve
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A robotics company is designing the control system for a mechanical arm. The relationship between the sensors and actuators is given by the matrix equation…

A robotics company is designing the control system for a mechanical arm. The relationship between the sensors and actuators is given by the matrix equation $A \times X \times A = B$, where $A$ is a matrix that depends on the sensitivity $k$ of the sensor:

$$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & k \\ 0 & k & 1 \\ k & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}, \quad B = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 4 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$$
  1. a) Find the values of $k \in \mathbb{R}$ for which the matrix $A$ is non-singular (invertible).
  2. b) For $k = 2$, rearrange the equation for the matrix $X$ and calculate it using the adjugate matrix method to find the required inverses.
Solve
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In the development of a new spaceship video game, the coordinates of objects in 3D space are transformed using a rotation and scaling matrix $M$. For the graphics engine…

In the development of a new spaceship video game, the coordinates of objects in 3D space are transformed using a rotation and scaling matrix $M$. For the graphics engine to be able to "undo" the transformation, the matrix must have an inverse.

$$M = \begin{pmatrix} \cos \alpha & -\sin \alpha & 0 \\ \sin \alpha & \cos \alpha & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & e^a \end{pmatrix}$$
  1. a) Show that the determinant of $M$ is $|M| = e^a$ for any value of the angle $\alpha$.
  2. b) Calculate the inverse matrix $M^{-1}$ in terms of $\alpha$ and $a$ using determinants.
  3. c) If an object ends up at the position $(1, 1, 1)$ after applying $M$ with $\alpha = \frac{\pi}{2}$ and $a = 0$, what were its original coordinates?
X Y Z v M·v α ×eᵃ
Solve

Back to the beginning: Yeison can undo the transformation only if the determinant of his matrix is nonzero; then he computes the inverse with the cofactor formula.

Extension: 4×4 Determinants, Vandermonde, and Rank with Parameters

4×4 determinants. There is no rule of Sarrus. You use the properties to create zeros and then expand along a row or column. Adding a multiple of one row to another does not change the determinant.

Vandermonde determinant. If the columns are the powers $1,\ t,\ t^2$ (and $t^3$ for order 4) of several numbers, and two of those numbers coincide, there are two equal columns and the determinant equals $0$. In fact, the $3\times3$ one factors like this:

$$\begin{vmatrix}1&a&a^2\\1&b&b^2\\1&c&c^2\end{vmatrix}=(b-a)(c-a)(c-b)$$

For the $4\times4$ one with a parameter $a$ in a column of powers, the determinant is zero when $a$ equals any of the other numbers in the base row.

Rank with parameters. The rank is the order of the largest nonzero minor. You compute the minors of the highest order and see when they vanish; if all equal $0$, you move on to those of lower order.

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Determine the values of the real parameter $a$ for which the following determinant of order 4 is equal to zero. To solve it, use only the properties of determinants to…

Determine the values of the real parameter $a$ for which the following determinant of order 4 is equal to zero. To solve it, use only the properties of determinants to simplify the expression before expanding along a row or column:

$$ |A| = \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\ a & 2 & -1 & 3 \\ a^2 & 4 & 1 & 9 \\ a^3 & 8 & -1 & 27 \end{vmatrix} $$

(Hint: Notice that this structure is similar to a Vandermonde determinant).

Solve
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An encryption system uses a matrix $C$ to transform blocks of messages. For the message to be recoverable, the rank of the matrix must be maximum. Determine the rank of…

An encryption system uses a matrix $C$ to transform blocks of messages. For the message to be recoverable, the rank of the matrix must be maximum. Determine the rank of the following matrix in terms of the real parameters $m$ and $n$:

$$C = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & m & 0 & 1 \\ n & 1 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 1 & 0 & m \end{pmatrix}$$

Determine for which values of $m$ and $n$ the rank of $C$ is equal to 2.

Solve

Summary

See all the exercises in this section