Back to homeMathematics · Secondary Year 5 · Change subject
Start for free
Secondary 5 · Mathematics
Determinants · Determinants

Properties of Determinants

Wilkin has a matrix $A$ of order 3 and knows that $|A| = 2$. His teacher asks him for $|A^t|$, $|2A|$, $|A^3|$, and $|A \cdot B|$, and tells him he can't compute a single entry. Is that possible? Yes: with the properties of determinants, which are used without expanding anything by Sarrus's rule. This is what many matrix tests ask for, and in this section you will learn how to do it.

The transpose and swapping rows

Swapping rows F1 and F2 of a matrix: the determinant changes sign. F₁ F₂ F₃ F₂ F₁ F₃ the determinant changes sign
Practice★☆☆Not started
Knowing that the determinant of a square matrix $A$ of order 3 is $|A| = -4$, use the properties of determinants to calculate the value of the following determinants: a)…

Knowing that the determinant of a square matrix $A$ of order 3 is $|A| = -4$, use the properties of determinants to calculate the value of the following determinants:

  1. a) $|A^t|$, where $A^t$ is the transpose matrix of $A$.
  1. b) The determinant of the matrix resulting from swapping the first two rows of $A$.
  1. c) The determinant of the matrix obtained by multiplying the third column of $A$ by $-5$.
Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
Knowing that $\begin{vmatrix} a & b & c \\ d & e & f \\ g & h & i \end{vmatrix} = 6$, calculate the value of the following determinant without expanding it:…

Knowing that $\begin{vmatrix} a & b & c \\ d & e & f \\ g & h & i \end{vmatrix} = 6$, calculate the value of the following determinant without expanding it:

$$\begin{vmatrix} d & e & f \\ g & h & i \\ 2a & 2b & 2c \end{vmatrix}$$

State step by step which properties you have used (swapping rows and multiplication by a scalar).

Solve

Dependent rows or columns: determinant zero

Three matrices with dependent rows or columns whose determinant is zero. F₂ = 2F₁ 2 1 3 4 2 6 C₃ = 0 1 5 0 2 3 0 F₃ = F₁ + F₂ 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 7 9 in all three cases, the determinant is 0
Practice★☆☆Not started
Without performing any operations or applying Sarrus' rule, justify why the following determinants are zero: a)…

Without performing any operations or applying Sarrus' rule, justify why the following determinants are zero:

  1. a) $\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 1 & 3 \\ 4 & 2 & 6 \\ 1 & -1 & 5 \end{vmatrix}$
  1. b) $\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 5 & 0 \\ 2 & 3 & 0 \\ -4 & 7 & 0 \end{vmatrix}$
  1. c) $\begin{vmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \\ 5 & 7 & 9 \end{vmatrix}$
Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
Prove, using the properties of determinants, that if a linear combination of the other rows is added to a row of a square matrix, the value of the determinant does not…

Prove, using the properties of determinants, that if a linear combination of the other rows is added to a row of a square matrix, the value of the determinant does not change. To do so, check what happens to the determinant:

$|A| = \begin{vmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{vmatrix}$

if we perform the row operation $F_2 = F_2 + k \times F_1$.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Without expanding the determinant or using Sarrus' rule, show that the following determinant is zero for any value of the parameters $a, b, c \in \mathbb{R}$:…

Without expanding the determinant or using Sarrus' rule, show that the following determinant is zero for any value of the parameters $a, b, c \in \mathbb{R}$:

$\begin{vmatrix} 1 & a & b+c \\ 1 & b & a+c \\ 1 & c & a+b \end{vmatrix} = 0$

State at each step which elementary operation or property you are using.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Given the matrix $A = (a_{ij})$ of order 3, whose elements are given by the expression $a_{ij} = i + j$, that is, $$A=\begin{pmatrix} 2 & 3 & 4\\ 3 & 4 & 5\\ 4 & 5 &…

Given the matrix $A = (a_{ij})$ of order 3, whose elements are given by the expression $a_{ij} = i + j$, that is,

$$A=\begin{pmatrix} 2 & 3 & 4\\ 3 & 4 & 5\\ 4 & 5 & 6\end{pmatrix}.$$

Prove, using properties of lines (rows or columns) of determinants and without expanding it by Sarrus' rule, that its determinant is $|A| = 0$.

Solve

Multiplying a row, or the whole matrix, by a scalar

Multiplying one row by k multiplies the determinant by k; multiplying the whole matrix of order n by k multiplies it by k to the power n. |A| whole matrix ×k kⁿ · |A| only one row ×k k · |A|
Practice★☆☆Not started
Let $M$ be a matrix of order $3 \times 3$ such that its determinant is $|M| = 2$. Calculate the value of the determinant of the matrix $3M$. Explain which property you…

Let $M$ be a matrix of order $3 \times 3$ such that its determinant is $|M| = 2$. Calculate the value of the determinant of the matrix $3M$. Explain which property you have used and take care with the order of the matrix.

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
In a strategy video game, the coordinates of resources are stored in a matrix $3 \times 3$ called $C$. If we know that $|C| = 10$, what would be the value of the…

In a strategy video game, the coordinates of resources are stored in a matrix $3 \times 3$ called $C$. If we know that $|C| = 10$, what would be the value of the determinant if we double all the rows of the matrix (that is, we calculate $|2C|$)? Compare this result with the one obtained if we only doubled the first row.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
An encryption system uses a matrix $A$ of order 3 to encode messages. If the determinant of the matrix is $|A| = k$, justify how the determinant changes if the following…

An encryption system uses a matrix $A$ of order 3 to encode messages. If the determinant of the matrix is $|A| = k$, justify how the determinant changes if the following security modifications are made:

  1. The first and third rows are swapped to increase entropy.

  2. The second column is multiplied by $-1$ to change the polarity of the bits.

  3. Three times the second row is added to the first row.

What would be the final value of the determinant in terms of $k$?

Solve

The determinant of a product, an inverse, and an adjugate

A times its inverse is the identity: the product of their determinants is 1, so the determinant of the inverse is the reciprocal. A · A⁻¹ = I |A| 1/|A| |I| = 1
Practice★☆☆Not started
Given two square matrices $A$ and $B$ of the same order, we know that $|A| = 3$ and $|B| = -2$. Calculate, stating the properties applied: a) $|A \times B|$ b) $|B^2|$…

Given two square matrices $A$ and $B$ of the same order, we know that $|A| = 3$ and $|B| = -2$. Calculate, stating the properties applied:

  1. a) $|A \times B|$
  1. b) $|B^2|$
  1. c) $|A \times B^t|$
Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
If $A$ is a matrix of order 3 such that $|A| = \frac{1}{2}$, calculate the determinant of its inverse matrix $A^{-1}$, justifying your answer using the property of the…

If $A$ is a matrix of order 3 such that $|A| = \frac{1}{2}$, calculate the determinant of its inverse matrix $A^{-1}$, justifying your answer using the property of the determinant of the product of matrices.

A · A⁻¹ = I |A| = 1/2 |A⁻¹| = ? |I| = 1 |A| · |A⁻¹| = |I|
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Let $A$ be a square matrix of order 3 such that its determinant is $|A| = -2$. Using exclusively the properties of determinants, calculate the value of the following…

Let $A$ be a square matrix of order 3 such that its determinant is $|A| = -2$. Using exclusively the properties of determinants, calculate the value of the following determinants:

  1. a) $|A^t \times A|$
  1. b) $|3 \times A^{-1}|$
  1. c) $|\text{det}(A) \times A|$
A ∈ M₃(ℝ) 3×3 v₂ v₃ v₁ = −2 PROPERTIES: ? a) |At · A| = ? b) |3 · A−1| = ? c) |det(A) · A| = ?
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Given the matrix $B$ of order 3, it is known that the determinant of its adjugate matrix is $|\text{Adj}(B)| = 64$. Calculate with reasoning the possible values of the…

Given the matrix $B$ of order 3, it is known that the determinant of its adjugate matrix is $|\text{Adj}(B)| = 64$. Calculate with reasoning the possible values of the determinant of the matrix $B$. Subsequently, calculate the determinant of the matrix $2B^t$.

Solve

Combining properties in longer problems

Practice★★☆Not started
In the design of a new video game, the position of an object in 3D space is defined by the determinant of a matrix $M$ representing its volume. It is known that:…

In the design of a new video game, the position of an object in 3D space is defined by the determinant of a matrix $M$ representing its volume. It is known that:

$|M| = \begin{vmatrix} a & b & c \\ d & e & f \\ g & h & i \end{vmatrix} = 12$

Calculate, justifying the property applied, the value of the determinant of the matrix $N$ representing a deformation of the object:

$|N| = \begin{vmatrix} d & e & f \\ 2a-g & 2b-h & 2c-i \\ g & h & i \end{vmatrix}$

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Solve the following equation for $x \in \mathbb{R}$ applying the properties of determinants to simplify the expression before calculating its value:…

Solve the following equation for $x \in \mathbb{R}$ applying the properties of determinants to simplify the expression before calculating its value:

$\begin{vmatrix} x+1 & x & x \\ x & x+1 & x \\ x & x & x+1 \end{vmatrix} = 0$

x+1 x x x x+1 x x x x+1 Column sum C₁ → C₁ + C₂ + C₃ 3x+1 x x 3x+1 x+1 x 3x+1 x x+1 = 0
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
If $A$ and $B$ are two square matrices of order 2 such that $|A| = 3$ and $|B| = -1$, calculate the value of the determinant of the matrix $X$ obtained from the…

If $A$ and $B$ are two square matrices of order 2 such that $|A| = 3$ and $|B| = -1$, calculate the value of the determinant of the matrix $X$ obtained from the following matrix equation:

$X = (A \times B)^t \times (2A)^{-1}$

Apply the properties of transposition, inversion and multiplication to simplify the expression before substituting the numerical values.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Let $A$ be a square matrix of order $n=4$ whose determinant is $|A| = \frac{1}{2}$. Using exclusively the properties of determinants, calculate with reasoning the value…

Let $A$ be a square matrix of order $n=4$ whose determinant is $|A| = \frac{1}{2}$. Using exclusively the properties of determinants, calculate with reasoning the value of the determinant of the matrix $B$, defined as:

$B = (2A)^{-1} \times A^t \times Adj(A)$

Where $A^t$ is the transpose of $A$ and $Adj(A)$ is its adjugate matrix.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Given two matrices $A$ and $B$ of order 3 such that $|A| = 3$ and $|B| = -2$, calculate the value of the determinant of the matrix $X$ satisfying the following matrix…

Given two matrices $A$ and $B$ of order 3 such that $|A| = 3$ and $|B| = -2$, calculate the value of the determinant of the matrix $X$ satisfying the following matrix equation:

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

Justify each property used in the process (determinant of a product, of an inverse, of a transpose, and the relationship between a matrix and its adjugate).

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Prove, without expanding the determinant using Sarrus' rule or along a row/column, that the following determinant is zero for any values of the parameters $x, y, z$ such…

Prove, without expanding the determinant using Sarrus' rule or along a row/column, that the following determinant is zero for any values of the parameters $x, y, z$ such that $x+y+z=0$:

$$\begin{vmatrix} (x+y)^2 & z^2 & z^2 \\ x^2 & (y+z)^2 & x^2 \\ y^2 & y^2 & (x+z)^2 \end{vmatrix}$$

Hint: Try performing elementary operations between columns and rows to obtain common factors or proportional lines.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
A computer vision algorithm for gesture recognition uses a transformation matrix $T$ of order 3. It is known that this matrix is skew-symmetric ($T^t = -T$). a) Show…

A computer vision algorithm for gesture recognition uses a transformation matrix $T$ of order 3. It is known that this matrix is skew-symmetric ($T^t = -T$).

  1. a) Show with reasoning, using the properties of determinants, that the determinant of any skew-symmetric matrix of odd order is always 0.
  1. b) If the matrix is modified to be $M = I + T$ (where $I$ is the identity matrix), what could you state about the invertibility of $M$ given that all the eigenvalues of $T$ are purely imaginary?

(Note for the student: Focus on part a) as the core of the determinant problem).

T T = 0 a b -a 0 c -b -c 0 Tᵗ = -T |T| = 0
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Solve the following equation for $x \in \mathbb{R}$ without fully expanding the polynomial, using the properties of rows/columns to simplify: $$\begin{vmatrix} x & 1 & 2…

Solve the following equation for $x \in \mathbb{R}$ without fully expanding the polynomial, using the properties of rows/columns to simplify:

$$\begin{vmatrix} x & 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 1 & x & 3 & 2 \\ 2 & 3 & x & 1 \\ 3 & 2 & 1 & x \end{vmatrix} = 0$$

Hint: Observe the sum of the elements in each row or column.

Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Let $A$ be a matrix of order 3 whose elements are $a_{ij} = i + j$. Let $B$ be another matrix of order 3 whose elements are $b_{ij} = (-1)^{i+j}$. a) Calculate $|A|$ and…

Let $A$ be a matrix of order 3 whose elements are $a_{ij} = i + j$. Let $B$ be another matrix of order 3 whose elements are $b_{ij} = (-1)^{i+j}$.

  1. a) Calculate $|A|$ and $|B|$ by applying linear combination properties of rows or columns.
  1. b) Calculate the determinant of the matrix $C = 2A^2 \times B^t$.
  1. c) Is it possible to find a matrix $D$ such that $A \times D = I$? Reason your answer based on the value of the determinant of $A$.
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
In the design of audio signal filters, a transfer matrix $M$ is used that depends on an angular frequency $\omega$. The matrix is given by:…

In the design of audio signal filters, a transfer matrix $M$ is used that depends on an angular frequency $\omega$. The matrix is given by:

$M(\omega) = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & \cos(\omega) & \cos(2\omega) \\ \cos(\omega) & \cos(2\omega) & \cos(3\omega) \\ \cos(2\omega) & \cos(3\omega) & \cos(4\omega) \end{pmatrix}$

Calculate the determinant of $M(\omega)$, simplifying the result as much as possible using trigonometric identities and properties of determinants.

ω y π/2 π 3π/2 2π 1 −1 cos(ω) cos(2ω) cos(3ω)
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
Consider the matrix $A$ of order $n \times n$:…

Consider the matrix $A$ of order $n \times n$:

$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1+x & 1 & 1 & \dots & 1 \\ 1 & 1+x & 1 & \dots & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1+x & \dots & 1 \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 1 & 1 & 1 & \dots & 1+x \end{pmatrix}$

Find the general expression for its determinant $|A|$ in terms of $n$ and $x$. Apply the result to find the determinant of a matrix of order 10 where $x=2$.

Solve

Back to the beginning: if $A$ has order $3$ with $|A| = 2$ and $|B| = -3$, Wilkin can now answer: $|A^t| = 2$, $|2A| = 2^3 \cdot 2 = 16$, $|A^3| = 2^3 = 8$, and $|A B| = 2\cdot(-3) = -6$, without computing a single entry.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section