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Determinants · Determinants

The inverse of a matrix using determinants

You already know how to find the inverse of a $2\times2$ matrix using the Gauss-Jordan method. With determinants you reach the same result by another route, and you also get a clear condition for when the inverse exists and what happens to its determinant: this is essential for working with $3\times3$ or larger matrices, or when a parameter appears.

Before you start, make sure you know: Gaussian elimination (1st Bachillerato)

The adjugate matrix

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

Rule for the signs of the cofactors in a 3x3 matrix, following the alternating chessboard 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

Visual diagram of calculating the minor by deleting the row and column of the chosen element in a matrix. A⁻¹ = (1/|A|) · Adj(A)ᵗ exists ⟺ |A| ≠ 0
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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 $A^{-1} = \frac{1}{|A|} \cdot (Adj(A))^t$.

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

Calculating an inverse step by step

Three-step diagram of the procedure for calculating the inverse matrix: determinant, adjugate matrix, and transposing and dividing. 1. |A| calculate 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 identical, but there are 9 cofactors to calculate, each one as a $2\times2$ determinant: it pays to be organised and to note down the signs of the chessboard pattern.

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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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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

Graphical summary of the formulae 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
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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) $|X \cdot X^t|$

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) $|A^t \cdot B|$
  2. b) $|(2A)^{-1}|$
  3. c) $|A \cdot B^{-1} \cdot A^2|$
  4. d) $|B \cdot adj(B)|$ (Recall the relationship between a matrix, its adjugate and its determinant).
Solve

Solving for matrices using the inverse

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

Solve the following matrix equation $X \cdot A + B = C$, 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

Summary

See all the exercises in this section