Matrix Algebra Using Determinants
A messaging app sends your messages "scrambled" using a key matrix $A$. For the recipient to be able to read them, the matrix has to be reversible. How can you tell, without doing the whole computation, whether a matrix has an inverse? By its determinant. On this page you will chain several properties of the determinant in a single problem, almost always without calculating the entries of the matrix.
Review: Sarrus, cofactors, and the inverse
Before chaining properties, make sure you have three basic tools down.
Something you already know from the linear systems in PM III: the $2\times2$ determinant, $\begin{vmatrix}a&b\\c&d\end{vmatrix}=ad-bc$, is the same one that appears in the determinant method (Cramer's rule). There, if the determinant of the coefficients is nonzero, the system has a unique solution; here, if it is nonzero, the matrix has an inverse. It is the same idea under another name.
The signs $(-1)^{i+j}$ form a checkerboard: $+$ in the upper left corner, alternating from there.
In an archaeological excavation, the coordinates of three key points forming a search sector have been recorded. To calculate the area of this sector, we first need to…
In an archaeological excavation, the coordinates of three key points forming a search sector have been recorded. To calculate the area of this sector, we first need to obtain the value of the determinant of the following position matrix $A$:
$A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 3 \\ -1 & 0 & 4 \\ 1 & -2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$
Calculate the value of $|A|$ using Sarrus's rule.
Calculate the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ of the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 5 & 4 \end{pmatrix}$ using the adjugate matrix method:…
Calculate the inverse matrix $A^{-1}$ of the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 2 \\ 5 & 4 \end{pmatrix}$ using the adjugate matrix method:
$A^{-1} = \frac{1}{|A|} \times (\text{Adj}(A))^t$
Follow these steps:
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Find the determinant $|A|$.
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Calculate the matrix of cofactors $\text{Adj}(A)$.
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Take the transpose and divide by the determinant.
Calculate the value of the determinant of the following matrix $4 \times 4$ expanding by the elements of the second row (the one with the most zeros):…
Calculate the value of the determinant of the following matrix $4 \times 4$ expanding by the elements of the second row (the one with the most zeros):
$|D| = \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 3 & 0 & 5 \\ 0 & 2 & 0 & 0 \\ -1 & 1 & 4 & 2 \\ 2 & 0 & 1 & 3 \end{vmatrix}$
Combining several properties at once
The reason for $|kA|=k^n|A|$: the scalar $k$ multiplies each one of the $n$ rows, and each row contributes a factor of $k$.
Without expanding the matrix completely, apply the properties of determinants to justify why the following determinant is equal to $0$:…
Without expanding the matrix completely, apply the properties of determinants to justify why the following determinant is equal to $0$:
$|A| = \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 5 & 10 & 15 \\ 0 & 1 & -4 \end{vmatrix}$
(Hint: Observe the relationship between the first and second rows).
Let $A$ be a square matrix of order $3$ whose determinant is $|A| = -2$. Use the properties of determinants to calculate the following values: a) $|A^t|$ (determinant of…
Let $A$ be a square matrix of order $3$ whose determinant is $|A| = -2$. Use the properties of determinants to calculate the following values:
- a) $|A^t|$ (determinant of the transpose).
- b) $|A^{-1}|$ (determinant of the inverse).
- c) $|3A|$ (determinant of the matrix multiplied by the scalar $3$).
Given that the determinant of a square matrix $A$ of order 3 is $|A| = -2$, use the properties of determinants to calculate, with reasoning, the value of the following…
Given that the determinant of a square matrix $A$ of order 3 is $|A| = -2$, use the properties of determinants to calculate, with reasoning, the value of the following determinants:
- a) $|A^t \times A|$
- b) $|3A^{-1}|$
- c) The determinant of the matrix resulting from multiplying the first row of $A$ by $5$, swapping the second and third rows, and transposing the matrix.
When is there no inverse? Matrices with a parameter
To find the values of a parameter $k$ for which there is no inverse, you compute $\det A$ as an expression in $k$, factor it, and look for its roots.
In order 3 with lots of symmetry, it helps to add all the rows into a single one.
A courier company uses a matrix-based encryption system. For a message to be "decryptable", the matrix used $M$ must be invertible. Given the matrix…
A courier company uses a matrix-based encryption system. For a message to be "decryptable", the matrix used $M$ must be invertible.
Given the matrix $M = \begin{pmatrix} k & 4 \\ 1 & k \end{pmatrix}$, determine for which values of the real parameter $k$ the matrix has no inverse (that is, it is a singular matrix).
In an air traffic control system, the position of three drones at a given moment is defined by the columns of a matrix $P$. In the simplified model used, the…
In an air traffic control system, the position of three drones at a given moment is defined by the columns of a matrix $P$. In the simplified model used, the configuration is considered safe only if the determinant of $P$ is non-zero. Given the matrix:
$$P(k) = \begin{pmatrix} k & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & k & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & k \end{pmatrix}$$- a) Calculate the values of $k$ for which the drones would be in a "critical" configuration (zero determinant).
- b) For $k = 0$, check whether the matrix is invertible and, if so, find its inverse $P^{-1}$ using the adjugate matrix method.
- c) Show that for any value of $k \neq 1$ and $k \neq -2$, $P(k)$ is non-singular.
The identity $A\cdot\operatorname{Adj}(A)=|A|\cdot I$
This form is the one to use when the adjugate appears inside a matrix equation: you substitute it with $|A|\cdot A^{-1}$ and you get an equation you already know how to solve. Remember the note on notation: in the statements, the matrix $\operatorname{Adj}(A)$ in the exercises is the cofactor matrix, and its transpose $\operatorname{Adj}(A)^t$ is the adjugate of this page.
Given the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \\ 3 & 0 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$, calculate: a) The determinant of $A$ using Sarrus's rule. b) The matrix of…
Given the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 \\ 3 & 0 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$, calculate:
- a) The determinant of $A$ using Sarrus's rule.
- b) The matrix of cofactors $\text{Adj}(A)$.
- c) Check that the property $A \times \text{Adj}(A)^t = |A| \times I$ holds, where $I$ is the identity matrix of order 3.
Given the matrix $M = \begin{pmatrix} k & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & k & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & k \end{pmatrix}$: a) Determine the values of the real parameter $k$ for which the matrix $M$ is…
Given the matrix $M = \begin{pmatrix} k & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & k & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & k \end{pmatrix}$:
- a) Determine the values of the real parameter $k$ for which the matrix $M$ is singular (has no inverse).
- b) For the value $k = 0$, calculate the inverse matrix $M^{-1}$ using the adjugate matrix method.
Consider the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & -1 \\ 0 & m & 3 \\ 4 & 1 & -m \end{pmatrix}$. a) Determine the values of the parameter $m$ for which the matrix $A$ has…
Consider the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & -1 \\ 0 & m & 3 \\ 4 & 1 & -m \end{pmatrix}$.
- a) Determine the values of the parameter $m$ for which the matrix $A$ has an inverse.
- b) For $m = 2$, solve the matrix equation $X \times A - 2 \times Adj(A) = |A| \times I$, where $Adj(A)$ is the adjugate matrix of $A$ and $I$ is the identity matrix.
Hint: Use the fundamental relationship between a matrix and its adjugate: $A \times (Adj(A))^t = |A| \times I$.
Matrix equations with products
With matrices you don't "divide": you multiply by the inverse, and order matters because the product is not commutative.
Solve the following matrix equation to find the unknown matrix $X$: $A \times X = B$ Where: $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$ and…
Solve the following matrix equation to find the unknown matrix $X$:
$A \times X = B$
Where:
$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$ and $B = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 \end{pmatrix}$
(Remember: $X = A^{-1} \times B$. You must calculate $A^{-1}$ first).
Solve the following matrix equation $A \times X \times B = C$, where the matrices $A$, $B$ and $C$ are: $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$,…
Solve the following matrix equation $A \times X \times B = C$, where the matrices $A$, $B$ and $C$ are:
$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 2 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$, $B = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$ and $C = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 0 \\ -1 & 4 \end{pmatrix}$
Justify beforehand that the matrices $A$ and $B$ are invertible by calculating their determinants.
A logistics company uses an encryption algorithm based on matrix algebra to protect its routes. The security key is a matrix $X$ that satisfies the following equation:…
A logistics company uses an encryption algorithm based on matrix algebra to protect its routes. The security key is a matrix $X$ that satisfies the following equation:
$$A \times X \times A^t = B - 2I$$where $I$ is the identity matrix of order 2 and the matrices $A$ and $B$ are:
$$A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}, \quad B = \begin{pmatrix} 10 & 12 \\ 4 & 14 \end{pmatrix}$$- a) Justify, using determinants, that the matrix $A$ is invertible.
- b) Rearrange the above equation for the matrix $X$.
- c) Explicitly calculate the matrix $X$.
Systems with two unknown matrices
Solve the system of matrix equations to find the matrices $X$ and $Y$:…
Solve the system of matrix equations to find the matrices $X$ and $Y$:
$\begin{cases} 2X + Y = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ -1 & 1 \end{pmatrix} \\ X - Y = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 3 \\ 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix} \end{cases}$
Once found, calculate the determinant of the product matrix $X \times Y$.
Solve the following system of matrix equations for the unknown matrices $X$ and $Y$: $$\begin{cases} 2X + Y = A \\ X - Y = B \end{cases}$$ where the coefficient matrices…
Solve the following system of matrix equations for the unknown matrices $X$ and $Y$:
$$\begin{cases} 2X + Y = A \\ X - Y = B \end{cases}$$where the coefficient matrices are:
$$A = \begin{pmatrix} 5 & 1 \\ 11 & 4 \end{pmatrix}, \quad B = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & -1 \\ 1 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$$Once $X$ and $Y$ have been found:
- a) Calculate $|X \times Y|$ and $|X + Y|$.
- b) Determine whether the product matrix $X \times Y$ is invertible using its determinant.
Matrices satisfying an equation
It is known that a square matrix $B$ satisfies the equation $B^2 - 3B + 2I = O$, where $I$ is the identity matrix and $O$ is the zero matrix. a) Show that $B$ is a…
It is known that a square matrix $B$ satisfies the equation $B^2 - 3B + 2I = O$, where $I$ is the identity matrix and $O$ is the zero matrix.
- a) Show that $B$ is a non-singular matrix (has an inverse) and express $B^{-1}$ in terms of $B$ and $I$.
- b) If $B$ is of order 2 and its determinant is $|B| = 2$, what is the determinant of the adjugate matrix of $B$, $|\text{Adj}(B)|$?
Let $A$ and $B$ be two square matrices of order 3 such that $|A| = 2$ and $|B| = -1$. Calculate, justifying each step using the properties of determinants, the value of…
Let $A$ and $B$ be two square matrices of order 3 such that $|A| = 2$ and $|B| = -1$. Calculate, justifying each step using the properties of determinants, the value of the following determinants:
- a) $|(A^t \times B)^{-1}|$
- b) $|3 \times A^2 \times Adj(B)|$
- c) Given that a matrix $C$ satisfies $C^2 = C$ (idempotent matrix), show that its determinant can only be 0 or 1.
Vandermonde and highly symmetric matrices
It equals $0$ exactly when two of the parameters coincide: then two rows would be equal.
Another family: the matrix with $x$ on the diagonal and $a$ in all the other positions, $D_n$. All the rows add up to $x+(n-1)a$. Replace $R_1$ with the sum of all the rows, factor out that common factor, and subtract the first row from the others; the result is
$$|D_n|=\big(x+(n-1)a\big)(x-a)^{n-1}$$It is the same idea you used with $P(k)$ (there $n=3$, $x=k$, $a=1$).
An electronic components company manufactures three types of circuits: $C_1$, $C_2$ and $C_3$. The production cost of each circuit is determined by the determinant of…
An electronic components company manufactures three types of circuits: $C_1$, $C_2$ and $C_3$. The production cost of each circuit is determined by the determinant of the material matrix $M$:
$M = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 \\ x & y & z \\ x^2 & y^2 & z^2 \end{pmatrix}$
- a) Knowing that $x$, $y$ and $z$ represent the quantities of silicon, copper and tin respectively, show that the determinant of this matrix (Vandermonde) is $(y-x)(z-x)(z-y)$.
- b) If for a specific circuit the quantities are $x=1$, $y=2$ and $z=4$, is the matrix $M$ invertible? Justify your answer using the result from the previous section.
Given the square matrix of order $n$: $$Dn = \begin{pmatrix} x & a & a & \dots & a \\ a & x & a & \dots & a \\ a & a & x & \dots & a \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots &…
Given the square matrix of order $n$:
$$D_n = \begin{pmatrix} x & a & a & \dots & a \\ a & x & a & \dots & a \\ a & a & x & \dots & a \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ a & a & a & \dots & x \end{pmatrix}$$- a) For the case $n = 3$, show that the determinant of the matrix is $|D_3| = (x+2a)(x-a)^2$.
- b) Generalise the previous result for a matrix of order $n$ and deduce the expression for $|D_n|$ in terms of $x, a$ and $n$.
- c) If $x = 5$ and $a = 2$, for which values of $n$ would the matrix $D_n$ be singular?
Consider the matrix of order 4 depending on the real parameter $k$: $$M = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1-k & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1+k & 1 \\ k & k & k & k^2…
Consider the matrix of order 4 depending on the real parameter $k$:
$$M = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1-k & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 & 1+k & 1 \\ k & k & k & k^2 \end{pmatrix}$$Using only the properties of determinants, perform the following tasks:
- a) Find the value of the determinant of $M$ in terms of $k$, giving the result in factorised form.
- b) Determine the values of $k$ for which the matrix $M$ has no inverse.
- c) For the case $k = 2$, calculate the value of the determinant of the adjugate matrix of $M$, that is, $|Adj(M)|$, without explicitly calculating the elements of this adjugate matrix.
Rank of a matrix with parameters
It is reduced just like a system: swapping rows, multiplying one by a nonzero number, or adding a multiple of another to it does not change the rank.
When the matrix depends on two parameters $a$ and $b$, the condition for the rank to drop can be an equation with two unknowns, and you have to describe what happens in each case.
Determine the rank of the following matrix $B$ by studying its minors: $B = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 2 & 4 & 6 \end{pmatrix}$ Give reasons to state…
Determine the rank of the following matrix $B$ by studying its minors:
$B = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 1 \\ 2 & 4 & 6 \end{pmatrix}$
Give reasons to state whether the rank is $1$, $2$ or $3$.
Consider the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & m & 1 \\ m & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 2 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$. a) Calculate the determinant of $A$ as a function of the parameter $m$. b)…
Consider the matrix $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & m & 1 \\ m & 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 2 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$.
- a) Calculate the determinant of $A$ as a function of the parameter $m$.
- b) Determine the rank of the matrix $A$ according to the values of $m$.
Determine the rank of the matrix $A$ according to the values of the real parameters $a$ and $b$: $$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & a & 1 & 2 \\ 2 & b & 2 & 4 \\ 1 & 1 & a & 2…
Determine the rank of the matrix $A$ according to the values of the real parameters $a$ and $b$:
$$A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & a & 1 & 2 \\ 2 & b & 2 & 4 \\ 1 & 1 & a & 2 \end{pmatrix}$$To carry out the study, use the method of bordered minors and explain in detail under what conditions the rank is 1, 2 or 3.
Summary
Go back to the beginning: the app's key matrix can be reversed if and only if its determinant is nonzero; and to compute the inverse key, the adjugate or a well-solved matrix equation is enough.