MATRICES AND DETERMINANTSHigher Concepts of MathematicsExample: Find the determinant of A.A =6 21 3Solution:A(63)( 1 2)18( 2)18220To expand a matrix larger than a 2 x 2 requires that it be simplified down to several 2 x 2matrices, which can then be solved for their determinant. It is easiest to explain the process byexample.Given the 3 x 3 matrix:1 3 14 1 25 6 3Any single row or column is picked. In this example, column one is selected. The matrix willbe expanded using the elements from the first column. Each of the elements in the selectedcolumn will be multiplied by its minor starting with the first element in the column (1). A lineis then drawn through all the elements in the same row and column as 1. Since this is a 3 x 3matrix, that leaves a minor or 2 x 2 determinant. This resulting 2 x 2 determinant is called theminor of the element in the first row first column.MA-05 Page 22 Rev. 0
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