Dr. Tarek S. T.

Ali

Helwan University
Faculty Of Engineering

Math II (GEN 0006)

Part I : Linear Algebra
Spring Semester 2024
Tarek S. T. Ali
e-mail: [email protected]
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Chapter II: Determinants

 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Definition & Properties of the Determinants

◼ The determinant of A is the value of the matrix A

denoted by det (A) or A

 a11 a12 
◼ If ( two-dimension matrix) A =  - 
 a 21 a 22 

Then A = det ( A) = a11 a 22 − a12 a 21

 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Example 1

 2 − 4 Find det( A) or A
A= 
5 6 

It is computed as follows:
➔ A = (2  6) − (−4  5) = 32

If A  0 the matrix is nonsingular; otherwise, it is singular if A =0

 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Properties of the Determinants

◼ If A has zero rows or zero columns, then A =0
◼ Let B formed from A by multiplying row or column j by a scalar k.

Then B =k A
◼ Let B formed from A by interchange of two rows. Then A =−B
◼ If two rows of A are the same. Then A =0
◼ Let A and B be nxn matrices . Then AB = A B
◼ Also A = At
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Evaluation of the Determinant (Cofactor Expansions)

If we have (three-dimension matrix), how to find the determinant of A ?

◼ How to find the determinant of A?

 a11 a12 a13 

 
A =  a 21 a 22 a 23 
a a33 
 31 a32
◼ First write the sign rule for the matrix where its dimension is more
than 2X2.
+ − +
 
A = − + −
and then by using: + − +
(1) Cofactor Expansion by a row
 
(2) Cofactor Expansion by a column
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

(1) Cofactor Expansion by a row

a 22 a 23 a 21 a 23 a 21 a 22
A = + a11 − a12 + a13
a 32 a 33 a 31 a 33 a 31 a 32
     
Minor of a11 Minor of a12 Minor of a13
     
Cofactor of a11 Cofactor of a12 Cofactor of a13

(2) Cofactor Expansion by a column

a22 a23 a12 a13 a12 a13

A = + a11 − a21 + a31
a32 a33 a32 a33 a22 a23

** If we expand by any row or column, we get the same result

 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 1

We can use any row or any column to start with but observe the rule of signs.

1 − 2 3  1 −2 3
 
A =  3 6 − 1 ➔ A = 3 6 −1
1 5 
 0  1 5 0
     
     
     
 6 −1   3 −1   3 6 
A = 1.+  + (−2).−  + (3).+  = 34
 5 0 1 0 1 5
        
 Minor of a11   Minor of a12   Minor of a13 
     
       
Cofactor of a11  Cofactor of a12  Cofactor of a13 
6 −1 3 −1 3 6
A = +1. − (−2). + (3). = 34
5 0 1 0 1 5
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 2

Evaluate the determinant of A − 6 3 7 

 
A =  12 − 5 − 9
 2 4 − 6 

Solution: By using the Cofactor Expansion by a column 1 gives us:

−5 −9 3 7 3 7
A = + (−6) − (12) + (2) = 172
4 −6 4 −6 −5 −9

If we expand by any row or column, we get the same result.

 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Determinants of triangle matrix

The main diagonal of a square matrix A consists of the elements a11, a22 , a33 , a44
We call A upper triangle if all the elements below the main diagonal are zero.

 a11 a12 a13 a14 

 
 0 a 22 a 23 a 24 
A=
0 0 a33 a34 
 
 0 a 44 
 0 0

The value of A is A = a11 a22 a33 a44

 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

A determinants formula for a matrix inverse

(a second method to find matrix inverse)
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 3

2 0 − 3
  , determine its inverse
A =  −1 5 4  A−1
 3 −2 0 
 
Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali
Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali
Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 4

Find the matrix inverse or show that the matrix has no inverse:  5 − 1
A =  
6 8 

+ −
A = 46  0 A =  
− +

−1 1  8 1
 A =  
46  − 6 5 
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 5

Find the matrix inverse or show that the matrix has no inverse:  2 −1 3 
 
A = 1 9 − 2
 4 − 8 11 
 

+ − +
A = 53  0  
− + −
+ − +
 

 83 − 13 − 25 
1  
 A −1 =  − 19 10 7 
53 
 − 44 12 19 
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 6

Find the matrix inverse or show that the matrix has no inverse:

The matrix has no inverse

 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 7

Find the matrix inverse or show that the matrix has no inverse:

+ − +
 
− + −
+ − +
 
The matrix has no inverse
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Cramer’s Rule
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 8
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

1 1 −4
1 − 10
x2 = − 1 14 − 3 =
13 13
0 5 −3
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 9

Find the general solution of the system or show that the system has no solution

4 x1 + 6 x2 − 3x3 = 0
2 x1 + 3x2 − 4 x3 = 0
x1 − x2 + 3x3 = −7
Solution:
 0  4 6 −3
 4 6 − 3  
  B= 0  A = 2 3 − 4 = −25  0
A =  2 3 − 4
1 − 2 3  − 7 1 −1 3
   
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

0 6 −3 4 0 −3
1 − 21 x2 =
1
2 0 −4 =
14
x1 = 0 3 −4 = − 25
− 25 5 1 −7 3
5
− 7 −1 3

4 6 0
1
x3 = 2 3 0 =0
− 25
1 −1 − 7
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

The Rank of a Matrix by using Determinant

We can find a rank by using a determinant but requires more work than the
reduced matrix:

The “rank” of a matrix 𝐴, rank(𝐴), is the number of rows or columns, 𝑛,of the
largest 𝑛×𝑛 square submatrix of 𝐴 for which the determinant is nonzero.
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

The rank of a 2×2 matrix can therefore be found by the following process:
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 10

Find the rank of the following matrix using determinants:

Solution:

Consider the 2×2 submatrix obtained by “deleting” the right column:

Taking the determinant of this submatrix,

We have found a 2×2 submatrix with a nonzero determinant; therefore, the

rank of the original matrix must be 2.
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 11
 5 − 1
Find the rank of the following matrix using determinants: A =  
6 8 
Solution:

The determinant of the matrix A is zero

Taking the determinant of this submatrix,

We have found a 1×1 submatrix with a nonzero determinant; therefore, the

rank of the original matrix must be 1.
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

Solved Problem 12

Find the rank of the following matrix using determinants:

Solution:

The determinant of the matrix A is zero

Taking the determinant of this submatrix 2×2

We have found a 2×2 submatrix with a nonzero determinant; therefore, the

rank of the original matrix must be 2.
 Dr. Tarek S. T. Ali

nd of the Lecture
E

Let Learning Continue