⇒ You can calculate the determinant of a square matrix. The determinant is a scalar value associated with that matrix

⇒ Finding the determinant of a 3 x 3 matrix is more difficult

⇒ You find the determinant of a 3 x 3 matrix by reducing the 3 x 3 determinant to 2 x 2 determinants using the formula:

⇒ In this expression for the determinant, each of the elements a, b and c is multiplied by its minor

⇒ The minor of an element in a 3 x 3 matrix is the determinant of the 2 x 2 matrix that remains after the row and column containing that element have been crossed out

⇒ Also see our notes on:

• Introduction to Matrices
• Matrix Multiplication
• Inverting a 2 x 2 Matrix
• Inverting a 3 x 3 Matrix
• Solving Systems of Equations Using Matrices