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Properties of Determinants

Determinant of Matrix with Solved Examples

Last Updated : 02 May, 2025

The determinant of a matrix is a scalar value that can be calculated for a square matrix (a matrix with the same number of rows and columns).

It serves as a scaling factor that is used for the transformation of a matrix.
It is a single numerical value that plays a key role in various matrix operations, such as calculating the inverse of a matrix or solving systems of linear equations.
The determinant of a matrix A is denoted by ∣A∣ or sometimes as det(A).

Determinant of Matrix is defined as the sum of products of the elements of any row or column along with their corresponding co-factors.

There is a simple trick to find the determinant of a 3×3 matrix, which is given in the image below:

The determinant is defined only for square matrices of any order 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, or n×n, where n is the number of rows or the number of columns. (For a square matrix number of rows and columns is equal.)

These can be solved using standard formulas and shortcuts like Sarrus’ Rule (for 3×3).

Sarrus’ Rule is a straightforward and visual method for calculating the determinant of a 3×3 matrix.
It is only applicable to 3×3 matrices and provides a quick alternative to row or column expansion methods.

Subtract the sum of the upward diagonal products from the sum of the downward diagonal products:

det(A) = rvz + swx + tuy − rwy − suz − tvx

Example: Find the Determinant of the matrix using Sarrus' Rule only.

Matrix A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3\\ 4 & 5 & 6 \\ 7 & 8 & 9 \end{bmatrix}

Upon applying Sarru's Rule:

\begin{bmatrix} + & + & + & - & - & - \\ 1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 2 & 3\\ 4 & 5 & 6 & 4 & 5 & 6\\ 7 & 8 & 9 & 7 & 8 & 9 \\ \end{bmatrix}
= (1×5×9) + (2×6×7 )+ (3×4×8) - (1×6×8) - 2×4×9 - 3×5×7
= 45 + 84 + 96 - 48 - 72 - 105
= 225 - 225
= 0

This method is specifically for 3×3 matrices and provides a quick way to find the determinant.

In this article, we will cover the key concepts necessary to calculate the determinant of a matrix. We will also explore the use of a determinant calculator and learn proper techniques for calculating the determinants of 2×2, 3×3, and 4×4 matrices, as well as those of various other types of matrices.

Table of Content

Symbol of Determinant

Let’s take any square matrix A, then the determinant of A is denoted as:

det A (or) |A|.
It is also denoted by the symbol Δ.

Key elements to find the Determinant

Here are some elements that we need to know in order to calculate the determinant of a Matrix: Minor and Cofactors.

Minor

Minor is required to find the determinant for single elements (every element) of the matrix. They are the determinants for every element obtained by eliminating the rows and columns of that element. If the matrix given is:

\begin{bmatrix}a_{11} & a_{12} &a_{13}\\a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23}\\a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\end{bmatrix}

Minor of a₁₂ will be the determinant:

\begin{vmatrix}a_{21} & a_{23}\\a_{31} & a_{33}\end{vmatrix}

Question: Find the Minor of element 5 in the determinant \begin{vmatrix}2 & 1 & 2\\4 & 5 & 0\\2 & 0 & 1\end{vmatrix}

Answer:

The minor of element 5 will be the determinant of \begin{vmatrix}2 & 2\\2 & 1\end{vmatrix}
Calculating the determinant, the minor is obtained as:
(2 × 1) - (2 × 2) = -2

Cofactors

Cofactors are related to minors by a small formula for an element a_ij, the cofactor of this element is C_in,and the minor is M_ij;then, the cofactor can be written as:

C _ij = (-1) ^i+j M _ij

Example: Find the cofactor of the element placed in the first row and second column of the determinant:

\begin{vmatrix}2 & 1 & 2\\4 & 5 & 0\\2 & 0 & 1\end{vmatrix}

Answer:

In order to find out the cofactor of the first row and second column element i.e the cofactor for 1. First find out the minor for 1, which will be:
\begin{vmatrix}4 & 0\\2 & 1\end{vmatrix} \\ = (4 \times 1) - (2 \times 0) \\ = 4
M₁₂ = 4
Now, applying the formula for cofactor:
C₁₂ = (-1)^{1 + 2} M₁₂
C₁₂ = (-1)³× 4
C₁₂ = -4

Determinant of Matrix Calculator

A Determinant of Matrix calculator is a tool used to compute the determinant of a matrix quickly and accurately.

Determinant of a 1×1 Matrix

Let X = [a] be the matrix of order one, then its determinant is given by det(X) = a.

Determinant of a 2×2 Matrix

The determinant of any 2×2 square matrix A = \begin{bmatrix}a & b\\c & d\end{bmatrix}_{2\times2} is calculated using the formula |A| = ad - bc.

Determinant-of-2-into-2-Matrix — Determinant of 2×2 Matrix with the trick to remember it

Example: Find the Determinant of A = \begin{bmatrix}3 & 2\\2 & 3\end{bmatrix}.
Solution:

Determinant of A = \begin{bmatrix}3 & 2\\2 & 3\end{bmatrix}_{2\times2} is calculated as,
| A | = \begin{vmatrix}3 & 2\\2 & 3\end{vmatrix}
| A | = 3 × 3 - 2 × 2
= 9 - 4
= 5

Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix

The determinant of a 3x3 Matrix is determined by expressing it in terms of 2nd-order determinants. It can be expanded either along rows(R₁, R₂ or R₃) or column(C₁, C₂ or C₃).

Consider a matrix A of order 3×3.

Determinant-of-3-into-3-Matrix — Determinant of 3×3 Matrix

Similarly, in this way, we can expand it along any row and any column.

Example: Evaluate the determinant det(A) = \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 3 & 0 \\ 4 & 1 & 0 \\ 2 & 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix}

Solution:

We see that the third column has most number of zeros, so it will be easier to expand along that column.
det(A) = (-1)^{1 + 3}0\begin{vmatrix}4 & 1 \\ 2 & 0 \end{vmatrix} + (-1)^{2 + 3}0\begin{vmatrix}1 & 3 \\ 2 & 0 \end{vmatrix} + (-1)^{1 + 3}1\begin{vmatrix}1 & 3 \\ 4 & 1 \end{vmatrix} \\ = -11

Determinant of a 4×4 Matrix

Determining the determinant of a 4 × 4 matrix involves more complex methods, such as expansion by minors or Gaussian elimination. These techniques require breaking down the matrix into smaller submatrices and recursively finding their determinants. While there isn't a direct formula like Sarrus' Rule for 3x3 matrices, the process involves systematic calculations based on the properties of determinants.

Determinant-of-4-into-4-Matrix_ — Determinant of a 4 × 4 Matrix with cofactor method

[A] = a_{11}\begin{vmatrix}a_{22} & a_{23} &a_{24} &\\ a_{32} & a_{33} & a_{34}\\ a_{42} & a_{43} & a_{44} \end{vmatrix} - a_{12}\begin{vmatrix}a_{21} & a_{23} &a_{24} &\\ a_{31} & a_{33} & a_{34}\\ a_{41} & a_{43} & a_{44} \end{vmatrix} + a_{13}\begin{vmatrix}a_{21} & a_{22} &a_{24} &\\ a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{34}\\ a_{41} & a_{42} & a_{44} \end{vmatrix} - a_{14}\begin{vmatrix}a_{21} & a_{22} &a_{23} &\\ a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33}\\ a_{41} & a_{42} & a_{43} \end{vmatrix}

Determinant of Identity Matrix

An identity matrix is a square matrix in which all the elements of the main diagonal are ones, and all other elements are zeros. For example, a 3x3 identity matrix looks like this:

I = \begin{vmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix}

Given below is the determinant of an identity matrix:

identity_matrix — Determinant of an Identity Matrix of size 3×3

The determinant of an identity matrix of any size is always 1. This property can be understood intuitively by considering that the identity matrix represents a transformation that leaves vectors unchanged when multiplied by it. Since the determinant measures how a matrix scales the space, the determinant of an identity matrix, which doesn't scale the space at all, is 1.

Mathematically, we can express this as:

det (𝜤) = 1

Determinant of a Symmetric Matrix

A symmetric matrix is a square matrix that is equal to its transpose. In other words, if A is a symmetric matrix, then A = A ^T.
Symmetric matrices have several interesting properties, one of which is that their determinants remain unchanged under transpose.

Given below is the determinant of a Symmetric matrix:

symmetric_matrix_ — Determinant of an Symmetric Matrix of size 3×3

Hence, for a symmetric matrix A , we have:

det(A) = det( A ^T)

This property simplifies the computation of determinants for symmetric matrices since you can work with either the original matrix or its transpose, whichever is more convenient.

Determinant of Skew-Symmetric Matrix

A skew-symmetric (or antisymmetric) matrix is a square matrix whose transpose is equal to its negative. In other words, if A is a skew-symmetric matrix, then A = −A^T . Skew-symmetric matrices have interesting properties, one of which is that their determinants have specific values based on the order of the matrix.

Given below is the determinant of a Skew-Symmetric matrix:

skew_symmetric_matrix — Determinant of an Skew-Symmetric Matrix of size 3×3

For skew-symmetric matrices of odd order, the determinant is always 0. This is because the determinant of a skew-symmetric matrix is always the square of its eigenvalues, and a non-zero square is always positive. Since the order of the matrix is odd, at least one eigenvalue must be zero, resulting in a determinant of 0.

For skew-symmetric matrices of even order, the determinant is a non-zero value, which can be calculated based on the elements of the matrix. However, determining the exact value typically involves more complex methods such as cofactor expansion or using properties of determinants.

Determinant of Inverse Matrix

To understand the determinant of the inverse matrix, let's first define w as the inverse of a matrix

The inverse of a square matrix A, denoted as A⁻¹, is a matrix such that when it's multiplied by A, the result is the identity matrix I. Mathematically, if A⋅A⁻¹ = I, then A⁻¹is the inverse of A.

Given below is the determinant of an Inverse matrix:

_inverse_matrix_ — Determinant of Inverse Matrix size 2×2

Now, the determinant of the inverse matrix, denoted as det(A⁻¹), is related to the determinant of the original matrix A. Specifically, it can be expressed by the formula:

det(A⁻¹) = 1/det(A)

This formula illustrates an important relationship between the determinants of a matrix and its inverse. If the determinant of A is non-zero, meaning det(A) ≠ 0 , then the inverse matrix exists, and its determinant is the reciprocal of the determinant of A . Conversely, (A) = 0an , the matrix A is said to be singular, and it does not have an inverse.

Here are some key points about the determinant of the inverse matrix:

Non-Singular Matrices: For non-singular matrices (those with non-zero determinants), their inverses exist, and the determinant of the inverse is the reciprocal of the determinant of the original matrix.
Singular Matrices: Singular matrices (those with zero determinants) do not have inverses. Attempting to find the inverse of a singular matrix results in an undefined or non-existent inverse.
Geometric Interpretation: The Determinant of the Matrix measures how it scales the space. Similarly, the determinant of the inverse matrix measures the scaling effect of the inverse transformation. If the original transformation expands the space, its inverse contraction will be inversely proportional, and vice versa.

Determinant of an Orthogonal Matrix

An orthogonal matrix is a square matrix whose rows and columns are orthonormal vectors, meaning that the dot product of any two distinct rows or columns equals zero, and the dot product of each row or column with itself equals one. Mathematically, if A is an orthogonal matrix , then A ^T⋅ A = I , where A ^T denotes the transpose of A and I represents the identity matrix.

Given below is the determinant of an Orthogonal matrix:

orthogonal_matrix_ — Determinant of Orthogonal Matrix size 2×2

The determinant of an orthogonal matrix has a special property:

det ( A ) = ±1

The determinant of an orthogonal matrix is either +1+1 or −1−1. This property arises from the fact that the determinant represents the scaling factor of the matrix transformation. Since orthogonal transformations preserve lengths, the determinant must be either positive (for preserving orientation) or negative (for reversing orientation).

The determinant of an orthogonal matrix being +1+1 implies that the transformation preserves orientation, while a determinant of −1 indicates a transformation that reverses orientation.

Determinant of a Triangular Matrix

A triangular matrix is a special type of square matrix in which all the elements above or below the main diagonal are zero.

Given below is the determinant of Triangular matrices:

triangular_matrices — Dterminant of Triangular Matrices for uper and lower triangle matrices

There are two main types:

Lower Triangular Matrix:
A square matrix in which all elements above the main diagonal are zero.
Example: \begin{bmatrix} a_{11} & 0 & 0 \\ a_{21} & a_{22} & 0 \\ a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33} \end{bmatrix}
Upper Triangular Matrix:
A square matrix in which all elements below the main diagonal are zero.
Example: \begin{bmatrix} a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} \\ 0 & a_{22} & a_{23} \\ 0 & 0 & a_{33} \end{bmatrix}

Physical Significance of Determinant

Consider a 2D matrix, each column of this matrix can be considered as a vector on the x-y plane. So, the determinant between two vectors on a 2d plane gives us the area enclosed between them. If we extend this concept, in 3D the determinant will give us the volume enclosed between two vectors.

Physical Significance of Determinant — Area enclosed between two vectors in 2D

Laplace Formula for Determinant

Laplace’s formula is used to express the Determinant of a Matrix in terms of the minors of the matrix.

If A_n×n is the given square matrix and C_ij is the cofactor of A_ij the solution for any row i or column j

det (A) = \sum_{i =1}^{n}A_{ij}C_{ij}

Properties of Determinants of a Matrix

Various Properties of the Determinants of the square matrix are discussed below:

Reflection Property: Value of the determinant remains unchanged even after rows and columns are interchanged. The Determinant of a Matrix and its transpose remains the same.

Switching Property: If any two rows or columns of a determinant are interchanged, then the sign of the determinant changes.

Scalar Multiplication Property: If each element in a row or column of a matrix A is multiplied by a scalar k, then the determinant of the resulting matrix is k times the determinant of A . Mathematically, if B is the matrix obtained by multiplying each element of a row or column of A by detk, then det (B) = k ⋅ det(A).

Additivity Property: The determinant of the sum of two matrices A and B is equal to the sum of their determinants. Symbolically, det(A + B ) = det(A) + det(B) . However, this property applies only if the matrices have the same dimensions.

Multiplicative Property: The determinant of the product of two matrices A and B is equal to the product of their determinants.
Symbolically, det(AB) = det(A )⋅det( B ). However, this property holds true only for square matrices.

Determinant of Transpose: The Determinant of Matrix A is equal to the determinant of its transpose A^TMathematically, det( A ) = det( A ^T ) .

Example: \begin{vmatrix} 3 & 3 & 0 \\ 2 & 1 & 1 \\ 5 & 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix}

Solution:

det. A = [3 × {(1 × 1) - (0 × 1)}] - [3 × {(2 × 1) - (5 × 1)}] + [0 × {(2 × 0) - (5 × 1)}]
= {3 × (1 - 0)} - {3 × (2 - 5) + 0
= [3 - {3(-3)} + 0]
= (3 + 9)
=12
Now, Interchanging Row 1 with Row 2, determinant will be:
\begin{vmatrix} 2 & 1 & 1 \\ 3 & 3 & 0 \\ 5 & 0 & 1 \end{vmatrix}
det. A = [2 × {(3 × 1) - (0 × 0)}] - [1 × {(3 × 1) - (5 × 0)}] + [1 × {(3 × 0) - (5 × 3)}]
= (6 - 3 - 15)
= -12

Repetition Property/Proportionality Property: If any two rows or any two columns of a determinant are identical, then the value of the determinant becomes zero.
Scalar Multiple Property: If each element of a row (or a column) of a determinant is multiplied by a constant k, then its value gets multiplied by k

\begin{vmatrix} ka & kb \\ c & d \end{vmatrix} = k\begin{vmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{vmatrix}

Sum Property If some or all elements of a row or column can be expressed as the sum of two or more terms, then the determinant can also be expressed as the sum of two or more determinants.

\begin{vmatrix} a_{1} + \lambda_{1} & a_{2} + \lambda_{2} & a_{3} + \lambda_{3} \\ b_{1} & b_{2} & b_{3} \\ c_{1} & c_{2} & c_{3} \end{vmatrix} = \begin{vmatrix} a_{1} & a_{2} & a_{3} \\ b_{1} & b_{2} & b_{3} \\ c_{1} & c_{2} & c_{3} \end{vmatrix} + \begin{vmatrix} \lambda_{1} & \lambda_{2} & \lambda_{3} \\ b_{1} & b_{2} & b_{3} \\ c_{1} & c_{2} & c_{3} \end{vmatrix}

Solved Question on Determinant of Matrix

Question 1: If x, y, and z are different. and A = \begin{vmatrix} x & x^{2} & 1 + x^{3} \\ y & y^{2} & 1 + y^{3} \\ z & z^{2} & 1 + z^{3} \end{vmatrix} = 0 , then show that 1 + xyz = 0.

Solution:

Using Sum Property
\begin{vmatrix} x & x^{2} & 1 + x^{3} \\ y & y^{2} & 1 + y^{3} \\ z & z^{2} & 1 + z^{3} \end{vmatrix} = \begin{vmatrix} x & x^{2} & 1 \\ y & y^{2} & 1\\ z & z^{2} & 1 \end{vmatrix} + \begin{vmatrix} x & x^{2} & x^{3} \\ y & y^{2} & y^{3} \\ z & z^{2} & z^{3} \end{vmatrix} \text{} \\ = (-1)^{2}\begin{vmatrix} 1 & x & x^{2} \\ 1 & y & y^{2}\\ 1 & z & z^{2} \end{vmatrix} + xyz\begin{vmatrix} 1 & x & x^{2} \\ 1 & y & y^{2}\\ 1 & z & z^{2} \end{vmatrix} \\ = (1 + xyz) \begin{vmatrix} 1 & x & x^{2} \\ 1 & y & y^{2}\\ 1 & z & z^{2} \end{vmatrix} = 0
On solving this determinant and expanding it,
A = (1 + xyz)(y- x)(z-y)(z-x)
Since it's given in the question, that all x, y and z have different values and A =0. So the only term that can be zero is 1 + xyz.
Hence, 1 + xyz = 0

Question 2: Evaluate the \begin{vmatrix} 102 & 18 & 36 \\ 1 & 3 & 4 \\ 17 & 3 & 6 \\ \end{vmatrix} .

Solution:

Using Scalar Multiple Property and Repetition Property
\begin{vmatrix} 102 & 18 & 36 \\ 1 & 3 & 4 \\ 17 & 3 & 6 \\ \end{vmatrix} = \begin{vmatrix} 17(6) & 6(3) & 6(6) \\ 1 & 3 & 4 \\ 17 & 3 & 6 \\ \end{vmatrix} \\ = 6\begin{vmatrix} 17 & 3 & 6 \\ 1 & 3 & 4 \\ 17 & 3 & 6 \\ \end{vmatrix} = 0 \text{}

Question 3: Evaluate the determinant A = \begin{vmatrix} 2 & 3 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 5 \\ 2 & 3 & 1 \end{vmatrix} \\

Solution:

Using Proportionality Property
Two of the rows of the matrix are identical.
So, A = \begin{vmatrix} 2 & 3 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 & 5 \\ 2 & 3 & 1 \end{vmatrix} \\ = 0 \text{}

Question 4: Given Matrix:A = \begin{bmatrix}3 & 5 & 2 \\0 & 4 & 1 \\0 & 0 & 6\end{bmatrix}.

Solution:

Given the matrix:
A = \begin{bmatrix}3 & 5 & 2 \\0 & 4 & 1 \\0 & 0 & 6\end{bmatrix}
Identify the Diagonal Elements
a₁₁= 3, a₂₂= 4, a₃₃= 6
Apply the Determinant Formula for Triangular Matrices
det(A) = a₁₁× a₂₂ × a₃₃
det(A) = 3× 4 × 6 = 72

Related Articles:
Transpose of a Matrix	The inverse of a Matrix Formula
Trick to calculate the determinant of a 3×3 matrix	Determinant of a square matrix

Determinant of Matrix Practice Problems

Question 1: Calculate the determinant of the following matrix:

A = \begin{pmatrix} 3 & 5 \\ 2 & 4 \end {pmatrix}

Question 2: Find the determinant of the matrix:

B = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 0 & 1 & 4 \\ 5 & 6 & 0 \end{pmatrix}

Question 3: Determine the determinant of the matrix:

C = \begin{pmatrix} -1 & 2 \\ 3 & -4 \end{pmatrix}

Question 4: Calculate the determinant of the following matrix:

D = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 2 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 & 3 \\ 0 & 5 & 1 \end{pmatrix}

Properties of Determinants

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