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Determinnant 3 by 3 Matrix Notes

This document discusses how to find the determinant of a 3x3 matrix. It explains that the determinant is a value associated with a square matrix. It then outlines the 5 step process to calculate the determinant: 1) rewrite the first two columns, 2) multiply diagonally down and up, 3) add the downward numbers, 4) add the upward numbers, and 5) subtract the upward sum from the downward sum. It provides 3 examples calculating different 3x3 matrix determinants using this process.

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Saher
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595 views3 pages

Determinnant 3 by 3 Matrix Notes

This document discusses how to find the determinant of a 3x3 matrix. It explains that the determinant is a value associated with a square matrix. It then outlines the 5 step process to calculate the determinant: 1) rewrite the first two columns, 2) multiply diagonally down and up, 3) add the downward numbers, 4) add the upward numbers, and 5) subtract the upward sum from the downward sum. It provides 3 examples calculating different 3x3 matrix determinants using this process.

Uploaded by

Saher
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Finding the Determinnant of a 33 Matrix

The determinant of a matrix is a value associated with a mtrix. You can only find the determinant of a
square matrix (2 rows and 2 colums, 3 rows and 3 columns, etc.). The determinant of the matrix can be
used to solve systems of equations, but first we need to dicuss how to find the determinant of a matrix.
Here we will be learning how to find the determinant of a 33 matrix.

The are a few different ways to find the determinant of a 33 matrix. I have choosen to show this
technique because it seems a lot easier for me to remember. I do not have to worry about things like
minors and cofactors. If you know another way to find the determinant of a 33 matrix consider giving
this technique a try.

First lets take care of the notation used for determinants. If we were using matrix A, it would be denoted
as [A]. To express the determinant of matrix A, we use the notation |A|.

Here are the steps we follow to find the determinant of a 33 matrix:


Step 1: Rewrite the first two columns of the matrix.
Step 2: Multiply diagonally downward and diagonally upward.
Step 3: Add the downward numbers together.
Step 4: Add the upward numbers together.
Step 5: Subtract the upward sum from the downward sum to get the determinant.
The steps are a lot easier to understand when you look at some examples, so here we go.

Example 1: Find the determinant of | |.

Step 1: Rewrite the first two columns of the matrix.

| | | |

Step 2: Multiply diagonally downward and diagonally upward.

| |

Step 3: Add the downward numbers together.


48 + (6) + 10 = 44
Step 4: Add the upward numbers together.
16 + 3 + 60 = 79
Step 5: Subtract the upward sum from the downward sum to get the determinant.
44 79 = 123

Finding the Determinnant of a 33 Matrix Notes Page 1 of 3


The determinant of | | is 123.

Example 2: Find the determinant of | |.

Step 1: Rewrite the first two columns of the matrix.

| | | |

Step 2: Multiply diagonally downward and diagonally upward.

| |

Step 3: Add the downward numbers together.


8 + 45 + 8 = 61
Step 4: Add the upward numbers together.
48 + (20) + 3 = 65
Step 5: Subtract the upward sum from the downward sum to get the determinant.
61 (65) = 126

The determinant of | | is 126.

Finding the Determinnant of a 33 Matrix Notes Page 2 of 3


Example 3: Find the determinant of | |.

Step 1: Rewrite the first two columns of the matrix.

| | | |

Step 2: Multiply diagonally downward and diagonally upward.

| |

Step 3: Add the downward numbers together.


16 + 8 + 45 = 69
Step 4: Add the upward numbers together.
20 + 6 + (48) = 62
Step 5: Subtract the upward sum from the downward sum to get the determinant.
69 (62) = 131

The determinant of | | is 131.

Finding the determinant of a 33 matrix can take a little time, but as long as we can add, subtract, and
multiply carefully is not too bad. Next we will look at how to use the determinant to solve a system of
linear equations with three unknowns.

Finding the Determinnant of a 33 Matrix Notes Page 3 of 3

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