3.2: Properties of Determinants

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate the effects that elementary row operations have on determinants.
• Verify the following:
  • The determinant of a product of matrices is the product of the determinants
  • The determinant of a matrix is equal to the determinant of its transpose

Properties of Determinants I: Examples

There are many important properties of determinants.

Recall elementary row operations (Definition 1.2.2) from Chapter 1. In Chapter 1, we performed them on an augmented matrix to put it into row echelon form or reduced row echelon form. Elementary row operations are:

1. Switching two rows.
2. Multiplying a row by a nonzero number.
3. Replacing a row by a multiple of another row added to itself.

We will now consider the effect of row operations on the determinant of a matrix. In future sections, we will see that using the following properties can greatly assist in finding determinants. This section will initially use the theorems as motivation to provide various examples of the usefulness of the properties. We prove all of the results at the end of the section.

The first theorem explains the effect on the determinant of a matrix when two rows are switched.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{1}\): Switching Two Rows

Let \(A\) be an \(n\times n\) matrix and let \(B\) be a matrix which results from switching two rows of \(A.\) Then \(\det \left( B\right) = - \det \left( A\right) .\)

When we switch two rows of a matrix, the determinant is multiplied by \(-1\). Consider the following example.

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\): Switching Two Rows

Let \(A=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{array} \right]\) and let \(B=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 3 & 4 \\ 1 & 2 \end{array} \right]\). Knowing that \(\det \left( A \right) =-2\), find \(\det \left( B \right)\).

Solution

By Definition 3.1.1, \(\det \left(A\right) = 1 \times 4 - 3 \times 2 = -2\). Notice that the rows of \(B\) are the rows of \(A\) but switched. By Theorem \(\PageIndex{1}\) since two rows of \(A\) have been switched, \(\det \left(B\right) = - \det \left(A\right) = - \left(-2\right) = 2\). You can verify this using Definition 3.1.1.

The next theorem demonstrates the effect on the determinant of a matrix when we multiply a row by a scalar.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{2}\): Multiplying a Row by a Scalar

Let \(A\) be an \(n\times n\) matrix and let \(B\) be a matrix which results from multiplying some row of \(A\) by a scalar \(k\). Then \(\det \left( B\right) = k \det \left( A\right)\).

Notice that this theorem is true when we multiply one row of the matrix by \(k\). If we were to multiply two rows of \(A\) by \(k\) to obtain \(B\), we would have \(\det \left(B\right) = k^2 \det \left(A\right)\). Suppose we were to multiply all \(n\) rows of \(A\) by \(k\) to obtain the matrix \(B\), so that \(B = kA\). Then, \(\det \left(B\right) = k^n \det \left(A\right)\). This gives the next theorem.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{3}\): Scalar Multiplication

Let \(A\) and \(B\) be \(n \times n\) matrices and \(k\) a scalar, such that \(B = kA\). Then \(\det(B) = k^n \det(A)\).

Consider the following example.

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\): Multiplying a Row by a Scalar

Let \(A=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{array} \right] ,\ B=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 5 & 10 \\ 3 & 4 \end{array} \right] .\) Knowing that \(\det \left( A \right) =-2\), find \(\det \left( B \right)\).

Solution

By Definition 3.1.1, \(\det \left( A\right) =-2.\) We can also compute \(\det \left(B\right)\) using Definition 3.1.1, and we see that \(\det \left(B\right) = -10\).

Now, let’s compute \(\det \left(B\right)\) using Theorem \(\PageIndex{2}\) and see if we obtain the same answer. Notice that the first row of \(B\) is \(5\) times the first row of \(A\), while the second row of \(B\) is equal to the second row of \(A\). By Theorem \(\PageIndex{2}\), \(\det \left( B \right) = 5 \times \det \left( A \right) = 5 \times -2 = -10.\)

You can see that this matches our answer above.

Finally, consider the next theorem for the last row operation, that of adding a multiple of a row to another row.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{4}\): Adding a Multiple of a Row to Another Row

Let \(A\) be an \(n\times n\) matrix and let \(B\) be a matrix which results from adding a multiple of a row to another row. Then \(\det \left( A\right) =\det \left( B \right)\).

Therefore, when we add a multiple of a row to another row, the determinant of the matrix is unchanged. Note that if a matrix \(A\) contains a row which is a multiple of another row, \(\det \left(A\right)\) will equal \(0\). To see this, suppose the first row of \(A\) is equal to \(-1\) times the second row. By Theorem \(\PageIndex{4}\), we can add the first row to the second row, and the determinant will be unchanged. However, this row operation will result in a row of zeros. Using Laplace Expansion along the row of zeros, we find that the determinant is \(0\).

Consider the following example.

Example \(\PageIndex{3}\): Adding a Multiple of a Row to Another Row

Let \(A=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{array} \right]\) and let \(B=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ 5 & 8 \end{array} \right] .\) Find \(\det \left(B\right)\).

Solution

By Definition 3.1.1, \(\det \left(A\right) = -2\). Notice that the second row of \(B\) is two times the first row of \(A\) added to the second row. By Theorem \(\PageIndex{1}\), \(\det \left( B\right) = \det \left( A \right) =-2\). As usual, you can verify this answer using Definition 3.1.1.

Example \(\PageIndex{4}\): Multiple of a Row

Let \(A = \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ 2 & 4 \end{array} \right]\). Show that \(\det \left( A \right) = 0\).

Solution

Using Definition 3.1.1, the determinant is given by \[\det \left( A \right) = 1 \times 4 - 2 \times 2 = 0\nonumber \]

However notice that the second row is equal to \(2\) times the first row. Then by the discussion above following Theorem \(\PageIndex{4}\) the determinant will equal \(0\).

Until now, our focus has primarily been on row operations. However, we can carry out the same operations with columns, rather than rows. The three operations outlined in Definition \(\PageIndex{1}\) can be done with columns instead of rows. In this case, in Theorems \(\PageIndex{1}\), \(\PageIndex{2}\), and \(\PageIndex{4}\) you can replace the word "row" with the word "column".

There are several other major properties of determinants which do not involve row (or column) operations. The first is the determinant of a product of matrices. This is a major result whose proof appears at the end of the section.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{5}\): Determinant of a Product

Let \(A\) and \(B\) be two \(n\times n\) matrices. Then \[\det \left( AB\right) =\det \left( A\right) \det \left( B\right)\nonumber \]

In order to find the determinant of a product of matrices, we can simply take the product of the determinants.

Consider the following example.

Example \(\PageIndex{5}\): The Determinant of a Product

Compare \(\det \left( AB\right)\) and \(\det \left( A\right) \det \left( B\right)\) for \[A=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ -3 & 2 \end{array} \right] ,B=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 3 & 2 \\ 4 & 1 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \]

Solution

First compute \(AB\), which is given by \[AB=\left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ -3 & 2 \end{array} \right] \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 3 & 2 \\ 4 & 1 \end{array} \right] = \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 11 & 4 \\ -1 & -4 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \] and so by Definition 3.1.1 \[\det \left( AB\right) =\det \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 11 & 4 \\ -1 & -4 \end{array} \right] = -40\nonumber \]

Now \[\det \left( A\right) =\det \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 1 & 2 \\ -3 & 2 \end{array} \right] = 8\nonumber \] and \[\det \left( B\right) =\det \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 3 & 2 \\ 4 & 1 \end{array} \right] = -5\nonumber \]

Computing \(\det \left(A\right) \times \det \left(B\right)\) we have \(8 \times -5 = -40\). This is the same answer as above and you can see that \(\det \left( A\right) \det \left( B\right) =8\times \left( -5\right) =-40 = \det \left(AB\right)\).

Consider the next important property.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{6}\): Determinant of the Transpose

Let \(A\) be a matrix where \(A^T\) is the transpose of \(A\). Then, \[\det\left(A^T\right) = \det \left( A \right)\nonumber \]

This theorem is illustrated in the following example.

Example \(\PageIndex{6}\): Determinant of the Transpose

Let \[A = \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 2 & 5 \\ 4 & 3 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \] Find \(\det \left(A^T\right)\).

Solution

First, note that \[A^{T} = \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 2 & 4 \\ 5 & 3 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \]

Using Definition 3.1.1, we can compute \(\det \left(A\right)\) and \(\det \left(A^T\right)\). It follows that \(\det \left(A\right) = 2 \times 3 - 4 \times 5 = -14\) and \(\det \left(A^T\right) = 2 \times 3 - 5 \times 4 = -14\). Hence, \(\det \left(A\right) = \det \left(A^T\right)\).

The following provides an essential property of the determinant, as well as a useful way to determine if a matrix is invertible.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{7}\): Determinant of the Inverse

Let \(A\) be an \(n \times n\) matrix. Then \(A\) is invertible if and only if \(\det(A) \neq 0\). If this is true, it follows that \[\det(A^{-1}) = \frac{1}{\det(A)}\nonumber \]

Consider the following example.

Example \(\PageIndex{7}\): Determinant of an Invertible Matrix

Let \(A = \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 3 & 6 \\ 2 & 4 \end{array} \right], B = \left[ \begin{array}{rr} 2 & 3 \\ 5 & 1 \end{array} \right]\). For each matrix, determine if it is invertible. If so, find the determinant of the inverse.

Solution

Consider the matrix \(A\) first. Using Definition 3.1.1 we can find the determinant as follows: \[\det \left( A \right) = 3 \times 4 - 2 \times 6 = 12 - 12 = 0\nonumber \] By Theorem \(\PageIndex{7}\) \(A\) is not invertible.

Now consider the matrix \(B\). Again by Definition 3.1.1 we have \[\det \left( B \right) = 2 \times 1 - 5 \times 3 = 2 - 15 = -13\nonumber \] By Theorem \(\PageIndex{7}\) \(B\) is invertible and the determinant of the inverse is given by \[\begin{aligned} \det \left( A^{-1} \right) &= \frac{1}{\det(A)} \\ &= \frac{1}{-13} \\ &= -\frac{1}{13}\end{aligned}\]

Below is a video example combining the various properties of determinants.

Example \(\PageIndex{8}\):

Let \(A\) and \(B\) be \(3 \times 3\) matrix with \( \det(A)=4 \) and \( \det(B)=8 \). Compute the following determinants:

1. \( \det(AB) \)
2. \( \det(B^{-1}) \)
3. \( \det(A^T A) \)
4. \( \det(5B) \)

Solution

• Video Length: 2 minutes 20 seconds.
• Context: This video demonstrates the applying the various properties of the determinant.

Properties of Determinants II: Some Important Proofs

This section includes some important proofs on determinants and cofactors.

First we recall the definition of a determinant. If \(A=\left[ a_{ij} \right]\) is an \(n\times n\) matrix, then \(\det A\) is defined by computing the expansion along the first row: \[\label{E1} \det A=\sum_{i=1}^n a_{1,i} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,i}.\] If \(n=1\) then \(\det A=a_{1,1}\).

The following example is straightforward and strongly recommended as a means for getting used to definitions.

Example \(\PageIndex{9}\):

(1) Let \(E_{ij}\) be the elementary matrix obtained by interchanging \(i\)th and \(j\)th rows of \(I\). Then \(\det E_{ij}=-1\).

(2) Let \(E_{ik}\) be the elementary matrix obtained by multiplying the \(i\)th row of \(I\) by \(k\). Then \(\det E_{ik}=k\).

(3) Let \(E_{ijk}\) be the elementary matrix obtained by multiplying \(i\)th row of \(I\) by \(k\) and adding it to its \(j\)th row. Then \(\det E_{ijk}=1\).

(4) If \(C\) and \(B\) are such that \(CB\) is defined and the \(i\)th row of \(C\) consists of zeros, then the \(i\)th row of \(CB\) consists of zeros.

(5) If \(E\) is an elementary matrix, then \(\det E=\det E^T\).

Many of the proofs in section use the Principle of Mathematical Induction. This concept is discussed in Appendix A.2 and is reviewed here for convenience. First we check that the assertion is true for \(n=2\) (the case \(n=1\) is either completely trivial or meaningless).

Next, we assume that the assertion is true for \(n-1\) (where \(n\geq 3\)) and prove it for \(n\). Once this is accomplished, by the Principle of Mathematical Induction we can conclude that the statement is true for all \(n\times n\) matrices for every \(n\geq 2\).

If \(A\) is an \(n\times n\) matrix and \(1\leq j \leq n\), then the matrix obtained by removing \(1\)st column and \(j\)th row from \(A\) is an \(n-1\times n-1\) matrix (we shall denote this matrix by \(A(j)\) below). Since these matrices are used in computation of cofactors \(\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,i}\), for \(1\leq i\neq n\), the inductive assumption applies to these matrices.

Consider the following lemma.

Lemma \(\PageIndex{1}\)

If \(A\) is an \(n\times n\) matrix such that one of its rows consists of zeros, then \(\det A=0\).

Proof

We will prove this lemma using Mathematical Induction.

If \(n=2\) this is easy (check!).

Let \(n\geq 3\) be such that every matrix of size \(n-1\times n-1\) with a row consisting of zeros has determinant equal to zero. Let \(i\) be such that the \(i\)th row of \(A\) consists of zeros. Then we have \(a_{ij}=0\) for \(1\leq j\leq n\).

Fix \(j\in \{1,2, \dots ,n\}\) such that \(j\neq i\). Then matrix \(A(j)\) used in computation of \(\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,j}\) has a row consisting of zeros, and by our inductive assumption \(\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,j}=0\).

On the other hand, if \(j=i\) then \(a_{1,j}=0\). Therefore \(a_{1,j}\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,j}=0\) for all \(j\) and by \(\eqref{E1}\) we have \[\det A=\sum_{j=1}^n a_{1,j} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,j}=0\nonumber \] as each of the summands is equal to 0.

Lemma \(\PageIndex{2}\):

Assume \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are \(n\times n\) matrices that for some \(1\leq i\leq n\) satisfy the following.

1. \(j\)th rows of all three matrices are identical, for \(j\neq i\).
2. Each entry in the \(j\)th row of \(A\) is the sum of the corresponding entries in \(j\)th rows of \(B\) and \(C\).

Then \(\det A=\det B+\det C\).

Proof

This is not difficult to check for \(n=2\) (do check it!).

Now assume that the statement of Lemma is true for \(n-1\times n-1\) matrices and fix \(A,B\) and \(C\) as in the statement. The assumptions state that we have \(a_{l,j}=b_{l,j}=c_{l,j}\) for \(j\neq i\) and for \(1\leq l\leq n\) and \(a_{l,i}=b_{l,i}+c_{l,i}\) for all \(1\leq l\leq n\). Therefore \(A(i)=B(i)=C(i)\), and \(A(j)\) has the property that its \(i\)th row is the sum of \(i\)th rows of \(B(j)\) and \(C(j)\) for \(j\neq i\) while the other rows of all three matrices are identical. Therefore by our inductive assumption we have \(\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1j}=\mathrm{cof}(B)_{1j}+\mathrm{cof}(C)_{1j}\) for \(j\neq i\).

By \(\eqref{E1}\) we have (using all equalities established above) \[\begin{aligned} \det A&=\sum_{l=1}^n a_{1,l} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,l}\\ &=\sum_{l\neq i} a_{1,l}(\mathrm{cof}(B)_{1,l}+\mathrm{cof}(C)_{1,l})+ (b_{1,i}+c_{1,i})\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,i}\\ &= \det B+\det C\end{aligned}\] This proves that the assertion is true for all \(n\) and completes the proof.

Next, we prove Theorems \(\PageIndex{1}\), \(\PageIndex{2}\), \(\PageIndex{4}\) and one other statement.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{1, 2, 4}\):

Let \(A\) and \(B\) be \(n\times n\) matrices.

1. If \(A\) is obtained by interchanging \(i\)th and \(j\)th rows of \(B\) (with \(i\neq j\)), then \(\det A=-\det B\).
2. If \(A\) is obtained by multiplying \(i\)th row of \(B\) by \(k\) then \(\det A=k\det B\).
3. If two rows of \(A\) are identical then \(\det A=0\).
4. If \(A\) is obtained by multiplying \(i\)th row of \(B\) by \(k\) and adding it to \(j\)th row of \(B\) (\(i\neq j\)) then \(\det A=\det B\).

Proof

We prove all statements by induction. The case \(n=2\) is easily checked directly (and it is strongly suggested that you do check it).

We assume \(n\geq 3\) and (1)–(4) are true for all matrices of size \(n-1\times n-1\).

(1) We prove the case when \(j=i+1\), i.e., we are interchanging two consecutive rows.

Let \(l\in \{1, \dots, n\}\setminus \{i,j\}\). Then \(A(l)\) is obtained from \(B(l)\) by interchanging two of its rows (draw a picture) and by our assumption \[\label{E2} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,l}=-\mathrm{cof}(B)_{1,l}.\]

Now consider \(a_{1,i} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{1,l}\). We have that \(a_{1,i}=b_{1,j}\) and also that \(A(i)=B(j)\). Since \(j=i+1\), we have \[(-1)^{1+j}=(-1)^{1+i+1}=-(-1)^{1+i}\nonumber \] and therefore \(a_{1i}\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1i}=-b_{1j} \mathrm{cof}(B)_{1j}\) and \(a_{1j}\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1j}=-b_{1i} \mathrm{cof}(B)_{1i}\). Putting this together with \(\eqref{E2}\) into \(\eqref{E1}\) we see that if in the formula for \(\det A\) we change the sign of each of the summands we obtain the formula for \(\det B\). \[\det A=\sum_{l=1}^n a_{1l}\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1l} =-\sum_{l=1}^n b_{1l} B_{1l} =\det B.\nonumber \]

We have therefore proved the case of (1) when \(j=i+1\). In order to prove the general case, one needs the following fact. If \(i<j\), then in order to interchange \(i\)th and \(j\)th row one can proceed by interchanging two adjacent rows \(2(j-i)+1\) times: First swap \(i\)th and \(i+1\)st, then \(i+1\)st and \(i+2\)nd, and so on. After one interchanges \(j-1\)st and \(j\)th row, we have \(i\)th row in position of \(j\)th and \(l\)th row in position of \(l-1\)st for \(i+1\leq l\leq j\). Then proceed backwards swapping adjacent rows until everything is in place.

Since \(2(j-i)+1\) is an odd number \((-1)^{2(j-i)+1}=-1\) and we have that \(\det A=-\det B\).

(2) This is like (1)… but much easier. Assume that (2) is true for all \(n-1\times n-1\) matrices. We have that \(a_{ji}=k b_{ji}\) for \(1\leq j\leq n\). In particular \(a_{1i}=kb_{1i}\), and for \(l\neq i\) matrix \(A(l)\) is obtained from \(B(l)\) by multiplying one of its rows by \(k\). Therefore \(\mathrm{cof}(A)_{1l}=k\mathrm{cof}(B)_{1l}\) for \(l\neq i\), and for all \(l\) we have \(a_{1l} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{1l}=k b_{1l}\mathrm{cof}(B)_{1l}\). By \(\eqref{E1}\), we have \(\det A=k\det B\).

(3) This is a consequence of (1). If two rows of \(A\) are identical, then \(A\) is equal to the matrix obtained by interchanging those two rows and therefore by (1) \(\det A=-\det A\). This implies \(\det A=0\).

(4) Assume (4) is true for all \(n-1\times n-1\) matrices and fix \(A\) and \(B\) such that \(A\) is obtained by multiplying \(i\)th row of \(B\) by \(k\) and adding it to \(j\)th row of \(B\) (\(i\neq j\)) then \(\det A=\det B\). If \(k=0\) then \(A=B\) and there is nothing to prove, so we may assume \(k\neq 0\).

Let \(C\) be the matrix obtained by replacing the \(j\)th row of \(B\) by the \(i\)th row of \(B\) multiplied by \(k\). By Lemma \(\PageIndex{2}\), we have that \[\det A=\det B+\det C\nonumber \] and we ‘only’ need to show that \(\det C=0\). But \(i\)th and \(j\)th rows of \(C\) are proportional. If \(D\) is obtained by multiplying the \(j\)th row of \(C\) by \(\frac 1k\) then by (2) we have \(\det C=\frac 1k\det D\) (recall that \(k\neq 0\)!). But \(i\)th and \(j\)th rows of \(D\) are identical, hence by (3) we have \(\det D=0\) and therefore \(\det C=0\).

Next, we prove the previously stated important theorem about the determinant of a product of matrices.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{5}\):

Let \(A\) and \(B\) be two \(n\times n\) matrices. Then \[\det \left( AB\right) =\det \left( A\right) \det \left( B\right)\nonumber \]

Proof

If \(A\) is an elementary matrix of either type, then multiplying by \(A\) on the left has the same effect as performing the corresponding elementary row operation. Therefore the equality \(\det (AB) =\det A\det B\) in this case follows by Example \(\PageIndex{8}\) and Theorem \(\PageIndex{8}\).

If \(C\) is the reduced row-echelon form of \(A\) then we can write \(A=E_1\cdot E_2\cdot\dots\cdot E_m\cdot C\) for some elementary matrices \(E_1,\dots, E_m\).

Now we consider two cases.

Assume first that \(C=I\). Then \(A=E_1\cdot E_2\cdot \dots\cdot E_m\) and \(AB= E_1\cdot E_2\cdot \dots\cdot E_m B\). By applying the above equality \(m\) times, and then \(m-1\) times, we have that \[ \det \left( AB \right) = \det E_1 \det E_2 \cdot \dots \cdot \det E_m \cdot \det B = \det (E_1\cdot E_2\cdot\dots\cdot E_m) \det B =\det A\det B. \nonumber\]

Now assume \(C\neq I\). Since it is in reduced row-echelon form, its last row consists of zeros and by (4) of Example \(\PageIndex{8}\) the last row of \(CB\) consists of zeros. By Lemma \(\PageIndex{1}\) we have \(\det C=\det (CB)=0\) and therefore \[\det A=\det (E_1\cdot\dots\cdot E_2\cdot E_m)\cdot \det (C) = \det (E_1\cdot E_2\cdot\dots\cdot E_m)\cdot 0=0\nonumber \] and also \[\det (AB)=\det (E_1\cdot E_2\cdot\dots\cdot E_m)\cdot \det (C B) =\det (E_1\cdot E_2\cdot\dots\cdot E_m) 0 =0\nonumber \] hence \(\det \left( AB\right)=0=\det A \det B\).

The same ‘machine’ used in the previous proof will be used again to prove the previously stated theorem about the determinant of the transpose.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{6}\):

Let \(A\) be a matrix where \(A^T\) is the transpose of \(A\). Then, \[\det\left(A^T\right) = \det \left( A \right)\nonumber \]

Proof

Note first that the conclusion is true if \(A\) is elementary by (5) of Example \(\PageIndex{8}\).

Let \(C\) be the reduced row-echelon form of \(A\). Then we can write \(A= E_1\cdot E_2\cdot \dots\cdot E_m C\). Then \(A^T=C^T\cdot E_m^T\cdot \dots \cdot E_2^T\cdot E_1\). By Theorem \(\PageIndex{9}\) we have \[\det (A^T)=\det (C^T)\cdot \det (E_m^T)\cdot \dots \cdot \det (E_2^T)\cdot \det(E_1).\nonumber \] By (5) of Example \(\PageIndex{8}\) we have that \(\det E_j=\det E_j^T\) for all \(j\). Also, \(\det C\) is either 0 or 1 (depending on whether \(C=I\) or not) and in either case \(\det C=\det C^T\). Therefore \(\det A=\det A^T\).

The above discussions allow us to now prove Theorem 3.1.1. It is restated below.

Theorem \(\PageIndex{8}\):

Expanding an \(n\times n\) matrix along any row or column always gives the same result, which is the determinant.

Proof

We first show that the determinant can be computed along any row. The case \(n=1\) does not apply and thus let \(n \geq 2\).

Let \(A\) be an \(n\times n\) matrix and fix \(j>1\). We need to prove that \[\det A=\sum_{i=1}^n a_{j,i} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{j,i}.\nonumber \] Let us prove the case when \(j=2\).

Let \(B\) be the matrix obtained from \(A\) by interchanging its \(1\)st and \(2\)nd rows. Then by Theorem \(\PageIndex{8}\) we have \[\det A=-\det B.\nonumber\] Now we have \[\det B=\sum_{i=1}^n b_{1,i} \mathrm{cof}(B)_{1,i}.\nonumber \] Since \(B\) is obtained by interchanging the \(1\)st and \(2\)nd rows of \(A\) we have that \(b_{1,i}=a_{2,i}\) for all \(i\) and one can see that \(\text{minor}(B)_{1,i}=\text{minor}(A)_{2,i}\).

Further, \[\mathrm{cof}(B)_{1,i}=(-1)^{1+i} \text{minor} B_{1,i}=- (-1)^{2+i} \text{minor} (A)_{2,i} = - \mathrm{cof}(A)_{2,i}\nonumber \] hence \(\det B=-\sum_{i=1}^n a_{2,i} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{2,i}\), and therefore \(\det A=-\det B= \sum_{i=1}^n a_{2,i} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{2,i}\) as desired.

The case when \(j>2\) is very similar; we still have \(\text{minor}(B)_{1,i}=\text{minor} (A)_{j,i}\) but checking that \(\det B=-\sum_{i=1}^n a_{j,i} \mathrm{cof}(A)_{j,i}\) is slightly more involved.

Now the cofactor expansion along column \(j\) of \(A\) is equal to the cofactor expansion along row \(j\) of \(A^T\), which is by the above result just proved equal to the cofactor expansion along row 1 of \(A^T\), which is equal to the cofactor expansion along column \(1\) of \(A\). Thus the cofactor cofactor along any column yields the same result.

Finally, since \(\det A=\det A^T\) by Theorem \(\PageIndex{10}\), we conclude that the cofactor expansion along row \(1\) of \(A\) is equal to the cofactor expansion along row \(1\) of \(A^T\), which is equal to the cofactor expansion along column \(1\) of \(A\). Thus the proof is complete.

Finding Determinant Using Row Operations

Theorems 3.2.1, 3.2.2 and 3.2.4 illustrate how row operations affect the determinant of a matrix. Now we look at two examples where row operations are used to find the determinant of a large matrix. Recall that when working with large matrices, Laplace Expansion is effective but time consuming, as there are many steps involved. This section provides useful tools for an alternative method. By first applying row operations, we can obtain a simpler matrix to which we apply Laplace Expansion.

While working through questions such as these, it is useful to record your row operations as you go along. Keep this in mind as you read through the next example.

Example \(\PageIndex{10}\): Finding a Determinant

Find the determinant of the matrix \[A=\left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 5 & 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 & 4 & 3 \\ 2 & 2 & -4 & 5 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \]

Solution

We will use the properties of determinants outlined above to find \(\det \left(A\right)\). First, add \(-5\) times the first row to the second row. Then add \(-4\) times the first row to the third row, and \(-2\) times the first row to the fourth row. This yields the matrix \[B=\left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 0 & -9 & -13 & -17 \\ 0 & -3 & -8 & -13 \\ 0 & -2 & -10 & -3 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \] Notice that the only row operation we have done so far is adding a multiple of a row to another row. Therefore, by Theorem 3.2.4, \(\det \left(B\right) = \det \left(A\right).\)

At this stage, you could use Laplace Expansion to find \(\det \left(B\right)\). However, we will continue with row operations to find an even simpler matrix to work with.

Add \(-3\) times the third row to the second row. By Theorem 3.2.4 this does not change the value of the determinant. Then, multiply the fourth row by \(-3\). This results in the matrix \[C=\left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 0 & 0 & 11 & 22 \\ 0 & -3 & -8 & -13 \\ 0 & 6 & 30 & 9 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \] Here, \(\det \left(C\right) = -3 \det \left(B\right)\), which means that \(\det \left( B\right) =\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right) \det \left( C\right)\)

Since \(\det \left(A\right) = \det \left(B\right)\), we now have that \(\det \left(A\right) = \left(-\frac{1}{3}\right) \det \left( C\right)\). Again, you could use Laplace Expansion here to find \(\det \left(C\right)\). However, we will continue with row operations.

Now add \(2\) times the third row to the fourth row. This does not change the value of the determinant by Theorem 3.2.4. Finally switch the third and second rows. This causes the determinant to be multiplied by \(-1.\) Thus \(\det \left( C\right) = -\det \left( D\right)\) where \[D=\left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\ 0 & -3 & -8 & -13 \\ 0 & 0 & 11 & 22 \\ 0 & 0 & 14 & -17 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \]

Hence, \(\det \left(A\right) = \left(-\frac{1}{3}\right) \det \left( C\right) = \left(\frac{1}{3}\right) \det \left( D\right)\)

You could do more row operations or you could note that this can be easily expanded along the first column. Then, expand the resulting \(3 \times 3\) matrix also along the first column. This results in \[\det \left( D\right) =1\left( -3\right) \left\vert \begin{array}{cc} 11 & 22 \\ 14 & -17 \end{array} \right\vert = 1485\nonumber \] and so \(\det \left( A\right) =\left(\frac{1}{3}\right) \left( 1485\right) =495.\)

You can see that by using row operations, we can simplify a matrix to the point where Laplace Expansion involves only a few steps. In Example \(\PageIndex{10}\), we also could have continued until the matrix was in upper triangular form, and taken the product of the entries on the main diagonal. Whenever computing the determinant, it is useful to consider all the possible methods and tools.

Consider the next example.

Example \(\PageIndex{11}\): Find the Determinant

Find the determinant of the matrix \[A = \left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 2 & 3 & 2 \\ 1 & -3 & 2 & 1 \\ 2 & 1 & 2 & 5 \\ 3 & -4 & 1 & 2 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \]

Solution

Once again, we will simplify the matrix through row operations. Add \(-1\) times the first row to the second row. Next add \(-2\) times the first row to the third and finally take \(-3\) times the first row and add to the fourth row. This yields \[B = \left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 2 & 3 & 2 \\ 0 & -5 & -1 & -1 \\ 0 & -3 & -4 & 1 \\ 0 & -10 & -8 & -4 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \] By Theorem 3.2.4, \(\det \left(A\right) = \det \left(B\right)\).

Remember you can work with the columns also. Take \(-5\) times the fourth column and add to the second column. This yields \[C = \left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & -8 & 3 & 2 \\ 0 & 0 & -1 & -1 \\ 0 & -8 & -4 & 1 \\ 0 & 10 & -8 & -4 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \] By Theorem 3.2.4 \(\det \left(A\right) = \det \left(C\right)\).

Now take \(-1\) times the third row and add to the top row. This gives. \[D = \left[ \begin{array}{rrrr} 1 & 0 & 7 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 & -1 & -1 \\ 0 & -8 & -4 & 1 \\ 0 & 10 & -8 & -4 \end{array} \right]\nonumber \] which by Theorem 3.2.4 has the same determinant as \(A\).

Now, we can find \(\det \left(D\right)\) by expanding along the first column as follows. You can see that there will be only one non zero term. \[\det \left(D\right) = 1 \det \left[ \begin{array}{rrr} 0 & -1 & -1 \\ -8 & -4 & 1 \\ 10 & -8 & -4 \end{array} \right] + 0 + 0 + 0\nonumber \] Expanding again along the first column, we have \[\det \left(D\right) = 1 \left ( 0 + 8\det \left[ \begin{array}{rr} -1 & -1 \\ -8 & -4 \end{array} \right] +10\det \left[ \begin{array}{rr} -1 & -1 \\ -4 & 1 \end{array} \right] \right) = -82\nonumber \]

Now since \(\det \left(A\right) = \det \left(D\right)\), it follows that \(\det \left(A\right) = -82\).

Remember that you can verify these answers by using Laplace Expansion on \(A\). Similarly, if you first compute the determinant using Laplace Expansion, you can use the row operation method to verify.