How Do Row Operations Simplify Calculating a 4x4 Determinant?

In summary, the determinant of a 4x4 matrix is a numerical value that is calculated using the elements of the matrix. It can be found using methods such as cofactor expansion and Gaussian elimination and represents the volume of a parallelepiped formed by the matrix's vectors. It is useful in various fields and a 4x4 matrix can have a determinant of 0, indicating singularity and linear dependency of its vectors.
  • #1
teng125
416
0
A=[3 2 4 3 ;2 -1 2 -2 ; 1 2 0 -2 ;-2 -5 -5 -4]

can smby pls show me how to perform this determinants pls

thanx
 
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  • #2
You need to expand by minors...

You probably won't get much more help without showing some working.
 
  • #3
Do you know how row (or column) operations affect determinants? This can greatly simply things before you expand. Should be in your textbook or notes.
 

What is a determinant of a 4x4 matrix?

The determinant of a 4x4 matrix is a numerical value that is calculated using the elements of the matrix. It is used to determine properties of the matrix, such as whether it is invertible or singular.

How do you find the determinant of a 4x4 matrix?

There are several methods for finding the determinant of a 4x4 matrix, including the cofactor expansion method and the Gaussian elimination method. These methods involve performing specific operations on the elements of the matrix to arrive at the final determinant value.

What does the determinant of a 4x4 matrix represent?

The determinant of a 4x4 matrix represents the volume of a parallelepiped formed by the vectors in the matrix. It can also be thought of as the scaling factor of the matrix, as it affects the size of the resulting transformed vectors.

Why is the determinant of a 4x4 matrix useful?

The determinant of a 4x4 matrix is useful in many areas of mathematics and science, including linear algebra, geometry, and physics. It is used to determine the invertibility of a matrix, solve systems of equations, and calculate transformations.

Can a 4x4 matrix have a determinant of 0?

Yes, a 4x4 matrix can have a determinant of 0. This means that the matrix is singular and cannot be inverted. It also indicates that the vectors in the matrix are linearly dependent, and the volume of the parallelepiped formed by them is 0.

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