Calculating matrix determinant recursively in C++

[Caesar_Rahil]

Hello...
I am trying to build a program that calculates the calculates the determinant of a matrix. IN C++
I could do that to 3x3 matrix, but I was thinking of generalizing it.
I am unable to find a way to do that, the only hint I can get from mathematics is that I can use recursion to break my matrix into smaller matrices. Still i am stumped, can anybody help me out?please

 

[CompuChip]

Well, the determinant of a one by one matrix A is simply A[1, 1].
For an n by n matrix, you can expand along rows or columns, and proceed just as you would do by "hand". So summing over i = 1 to n, take out the first row, nth column (or nth row, first column) and calculate the determinant of the remaining matrix (which is then (n - 1) x (n - 1), of course).

 

[Caesar_Rahil]

Still didn't get it

 

[CompuChip]

What don't you get?
How to calculate a determinant?
How to program it?
What recursion is?

 

[Caesar_Rahil]

Firstly how do i declare a determinant. Since its variable, i have to allocate memory at runtime. Plus, how do i arrange for recursion as i have to specify dimension of determinant at each step??