# Determinant n

1. Oct 29, 2011

### Helloes

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I have to find a determinant for
1 2 3 ... n
-1 0 3 ... n
-1 -2 0 ... n
................
-1 -2 -3 ... 0
but I have very little clue how to proceed, because the mathematics material that I was given is very vague about this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Oct 29, 2011

### LawrenceC

Does -1 -2 -3 ... 0 represent the final row of the matrix meaning the the lowest right member is 0?

3. Oct 29, 2011

### I like Serena

Welcome to PF, Helloes!

The main rule about calculating determinants, is that you can add a multiple of a row to another row, without changing the determinant.
Same thing for columns: you can add (or subtract) a multiple of one column to another column.

Now let's try a couple of determinants.

What is |1|?

What is $\begin{vmatrix}1&2\\-1&0\end{vmatrix}$?

What is $\begin{vmatrix}1&2&3\\-1&0&3\\-1&-2&0\end{vmatrix}$?

What is $\begin{vmatrix}1&2&3&4\\-1&0&3&4\\-1&-2&0&4\\-1&-2&-3&0\end{vmatrix}$?