# Homework Help: Linear Algebra Homework Help

1. Feb 13, 2012

### junsugal

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Consider the matrix A = 1 1 2 1
1 2 3 4
2 4 7 2t-6
2 2 6-t t
Find the values of t for which the matrix A is invertible

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

For A to be invertible, the determinant should not be 0.

So what I did is find the determinant of the 4x4 matrix.
Since this 4x4 matrix doesn't have any zero.
I find 4 3x3 determinants which leads to 3 2x2 determinants. And a total of 12 2x2 determinants.
After I sum all of them, my equation lead to 4t^2-7t+50 is not equals to zero.
And I can't solve for t.
This is weird because when I use online calculator for matrix, for t is 0,1,3, or any random number I put in, there is an inverse matrix.

2. Feb 13, 2012

### vela

Staff Emeritus
The determinant of that matrix is 2t2-17t+26. I would suggest row-reducing the matrix a bit to make finding the determinant less tedious.

3. Feb 13, 2012

### Deveno

you needn't even row-reduce that much. clearing out the first column reduces the problem to finding a 3x3 determinant, and one can use the rule of sarrus:

$$\begin{vmatrix}a&b&c\\d&e&f\\g&h&k\end{vmatrix} = aek + bfg + cdh - ceg - afh - bdk$$

Share this great discussion with others via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook