# Proving multiplicative inverses of 2x2 matrix with elements in Z

So in describing the elements of M2(Z) that have multiplicative inverses, the answer that I keep coming back to is that the only ones are those with determinants of +/- 1, because the determinant would have to be able to divide all elements. I think I've conifrmed this scouring the web, but nobody has actually proved it. They just say that those elements of M2(Z) with multiplicative inverses are those with determinant +/-1, with no formal proof.

I know if you have matrix [a,b; c,d], the inverse is [d/(ad-bc), -b/(ad-bc); -c/(ad-bc), a/(ad-bc)], with ad-bc being the determinant. I'm wondering if anyone can prove that this determinant must be equal to 1 or -1 in order for the elements of M2(Z) to have multiplicative inverse.

Thanks!

Dick
Homework Helper
How is the determinant of the matrix related to the determinant of the inverse matrix?

If you're asking what the determinant of the inverse matrix is, then it is 1/(ad-bc).

Dick