# Proving that a triangular matrix is invertible

1. Jun 7, 2007

### Icheb

I have a square triangular matrix with $$d_{ij} = 0$$ for all $$1 \le j < i \le n$$. Now I have to prove that this matrix is only then invertible when $$d_{ii} \ne 0$$ for all $$1 \le i \le n$$.

From what I know a matrix is only then invertible when its determinant does not equal 0. I also think that the determinant of a triangular matrix is dependent on the product of the elements of the main diagonal and if that's true, I'd have the proof. However this is also where I'm stuck since I don't know how to prove that. Could someone help me there?

2. Jun 7, 2007

### D H

Staff Emeritus
Hint: Formulate the determinant using determinant expansion by minors on the first column.

You should get a very compact expression that only involves the diagonal elements.

3. Jun 7, 2007

It's a simple proof. Just use the definition of the determinant.

4. Jun 7, 2007

### Icheb

Ok, do I understand it correctly that if all elements of one line equal 0, the determinant equals 0? So I would just have to prove that the matrix is linear (Did I translate that word correctly?) and my proof would be complete? Or am I missing something?

5. Jun 7, 2007

### matt grime

You're missing something. It is straightfoward to show from the definition of determinant by expansion that the determinant of a triangular matrix is the product of the diagonal elements. A row of zeroes is neither here nor there.

6. Jun 7, 2007

### Icheb

But why wouldn't it suffice if I assume one element of the main diagonal to be 0, then I use Gaussian transformation to change the last line so it contains only 0s? Then if the last line contains only 0s the determinant would be 0 because of the linearity.

7. Jun 7, 2007

### ZioX

Yes, that works. However, you'd need a proof that you'll always get a row of zeros.

Besides, the proof that the determinant of a diagonal matrix is the product of the diagonal elements is similar enough.

8. Jun 7, 2007

### Icheb

Alright, thank you very much. :)