What is the determinant of this 5x5 matrix and how can it be calculated?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the determinant of a 5x5 matrix. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the method to simplify the matrix before calculating the determinant.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use Laplace's expansion but is unsure about reducing the matrix to smaller dimensions. Some participants point out errors in the calculations and suggest corrections to the determinants computed by the original poster.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively identifying mistakes in the calculations and providing feedback. There is a collaborative effort to clarify the correct approach to calculating the determinant, although no consensus has been reached on the final solution.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a specific method suggested by their teacher to reduce the matrix size before calculating the determinant, indicating a potential constraint in their approach.

mexion
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Homework Statement


so my problem is to calculate the determinant of this matrix
[tex]\left[\begin{array}{ccccc}<br /> 1 & 2 & 3 & 3 & 5 \\<br /> 3 & 2 & 1 & 2 & 2 \\<br /> 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\<br /> -1 & 0 & -8 & 1 & 2 \\<br /> 7 & 2 & 1 & 3 & 2<br /> \end{array}\right][/tex]



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


my calculation -> http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1120/21102009124.th.jpg
i know to use Laplace, but my teacher said me "at first you should reduce matrix to 3x3 or even 2x2 - it's easier to calculate the determinant"
but i don't understand this methode at all.
i've done this problem and my solution is -379 and i know it's wrong (correct is -224)
please help.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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The third line of your second determinant is incorrect.
 
Your last determinant should be

[tex]\left|\begin{array}{cc} -18 & 1\\ -50 &9\end{array}\right|[/tex]

not

[tex]\left|\begin{array}{cc} -18 & 0\\ -50 &9\end{array}\right|[/tex]
 
yeah, my bad
but thanks now it's correct
thanks a lot :)
 

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