linear algebra
Determinants
August 9, 2020
Question 1
Determine if the following matrices are invertible. (No need to find the
inverse)
a)A=
(
2 3
4 5
)
b) A=
1 0 00 2 1
1 0 1
.
c) A=
1 0 12 1 3
3 0 3
.
Question 2
Compute the determinants of the following matrices using any method you
want.
a) A=
1 0 12 4 0
1 3 1
.
1
b) B=
1 2 3 9
0 3 4 6
1 0 5 1
0 0 0 1
.
c) C=
1 2 3 4 5
0 4 6 9 26
0 0 8 12 18
2 0 0 2 3
0 0 0 0 4
.
Question 3
Say whether the following are true or false. If false explain why or give
a counter example.
a) det(A+B)= det(A) + det(B) for any n n matrices A,B.
b) Suppose A and B are two 3636 matrices with det(A)=1063 and det(B)=2.
Then the matrix AB is invertible.
c) Suppose A is a 3 3 matrix with det(A)=12. There exists some vec-
tor ~b R3 such that there is no ~x R3 with A~x = ~b.
d) Suppose A is a 10, 340 10, 340 matrix with det(A)=0. Then there is
some nonzero vector ~x R10,340 such that A~x = ~0
Challenge Question for your enjoyment
Consider the matrix A=
1 2 41 3 9
1 4 16
. This matrix has det(A)=2=(4-3)(4-
2)(3-2) where Ive expressed 2 in this weird way as a hint.
Now consider the matrix B=
1 2 4 8
1 3 9 27
1 4 16 64
1 5 25 125
. This has det(B)=12=(5-
2
4)(5-3)(5-2)(4-2)(4-3) again written in this weird way as a hint.
Without plugging into a calculator, find the determinant of the matrix
C =
1 2 4 8 16
1 3 9 27 81
1 4 16 64 256
1 5 25 125 625
1 6 36 216 1, 296
.
Such matrices are called Vandermonde Matrices and they actually turn
up in mathematics. For example, in so called algebraic number theory
(more specifically in finite number field extensions) in Galois theory and
in Group Representation Theory this matrix is used in proving some key
results. Furthermore, it is also used in Error correcting codes, and in com-
puting Discrete Fourier Transforms, with applications to music.
3
