Finding the Determinant of a 2×2 Matrix
These lessons, with videos, examples, and solutions, help students learn how to find the determinant of a 2×2 matrix.
Related Pages
Inverse of a 2×2 Matrix
Inverse Matrix
Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix
Matrices
Determinants are useful properties of square matrices, but can involve a lot of computation. A 2×2 determinant is much easier to compute than the determinants of larger matrices, like 3×3 matrices. To find a 2×2 determinant we use a simple formula that uses the entries of the 2×2 matrix. 2×2 determinants can be used to find the area of a parallelogram and to determine invertibility of a 2×2 matrix.
If the determinant of a matrix is 0 then the matrix is singular and it does not have an inverse.
Determinant of a 2×2 Matrix
Before we can find the inverse of a matrix, we need to first learn how to get the determinant of a matrix.
Example:
Solution:
Example:
Solution:
(1 × x) − (4 × −2) = 5
x + 8 = 5
x = −3
How to find the determinant of a 2×2 matrix, and solve a few related problems?
Examples:
- Check whether a matrix is singular.
- Given that the value of the determinant of A is 24, find w.
Explains the formula used to determine the inverse of a 2×2 matrix, if one exists
Two examples of calculating a 2×2 determinant
One example contains fractions.
If det(A) = 0, the matrix is singular. This means it is not invertible or is degenrate and does not have an inverse such that:
AA = I
Further lessons on determinants of matrices
Another video on the determinant of a 2×2 matrix
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