Det Function

Description

The Function \(Det\) calculates the determinant of a square matrix.

The determinant is a number (a scalar) that is assigned to a square matrix and can be calculated from its elements. It is a useful tool for solving linear systems of equations.

The determinant of a 2 x 2 matrix is calculated as

\(det \left[\matrix{a&b\\c&d}\right]=\left|\matrix{a&b\\c&d}\right|=(ad-bc) \)

Note the alternative notation used to specify a determinant; vertical bars instead of parentheses as used for a matrix.

Syntax

Det (Matrix)

Example

a=[5,3;4,5]=	5 3
	4 5

Det(a)= 13