GRE Subject Test: Math : Determinants

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 :Determinants

Given the following matrix, find the determinant, if possible.

Possible Answers:

There is no determinant.

Correct answer:

解释:

Write the formula to find the determinant given a 2 by 2 matrix.

Substituting in the given matrix we are able to find the determinant.

Example Question #1 :Determinants

Evaluate the determinant of the following matrix.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

解释:

Remember, to evaluate the determinant of a matrix use the following:

The first step would be to write the determinant of the matrix:

Now we can evaluate:

Example Question #1 :Determinants

Evaluate the determinant of the following matrix.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

解释:

To find the determinant of a3 x 3matrix, we must use the following:

The first thing we must do is write the determinant:

Now we can proceed to evaluate the determinant

Notice that the numbers2, 4,and3are being multiplied by the determinants of the2x2matrices so we have:

Example Question #3 :Determinants

Find the determinant of the matrix:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

解释:

Step 1: We need to recall how to find the determinant of amatrix. To find the determinant of amatrix, we need to use the equation, where=Determinant, andare from the matrix.

Step 2: Identify a,b,c, and d in the original matrix.
a=first number on top row, b=second number on top row (next to a), c=first number on the bottom row, and d is the second number on the bottom row (next to c).

In this matrix, a=, b=, c=, and d=.

Step 3: Substitute the values of a,b,c, and d into the equation to find the determinant of the matrix.

We will simplify the right side.

. We see that there are two negative signs in the middle, which will become a plus sign.

. Simplify the right side.

.is the determinant.

The determinant of the matrix is.



Example Question #1 :Determinants

Find the determinate of Matrix A.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

解释:

Matrix A is given below.

The formula for the determinate of a 2x2 matrix is:

Plugging in the values gives us:

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