Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Determinants
A determinant is a scalar value that can be computed from the elements of a square matrix. It provides important information about the matrix, such as whether it is invertible and the volume scaling factor of the linear transformation represented by the matrix. For a 3x3 matrix, the determinant can be calculated using various methods, including expansion by minors.
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Determinants of 2×2 Matrices
Expansion by Minors
Expansion by minors is a method used to calculate the determinant of a matrix by breaking it down into smaller matrices. For a 3x3 matrix, this involves selecting a row or column, calculating the determinant of the 2x2 minors formed by removing the selected row and column, and applying a sign based on the position of the element in the matrix. This method simplifies the computation of determinants for larger matrices.
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Cofactors
Cofactors are the signed determinants of the minors of a matrix. When calculating the determinant using expansion by minors, each element of the selected row or column is multiplied by its corresponding cofactor. The sign of the cofactor alternates based on its position, following a checkerboard pattern of positive and negative signs. Understanding cofactors is essential for correctly applying the expansion method.