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 technique 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, multiplying each element by its corresponding minor (the determinant of the submatrix formed by removing the row and column of that element), and applying a checkerboard pattern of signs. This method simplifies the calculation of determinants for larger matrices.
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Cofactors
Cofactors are the signed minors of a matrix, which are used in the process of calculating determinants through expansion by minors. The cofactor of an element is obtained by multiplying its minor by -1 raised to the power of the sum of its row and column indices. Understanding cofactors is essential for correctly applying the expansion method and ensuring accurate determinant calculations.