# 10.7 Determinants

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A teacher's guide to determinants.

Another very lecture-heavy topic, I’m afraid. Like multiplying matrices, finding the determinant is something you just have to show on the board. And once again, you can refer them in the end to the“Conceptual Explanations”to see an example worked out in detail.

Start by talking about the ad-bc that played such a prominent role in the inverse of a 2×2 matrix. This is, in fact, the determinant of a 2×2 matrix.

Then show them how to find the determinant of a three-by-three matrix, using either the“diagonals”or“expansion by minors”method, whichever you prefer. (I would not do both. Personally, I prefer“expansion by minors,”and that is the one I demonstrate in the“Conceptual Explanations.”)

Hot points to mention:

• Brackets like this [A] mean a matrix; brackets like this |A| mean a determinant. A determinant is a number associated with a matrix: it is not, itself, a matrix.
• Only square matrices have a determinant.
• Also show them how to find a determinant on the calculator. They need to be able to do this (like everything else) both manually and with a calculator.
• To find the area of a triangle whose vertices are (a,b), (c,d), and (e,f), you can use the formula: Area =½ $\mid \begin{array}{ccc}a& c& e\\ b& d& f\\ 1& 1& 1\end{array}\mid$ . This is the only use I can really give them for determinants. They will need to know this for the homework. Do an example or two. I like to challenge them to find that area any other way, just to make the point that it is not a trivial problem without matrices. (I don’t know any other good way.)
• All we’re really going to use“expansion by minors”for is 3×3 matrices. However, I like to point out that it can be obviously extended to 4×4, 5×5, etc. It also extends down to a 2×2—if you“expand minors”on that, you end up with the good old familiar formula ad-bc.
• Finally, mention that any matrix with determinant zero has no inverse. This is analogous to the rule that the number 0 is the only number with no inverse.

## Homework

“Homework—Determinants”

what is the stm
is there industrial application of fullrenes. What is the method to prepare fullrene on large scale.?
Rafiq
industrial application...? mmm I think on the medical side as drug carrier, but you should go deeper on your research, I may be wrong
Damian
How we are making nano material?
what is a peer
What is meant by 'nano scale'?
What is STMs full form?
LITNING
scanning tunneling microscope
Sahil
how nano science is used for hydrophobicity
Santosh
Do u think that Graphene and Fullrene fiber can be used to make Air Plane body structure the lightest and strongest. Rafiq
Rafiq
what is differents between GO and RGO?
Mahi
what is simplest way to understand the applications of nano robots used to detect the cancer affected cell of human body.? How this robot is carried to required site of body cell.? what will be the carrier material and how can be detected that correct delivery of drug is done Rafiq
Rafiq
what is Nano technology ?
write examples of Nano molecule?
Bob
The nanotechnology is as new science, to scale nanometric
brayan
nanotechnology is the study, desing, synthesis, manipulation and application of materials and functional systems through control of matter at nanoscale
Damian
Is there any normative that regulates the use of silver nanoparticles?
what king of growth are you checking .?
Renato
What fields keep nano created devices from performing or assimulating ? Magnetic fields ? Are do they assimilate ?
why we need to study biomolecules, molecular biology in nanotechnology?
?
Kyle
yes I'm doing my masters in nanotechnology, we are being studying all these domains as well..
why?
what school?
Kyle
biomolecules are e building blocks of every organics and inorganic materials.
Joe
anyone know any internet site where one can find nanotechnology papers?
research.net
kanaga
sciencedirect big data base
Ernesto
Introduction about quantum dots in nanotechnology
what does nano mean?
nano basically means 10^(-9). nanometer is a unit to measure length.
Bharti
do you think it's worthwhile in the long term to study the effects and possibilities of nanotechnology on viral treatment?
absolutely yes
Daniel
how to know photocatalytic properties of tio2 nanoparticles...what to do now
it is a goid question and i want to know the answer as well
Maciej
Abigail
for teaching engĺish at school how nano technology help us
Anassong
How can I make nanorobot?
Lily
Do somebody tell me a best nano engineering book for beginners?
there is no specific books for beginners but there is book called principle of nanotechnology
NANO
how can I make nanorobot?
Lily
what is fullerene does it is used to make bukky balls
are you nano engineer ?
s.
fullerene is a bucky ball aka Carbon 60 molecule. It was name by the architect Fuller. He design the geodesic dome. it resembles a soccer ball.
Tarell
what is the actual application of fullerenes nowadays?
Damian
That is a great question Damian. best way to answer that question is to Google it. there are hundreds of applications for buck minister fullerenes, from medical to aerospace. you can also find plenty of research papers that will give you great detail on the potential applications of fullerenes.
Tarell
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