Determinant Calculator
Calculate the determinant of a 2x2 or 3x3 matrix.
How It Works
Select matrix size (2x2 or 3x3), enter the elements, and click Calculate. The determinant is computed using the standard formula for 2x2 matrices and cofactor expansion for 3x3.
Formula
2x2: det = ad - bc | 3x3: Laplace expansion along row 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the determinant tell you?
The determinant indicates if a matrix is invertible (non-zero det = invertible), the scaling factor for linear transformations, and is used in solving systems of equations.
What if the determinant is zero?
A zero determinant means the matrix is singular (not invertible) and the system of equations has no unique solution.