Calculator-Online.net

Calculator Online

Calculator-Online.net

Calculator Online

Follow Us On:

Your Result is copied!
Advertisement

Determinant Calculator

Select the matrix size, input the values, and the determinant calculator will calculate the determinant with detailed steps.

Advertisement

The determinant calculator simplifies finding determinants for square matrices up to 5×5 in size. You can select the size of the matrix and input either real or complex numbers to evaluate the determinant along with step-by-step calculations.

What is a Determinant?

A determinant is a scalar value obtained from the elements of a square matrix. It has important properties in linear algebra and geometry, such as measuring how much a linear transformation defined by the matrix stretches or compresses space. A positive determinant preserves orientation, while a negative determinant reverses it. Determinants are denoted as det(A), |A|, or det A.

How to Calculate the Determinant of a Matrix?

Determinants can be calculated in several ways, including row reduction, cofactor expansion, and diagonal multiplication (for small matrices). This calculator allows you to compute determinants for 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, and 5×5 matrices without manual effort.

2×2 Matrix

For matrix A = [[a, b], [c, d]]:

\( \text{det} A = ad - bc \)

Example:

\( A = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 12 \\ 2 & 7 \end{bmatrix} \)

\( \text{det} A = (4)(7) - (12)(2) = 28 - 24 = 4 \)

3×3 Matrix

For matrix A = [[a, b, c], [d, e, f], [g, h, i]], using cofactor expansion along the first column:

\( \text{det} A = a \begin{vmatrix} e & f \\ h & i \end{vmatrix} - d \begin{vmatrix} b & c \\ h & i \end{vmatrix} + g \begin{vmatrix} b & c \\ e & f \end{vmatrix} \)

Example:

\( A = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 0 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 & 1 \\ 0 & 4 & 7 \end{bmatrix} \)

\( \text{det} A = 2\begin{vmatrix}4 & 1 \\ 4 & 7\end{vmatrix} - 1\begin{vmatrix}0 & 3 \\ 4 & 7\end{vmatrix} + 0\begin{vmatrix}0 & 3 \\ 4 & 1\end{vmatrix} \)

\( = 2(28 - 4) - 1(0 - 12) + 0 = 48 + 12 = 36 \)

4×4 Matrix

For matrix A = [[a, b, c, d], [e, f, g, h], [i, j, k, l], [m, n, o, p]], expand along the first column:

\( \text{det} A = a \begin{vmatrix} f & g & h \\ j & k & l \\ n & o & p \end{vmatrix} - e \begin{vmatrix} b & c & d \\ j & k & l \\ n & o & p \end{vmatrix} + i \begin{vmatrix} b & c & d \\ f & g & h \\ n & o & p \end{vmatrix} - m \begin{vmatrix} b & c & d \\ f & g & h \\ j & k & l \end{vmatrix} \)

Then calculate the 3×3 determinants using the formula above.

Example:

\( A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 8 & 7 & 2 \\ 2 & 4 & 3 & 8 \\ 1 & 4 & 3 & 2 \\ 1 & 4 & 9 & 6 \end{bmatrix} \)

Step-by-step cofactor expansion along the first column gives: \( \text{det} A = -80 \)

5×5 Matrix

For matrix A = [[a, b, c, d, e], [f, g, h, i, j], [k, l, m, n, o], [p, q, r, s, t], [u, v, w, x, y]], expand along the first column:

\( \text{det} A = a \begin{vmatrix} g & h & i & j \\ l & m & n & o \\ q & r & s & t \\ v & w & x & y \end{vmatrix} - f \begin{vmatrix} b & c & d & e \\ l & m & n & o \\ q & r & s & t \\ v & w & x & y \end{vmatrix} + k \begin{vmatrix} b & c & d & e \\ g & h & i & j \\ q & r & s & t \\ v & w & x & y \end{vmatrix} - p \begin{vmatrix} b & c & d & e \\ g & h & i & j \\ l & m & n & o \\ q & r & s & t \end{vmatrix} + u \begin{vmatrix} b & c & d & e \\ g & h & i & j \\ l & m & n & o \\ q & r & s & t \end{vmatrix} \)

Use the 4×4 determinant formula recursively to find the result.

Other Languages:

Turkish | Polish | Indonesian | German | Japanese | Korean | Czech | Portuguese | French | Spanish | Italian | Russian | Arabic | Finnish | Danish

animal image
sales modal popup close

Easter into Action, Save With Satisfaction

UPTO

50 %

OFF

Online Calculator

Calculator Online

Get the ease of calculating anything from the source of calculator online

Email us at

Contact Us

© Copyrights 2026 by Calculator-Online.net