Abstract
In this chapter we intend to address the second question raised in section 3.6; the idea is to associate with each square matrix a number, called its ‘determinant’, which will tell us whether or not the matrix is invertible. This topic may be approached in a number of ways, ranging from the informal to the elegant and sophisticated, and, as is common in this rich and varied world, none is ideal from every standpoint: difficult choices have to be made. We have chosen to reject the elegant modern approaches because of their level of abstraction, and to give a slightly dated treatment which is, nevertheless, rigorous enough for those demanding thoroughness.
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© 1988 David A. Towers
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Towers, D.A. (1988). Determinants. In: Guide to Linear Algebra. Macmillan Mathematical Guides. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09318-2_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09318-2_4
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-43627-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-09318-2
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