Determinants

Inverse, Adjoint, and Systems of Equations

1. Inverse of a Matrix ($$A^{-1}$$)

Definition / Property Formula / Condition
Standard Formula $$A^{-1} = \frac{1}{|A|} \text{adj}(A)$$
Existence Condition $$|A| \neq 0$$ (Non-singular)
Reversal Law $$(AB)^{-1} = B^{-1} A^{-1}$$
Transpose Property $$(A^T)^{-1} = (A^{-1})^T$$
Determinant of Inverse $$|A^{-1}| = \frac{1}{|A|}$$

2. Properties of Adjoint ($$\text{adj } A$$)

Fundamental Property $$A(\text{adj } A) = (\text{adj } A)A = |A|I$$
Determinant of Adjoint $$|\text{adj } A| = |A|^{n-1}$$
Adjoint of Product $$\text{adj}(AB) = (\text{adj } B)(\text{adj } A)$$
Adjoint of Adjoint $$\text{adj}(\text{adj } A) = |A|^{n-2} A$$
Det of $$A(\text{adj } A)$$ $$|A(\text{adj } A)| = |A|^n$$

3. Matrix Method Solutions ($$AX = B$$)

Condition Solution Type
$$|A| \neq 0$$ Unique Solution ($$X = A^{-1}B$$)
$$|A| = 0, (\text{adj } A)B \neq O$$ No Solution (Inconsistent)
$$|A| = 0, (\text{adj } A)B = O$$ Infinite Solutions (Consistent)

4. Properties of Cofactors ($$A_{ij}$$)

Sum with same row elements $$a_{i1}A_{i1} + a_{i2}A_{i2} + a_{i3}A_{i3} = |A|$$
Sum with other row elements $$a_{i1}A_{j1} + a_{i2}A_{j2} + a_{i3}A_{j3} = 0 \text{ (for } i \neq j)$$

5. Area of Triangle using Determinants

$$\text{Area} = \left| \frac{1}{2} \begin{vmatrix} x_1 & y_1 & 1 \\ x_2 & y_2 & 1 \\ x_3 & y_3 & 1 \end{vmatrix} \right|$$

*Points are collinear if Area = 0.