Determinant

 Determinant

➤ If `M` is the set of square matrices, `K` is the set of numbers (real or complex), and `f : M → K` is defined by `f (A) = k`, where `A ∈ M` and `k ∈ K`, then `f(A)` is called the determinant of `A`. It is also denoted by `| A|` or det `A` or `∆`.

Remarks 

(i) For matrix `A, | A|` is read as the determinant of `A` and not modulus of `A`. 
(ii) Only square matrices have determinants.