# For what values is the matrix invertible?

Printable View

• Sep 29th 2009, 07:59 PM
Solitary Nut
For what values is the matrix invertible?
| 0 1 b|
|-1 0 c|
|-b -c 0|

Sorry about the crummy format.

I've found matrix inverses before, but I am unsure of how to solve for these values. I would think that making the variables pivots would be the only way to find a solution, but I don't want to be taking shots in the dark. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks :)
• Sep 29th 2009, 08:13 PM
Chris L T521
Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary Nut
| 0 1 b|
|-1 0 c|
|-b -c 0|

Sorry about the crummy format.

I've found matrix inverses before, but I am unsure of how to solve for these values. I would think that making the variables pivots would be the only way to find a solution, but I don't want to be taking shots in the dark. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks :)

You can determine if the matrix is nonsingular by find values such that the $\det A\neq 0$. Do you you how do find the determinant?
• Sep 29th 2009, 08:16 PM
Solitary Nut
Nonsingular? I'm not sure what you mean by that. As for the determinant, I'm kind of vague. CD-BA is it? Then you'd need to make some sort of partition, wouldn't you?

I'm sorry, I find my math teacher very hard to follow. It's very hard for me to pick this stuff up.
• Sep 29th 2009, 11:57 PM
mr fantastic
Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary Nut
Nonsingular? I'm not sure what you mean by that. As for the determinant, I'm kind of vague. CD-BA is it? Then you'd need to make some sort of partition, wouldn't you?

I'm sorry, I find my math teacher very hard to follow. It's very hard for me to pick this stuff up.

Non-singular means has an inverse. Singular means does not have an inverse.

Read this: 6.4 - The Determinant of a Square Matrix