# Math Help - solving for x in the matrix

1. ## solving for x in the matrix

How would i solve for x in the matrix equation.

x 0 0
0 x 0 = 0
0 0 x

2. ## Question for you

Do you know how to take the determinant of a diagonal matrix?

3. Originally Posted by wonderboy1953
Do you know how to take the determinant of a diagonal matrix?
could you show me how to apply it to this question if that not too much of a problem?

4. Originally Posted by sigma1
How would i solve for x in the matrix equation.

x 0 0
0 x 0 = 0
0 0 x
You should be able to know that the you are multiplying x with a $3 \times 3$ identity matrix.

$\left(\begin{array}{ccc}x&0&0\\0&x&0\\0&0&x\end{ar ray}\right)=
x \times \left(\begin{array}{ccc}1&0&0\\0&1&0\\0&0&1\end{ar ray}\right)= 0$

So, what can you say about x?

5. Originally Posted by harish21
You should be able to know that the you are multiplying x with a $3 \times 3$ identity matrix.

$\left(\begin{array}{ccc}x&0&0\\0&x&0\\0&0&x\end{ar ray}\right)=
x \times \left(\begin{array}{ccc}1&0&0\\0&1&0\\0&0&1\end{ar ray}\right)= 0$

So, what can you say about x?

am trying to follow can you show all the steps you use to arrive at the answer.. that would mean x =1