# Need assistance with matrix problem in mathematics...please help?

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• Mar 3rd 2013, 05:50 PM
nSober
Need assistance with matrix problem in mathematics...please help?
M [-4 x]
[-10 -5]

Find the valueof x which would make M a non singular Matrix.

Can someone please explain to me how to do this? THanks
• Mar 3rd 2013, 06:17 PM
MacstersUndead
Re: Need assistance with matrix problem in mathematics...please help?
Definition: A non-singular matrix is a square matrix whose determinant is not zero.

Take the determinant of the 2x2 matrix given, which is ad - bc, set it to zero, then solve for x. You can conclude then if x is not the values you solved for, then the matrix will be non-singular.
• Jan 9th 2014, 07:34 PM
JeanGunter
Re: Need assistance with matrix problem in mathematics...please help?
No idea for this problem.
• Jan 9th 2014, 08:44 PM
HallsofIvy
Re: Need assistance with matrix problem in mathematics...please help?
Even after you have told exactly what to do? The given matrix is $\begin{bmatrix}-4 & x \\ -10 & -5 \end{bmatrix}$. The determinant is [tex](-4)(-5)- (-10)(x)= 20+ 10x[tex]. That will be 0 when x= -2. The matrix will be non-singular for any other value of x.