SOLUTION: Evaluate the determinant, using row or column operations whenever possible to simplify your work. 0 0 6 4 9 5 1 6 8 4 1 3 4 0 2

Click here to see ALL problems on Matrices-and-determiminant

Question 913783: Evaluate the determinant, using row or column operations whenever possible to simplify your work.
0 0 6 4
9 5 1 6
8 4 1 3
4 0 2 5

Answer by MathLover1(20850) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
0 0 6 4
9 5 1 6
8 4 1 3
4 0 2 5

Swap the 1st and the 2nd rows inversing determinant sign

9 5 1 6
0 0 6 4
8 4 1 3
4 0 2 5

Eliminate elements in the 1st column under the 1st element
9 5 1 6
0 0 6 4
0 -4/9 1/9 -7/3
0 -20/9 14/9 7/3

Swap the 2nd and the 3rd rows inversing determinant sign
9 5 1 6
0 -4/9 1/9 -7/3
0 0 6 4
0 -20/9 14/9 7/3

Eliminate elements in the 2nd column under the 2nd element
9 5 1 6
0 -4/9 1/9 -7/3
0 0 6 4
0 0 1 14

Eliminate elements in the 3rd column under the 3rd element
9 5 1 6
0 -4/9 1/9 -7/3
0 0 6 4
0 0 0 40/3

Multiply the main diagonal elements
9 5 1 6
0 -4/9 1/9 -7/3
0 0 6 4
0 0 0 40/3

Determinant is