How do you find the determinant of ((7, -1), (6, -2))?

1 Answer
Feb 13, 2016

-8

Explanation:

The determinant of the 2xx2 matrix

((a,b),(c,d))

is equal to color(red)(ad-bc).

Here, with the matrix

((7,-1),(6,-2))

we see that

{(a=7),(b=-1),(c=6),(d=-2):}

Thus, the determinant of the matrix is equal to

ad-bc=(7)(-2)-(-1)(6)=-14+6=color(blue)(-8)