Finite Math Examples

$[\begin{array}{c} - 3 & 0 & 11 \\ 1 & \frac{1}{4} & - 7 \\ 5 & - 3 & 9 \end{array}]$

Step 1

Find the determinant.

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Step 1.1

Choose the row or column with the most $0$ elements. If there are no $0$ elements choose any row or column. Multiply every element in row $1$ by its cofactor and add.

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Step 1.1.1

Consider the corresponding sign chart.

$| \begin{array}{c} + & - & + \\ - & + & - \\ + & - & + \end{array} |$

Step 1.1.2

The cofactor is the minor with the sign changed if the indices match a $-$ position on the sign chart.

Step 1.1.3

The minor for $a_{11}$ is the determinant with row $1$ and column $1$ deleted.

$| \begin{array}{c} \frac{1}{4} & - 7 \\ - 3 & 9 \end{array} |$

Step 1.1.4

Multiply element $a_{11}$ by its cofactor.

$- 3 | \begin{array}{c} \frac{1}{4} & - 7 \\ - 3 & 9 \end{array} |$

Step 1.1.5

The minor for $a_{12}$ is the determinant with row $1$ and column $2$ deleted.

$| \begin{array}{c} 1 & - 7 \\ 5 & 9 \end{array} |$

Step 1.1.6

Multiply element $a_{12}$ by its cofactor.

$0 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & - 7 \\ 5 & 9 \end{array} |$

Step 1.1.7

The minor for $a_{13}$ is the determinant with row $1$ and column $3$ deleted.

$| \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.1.8

Multiply element $a_{13}$ by its cofactor.

$11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.1.9

Add the terms together.

$- 3 | \begin{array}{c} \frac{1}{4} & - 7 \\ - 3 & 9 \end{array} | + 0 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & - 7 \\ 5 & 9 \end{array} | + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.2

Multiply $0$ by $| \begin{array}{c} 1 & - 7 \\ 5 & 9 \end{array} |$ .

$- 3 | \begin{array}{c} \frac{1}{4} & - 7 \\ - 3 & 9 \end{array} | + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3

Evaluate $| \begin{array}{c} \frac{1}{4} & - 7 \\ - 3 & 9 \end{array} |$ .

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Step 1.3.1

The determinant of a $2 \times 2$ matrix can be found using the formula $| \begin{array}{c} a & b \\ c & d \end{array} | = a d - c b$ .

$- 3 (\frac{1}{4} \cdot 9 - (- 3 \cdot - 7)) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2

Simplify the determinant.

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Step 1.3.2.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 1.3.2.1.1

Combine $\frac{1}{4}$ and $9$ .

$- 3 (\frac{9}{4} - (- 3 \cdot - 7)) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.1.2

Multiply $- (- 3 \cdot - 7)$ .

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Step 1.3.2.1.2.1

Multiply $- 3$ by $- 7$ .

$- 3 (\frac{9}{4} - 1 \cdot 21) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.1.2.2

Multiply $- 1$ by $21$ .

$- 3 (\frac{9}{4} - 21) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.2

To write $- 21$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{4}{4}$ .

$- 3 (\frac{9}{4} - 21 \cdot \frac{4}{4}) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.3

Combine $- 21$ and $\frac{4}{4}$ .

$- 3 (\frac{9}{4} + \frac{- 21 \cdot 4}{4}) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.4

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$- 3 \frac{9 - 21 \cdot 4}{4} + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.5

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 1.3.2.5.1

Multiply $- 21$ by $4$ .

$- 3 \frac{9 - 84}{4} + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.5.2

Subtract $84$ from $9$ .

$- 3 (\frac{- 75}{4}) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.3.2.6

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 | \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$

Step 1.4

Evaluate $| \begin{array}{c} 1 & \frac{1}{4} \\ 5 & - 3 \end{array} |$ .

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Step 1.4.1

The determinant of a $2 \times 2$ matrix can be found using the formula $| \begin{array}{c} a & b \\ c & d \end{array} | = a d - c b$ .

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (1 \cdot - 3 - 5 (\frac{1}{4}))$

Step 1.4.2

Simplify the determinant.

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Step 1.4.2.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 1.4.2.1.1

Multiply $- 3$ by $1$ .

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (- 3 - 5 (\frac{1}{4}))$

Step 1.4.2.1.2

Combine $- 5$ and $\frac{1}{4}$ .

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (- 3 + \frac{- 5}{4})$

Step 1.4.2.1.3

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (- 3 - \frac{5}{4})$

Step 1.4.2.2

To write $- 3$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{4}{4}$ .

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (- 3 \cdot \frac{4}{4} - \frac{5}{4})$

Step 1.4.2.3

Combine $- 3$ and $\frac{4}{4}$ .

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (\frac{- 3 \cdot 4}{4} - \frac{5}{4})$

Step 1.4.2.4

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 \frac{- 3 \cdot 4 - 5}{4}$

Step 1.4.2.5

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 1.4.2.5.1

Multiply $- 3$ by $4$ .

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 \frac{- 12 - 5}{4}$

Step 1.4.2.5.2

Subtract $5$ from $- 12$ .

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (\frac{- 17}{4})$

Step 1.4.2.6

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- 3 (- \frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (- \frac{17}{4})$

Step 1.5

Simplify the determinant.

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Step 1.5.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 1.5.1.1

Multiply $- 3 (- \frac{75}{4})$ .

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Step 1.5.1.1.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $- 3$ .

$3 (\frac{75}{4}) + 0 + 11 (- \frac{17}{4})$

Step 1.5.1.1.2

Combine $3$ and $\frac{75}{4}$ .

$\frac{3 \cdot 75}{4} + 0 + 11 (- \frac{17}{4})$

Step 1.5.1.1.3

Multiply $3$ by $75$ .

$\frac{225}{4} + 0 + 11 (- \frac{17}{4})$

Step 1.5.1.2

Multiply $11 (- \frac{17}{4})$ .

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Step 1.5.1.2.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $11$ .

$\frac{225}{4} + 0 - 11 (\frac{17}{4})$

Step 1.5.1.2.2

Combine $- 11$ and $\frac{17}{4}$ .

$\frac{225}{4} + 0 + \frac{- 11 \cdot 17}{4}$

Step 1.5.1.2.3

Multiply $- 11$ by $17$ .

$\frac{225}{4} + 0 + \frac{- 187}{4}$

Step 1.5.1.3

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$\frac{225}{4} + 0 - \frac{187}{4}$

Step 1.5.2

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{225 - 187}{4}$

Step 1.5.3

Subtract $187$ from $225$ .

$\frac{38}{4}$

Step 1.5.4

Cancel the common factor of $38$ and $4$ .

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Step 1.5.4.1

Factor $2$ out of $38$ .

$\frac{2 (19)}{4}$

Step 1.5.4.2

Cancel the common factors.

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Step 1.5.4.2.1

Factor $2$ out of $4$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot 19}{2 \cdot 2}$

Step 1.5.4.2.2

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 \cdot 19}{2 \cdot 2}$

Step 1.5.4.2.3

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{19}{2}$

Step 2

Since the determinant is non-zero, the inverse exists.

Step 3

Set up a $3 \times 6$ matrix where the left half is the original matrix and the right half is its identity matrix.

$[\begin{array}{c} - 3 & 0 & 11 & 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 1 & \frac{1}{4} & - 7 & 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 5 & - 3 & 9 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4

Find the reduced row echelon form.

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Step 4.1

Multiply each element of $R_{1}$ by $- \frac{1}{3}$ to make the entry at $1, 1$ a $1$ .

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Step 4.1.1

Multiply each element of $R_{1}$ by $- \frac{1}{3}$ to make the entry at $1, 1$ a $1$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} - \frac{1}{3} \cdot - 3 & - \frac{1}{3} \cdot 0 & - \frac{1}{3} \cdot 11 & - \frac{1}{3} \cdot 1 & - \frac{1}{3} \cdot 0 & - \frac{1}{3} \cdot 0 \\ 1 & \frac{1}{4} & - 7 & 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 5 & - 3 & 9 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.1.2

Simplify $R_{1}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 1 & \frac{1}{4} & - 7 & 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 5 & - 3 & 9 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.2

Perform the row operation $R_{2} = R_{2} - R_{1}$ to make the entry at $2, 1$ a $0$ .

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Step 4.2.1

Perform the row operation $R_{2} = R_{2} - R_{1}$ to make the entry at $2, 1$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 1 - 1 & \frac{1}{4} - 0 & - 7 + \frac{11}{3} & 0 + \frac{1}{3} & 1 - 0 & 0 - 0 \\ 5 & - 3 & 9 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.2.2

Simplify $R_{2}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \frac{1}{4} & - \frac{10}{3} & \frac{1}{3} & 1 & 0 \\ 5 & - 3 & 9 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.3

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} - 5 R_{1}$ to make the entry at $3, 1$ a $0$ .

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Step 4.3.1

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} - 5 R_{1}$ to make the entry at $3, 1$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \frac{1}{4} & - \frac{10}{3} & \frac{1}{3} & 1 & 0 \\ 5 - 5 \cdot 1 & - 3 - 5 \cdot 0 & 9 - 5 (- \frac{11}{3}) & 0 - 5 (- \frac{1}{3}) & 0 - 5 \cdot 0 & 1 - 5 \cdot 0 \end{array}]$

Step 4.3.2

Simplify $R_{3}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \frac{1}{4} & - \frac{10}{3} & \frac{1}{3} & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & - 3 & \frac{82}{3} & \frac{5}{3} & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.4

Multiply each element of $R_{2}$ by $4$ to make the entry at $2, 2$ a $1$ .

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Step 4.4.1

Multiply each element of $R_{2}$ by $4$ to make the entry at $2, 2$ a $1$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 4 \cdot 0 & 4 (\frac{1}{4}) & 4 (- \frac{10}{3}) & 4 (\frac{1}{3}) & 4 \cdot 1 & 4 \cdot 0 \\ 0 & - 3 & \frac{82}{3} & \frac{5}{3} & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.4.2

Simplify $R_{2}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & - \frac{40}{3} & \frac{4}{3} & 4 & 0 \\ 0 & - 3 & \frac{82}{3} & \frac{5}{3} & 0 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.5

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} + 3 R_{2}$ to make the entry at $3, 2$ a $0$ .

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Step 4.5.1

Perform the row operation $R_{3} = R_{3} + 3 R_{2}$ to make the entry at $3, 2$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & - \frac{40}{3} & \frac{4}{3} & 4 & 0 \\ 0 + 3 \cdot 0 & - 3 + 3 \cdot 1 & \frac{82}{3} + 3 (- \frac{40}{3}) & \frac{5}{3} + 3 (\frac{4}{3}) & 0 + 3 \cdot 4 & 1 + 3 \cdot 0 \end{array}]$

Step 4.5.2

Simplify $R_{3}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & - \frac{40}{3} & \frac{4}{3} & 4 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & - \frac{38}{3} & \frac{17}{3} & 12 & 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.6

Multiply each element of $R_{3}$ by $- \frac{3}{38}$ to make the entry at $3, 3$ a $1$ .

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Step 4.6.1

Multiply each element of $R_{3}$ by $- \frac{3}{38}$ to make the entry at $3, 3$ a $1$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & - \frac{40}{3} & \frac{4}{3} & 4 & 0 \\ - \frac{3}{38} \cdot 0 & - \frac{3}{38} \cdot 0 & - \frac{3}{38} (- \frac{38}{3}) & - \frac{3}{38} \cdot \frac{17}{3} & - \frac{3}{38} \cdot 12 & - \frac{3}{38} \cdot 1 \end{array}]$

Step 4.6.2

Simplify $R_{3}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & - \frac{40}{3} & \frac{4}{3} & 4 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & - \frac{17}{38} & - \frac{18}{19} & - \frac{3}{38} \end{array}]$

Step 4.7

Perform the row operation $R_{2} = R_{2} + \frac{40}{3} R_{3}$ to make the entry at $2, 3$ a $0$ .

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Step 4.7.1

Perform the row operation $R_{2} = R_{2} + \frac{40}{3} R_{3}$ to make the entry at $2, 3$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 + \frac{40}{3} \cdot 0 & 1 + \frac{40}{3} \cdot 0 & - \frac{40}{3} + \frac{40}{3} \cdot 1 & \frac{4}{3} + \frac{40}{3} (- \frac{17}{38}) & 4 + \frac{40}{3} (- \frac{18}{19}) & 0 + \frac{40}{3} (- \frac{3}{38}) \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & - \frac{17}{38} & - \frac{18}{19} & - \frac{3}{38} \end{array}]$

Step 4.7.2

Simplify $R_{2}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & - \frac{11}{3} & - \frac{1}{3} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & - \frac{88}{19} & - \frac{164}{19} & - \frac{20}{19} \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & - \frac{17}{38} & - \frac{18}{19} & - \frac{3}{38} \end{array}]$

Step 4.8

Perform the row operation $R_{1} = R_{1} + \frac{11}{3} R_{3}$ to make the entry at $1, 3$ a $0$ .

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Step 4.8.1

Perform the row operation $R_{1} = R_{1} + \frac{11}{3} R_{3}$ to make the entry at $1, 3$ a $0$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 + \frac{11}{3} \cdot 0 & 0 + \frac{11}{3} \cdot 0 & - \frac{11}{3} + \frac{11}{3} \cdot 1 & - \frac{1}{3} + \frac{11}{3} (- \frac{17}{38}) & 0 + \frac{11}{3} (- \frac{18}{19}) & 0 + \frac{11}{3} (- \frac{3}{38}) \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & - \frac{88}{19} & - \frac{164}{19} & - \frac{20}{19} \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & - \frac{17}{38} & - \frac{18}{19} & - \frac{3}{38} \end{array}]$

Step 4.8.2

Simplify $R_{1}$ .

$[\begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & 0 & - \frac{75}{38} & - \frac{66}{19} & - \frac{11}{38} \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & - \frac{88}{19} & - \frac{164}{19} & - \frac{20}{19} \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & - \frac{17}{38} & - \frac{18}{19} & - \frac{3}{38} \end{array}]$

Step 5

The right half of the reduced row echelon form is the inverse.

$[\begin{array}{c} - \frac{75}{38} & - \frac{66}{19} & - \frac{11}{38} \\ - \frac{88}{19} & - \frac{164}{19} & - \frac{20}{19} \\ - \frac{17}{38} & - \frac{18}{19} & - \frac{3}{38} \end{array}]$