Returns the matrix determinant of an array.
Syntax
MDETERM(array)
Array is a numeric array with an equal number of rows and columns.
Remarks
Array can be given as a cell range (for example, A1:C3); as an array constant, such as {1,2,3;4,5,6;7,8,9}; or as a name to either of these.
If any cells in array are empty or contain text, MDETERM returns the #VALUE! error value.
MDETERM also returns #VALUE! if array does not have an equal number of rows and columns.
MDETERM(A1:C3)
equalsA1*(B2*C3-B3*C2) + A2*(B3*C1-B1*C3) + A3*(B1*C2-B2*C1)
Example
The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.
Selecting an example from Help
Data | Data | Data | Data |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | 8 | 5 |
1 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
7 | 3 | 10 | 2 |
Formula | Description (Result) | ||
=MDETERM(A2:D5) | Determinant of the matrix above (88) | ||
=MDETERM({3,6,1;1,1,0;3,10,2}) | Determinant of the matrix as an array constant (1) | ||
=MDETERM({3,6;1,1}) | Determinant of the matrix in the array constant (-3) | ||
=MDETERM({1,3,8,5;1,3,6,1}) | Returns an error because the array does not have an equal number of rows and columns (#VALUE!) |