I have a math problem. I have to answer these two questions, but I'm getting confused...
The first one is: Find the minor of the indicated element.
The second one is: Find the cofactor for the indicated element.
What is the difference between a minor and a cofactor? Aren't they the same thing?? So, Do I work them both out the same way??
2006-11-24 10:45:35 · 3 answers · asked by Whaaaat?? 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
They are very nearly the same. The minor is the determinant of the matrix when you remove that row and column. The cofactor is the same, EXCEPT, you multiply by -1 if (row+col) is odd. Just like you normally do when you work out determinants.
2006-11-24 10:48:55 · answer #1 · answered by stephen m 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_(linear_algebra)#Cofactors,
"The cofactors of a square matrix A are closely related to the minors of A: the cofactor Cij of A is defined as (â1)^(i + j) times the minor Mij of A."
2006-11-24 10:50:05 · answer #2 · answered by Jim Burnell 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what???
2006-11-24 11:24:38 · answer #3 · answered by Eat organic stuff 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋