The tutor shares a feature of LibreOffice Calc that’s very convenient.

I don’t evaluate determinants very often, but in the past I’ve done it a few times. I find it’s a process that requires care.

LibreOffice Calc will evaluate the determinant for you, as follows:

Let’s imagine you insert the matrix entries into cells a1 through c3. In a cell that’s detached (I use d5), type in

=MDETERM(a1:c3)

Hopefully you’re rewarded with the determinant of the matrix that spans a1 to c3.

I’ll be sharing more hints about LibreOffice Calc in future posts:)

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.