Is this always true and if so why?

[jsbeckton]

I have noticed that a skew symetric nxn matrix (where n is odd) seems to keep having a determinate of 0 (I have 4 such problems in my book, all with a determinate of 0 ). Is this just a coincidence or is this always true if so is there a proof somewhere I can read? Its not in my book. Thanks

 

[stapel]

There are plenty of terms I don't know, so this may be way off base, but I'm going to guess "determinate" means "determinant"...? If so, the following results will, I think, go some way toward answering your question.

. . . . .PlanetMath: Skew-Symmetric Matrix
. . . . .Wikipedia: Skew-symmetric matrices

I think the articles say that you're right, but please don't ask me to explain them, okay? :wink:

Eliz.

 

[jsbeckton]

Thats why i picked engineering, i can do math but don't ask me to spell! thanks

 

[stapel]

i can do math but don't ask me to spell!

You and my kid would get along great! :wink:

Eliz.