The cofactor formula expresses an n×n determinant as a sum of entries from any single row or column, each multiplied by a signed smaller determinant called a cofactor.
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The cofactor
Define the minor as the determinant left after deleting row and column , attach the sign , and draw the checkerboard pattern of signs.
Expansion along row or any column
Group the terms of the big formula by which entry of row they use to reach , and record that licenses column expansion.
Recursion down to smaller determinants
Expand one determinant along row 1 into three signed cofactors and carry it to the answer, noting entries equal to zero drop out.
Pivots, big formula, and cofactors compared
Record the three computations side by side — the product of the pivots, the sum of signed products, and the recursive cofactor formula — with the tradeoff each makes.