Cofactor Expansion Approaches for Generalized Determinants of Non-Square Matrices
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v11i11.12335Published:
2025-10-31Downloads
Abstract
Determinants are conventionally defined only for square matrices, which leaves the theoretical discussion of rectangular matrices relatively undeveloped. This study aims to extend determinant theory by introducing a generalized form of the cofactor expansion applicable to non-square matrices. The method employed in this research is a theoretical–analytical approach that begins with identifying fundamental determinant axioms and proceeds with the construction of a recursive cofactor expansion for matrices with . Worked examples are used to demonstrate the linearity, antisymmetry under row interchange, and reduction consistency of the proposed formulation when applied to square matrices. The findings indicate that the generalized expansion preserves essential algebraic properties and shows compatibility with established rectangular determinant definitions, including the Radić determinant. Overall, this study provides a coherent theoretical foundation for the generalized determinant of rectangular matrices and contributes to broader applications of determinant-based analysis in linear algebra
Keywords:
Cofactor expansion Generalized determinant Linear algebra Non-square matrix Radic determinantReferences
Abdollahi, N., Jafari, M., Bayat, M., Amiri, A., & Fathy, M. (2015). An efficient parallel algorithm for computing determinant of non-square matrices based on Radic’s definition. International Journal of Distributed and Parallel Systems, 6(4), 1–10. https://airccse.org/journal/ijdps/papers/6415ijdps01.pdf
Amiri, A., Fathy, M., & Bayat, M. (2010). Generalization of some determinantal identities for non-square matrices based on Radic’s definition. TWMS Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, 1(2), 163–175. https://static.bsu.az/w24/pp.163-175.pdf
Anton, H., & Rorres, C. (2014). Elementary linear algebra (11th ed.). Wiley. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Elementary+Linear+Algebra%2C+11th+Edition-p-9781118474228
Arunkumar, B., Rajan, R., & Nagarajan, S. (2011). Extensions of determinant concepts for rectangular matrices. International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, 70(3), 401–412. https://ijpam.eu/contents/2011-70-3/9/9.pdf
Cullis, C. E. (1913). Matrices and determinoids (Vol. 1). Cambridge University Press. https://archive.org/details/matricesdeterm00cull
DeFranza, J., & Gagliardi, J. (2009). Introduction to linear algebra with applications. McGraw-Hill. https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/introduction-linear-algebra-applications-defranza-gagliardi/M9780073532397.html
Fitri, N., & Hanita, Y. (2018). Simplifying determinant computation using alternative expansion rules. Indonesian Journal of Mathematics and Applications, 7(2), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.31294/jmathapp.v7i2.8123
Hill, R. (2008). Linear algebra and its applications (4th ed.). Pearson Education. https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/linear-algebra-and-its-applications-4th-edition/P200000006781
Joshi, V. N. (1980). A determinant for rectangular matrices. Bulletin of the Australian Mathematical Society, 21(1), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0004972700011369
Kharie, R. (2021). Determinants and their geometric interpretations in applied algebra. Journal of Mathematical Structures, 15(1), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4751182
Kolman, B., & Hill, D. R. (2008). Elementary linear algebra (9th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall. https://www.pearson.com/store/p/elementary-linear-algebra/P100001115536
Leon, S. J. (2010). Linear algebra with applications (8th ed.). Pearson Education. https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/linear-algebra-with-applications-8th-edition/P200000008786
Makarewicz, A., Mozgawa, W., & Zalewski, M. (2014). On algebraic structures of determinants in higher dimensions. Applied Mathematical Letters, 38, 81–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aml.2014.08.014
Makarewicz, A., & Mozgawa, W. (2016). Volumes of polyhedra in terms of determinants of rectangular matrices. Mathematica Slovaca, 66(5), 1113–1128. https://doi.org/10.1515/ms-2016-0041
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Qualitative+Research%3A+A+Guide+to+Design+and+Implementation%2C+4th+Edition-p-9781119003618
Mursaid, M. (2018). Pengantar Aljabar Linear. Unimed Press. https://repository.unimed.ac.id/28908/
Nur, A. (2014). Properties of determinants in non-square matrices. Indonesian Journal of Mathematics Education, 3(2), 77–86. https://doi.org/10.24014/ijme.v3i2.659
Poole, D. (2015). Linear algebra: A modern introduction (4th ed.). Brooks/Cole. https://www.cengage.com/c/linear-algebra-a-modern-introduction-4e-poole/9781285463247
Polya, G. (2004). How to solve it: A new aspect of mathematical method (2nd ed.). Princeton University Press. https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691164076/how-to-solve-it
Putra, R., & Rizal, A. (2020). Algorithmic determinants in computational linear algebra. Jurnal Teknologi dan Sains, 9(2), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.30812/jts.v9i2.847
Radić, M. (1966). On determinants of rectangular matrices. Glasnik Matematički, 1(21), 17–22. https://web.math.pmf.unizg.hr/glasnik/Vol/vol01no1.html
Radić, M. (2008). Applications of rectangular determinants in geometric analysis. Mathematical Communications, 13(1), 65–72. https://hrcak.srce.hr/29743
Rorres, C. (2014). Elementary linear algebra applications version (10th ed.). Wiley. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Elementary+Linear+Algebra%3A+Applications+Version%2C+10th+Edition-p-9781118473504
Stanimirović, P. S., & Stojaković, M. (1997). A class of generalized determinants for non-square matrices. Linear and Multilinear Algebra, 42(3), 231–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/03081089708818563
Stewart, J. (2016). Essential calculus: Early transcendentals (2nd ed.). Cengage Learning. https://www.cengage.com/c/essential-calculus-early-transcendentals-2e-stewart/9781285587950
Strang, G. (2019). Linear algebra and learning from data. Wellesley-Cambridge Press. https://math.mit.edu/~gs/learningfromdata/
Syahriandi, M., & Thresye, E. (2017). Determinant computation in underdetermined systems. Journal of Applied Mathematical Analysis, 9(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/t3pfr
Yanai, H., & Takane, Y. (2006). Matrix algebra in multivariate analysis. World Scientific. https://doi.org/10.1142/6218
Yurchenko, V. (2023). Determinant, permanent and immanant of rectangular matrix. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34657.79203
Zhang, H., & Liu, Y. (2024). Determinant extensions and tensor representations of rectangular matrices. Linear and Multilinear Algebra, 72(8), 1553–1572. https://doi.org/10.1080/03081087.2024.2378541
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mulyono, Hamidah Nasution, Rizki Habibi, Silvya Ajeng Saraski

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).






