# Historical meaning of determinant

Some time ago, I published the following question Geometric meaning of the determinant of a matrix on the geometric meaning of determinant.

Usually, on the books of algebra, the determinant is presented as an application from the space of the matrices to a field (set of real numbers, for example) that meets a list of properties. I have read in some magazines, that this definition is due to the Bourbaki group while the geometric meaning of the determinant would be the first historical approach to this concept. Today I would like to ask for confirmation of this to those who know more than me. Thank you very much.

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I am not familiar with mathematical history, but if you google "history of determinant", there is a downloadable book chapter of over 400 pages, which may be useful. – user1551 Oct 19 '13 at 9:30
Read also this. – Tony Piccolo Oct 19 '13 at 10:59
As far as I know, the notion "determinant" is older than "matrix". – azimut Oct 20 '13 at 8:45

The preference of a characterisation of the determinant (as a multi-linear alternating form with value $1$ on the identity matrix) over a straightforward definition (Leibniz formula) is certainly more recent still, quite possibly due to the influence of Bourbaki.