# Form matrix and calculate it's determinant

I need help with this problem:

For every $i,j \in \{1,2,...,n\}$ is $d_{i,j}=min\{i,j\}$. Calculate determinant of a matrix $[d_{i,j}]_{n_Xn}$.

Is it right that all the elements of this squared matrix are $1$, because of that $d_{i,j}=min\{i,j\}$? Then, value of determinant is $0$.

Thanks for replies.

• Why don't you just try a $2 \times 2$ example? What is $d_{2,2}$? – copper.hat May 20 '15 at 18:18
• @ copper.hat But first I need to form a matrix. Is it right that all elements are $1$ by$d_{i,j}=min\{i,j\}$? – user300045 May 20 '15 at 18:20
• I don't understand what you are asking. There is a formula for $d_{i,j}$ which gives the $i,j$ entry. – copper.hat May 20 '15 at 18:21
• @ copper.hat I am asking what are the elements of a matrix? And what is that formula? – user300045 May 20 '15 at 18:23
• The formula you gave above??? The $i,j$ entry is $\min(i,j)$. – copper.hat May 20 '15 at 18:24

This matrix has determinant $1$, see here. The matrix looks as follows $$\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & \cdots & 1 \cr 1 & 2 & 2 & \cdots & 2 \cr 1 & 2 & 3 &\cdots & 3 \cr \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \cr 1 & 2 & 3 & \cdots & n \end{pmatrix}$$
• How to form that matrix if we only know the statement $d_{i,j}=min\{i,j\}$? – user300045 May 20 '15 at 18:28
• For example, $d_{2,3}=min(2,3)=2$, so the coefficient at place $(2,3)$ is equal to $2$. – Dietrich Burde May 20 '15 at 18:29