# does the determinant of a square matrix over field/commutative ring have the same Leibniz formula?

This might be a stupid question but nevertheless I want to be sure.

Let $$A$$ be an $$n \times n$$ matrix such that $$$$A = \begin{pmatrix} a_{1,1} & a_{1,2} & \dots & a_{1,n} \\ a_{2,1} & a_{2,2} & \dots & a_{2,n} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ a_{n,1} & a_{n,2} & \dots & a_{n,n} \\ \end{pmatrix}$$$$ Is it true that $$$$\det(A) = \sum_{\sigma \in S_n} \text{sgn}(\sigma) \prod_{i=1}^n a_{i,\sigma_i}$$$$ even if the elements of A are from a finite field (or a commutative ring)? Also, does the regular way of calculating the determinant of a matrix with elements $$a_{i,j} \in \mathbb{R}$$ (using determinant of minors) carry over to the case where $$a_{i,j} \in \mathbb{F}$$, a finite field or if $$a_{i,j} \in R$$, a commutative ring?

By "regular way" I mean picking a row or a column and then iterating through it element by element (from $$i = 1$$ to $$n$$), finding the determinant of the minor result from eliminating the row and column of that element then multiplying it by $$(−1)^i \times$$ the value of that (row/column) element, then sum over all results of this iteration.

Finally, I would really appreciate it if someone can provide a reference (book or lecture notes) on the subject.

Thanks.

• What is the "regular way"? And yes, the formula is the same for any commutative ring. I prove lots of basic results using the "sum over permutations" formula in Chapter 6 of Notes on the combinatorial fundamentals of algebra; at the beginning of that chapter I also give references to various books. – darij grinberg Oct 18 '18 at 21:04
• By "regular way" I mean picking a row or a column and then iterating through it element by element (from i = 1 to n), finding the determinant of the minor result from eliminating the row and column of that element then multiplying it by $(-1)^i \times$ the value of that (row\column) element, then sum over all results of this iteration. – Yahia Shabara Oct 18 '18 at 21:11
• Yes, you can do that. – darij grinberg Oct 18 '18 at 21:15
• Thanks a lot for the answer and the reference you provided.. looks like exactly what I'm looking for!! – Yahia Shabara Oct 18 '18 at 21:17
• Indeed, the formulas for evaluating a determinant are $\Bbb Z$-formulas, so they are universal. – Lubin Oct 18 '18 at 22:12