We are given a
3×3 invertible matrix
M satisfying the relationship:
M−1=adj(adj M)
To solve this, we must utilize the fundamental property of the adjoint of an adjoint. For any
n×n matrix
A, the identity is:
adj(adj A)=(detA)n−2A
Given that
M is a
3×3 matrix, we set
n=3. Substituting this into our property, we obtain:
adj(adj M)=(detM)3−2M=(detM)M
Equating this to the given expression
M−1=adj(adj M), we arrive at the simplified matrix equation:
M−1=(detM)M
To isolate the scalar, we multiply both sides of the equation by
M:
MM−1=(detM)M2
I=(detM)M2
To find the value of
detM, we take the determinant of both sides. Using the property
det(kA)=kndet(A) for an
n×n matrix, where
k=detM and
n=3:
det(I)=det((detM)M2)
1=(detM)3⋅det(M2)
Since
det(M2)=(detM)2, the equation becomes:
1=(detM)3⋅(detM)2=(detM)5
Given that
M has real entries, the only real solution is:
detM=1