Define the determinant det(A) of an n×n complex matrix A. Let A1,…,An be the columns of A, let σ be a permutation of {1,…,n} and let Aσ be the matrix whose columns are Aσ(1),…,Aσ(n). Prove from your definition of determinant that det(Aσ)=ϵ(σ)det(A), where ϵ(σ) is the sign of the permutation σ. Prove also that det(A)=det(At).
Define the adjugate matrix adj(A) and prove from your definitions that Aadj(A)= adj(A)A=det(A)I, where I is the identity matrix. Hence or otherwise, prove that if det(A)=0, then A is invertible.
Let C and D be real n×n matrices such that the complex matrix C+iD is invertible. By considering det(C+λD) as a function of λ or otherwise, prove that there exists a real number λ such that C+λD is invertible. [You may assume that if a matrix A is invertible, then det(A)=0.]
Deduce that if two real matrices A and B are such that there exists an invertible complex matrix P with P−1AP=B, then there exists an invertible real matrix Q such that Q−1AQ=B.