determinant

adj. serving to define, serving to determine

n. determining factor; certain mathematical quantity

In algebra, a determinant is a function depending on n that associates a scalar, det(A), to every n×n square matrix A. The fundamental geometric meaning of a determinant is as the scale factor for volume when A is regarded as a linear transformation. Determinants are important both in calculus, where they enter the substitution rule for several variables, and in multilinear algebra.
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Noun
1. a determining or causal element or factor; "education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life"
(synonym) determiner, determinative, determining factor, causal factor
(hypernym) cognitive factor
(hyponym) clincher, decisive factor
(derivation) determine, shape, mold, influence, regulate
2. a square matrix used to solve simultaneous equations
(hypernym) square matrix
Adjective
1. having the power or quality of deciding; "the crucial experiment"; "cast the deciding vote"; "the determinative (or determinant) battle"
(synonym) crucial, deciding(a), determinative, determining(a)
(similar) decisive

adj. determinant

v. determine, establish, fix, define, will, type, incite, calibrate, constrict, plot

n. determinant, determining factor; certain mathematical quantity