Contractants: A New Method for the Numerical Evaluation of Determinants

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A new method for evaluating determinants or matrices is given; it is rather tedious to describe and awkward to prove, but is very easy to use. The chief advantages this method is believed to possess are: (i) It involves as few arithmetical manipulations as does the most rapid method of pivotal condensation currently used. (ii) It is easier than any other known method to learn and to remember. (iii) It can be adapted to routine computation, in such a way as to minimise the likelihood of error. (iv) A digital computor can readily be programmed to use it.