Consider a binary matrix $A \in \{0,1\}^{n \times n}$. If it has exactly one $1$ in each row and column, is is called a permutation matrix and its determinant is $\pm 1$. What if I have a binary matrix with exactly two ones in each row and column? What is its determinant?
2026-03-27 10:10:58.1774606258
On
What is the determinant of a binary matrix with exactly two ones in each row and column?
775 Views Asked by Bumbble Comm https://math.techqa.club/user/bumbble-comm/detail At
2
There are 2 best solutions below
1
On
The $1$s form loops in the matrix. Start with any $1$, go to the other $1$ in the same row, then the other $1$ in the same column, then same row, and so on.
Suppose they form one loop. Then expanding along any row, it can be seen the determinant will be $\pm1\pm1$. I think, it will be $0$ if there is an even number of rows, and $\pm2$ if there is an odd number.
Suppose they form several loops. The determinant of the combination is the product of the $0$ and $\pm2$ from each individual loop.
So I think it will be $\pm2^k$, where $n$ can be written as the sum of $k$ odd numbers (each $3$ or more) and no even numbers; or it may be $0$.
(Playing at 4am)
If 2x2, 0.
If 3x3, $ 1 1 0\\ 1 0 1\\ 0 1 1 $ is -2.
An expansion by minors should help, but I can't think clearly now.