MINVERSE

Description Computes the inverse of a square matrix.

Note This is an array function. For information, see Array Functions.

Syntax MINVERSE ( array)

Argument	Description
array	An array of numbers or range of cells.

Remarks The inverse is often used to solve series of simultaneous equations. The inverse has the property that when it is multiplied (using MMULT) by the original matrix, the identity matrix is the result--1's on the diagonal, 0's (or very small numbers because of round-off errors in computers) in all other locations.

Examples The first example uses this worksheet.

MINVERSE(A1:C3) returns the following results range:

Example Problem Given: x + y = 3 and x - y = 2, solve for x and y:

To solve using MINVERSE and MMULT:

1. Enter the coefficient and constant array matrices.
2. Select a four-cell area (A4:B5 in the example) to hold the results of the formula.
3. Type in the formula MINVERSE (A1:B2).
4. Press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to enter the array formula so that it applies to all four cells in the selected area.
5. Select a two-cell column area where you want the answer to appear.
6. Multiply the inverse coefficient array matrix and the constant array matrix by typing MMULT(A4:B5,D4:D5), then pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER.

See Also MDETERM, MMULT