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In mathematics, Dodgson condensation or method of contractants is a method of computing the determinants of square matrices. It is named for its inventor, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (better known by his pseudonym, as Lewis Carroll, the popular author), who discovered it in 1866.[1] The method in the case of an n × n matrix is to construct an (n − 1) × (n − 1) matrix, an (n − 2) × (n − 2), and so on, finishing with a 1 × 1 matrix, which has one entry, the determinant of the original matrix.
- ^ Dodgson, C. L. (1866–1867). "Condensation of Determinants, Being a New and Brief Method for Computing their Arithmetical Values" (PDF). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. 15: 150–155. Bibcode:1866RSPS...15..150D.