Let A be the square matrix [aij]. The cofactor, Aij, of the entry aij is equal to (−1)i + j times the determinant of the matrix obtained by deleting the i-th row and j-th column of A. If A is the 3×3 matrix shown, the factor (−1)i + j has the effect of introducing a + or-sign according to the pattern on the right:
So, for example,
See adjoint (of a matrix)