MINVERSE

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Returns the inverse matrix for the matrix stored in an array.

Syntax

MINVERSE(array)

Array is a numeric array with an equal number of rows and columns.

Remarks

Array can be given as a cell range, such as A1:C3; as an array constant, such as {1,2,3;4,5,6;7,8,9}; or as a

name for either of these.

If any cells in array are empty or contain text, MINVERSE returns the #VALUE! error value.

MINVERSE also returns the #VALUE! error value if array does not have an equal number of rows and

columns.

Formulas that return arrays must be entered as array formulas.

Inverse matrices, like determinants, are generally used for solving systems of mathematical equations

involving several variables. The product of a matrix and its inverse is the identity matrix — the square array

in which the diagonal values equal 1, and all other values equal 0.

As an example of how a two-row, two-column matrix is calculated, suppose that the range A1:B2 contains

the letters a, b, c, and d that represent any four numbers. The following table shows the inverse of the

matrix A1:B2.

Column Column
A B

Row d/(a*d- b/(b*c-

1 b*c) a*d)

Row c/(b*c- a/(a*d-

2 a*d) b*c)
 MINVERSE is calculated with an accuracy of approximately 16 digits, which may lead to a small numeric

error when the cancellation is not complete.

Some square matrices cannot be inverted and will return the #NUM! error value with MINVERSE. The

determinant for a noninvertable matrix is 0.

Example 1

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

How to copy an example

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.

2. Select the example in the Help topic.

NOTE Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.

4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave
accent), or on the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, click the Show Formulas button.

A B

1 Data Data

2 4 -1

3 2 0

Formul
Formula a
 =MINVERSE(A2:B
3)

NOTE The formula in the example must be entered as an array formula. After copying the example to a blank

worksheet, select the range A5:B6 starting with the formula cell. Press F2, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. If

the formula is not entered as an array formula, the single result is 0.

Example 2

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

How to copy an example

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.

2. Select the example in the Help topic.

NOTE Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.

4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave
accent), or on the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, click the Show Formulas button.

A B C

1 Data Data Data

2 1 2 1
 3 3 4 -1

4 0 2 0

Formul Formul
Formula a a

=MINVERSE(A2:C
4)

NOTE The formula in the example must be entered as an array formula. After copying the example to a blank

worksheet, select the range A6:C8 starting with the formula cell. Press F2, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. If

the formula is not entered as an array formula, the single result is 0.25.

Tip Use the INDEX function to access individual elements from the inverse matrix.