Edit

WorksheetFunction.MInverse method (Excel)

  • Article

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

Syntax

expression.MInverse (Arg1)

expression A variable that represents a WorksheetFunction object.

Parameters

Name Required/Optional Data type Description
Arg1 Required Variant Array - a numeric array with an equal number of rows and columns.

Return value

Variant

Remarks

The size of the array must not exceed 52 columns by 52 rows. If it does, the function returns a #VALUE! error.

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.

Row Column A Column B
Row 1 d/(a*d-b*c) b/(b*c-a*d)
Row 2 c/(b*c-a*d) a/(a*d-b*c)

MInverse is calculated with an accuracy of approximately 16 digits, which may lead to a small numeric error when the calculation 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.

Support and feedback

Have questions or feedback about Office VBA or this documentation? Please see Office VBA support and feedback for guidance about the ways you can receive support and provide feedback.