determinant

noun
  1. A quantity or property that determines the character, outcome, or nature of something; a factor that decisively affects the result or outcome of a situation or process. noun
    Economic factors are often the primary determinants of a country's development.
    The determinant of success in this project is the level of team collaboration.
  2. In mathematics, specifically in linear algebra, a scalar value that can be computed from the elements of a square matrix and encodes certain properties of the matrix, such as whether it is invertible. noun
    The determinant of the matrix was calculated to determine if the system of equations has a unique solution.
    A zero determinant indicates that the matrix is singular and does not have an inverse.