Why does Friedberg say that the role of the determinant is less central than in former times?

Question

I am taking a proof-based introductory course to Linear Algebra as an undergrad student of Mathematics and Computer Science. The author of my textbook (Friedberg's *Linear Algebra*, 4th Edition) says in the introduction to Chapter 4: >The determinant, which has played a prominent role in the theory of linear algebra, is a special scalar-valued function defined on the set of square matrices. **Although it still has a place in the study of linear algebra and its applications, its role is less central than in former times.** He even sets up the chapter in such a way that you can skip going into detail and move on: >For the reader who prefers to treat determinants lightly, Section 4.4 contains the essential properties that are needed in later chapters. Could anyone offer a didactic and simple explanation that refutes or asserts the author's statement?

Answer 1

calculating determinants can be tedious , especially if done by the definitions of determinants.

Today the solving of simultaneous equations is usually done by appending an identity matrix and doing

elementary row operations until the identity matrix appears on the right, leaving the matrix inverse on the right.