TITLE: A problem in Linear algebra
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: Suppose $A$ is a $n$ by $n$ matrix with entries $a_{ij}$ such that 
$$|a_{ii}|>\sum_{k\neq i}|a_{ki}|$$ for $i=1,2,...,n$,  prove $A$ is invertible.

REPLY [6 votes]: We will show the contra-positive. Let $A$ be a matrix which is not invertible (hence $^tA$ is not invertible). Let $x\neq 0$ such that $^tAx=0$. We can find $1\leq i\leq n$ such that $\displaystyle|x_i|=\max_{1\leq k\leq n} |x_k|$. We have $\displaystyle\sum_{k=1}^na_{ki}x_k = 0$ hence $\displaystyle |a_{ii} x_i| =\left|\sum_{k\neq i}a_{ki}x_k\right| \leq |x_i|\sum_{k\neq i}|a_{ki}|$. We get $\displaystyle |a_{ii}|\leq \sum_{k\neq i}|a_{ki}|$.