Show that the matrix A is non-singular for all real values of a

Given: A = [a -5; 2 a+4]. 1) First find the determinant of A using the known formula => det A = a2+ 4a + 10. A singular matrix is one in which it's determinant equals zero (the determinant of a matrix is a number that captures information about the characteristics of the matrix). The roots of the quadratic are complex, so the graph never equals zero/ no real roots. Therefore it must be a non-singular matrix.

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Evaluate ∫sin⁴(x) dx by expressing sin⁴(x) in terms of multiple angles


Solve x^2+8x-5=0 using completing the square


Particles P and Q move in a plane with constant velocities. At time t = 0 the position vectors of P and Q, relative to a fixed point O in the plane, are (16i - 12j) m and -5i + 4j) m respectively. The velocity of P is (i + 2j) m/s and the velocity of Q


Find the four roots of the equation z^4 = + 8(sqrt(3) + i), in the form z = r*e^(i*theta). Draw the roots on an argand diagram.