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 ▸

What does it mean if two matrices are said to be commutative?


How do you plot a complex number in an Argand diagram?


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


Compute the derivative of arcsin(x).