Determinant of a 2×2 matrix
Guided practice — solve each problem, check, then generate a fresh one.
Formula to apply
det [[a, b], [c, d]] = ad − bc
Problem
Compute the determinant of the matrix
[ -1 -3 ]
[ -4 2 ]
Working
- 1det = a·d − b·c = -1·2 − -3·(-4).
- 2= -2 − (12) = -14.