Easy -1.8 This is a 1-mark multiple-choice question testing direct recall of the 2×2 determinant formula (ad - bc). It requires no problem-solving, just applying the memorized formula: a(5) - 2(b) = 5a - 2b. Even for Further Maths, this is a trivial warm-up question significantly easier than average A-level content.
Which of the following expressions is the determinant of the matrix \(\begin{bmatrix} a & 2 \\ b & 5 \end{bmatrix}\)?
Circle your answer.
[1 mark]
\(5a - 2b\) \quad \(2a - 5b\) \quad \(5b - 2a\) \quad \(2b - 5a\)
Which of the following expressions is the determinant of the matrix $\begin{bmatrix} a & 2 \\ b & 5 \end{bmatrix}$?
Circle your answer.
[1 mark]
$5a - 2b$ \quad $2a - 5b$ \quad $5b - 2a$ \quad $2b - 5a$
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA Further AS Paper 1 2019 Q2 [1]}}