Mathematics I / Applications of Matrices and Vectors
Practice question · Numerical answer

The matrix with rows (2, 0) and (0, 2) is applied to the plane. By what factor does it multiply areas?

Hints
  1. The area scaling factor is the absolute value of the determinant.
  2. Both axes are stretched by 2, and area involves both directions.
Show the answer

4

Why

The determinant is 4, so areas quadruple, a unit square becomes a 2 by 2 square. Doubling every length doubles the area twice over, which is why the scaling factors multiply rather than add.

Read the lesson: Applications of Matrices and Vectors →

Practise Applications of Matrices and Vectors

The app has 4 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Mathematics I is free to start.

More questions on Applications of Matrices and Vectors