The condition for which the eigenvalues of the matrix $$A = \left[ {\matrix{ 2 & 1 \cr 1 & k \cr } } \right]$$ are positive, is

At least one eigenvalue of a singular matrix is

If any two columns of a determinant $$P = \left| {\matrix{ 4 & 7 & 8 \cr 3 & 1 & 5 \cr 9 & 6 & 2 \cr } } \right|$$ are interchanged, which one of the following statements regarding the value of the determinant is CORRECT?

The lowest eigen value of the $$2 \times 2$$ matrix $$\left[ {\matrix{ 4 & 2 \cr 1 & 3 \cr } } \right]$$ is ______.