Concept:
The determinant of a square matrix is a numerical value associated with the matrix. Determinants are extremely useful in solving systems of equations, finding inverses of matrices, and studying linear transformations.
For a \(2\times2\) matrix
\[
\begin{bmatrix}
a&b\\
c&d
\end{bmatrix},
\]
the determinant is calculated using
\[
ad-bc.
\]
This is one of the most fundamental formulas in matrix algebra.
Step 1: Identify the entries of the matrix.
From
\[
A=
\begin{bmatrix}
1&2\\
3&4
\end{bmatrix},
\]
we have
\[
a=1,\quad b=2,\quad c=3,\quad d=4.
\]
Step 2: Write the determinant formula.
\[
\det(A)=ad-bc.
\]
Step 3: Substitute the values.
\[
\det(A)
=
(1)(4)-(2)(3).
\]
Step 4: Perform the calculations.
\[
=
4-6.
\]
\[
=
-2.
\]
Step 5: Verification.
The determinant calculation follows the standard rule exactly and therefore the result is correct.
Step 6: Final Conclusion.
\[
\boxed{\det(A)=-2}
\]
Hence the correct answer is
\[
\boxed{\text{Option (A)}}.
\]