Step 1: Concept
According to the Cayley-Hamilton Theorem, every square matrix satisfies its own characteristic equation, $\det(A - \lambda I) = 0$.
Step 2: Meaning
For a $2 \times 2$ matrix $A$, the characteristic equation is given by:
\[ \lambda^2 - \text{tr}(A)\lambda + \det(A) = 0 \]
Substituting matrix $A$ in place of $\lambda$ yields $A^2 - \text{tr}(A)A + \det(A)I = O$.
Step 3: Analysis
Given $A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 2 \\ 3 & 4 \end{pmatrix}$:
• Trace, $\text{tr}(A) = 1 + 4 = 5$
• Determinant, $\det(A) = (1)(4) - (2)(3) = 4 - 6 = -2$
Substituting these values into the characteristic equation:
\[ A^2 - 5A - 2I = O \]
Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, the expression $A^2 - 5A - 2I$ evaluates directly to the null matrix $O$.
Final Answer: (A)