Final Answer:

The critical value
for which the matrix is positive definite is
, determined by ensuring all eigenvalues remain positive as \( a \) exceeds this threshold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critical value
for which the given matrix becomes positive definite is
. To establish positive definiteness, we examine the eigenvalues of the matrix.
For a matrix to be positive definite, all eigenvalues must be positive. In this case, the eigenvalues are related to the parameter ( a ), and for the matrix to remain positive definite, ( a ) must be greater than (
).
Understanding the significance of eigenvalues in the context of positive definite matrices is essential. Eigenvalues are crucial indicators of the nature of a matrix, and in the case of positive definiteness, they determine whether the matrix represents a positive definite quadratic form. The critical value
signifies the threshold beyond which the matrix maintains positive definiteness.