1. **State the problem:** Find the value of the determinant of the matrix $$\begin{pmatrix}3 & 1 & 2 \\ 1 & 4 & 2 \end{pmatrix}$$ 2. **Note:** The given matrix is a 2x3 matrix, which is not square. 3. **Important rule:** Determinants are defined only for square matrices (n x n). 4. Since the matrix is not square, the determinant is **not defined**. 5. Therefore, the value of the determinant does not exist for this matrix.