2/1/25, 3:34 PM Matrices
Matrices
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A Matrix is an array of numbers:
6 4 24
1 −9 8
A Matrix
(This one has 2 Rows and 3 Columns)
We talk about one matrix, or several matrices.
There are many things we can do with them ...
Adding
To add two matrices: add the numbers in the matching positions:
3+4=7
3 8 4 0 7 8
4 6 + 1 -9 = 5 -3
These are the calculations:
3+4=7 8+0=8
4+1=5 6−9=−3
The two matrices must be the same size, i.e. the rows must match in size, and the
columns must match in size.
Example: a matrix with 3 rows and 5 columns can be added to another
matrix of 3 rows and 5 columns.
But it could not be added to a matrix with 3 rows and 4 columns (the
columns don't match in size)
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2/1/25, 3:34 PM Matrices
Negative
The negative of a matrix is also simple:
−(2) = −2
2 −4 −2 4
− 7 10
= −7 −10
These are the calculations:
−(2)=−2 −(−4)=+4
−(7)=−7 −(10)=−10
Subtracting
To subtract two matrices: subtract the numbers in the matching positions:
3−4 = −1
3 8 4 0 −1 8
4 6
− 1 −9
= 3 15
These are the calculations:
3−4=−1 8−0=8
4−1=3 6−(−9)=15
Note: subtracting is actually defined as the addition of a negative matrix: A + (−B)
Multiply by a Constant
We can multiply a matrix by a constant (the value 2 in this case):
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2/1/25, 3:34 PM Matrices
2x4=8
4 0 8 0
2 × =
1 -9 2 - 18
These are the calculations:
2×4=8 2×0=0
2×1=2 2×−9=−18
We call the constant a scalar, so officially this is called "scalar multiplication".
Multiplying by Another Matrix
To multiply two matrices together is a bit more difficult ... read
Multiplying Matrices to learn how.
Dividing
And what about division? Well we don't actually divide matrices, we do it this way:
A/B = A × (1/B) = A × B-1
where B-1 means the "inverse" of B.
So we don't divide, instead we multiply by an inverse.
And there are special ways to find the Inverse, learn more at Inverse of a Matrix .
Transposing
To "transpose" a matrix, swap the rows and columns.
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2/1/25, 3:34 PM Matrices
We put a "T" in the top right-hand corner to mean transpose:
T 6 1
6 4 24
1 −9 8
= 4 −9
24 8
Notation
A matrix is usually shown by a capital letter (such as A, or B)
Each entry (or "element") is shown by a lower case letter with a "subscript" of
row,column:
a1,1 a1,2 a1,3
A= a2,1 a2,2 a2,3
Rows and Columns
So which is the row and which is the column?
Rows go left-right
Columns go up-down
To remember that rows come before columns use the word "arc":
Columns go
up and down
ar,c
Example:
6 4 24
B=
1 −9 8
Here are some sample entries:
b1,1 = 6 (the entry at row 1, column 1 is 6)
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2/1/25, 3:34 PM Matrices
b1,3 = 24 (the entry at row 1, column 3 is 24)
b2,3 = 8 (the entry at row 2, column 3 is 8)
Mathopolis: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10
Copyright © 2023 Rod Pierce
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