Matrix Operations and Concepts:
Detailed Guide with Examples
1. Introduction to Matrices
A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers arranged in rows and columns.
Matrix dimensions are expressed as rows × columns.
Common types of matrices:
- Row matrix
- Column matrix
- Square matrix
- Zero matrix
- Diagonal matrix
- Identity matrix
2. Matrix Notation and Dimensions
Notation: A = [aᵢⱼ], where i is the row number and j is the column number.
Example:
A = [ [1, 2, 3],
[4, 5, 6] ] has 2 rows and 3 columns (2×3 matrix).
3. Matrix Addition and Subtraction
Matrices can be added or subtracted only if they have the same dimensions.
Example:
A = [ [1, 2], [3, 4] ]
B = [ [5, 6], [7, 8] ]
A + B = [ [6, 8], [10, 12] ]
4. Scalar Multiplication
Multiply each element of a matrix by a scalar (constant number).
Example:
k=3
A = [ [1, 2], [3, 4] ]
kA = [ [3, 6], [9, 12] ]
5. Matrix Multiplication Basics
A × B is defined only when the number of columns in A equals the number of rows in B.
Example:
A = [ [1, 2], [3, 4] ]
B = [ [2, 0], [1, 2] ]
A × B = [ [(1×2 + 2×1), (1×0 + 2×2)], [(3×2 + 4×1), (3×0 + 4×2)] ]
= [ [4, 4], [10, 8] ]
6. Identity and Zero Matrices
Identity Matrix (I): Diagonal elements are 1; others are 0.
I₂ = [ [1, 0], [0, 1] ]
Zero Matrix: All elements are 0.
O₂ = [ [0, 0], [0, 0] ]
7. Transpose of a Matrix
Flips the matrix over its diagonal.
If A = [ [1, 2], [3, 4], [5, 6] ], then Aᵀ = [ [1, 3, 5], [2, 4, 6] ]
8. Inverse of a Matrix (2×2)
If A = [ [a, b], [c, d] ], then A⁻¹ = (1/(ad-bc)) × [ [d, -b], [-c, a] ] if ad ≠ bc.
Example:
A = [ [4, 7], [2, 6] ], det = (4×6 - 7×2) = 10
A⁻¹ = (1/10) × [ [6, -7], [-2, 4] ]
9. Determinants and Properties
The determinant is a scalar value that describes matrix properties.
For 2×2 matrix: |A| = ad - bc
Properties:
- |AB| = |A| × |B|
- |Aᵀ| = |A|
- A is invertible iff |A| ≠ 0
10. Practice Problems with Solutions
Problem 1: Add A and B.
A = [ [1, 2], [3, 4] ]
B = [ [5, 6], [7, 8] ]
Solution: A + B = [ [6, 8], [10, 12] ]
Problem 2: Multiply A and B.
A = [ [1, 2], [3, 4] ]
B = [ [2, 0], [1, 2] ]
Solution: A × B = [ [4, 4], [10, 8] ]
Problem 3: Find inverse of A.
A = [ [2, 3], [1, 4] ], det = 2×4 - 3×1 = 5
A⁻¹ = (1/5) × [ [4, -3], [-1, 2] ]