MATRICES

MATH PROJECT
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 a brief introduction
to

matrices
GOAL: to be able to solve a
system of equations using matrices
and a graphing calculator, and to
understand why it works.
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A matrix looks something like
this...
 3 −2 1 2 
1 0 1 −1 
 
 5 4 1 2
− 2 2 3 0 
 

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It is an array of numbers (or
variables, or expressions),
arranged in rows and columns
and enclosed in brackets.
Each individual number or variable
or expression in the matrix is
element
called an ____________ .

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A matrix is commonly designated
by a capital letter (sometimes
also in brackets). A or [A]
The capital letter often includes a
subscript which gives the number
or rows and columns in the matrix.
Rows are always given first!
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 A 2x3
Refers to a matrix with __2 rows
and __3 columns.  1 − 1 2

It might look like this...  3 1 0 
(rows: horizontal; columns: vertical.)
The number of rows and columns
is referred to as the “dimensions”
___________
of the matrix.
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If a matrix has only one row, it is
called a _____
row matrix:
[ 2 a 4a 3 0 ]
If a matrix has only one 2
 x
column, is called a  
___________
column matrix:  1 

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If there are an equal number of
rows and columns it is called a
___________
square matrix:

 2 3 4
 1 9 8
 
 3 5 0

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A matrix can be multiplied by a
number or variable (called a
scalar) by multiplying each
element by the scalar. So...
 2 3 4  6 9 12 

3 1 9 8 =   3 27 24
   
 3 5 0  9 15 0 
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Two matrices are equal if and
only if each element in the first is
equal to the corresponding
element in the second. If...
 x 2 y   3 10  Then we
=
 3 x 4 y   9 20 know that...
   
x = 3 and y=5
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Matrices can be added by adding
the corresponding elements.

2 5
4   3 0   ____ 4 
____
x  +   =  
 x+2
y   2 x   ____ y + x
____ 

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Two matrices can be multiplied
under certain circumstances...

columns in
The number of ___________
the FIRST matrix must equal the
number of ___________
rows in the
SECOND matrix.
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The resulting product matrix will
have the same number of
rows
___________ as the first matrix
and the same number of
columns as the second.
___________
A 2x3 × B 2x3 does not exist. Why?

(A columns (3) ≠ B rows (2)! )

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A 2x3 × B 3x1 does exist, and results
in matrix... ( AB ) 2x1

Note that sometimes [A][B]

exists, but [B][A] does not! (As is
the case in this example!)
Matrix multiplication is NOT
commutative!
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To perform matrix multiplication,
each element in the first ROW of
the FIRST matrix is multiplied by
its corresponding element in the
first COLUMN of the SECOND
matrix. The sum of those products
will be the element of the first row,
first column of the product matrix.
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The pattern is repeated until all
the elements of the product matrix
are found.
FORTUNATELY…..
Today we have calculators that do
the job quickly and easily!

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Each square matrix has a number
associated with it called its
“determinant.”
A determinant is indicated by
placing the elements in the matrix
inside vertical bars, instead of
brackets.

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 2 4 Would have a determinant
 1 5 indicated by...
  2 4
1 5

A determinant is NOT a matrix. It

is a number associated with a
matrix.
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In a second order matrix (i.e. two-
by-two), the determinant is
calculated like this...
a b
= ad − bc so...
c d
2 4
= 2 ⋅ 5 − 4 ⋅ 1 = 10 − 4 = 6
1 5
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Expanding third and fourth order
determinants becomes quite
messy, and once again….
FORTUNATELY…
Today we have calculators that do
the job quickly and easily!

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