CENUMES 313 – NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS

CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES OF MATRICES

1. Properties of Matrices
Systems of linear algebraic equations can be expressed very conveniently in terms of matrix notation. Solution
methods for systems of linear algebraic equations can be developed very compactly using matrix algebra.
1.1 Matrix Definitions
A matrix (plural, matrices) is a rectangular array of elements (either numbers or symbols), which are
arranged in orderly rows and columns.
Matrices are generally represented by either a boldface capital letter, for example, .
Example 1.1.1:

[ ]

The size of a matrix is specified by the number of rows times the number of columns. A matrix with rows
and columns is said to be an by , or , matrix.
 So, matrix above is considered as a matrix because it has rows and columns.
Elements of a matrix are generally identified by a double subscripted lowercase letter, for example, , where
the first subscript identifies the row of the matrix and the second subscript identifies the column of the
matrix.
 Looking at matrix above, the element located at the intersection of the first row and the first column,
, of matrix is .

⏞ ⏞ ⏞ ⏞
[ ]

 Next, the element, , which is located at the intersection of the first row and second column
is .
 Then, the element, , which is located at the intersection of the second row and first column
is .

1.2 Types of Matrices

1. A square matrix, , is a matrix which has the same number of rows and columns, that is, .

[ ]

Example 1.2.1:

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 The matrix above is a matrix; thus, a square matrix.

The left-to-right downward-sloping line of elements—which consists of to —is called the
major diagonal of the matrix.

2. A diagonal matrix, , is a square matrix with all elements equal to zero except the elements on the
major diagonal.

[ ]
The matrix above is and diagonal matrix.
 CENUMES 313 – NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES OF MATRICES
3. The identity matrix, , is a diagonal matrix with unity diagonal elements. The identity matrix is the
matrix equivalent of the scalar number unity.

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Example 1.2.2:

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The matrix above is a identity matrix.

4. Scalar matrix – is a square matrix for which all elements on the main diagonal are equal. Identity
matrix, is also considered as scalar matrix.

Scalar matrix : [ ] [ ]

5. Symmetric matrix – is a square matrix wherein the elements about its main diagonal are symmetric
(i.e. aij = aji).

Symmetric matrix : [ ]

6. Zero or null matrix – a matrix wherein all its elements are zero; usually denoted by O.
Null or Zero matrix :

[ ]

7. Vectors are a special type of matrix which has only one column or one row. Vectors are represented
by either a boldface lowercase letter, for example, or .
A column vector is an matrix.

[ ] [ ]

is a column vector, which is also considered as a matrix since it has 4 rows and only one
column.
A row vector is a matrix.
[ ] [ ]
is a row vector, which is also considered as a matrix since it has one row and four columns

8. A triangular matrix is a square matrix in which all the elements on one side of the major diagonal are
zero. The remaining elements may be zero or nonzero. There are two types of triangular matrices.
An upper triangular matrix, , has all zero elements below the major diagonal.

[ ]

 The matrix, , above is an upper triangular matrix.

 CENUMES 313 – NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES OF MATRICES
An lower triangular matrix, , has all zero elements below the major diagonal.

[ ]

 The matrix, , above is a lower triangular matrix.

9. A tridiagonal matrix, , is a square matrix in which all the elements not on the major diagonal and the
two diagonals surrounding the major diagonal are zero. The elements on these three diagonals may or
may not be zero.

[ ]
 The matrix, , above is a tridiagonal matrix.

10. A banded matrix, , has all zero elements except along particular diagonals.

[ ]
 The matrix, , above is a banded matrix.

11. A sparse matrix is one in which most of the elements are zero. Most large matrices arising in the
solution of ordinary and partial differential equations are sparse matrices.

1.3 Transpose of a Matrix

The transpose of an matrix is the matrix, , which has elements, . One must
interchange the value of the column with the row subscripts.
The transpose of a column vector is a row vector and vice versa.
Symmetric square matrices have identical corresponding elements on either side of the major diagonal. That
is, . In that case, .
Example 1.3.1:
Determine the transpose of the matrix, .

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Solution:
The transpose of any matrix retains the elements on its main diagonal. In which case,

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You must flip over the matrix elements over the main diagonal. Consider element . Applying the
idea of ―transposition,‖ which is done by flipping the subscripts of the element, is now located at .

[ ]

Applying the same to element , is now located at .

 CENUMES 313 – NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES OF MATRICES

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Applying the same with all the remaining elements, the transpose of the given matrix is not obtained.

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The transpose of a square matrix is easy enough to imagine. Now, let’s try it to non-square matrices.
Example 1.3.2:
Determine the transpose of the matrix, .

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Solution:
For a non-square matrix, start by making a blank matrix whose number of rows and columns are reversed
that of the given one.
Also, the elements along the main diagonal (those elements whose subscripts are the same, i.e, which
could be , , etc).

[ ] [ ]
You have to flip over the matrix elements over the main diagonal.
Consider element . Applying the idea of ―transposition,‖ is now located at . Next,
consider element . Applying the idea of ―transposition,‖ is now located at .

[ ]
Applying the same to all other elements—reversing the subscripts of the labels of each element—the
transpose of matrix is now

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1.4 Matrix Algebra
Matrix algebra consists of matrix addition, matrix subtraction, and matrix multiplication. Matrix division is not
defined. An analogous operation is accomplished using the matrix inverse.
1.4.1 Matrix Addition and Subtraction
Matrix addition and subtraction consist of adding or subtracting the corresponding elements of two matrices of
equal size. Let and be two matrices of equal size. Then
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Remember that unequal size matrices cannot be added or subtracted.
Matrices of the same size are associative on addition.
( ) ( )
Matrices of the same size are commutative on addition.
 CENUMES 313 – NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES OF MATRICES
Example 1.4.1.1:
Add the two matrices and to obtain the matrix , where

[ ] [ ]

Solution:
Since the two matrices have the same sizes, then one can easily add these two. Simply add each of the
corresponding elements. Then, the resulting matrix will become
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
[ ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )] [
( ]
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
Example 1.4.1.2:
Given the following matrices

[ ] [ ]

Evaluate the following: , , and .

Solution:
Since the two matrices have the same sizes, then one can easily apply the abovementioned operations.
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
[( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ] [ ]
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
[( ) ( ) ( ) ( )] [ ]
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
[ ) ( )
( ( ) ( )] [ ]
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
1.4.2 Matrix Multiplication
Matrix multiplication consists of row-element to column-element multiplication and summation of the resulting
products.
Multiplication of the two matrices and is defined only when the number of columns of matrix is the same
as the number of rows of matrix .
Matrices that satisfy this condition are called conformable in the order . Thus, if the size of matrix is
and the size of matrix is , then
[ ][ ] [ ]
where
( )
∑
( )
The size of matrix is .
Remember that matrices that are not conformable cannot be multiplied.
Example 1.4.2.1:
Given the following matrices

[ ] [ ]

Get the product to get the resulting matrix .

Solution:
 CENUMES 313 – NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES OF MATRICES
First, determine whether matrices are conformable in the said order. Matrix is a matrix, while
Matrix is a matrix. The number of columns of the first matrix—matrix —is equal to the number of
rows of the second matrix—matrix , which is equal to . Thus, matrix and is conformable.
Next, create the resulting blank matrix—Matrix . The number of rows of the resulting matrix is equal to
the number of rows of the first matrix. Consequently, the number of columns of the resulting matrix is equal
to the number of columns of the second matrix. Thus, the size of the resulting matrix is .

[ ] [ ]

Then, solve for the values of each of the elements of the resulting matrix. Start with element .
Knowing that the first subscript is , get the first row of the first matrix

Considering that the second subscript of the element is also , get the first column of the second matrix

Get the summation of the product of corresponding elements.

( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
To be familiar with the process, let us now solve for the value of element .
Knowing that the first subscript is , get the first row of the first matrix

Considering that the second subscript of the element is , get the second column of the second matrix

Get the summation of the product of corresponding elements.

( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
By repeating the process,
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
Therefore, the resulting matrix is

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Example 1.4.2.2:
Get the product given the following matrices

[ ] [ ]

Solution:
For the product , the resulting matrix will be a , using the idea that matrix of size multiplied
with a matrix of size will result to a matrix of size .
[ ] [ ]
Determining the values of each element,
 CENUMES 313 – NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEERING PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES OF MATRICES
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
So, the product is
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Example 1.4.2.3:
Get the product given the following matrices

[ ] [ ]

Solution:
For the product , the resulting matrix will be a , using the same idea above.

[ ] [ ]

Determining the values of each element,

( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )( )
So, the product is

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Matrices that are suitably conformable are associative on multiplication. Thus,

( ) ( )
Square matrices are conformable in either order. Thus, if and are matrices,

where and are matrices. However, square matrices are not commutative on multiplication. That is,
in general,