Class Notes: Matrices

1. Introduction to Matrices

A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers or elements arranged in rows and columns. Matrices
are commonly used in mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering to represent
data and solve systems of equations.

A. Basic Terminology

Matrix: A rectangular array of numbers arranged in rows and columns.

Element: Each number in the matrix is called an element, denoted as a , where i represents
the row and j represents the column.

Order (Size) of a Matrix: A matrix with m rows and n columns is said to be of order m × n.

Example: A 3×2 matrix has 3 rows and 2 columns.

B. Types of Matrices
1.
Row Matrix: A matrix with a single row.
 Example: A = [1 2 3] (1 × 3 matrix).

2.
Column Matrix: A matrix with a single column.

Example: B = [1; 2; 3] (3 × 1 matrix).

3.
Square Matrix: A matrix where the number of rows is equal to the number of columns.

Example: C = [[1, 2], [3, 4]] (2 × 2 matrix).

4.
Diagonal Matrix: A square matrix in which all elements outside the main diagonal are zero.

Example: D = [[1, 0], [0, 5]]

5.
Identity Matrix: A square matrix where all elements of the principal diagonal are 1 and all other
elements are 0.

Example: I = [[1, 0], [0, 1]]

6.
Zero Matrix (Null Matrix): A matrix in which all the elements are zero.

Example: Z = [[0, 0], [0, 0]]

7.
 Symmetric Matrix: A square matrix that is equal to its transpose.

Example: S = [[1, 2], [2, 1]]

8.
Upper Triangular Matrix: A square matrix where all elements below the main diagonal are zero.

Example: U = [[1, 2], [0, 4]]

9.
Lower Triangular Matrix: A square matrix where all elements above the main diagonal are
zero.

Example: L = [[1, 0], [3, 4]]

2. Matrix Operations

A. Matrix Addition

Matrices of the same order (same number of rows and columns) can be added. To add matrices,
simply add the corresponding elements.

Rule: For two matrices A and B, the element at position (i, j) in the sum C = A + B is the sum of
the elements at position (i, j) in A and B.

Example:

A = [[1, 2], B = [[4, 5],

B. Matrix Subtraction

Matrix subtraction works similarly to addition. Subtract corresponding elements of the matrices.

Example:

A = [[5, 6], B = [[2, 3],

A - B = [[5-2, 6-3], = [[3, 3],

C. Scalar Multiplication

A matrix can be multiplied by a scalar (a constant). To do this, multiply every element of the
matrix by the scalar.

Example:

A = [[1, 2], Scalar = 3

3 * A = [[3*1, 3*2], = [[3, 6],

D. Matrix Multiplication

Matrix multiplication involves multiplying rows of the first matrix by columns of the second
matrix. The number of columns in the first matrix must be equal to the number of rows in the
second matrix.

Rule: If A is an m × n matrix and B is an n × p matrix, the product C = A * B will be an m × p

A = [[1, 2], B = [[4, 5],

A * B = [[1*4 + 2*6, 1*5 + 2*7],

E. Transpose of a Matrix

The transpose of a matrix is obtained by swapping its rows with columns.

Rule: The element at position (i, j) in the matrix becomes the element at position (j, i) in the
transpose.

Example:

A = [[1, 2], Transpose of A:

A^T = [[1, 3],

F. Determinant of a Matrix

The determinant of a matrix is a scalar value that is calculated from the elements of a square
matrix. It is used in solving linear equations, finding the inverse of a matrix, and more.

Determinant of a 2x2 Matrix: For matrix A = [[a, b], [c, d]], the determinant is:

|A| = ad - bc

Example:

A = [[1, 2], Determinant:

G. Inverse of a Matrix

The inverse of a matrix A is denoted by A ¹and is such that:

A * A ¹= I

Where I is the identity matrix.

The inverse exists only for square matrices with a non-zero determinant.

Formula for a 2x2 matrix: If A = [[a, b], [c, d]], the inverse is:

A ¹= (1/|A|) * [[d, -b], [-c, a]]

Provided that the determinant |A| ≠ 0.

3. Applications of Matrices
1.
Solving Systems of Linear Equations:

Matrices are used to represent systems of linear equations and solve them using methods
like Gaussian Elimination.

2.
Computer Graphics:

Matrices are used to perform transformations (translation, rotation, scaling) on images and
objects in 2D and 3D graphics.
3.
Cryptography:

Matrices are used in encoding and decoding data in cryptographic algorithms.

4.
Engineering:

Matrices represent complex systems, such as in structural engineering or electrical

4. Summary Table
Operation Description Example
Matrix Addition Adding corresponding elements A + B = [[5, 7], [9,
11]]
Matrix Multiplying rows of one matrix by columns of another A * B = [[16, 19],
Multiplication [39, 46]]
Transpose Swapping rows and columns A^T = [[1, 3], [2, 4]]
Determinant A scalar value derived from a square matrix `
Inverse A matrix that, when multiplied with the original matrix, A ¹= [[-2, 1], [1.5,
gives the identity matrix -0.5]]

5. Conclusion

Matrices are powerful tools used in various fields to represent and solve problems efficiently.
Understanding matrix operations is essential for advancing in fields like mathematics, computer
science, and engineering.