Matrix
Introduction
• Matrices are one of the most powerful tools in mathematics.
• This mathematical tool simplifies our work to a great extent when compared
with other straight forward methods.
• The evolution of concept of matrices is the result of an attempt to obtain
compact and simple methods of solving system of linear equations.
• Matrices are not only used as a representation of the coefficients in system of
linear equations, but utility of matrices far exceeds that use.
• Matrix notation and operations are used in electronic spreadsheet programs
for personal computer, which in turn is used in different areas of business and
science like budgeting, sales projection, cost estimation, analysing the results
of an experiment etc.
• Also, many physical operations such as magnification, rotation and reflection
through a plane can be represented mathematically by matrices. Matrices are
also used in cryptography.
• Definition 1 A matrix is an ordered rectangular array of numbers or
functions. The numbers or functions are called the elements or the entries of
the matrix. We denote matrices by capital letters. The following are some
examples of matrices:
• In the above examples, the horizontal lines of elements are said to
constitute, rows of the matrix and the vertical lines of elements are said to
constitute, columns of the matrix. Thus A has 3 rows and 2 columns, B has
3 rows and 3 columns while C has 2 rows and 3 columns.
Order of a matrix
• A matrix having m rows and n columns is called a matrix of order m × n or
simply m × n matrix (read as an m by n matrix).
• So referring to the examples of matrices, we have A as 3 × 2 matrix, B as 3 × 3
matrix and C as 2 × 3 matrix.
• We observe that A has 3 × 2 = 6 elements, B and C have 9 and 6 elements,
respectively.
• We can also represent any point (x, y) in a plane by a matrix (column
𝑋
or row) as x y [ ](or [x, y]).
𝑌
• For example point P(0, 1) as a matrix representation may be given as
• Observe that in this way we can also express the vertices of a closed
rectilinear figure in the form of a matrix.
• For example, consider a quadrilateral ABCD with vertices A (1, 0), B (3, 2),
C (1, 3), D (–1, 2). Now, quadrilateral ABCD in the matrix form, can be
represented as