In this lesson, we will learn the different types of matrices: row matrix,

column matrix, zero matrix, square matrix, diagonal matrix, unit matrix and
equal matrices.

What is a matrix?
A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers. The size or dimension of a
matrix is defined by the number of rows and columns it contains. Matrices is
plural for matrix.

The following diagrams give some of examples of the types of matrices.

Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations.

What are the types of matrices?

A matrix may be classified by types. It is possible for a matrix to belong to
more than one type.

A row matrix is a matrix with only one row.

Example: E is a row matrix of order 1 × 1

Example: B is a row matrix of order 1 × 3

A column matrix is a matrix with only one column.

Example: C is a column matrix of order 1 × 1

A column matrix of order 2 ×1 is also called a vector matrix.

Example: D is a column matrix of order 2 × 1

A zero matrix or a null matrix is a matrix that has all its elements zero.

Example: O is a zero matrix of order 2 × 3

A square matrix is a matrix with an equal number of rows and columns.

Example: T is a square matrix of order 2 × 2

Example: V is a square matrix of order 3 × 3

A diagonal matrix is a square matrix that has all its elements zero except for
those in the diagonal from top left to bottom right; which is known as
the leading diagonal of the matrix.

Example: B is a diagonal matrix.

A scalar matrix is a diagonal matrix where all the diagonal elements are
equal. For example:

⎛⎝⎜300030003⎞⎠⎟(300030003)

An upper triangular matrix is a square matrix where all the elements located
below the diagonal are zeros. For example:

⎛⎝⎜200310−245⎞⎠⎟(23−2014005)

A lower triangular matrix is a square matrix where all the elements located
above the diagonal are zeros. For example:

⎛⎝⎜3−12045001⎞⎠⎟(300−140251)

A unit matrix is a diagonal matrix whose elements in the diagonal are all
ones.

Example: P is a unit matrix.

How to organize data in matrices?

Vocabulary: matrix, element, dimension, row matrix, column matrix, square
matrix, zero matrix, equal matrices.
 Show Step-by-step Solutions
Introduction to Matrices
This video explains the vocabulary used when solving matrices. Rows,
Columns, Square Matrix, Row Matrix, Column Matrix, Zero Matrix, Equal
Matrices

Matrix Types: Overview

The different types of matrices are:

Type of Matrix Details

Row Matrix A = [aij]1×n

Column Matrix A = [aij]m×1

Zero or Null
A = [aij]mxn where, aij = 0
Matrix

Singleton Matrix A = [aij]mxn where, m = n =1

Horizontal Matrix [aij]mxn where, n > m

Vertical Matrix [aij]mxn where, m > n

Square Matrix [aij]mxn where, m = n

Diagonal Matrix A = [aij] when i ≠ j

A = [aij]mxn where, aij = \left
\{\begin{matrix} 0, & i\ne j \\ k, & i=j \\
Scalar Matrix
\end{matrix}\right \}{0,k,i=ji=j} where k is a constant.

Identity (Unit) A = [aij]m×n where, {{a}_{ij}}=\left\{

\begin{matrix} 1, & i=j \\ 0, & i\ne
Matrix j \\ \end{matrix} \right.aij={1,0,i=ji=j
Equal Matrix A = [aij]mxn and B = [bij]rxs where, aij = bij, m = r, and n = s

Triangular Can be either upper triangular (aij = 0, when i > j) or lower triangular (a ij = 0 when i <
Matrices j)

Singular Matrix |A| = 0

Non-Singular
|A| ≠ 0
Matrix

Symmetric
A = [aij] where, aij = aji
Matrices

Skew-Symmetric
A = [aij] where, aij = aji
Matrices
 Type of Matrix Details

Hermitian Matrix A = Aθ

Skew – Hermitian
Aθ = -A
Matrix

Orthogonal Matrix A AT = In = AT A

Idempotent Matrix A2 = A

Involuntary Matrix A2 = I, A-1 = A

Nilpotent Matrix ∃ p ∈ N such that AP = 0

Types of Matrices: Explanations

Row Matrix
A matrix having only one row is called a row matrix. Thus A = [aij]mxn is a row matrix if m = 1. So, a
row matrix can be represented as A = [aij]1×n. It is called so because it has only one row and the
order of a row matrix will hence be 1 × n. For example, A = [1 2 4 5] is row matrix of order 1 x 4.
Another example of the row matrix is P = [ -4 -21 -17 ] which is of the order 1×3.

Column Matrix
A matrix having only one column is called a column matrix. Thus, A = [aij]mxn is a column matrix if n
= 1. Thus, the value of for a column matrix will be 1. Hence, the order is m × 1.

An example of a column matrix is:

A = \begin{bmatrix} -1\\ 2\\ -4\\ 5 \end{bmatrix}⎣⎢⎢⎢⎡−12−45⎦⎥⎥⎥⎤. is column matrix of
order 4 x 1.

Just like the row matrices had only one row, column matrices have only one column. Thus, the
value of for a column matrix will be 1. Hence, the order is m × 1. The general form of a column
matrix is given by A = [aij]m×1. Other examples of a column matrix include:

~~~~~~~~~~          P =\begin{bmatrix} 2 \cr 7\cr -17 \end{bmatrix}⎣⎢⎡27−17

⎦⎥⎤ ~~~~~~~~~~          Q =\begin{bmatrix} -1 \cr -18\cr -19\cr 9\cr 13
\end{bmatrix}⎣⎢⎢⎢⎢⎢⎡−1−18−19913⎦⎥⎥⎥⎥⎥⎤
In the above example , P and Q are 3 ×1 and 5 × 1 order matrices respectively.

Zero or Null Matrix

If in a matrix all the elements are zero then it is called a zero matrix and it is generally denoted by
0. Thus, A = [aij]mxn is a zero-matrix if aij = 0 for all i and j; E.g. \left[ \begin{matrix} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0
& 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \end{matrix} \right]⎣⎢⎡000000000⎦⎥⎤. is a zero matrix of order 2 x
3.

A = \left[ \begin{matrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 0 \\ \end{matrix}\,\,\,\,\begin{matrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 0 \\

\end{matrix} \right]⎣⎢⎡000000⎦⎥⎤
is a 3 x 2 null matrix & B = \left[ \begin{matrix} 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 \\
\end{matrix} \right]⎣⎢⎡000000000⎦⎥⎤ is 3 x 3 null matrix.

Singleton Matrix
If in a matrix there is only element then it is called singleton matrix. Thus, A = [aij]mxn is a singleton
matrix if m = n = 1. E.g. [2], [3], [a], [] are singleton matrices.

Horizontal Matrix
A matrix of order m x n is a horizontal matrix if n > m; E.g. \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 &3 &4 \\
2& 5& 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix}[12253141].

Vertical Matrix
A matrix of order m x n is a vertical matrix if m > n; E.g. \left[ \begin{matrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ 3 \\ 2 \\
\end{matrix}\,\,\,\,\begin{matrix} 5 \\ 1 \\ 6 \\ 4 \\ \end{matrix} \right]⎣⎢⎢⎢⎡21325164
⎦⎥⎥⎥⎤

Square Matrix
If the number of rows and the number of columns in a matrix are equal, then it is called a square
matrix.

Thus, A = [aij]mxn is a square matrix if m = n; E.g. \left[ \begin{matrix} {{a}_{11}} &

{{a}_{12}} & {{a}_{13}} \\ {{a}_{21}} & {{a}_{22}} & {{a}_{23}} \\ {{a}_{31}} &
{{a}_{32}} & {{a}_{33}} \\ \end{matrix} \right]⎣⎢⎡a11a21a31a12a22a32a13a23a33⎦⎥⎤
is a square matrix of order 3 × 3.
The sum of the diagonal elements in a square matrix A is called the trace of matrix A, and which
is denoted by tr(A); tr(A) = \sum\limits_{i=1}^{n}{{{a}_{ij}}={{a}_{11}}+{{a}_{22}}+
….+{{a}_{mn}}.}i=1∑naij=a11+a22+….+amn.
Another example of a square matrix is:

P = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 7\\ 9 & 13 \end{bmatrix}P=[49713]

Q =\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 & 13\cr -5 & -8 & 0\cr 14 & -7 &9 \end{bmatrix}⎣⎢⎡2−514
1−8−71309⎦⎥⎤
The order of P and Q is 2 ×2 and 3 × 3 respectively.

Diagonal Matrix
If all the elements, except the principal diagonal, in a square matrix, are zero, it is called
a diagonal matrix. Thus, a square matrix A = [aij] is a diagonal matrix if aij = 0,when i\ne
j;\,E.g.\left[ \begin{matrix} 2 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 3 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 4 \\ \end{matrix} \right]i
=j;E.g.⎣⎢⎡200030004⎦⎥⎤
is a diagonal matrix of order 3 x 3, which can also be denoted by diagonal [2 3 4]. The special
thing is, all the non-diagonal elements of this matrix are zero. That means only the diagonal has
non-zero elements. There are two important things to note here which are

(i) A diagonal matrix is always a square matrix

(ii) The diagonal elements are characterized by this general form: a ij where i = j. This means that
a matrix can have only one diagonal.

Few more example of diagonal matrix are:

P = [9]

Q =\begin{bmatrix} 9 & 0 \cr 0 & 13 \end{bmatrix}[90013] R = \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 0 &

0\\ 0 & 13 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 \end{bmatrix}R=⎣⎢⎡400013000−2⎦⎥⎤
In the above examples, P, Q, and R are diagonal matrices with order 1 × 1, 2 × 2 and 3 × 3
respectively. When all the diagonal elements of a diagonal matrix are the same, it goes by a
different name- scalar matrix which is discussed below.

Scalar Matrix
If all the elements in the diagonal of a diagonal matrix are equal, it is called a scalar matrix. Thus,
a square matrix A={{[{{a}_{ij}}]}_{m\times}}A=[aij]m×is a scalar matrix if aij = \left\{
\begin{matrix} 0, & i\ne j \\ k, & i=j \\ \end{matrix}\right\}{0,k,i=ji=j} where k is a
constant.

E.g.\left[ \begin{matrix} -7 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & -7 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & -7 \\

\end{matrix} \right]E.g.⎣⎢⎡−7000−7000−7⎦⎥⎤is a scalar Matrix.
More examples of scalar matrix are:

P =\begin{bmatrix} 3 & 0 \cr 0 & 3 \end{bmatrix}[3003] Q = \begin{bmatrix} \sqrt{5} &

0 & 0\\ 0 & \sqrt{5} & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & \sqrt{5} \end{bmatrix}Q=⎣⎢⎡500050005⎦⎥⎤
Now, what if all the diagonal elements are equal to 1? That will still be a scalar matrix and
obviously a diagonal matrix. It has got a special name which is known as the identity matrix.
Unit Matrix or Identity Matrix
If all the elements of a principal diagonal in a diagonal matrix are 1, then it is called a unit matrix.
A unit matrix of order n is denoted by In. Thus, a square matrix A = [aij]m×n is an identity matrix if

{{a}_{ij}}=\left\{ \begin{matrix} 1, & i=j \\ 0, & i\ne j \\ \end{matrix}

\right.aij={1,0,i=ji=j
E.g. {{I}_{3}}=\left[ \begin{matrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \\
\end{matrix} \right]I3=⎣⎢⎡100010001⎦⎥⎤
Conclusions:

 All identity matrices are scalar matrices

 All scalar matrices are diagonal matrices
 All diagonal matrices are square matrices
It should be noted that the converse of the above statements is not true for any of the cases.

Equal Matrices
Equal matrices are those matrices which are equal in terms of their elements. The conditions for
matrix equality are discussed below.

 Equality of Matrices Conditions

Two matrices A and B are said to be equal if they are of the same order and their corresponding
elements are equal, i.e. Two matrices A = [aij]m×n and B = [bij]r×s are equal if:

(a) m = r i.e. the number of rows in A = the number of rows in B.

(b) n = s, i.e. the number of columns in A = the number of columns in B

(c) aij = bij, for i = 1, 2, ….., m and j = 1, 2, ….., n, i.e. the corresponding elements are equal;

For example, Matrices\begin{bmatrix} 0 &0 \\ 0& 0 \end{bmatrix} and \begin{bmatrix} 0

&0 & 0\\ 0& 0 &0 \end{bmatrix}[0000]and[000000]. are not equal because their orders are
not the same.

But, If A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 &6 &3\\ 5& 2&1 \end{bmatrix} and \begin{bmatrix}

a_1&a_2 & a_3\\ b_1& b_2 &b_3 \end{bmatrix}[156231]and[a1b1a2b2a3b3] are equal
matrices then,

a1 = 1, a2 = 6, a3 = 3, b1 = 5, b2 = 2, b3 = 1.

Triangular Matrix
A square matrix is said to be a triangular matrix if the elements above or below the principal
diagonal are zero. There are two types:

 Upper Triangular Matrix

A square matrix [aij] is called an upper triangular matrix, if aij = 0, when i > j.
E.g.\left[ \begin{matrix} 3 & 1 & 2 \\ 0 & 4 & 3 \\ 0 & 0 & 6 \\
\end{matrix} \right]E.g.⎣⎢⎡300140236⎦⎥⎤ is an upper uriangular matrix of order 3 x
3.

 Lower Triangular Matrix

A square matrix is called a lower triangular matrix, if aij = 0 when i < j.

E.g.\left[ \begin{matrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 2 & 3 & 0 \\ 4 & 5 & 2 \\

\end{matrix} \right]E.g.⎣⎢⎡124035002⎦⎥⎤ is a lower triangular matrix of order 3 x 3.

Singular Matrix and Non-Singular Matrix

Matrix A is said to be a singular matrix if its determinant |A| = 0, otherwise a non-singular matrix,
i.e. If for det |A| = 0, it is singular matrix and for det |A| ≠ 0, it is non-singular.

Symmetric and Skew Symmetric Matrices

 Symmetric matrix: A square matrix A = [aij] is called a symmetric matrix if aij = aji, for all i,j
values;
Eg. A=\left( \begin{matrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 2 & 4 & 5 \\ 3 & 5 & 2 \\ \end{matrix}
\right)A=⎝⎜⎛123245352⎠⎟⎞
is symmetric, because a12 = 2 = a21, a31 = 3 = a13 etc.

Note: A is symmetric if A’ = A (where ‘A’ is the transpose of matrix)

 Skew-Symmetric Matrix: A square matrix A = [aij] is a skew-symmetric matrix if aij = aji, for
all values of i,j.
[putting j = i] aii = 0
Thus, in a skew-symmetric matrix all diagonal elements are zero; E.g. A=\left[ \begin{matrix}
0 & 2 & 1 \\ -2 & 0 & -3 \\ -1 & 3 & 0 \\ \end{matrix} \right],B=\left[ \begin{matrix} 0 &
2 \\ -2 & 0 \\ \end{matrix} \right]A=⎣⎢⎡0−2−12031−30⎦⎥⎤,B=[0−220]
are skew-symmetric matrices.

Note: A square matrix A is a skew-symmetric matrix A’ = -A.

Some important Conclusions on Symmetric and Skew-Symmetric Matrices:

1. If A is any square matrix, then A + A’ is a symmetric matrix and A – A’ is a skew-

symmetric matrix.
2. Every square matrix can be uniquely expressed as the sum of a symmetric matrix and a
skew-symmetric matrix. A=\frac{1}{2}(A+A’)+\frac{1}{2}(A-A’)=\frac{1}{2}
(B+C),A=21(A+A’)+21(A−A’)=21(B+C), where B is symmetric and C is a skew
symmetric matrix.
3. If a and B are symmetric matrices, then AB is symmetric AB = BA, i.e. A & B commute.
4. The matrix B’AB is symmetric or skew-symmetric in correspondence if A is symmetric or
skew-symmetric.
5. All positive integral powers of a symmetric matrix are symmetric.
 6. Positive odd integral powers of a skew-symmetric matrix are skew-symmetric and
positive even integral powers of a skew-symmetric matrix are symmetric.

Hermitian and Skew-Hermitian Matrices

A square matrix A = [aij] is said to be a Hermitian matrix if
aij ={{a}_{ij}}={{\overline{a}}_{ji}}\,\forall \,i,j;\,i.e.\,A={{A}^{\theta }}aij=aji
∀i,j;i.e.A=Aθ E.g.\left[ \begin{matrix} a & b+ic \\ b-ic & d \\ \end{matrix} \right].\left[
\begin{matrix} 3 & 3-4i & 5+2i \\ 3+4i & 5 & -2+i \\ 5-2i & -2-i & 2 \\ \end{matrix}
\right]E.g.[ab−icb+icd].⎣⎢⎡33+4i5−2i3−4i5−2−i5+2i−2+i2⎦⎥⎤ are Hermitian matrices
Important Notes:

 If A is a Hermitian matrix then {{a}_{ii}}={{\overline{a}}_{ii}}\Rightarrow

{{a}_{ii}}\,is\,real\,\forall \,i,aii=aii⇒aiiisreal∀i, thus every diagonal element of a
Hermitian Matrix must be real.

 If a Hermitian matrix over the set of real numbers is actually a real symmetric matrix; and
A a square matrix,
A = [aij] is said to be a skew-Hermitian if {{a}_{ij}}=-{{\overline{a}}_{ji}},\,\forall \,i,j;aij
=−aji,∀i,j;
i.e. Aθ = – A;

E.g.\left[ \begin{matrix} 0 & -2+i \\ 2-i & 0 \\ \end{matrix} \right]\left[ \begin{matrix} 3i

& -3+2i & -1-i \\ 3-2i & -2i & -2-4i \\ 1+i & 2+4i & 0 \\ \end{matrix} \right][02−i
−2+i0]⎣⎢⎡3i3−2i1+i−3+2i−2i2+4i−1−i−2−4i0⎦⎥⎤
are skew-Hermitin matrices.

 If A is a skew-Hermitian matrix then {{a}_{ii}}=-{{\overline{a}}_{ii}}\Rightarrow

{{a}_{ii}}+\underset{{{a}_{ii}}}{\mathop{-}}\,=0aii=−aii⇒aii+aii−=0
i.e. aii must be purely imaginary or zero.

 A skew-Hermitian matrix over the set of real numbers is actually is a real skew-symmetric
matrix.

Special Matrices

(a) Idempotent Matrix:

A square matrix is idempotent, provided A2 = A. For an idempotent matrix A,
{{A}^{n}}=A\,\forall \,n>2,n\in N\Rightarrow {{A}^{n}}=A,n\ge
2.A,An=A∀n>2,n∈N⇒An=A,n≥2.
For an idempotent matrix A, det A = 0 or x.

(b) Nilpotent Matrix:

A nilpotent matrix is said to be nilpotent of index p, \left( p\in N \right),\;\; if \;\;
{{A}^{p}}=O,\,\,{{A}^{p-1}}\ne O,(p∈N),ifAp=O,Ap−1=O, i.e. if p is the least positive
integer for which Ap = O, then A is said to be nilpotent of index p.

(c) Periodic Matrix:

A square matrix which satisfies the relation {{A}^{k+1}}=A,Ak+1=A, for some positive integer
K, then A is periodic with period K, i.e. if K is the least positive integer for
which {{A}^{k+1}}=A,Ak+1=A, and A is said to be periodic with period K. If K =1 then A is
called idempotent.

E.g. the matrix \left[ \begin{matrix} 2 & -3 & -5 \\ -1 & 4 & 5 \\ 1 & -3 & -4 \\
\end{matrix} \right]⎣⎢⎡2−11−34−3−55−4⎦⎥⎤
has the period 1.

Notes:

(i) Period of a square null matrix is not defined.

(ii) Period of an idempotent matrix is 1.

(d) Involutary Matrix:

If {{A}^{2}}=I,A2=I, the matrix is said to be an involutary matrix. An involutary matrix its own
inverse

E.g. (i) A=\left[ \begin{matrix} 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \\ \end{matrix} \right]\left[ \begin{matrix}

0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \\ \end{matrix} \right]=\left[ \begin{matrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \\
\end{matrix} \right]A=[0110][0110]=[1001]

\
Types of Matrices
Different types of Matrices and their forms are used for solving
numerous problems. Some of them are as follows:

1) Row Matrix

A row matrix has only one row but any number of columns. A matrix
is said to be a row matrix if it has only one row. For
example,A=[−1/2√523]A=[−1/2√523]is a row matrix of order 1 × 4.
In general, A = [aij]1 × n is a row matrix of order 1 × n.
2) Column Matrix

A column matrix has only one column but any number of rows. A
matrix is said to be a column matrix if it has only one column. For
example,A=⎡⎢
⎢
⎢
⎢⎣0√3−11/2⎤⎥
⎥
⎥
⎥⎦A=[0√3−11/2]is a column matrix of order 4 × 1. In general, B =
[bij]m × 1 is a column matrix of order m × 1.
3) Square Matrix

A square matrix has the number of columns equal to the number of

rows. A matrix in which the number of rows is equal to the number
of columns is said to be a square matrix. Thus an m × n matrix is said
to be a square matrix if m = n and is known as a square matrix of
order ‘n’. For
example,A=⎡⎢⎣3−103/2√3/2143−1⎤⎥⎦A=[3−103/2√3/2143−1] is a
square matrix of order 3. In general, A = [aij] m × m is a square
matrix of order m.
4) Rectangular Matrix

A matrix is said to be a rectangular matrix if the number of rows is

not equal to the number of columns. For example, A=⎡⎢
⎢
⎢
⎢⎣3−103/2√3/2143−17/22−5⎤⎥
⎥
⎥
⎥⎦A=[3−103/2√3/2143−17/22−5]is a matrix of the order 4 × 3
5) Diagonal matrix

A square matrix B = [bij] m × m is said to be a diagonal matrix if all

its non-diagonal elements are zero, that is a matrix B =[bij]m×m is said
to be a diagonal matrix if bij = 0, when i ≠ j. For example, A=[4]
[−1002]⎡⎢⎣3000−50002⎤⎥⎦A=[4][−1002][3000−50002]are diagonal
matrices of order 1, 2, 3, respectively.
6) Scalar Matrix

A diagonal matrix is said to be a scalar matrix if all the elements in

its principal diagonal are equal to some non-zero constant. A
diagonal matrix is said to be a scalar matrix if its diagonal elements
are equal, that is, a square matrix B = [bij]n × n is said to be
a scalar matrix if

 bij = 0, when i ≠ j
 bij = k, when i = j, for some constant k.
For example,A=[4][−100−1]⎡⎢⎣300030003⎤⎥⎦A=[4][−100−1]
[300030003] are scalar matrices of order 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
7) Zero or Null Matrix

A matrix is said to be zero matrix or null matrix if all its elements are
zero.
For Example,A=[0][0000]⎡⎢⎣000000000⎤⎥⎦A=[0][0000]
[000000000]are all zero matrices of the order 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
We denote zero matrix by O.
8) Unit or Identity Matrix

If a square matrix has all elements 0 and each diagonal elements are
non-zero, it is called identity matrix and denoted by I.
Equal Matrices: Two matrices are said to be equal if they are of the
same order and if their corresponding elements are equal to the
square matrix A = [aij]n × n is an identity matrix if

 aij = 1 if i = j
 aij = 0 if i ≠ j
We denote the identity matrix of order n by In. When the order is
clear from the context, we simply write it as I. For example,A=[1]
[1001]⎡⎢⎣100010001⎤⎥⎦A=[1][1001][100010001]are identity
matrices of order 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Observe that a scalar
matrix is an identity matrix when k = 1. But every identity matrix is
clearly a scalar matrix.
9) Upper Triangular Matrix

A square matrix in which all the elements below the diagonal are
zero is known as the upper triangular matrix. For
example, A=⎡⎢⎣3−57040009⎤⎥⎦A=[3−57040009]
10) Lower Triangular Matrix

A square matrix in which all the elements above the diagonal are zero
is known as the upper triangular matrix. For
example, A=⎡⎢⎣300040−579⎤⎥⎦