Matrices

1.1 Basic Matrix Operations

Objectives: In this section, you will learn basic matrix algebra techniques. Upon completion you will be
able to:
• State the dimensions of a matrix.
• Identify specific elements of a matrix, given the general notation.
• Use the properties of matrices and matrix operations to determine the dimensions of a resulting
matrix.
• Demonstrate addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, and transposition of matrices.
• Create a matrix from a given scenario.
• Apply matrix algebra to real-world scenarios.

Defining a Matrix

Definition

A matrix is often referred to by its size (or dimensions): m × nn, indicating m rows and n columns.
Matrix entries are defined first by row number and then by column number. For example, to locate
the entry in matrix A , identified as ai j , we look for the entry in row i, column j. In matrix A, shown
below, the entry in row 2, column 3 is a23 .
 
 a11 a12 a13 
A =  a21 a22 a23 
 
a31 a32 a33
 

A square matrix is a matrix with dimensions n × nn, meaning that it has the same number of rows as
columns. The 3 × 3 matrix above is an example of a square matrix.
A row matrix is a matrix consisting of one row with dimensions 1 × nn.
h i
B = b11 b12 b13

A column matrix is a matrix consisting of one column with dimensions m × 11.

 
 c11 
C =  c21 
 
c31
 


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 Chapter 1: Matrices

 Example 1 Write a matrix with size 1 × 4, with entries of 0 except for a14 which is a k.

 Example 2 Given matrix A,

 
 7 −9 
A =  11 0 
 
−2 18
 

a. State the dimensions of matrix A.

b. State the value of entry a21 .

c. State the value of entry a34 .

­ Remember, for matrix dimensions and entry identification, the row number comes first, then the
column number.

Adding and Subtracting Matrices

Definition

Given two matrices, A and B, of the same size, the matrix obtained by adding the corresponding entries
of the two matrices is called the sum of the two matrices. The result will be a matrix having the same
size as A and B.
A+B = C
such that
ai j + bi j = ci j


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1.1 Basic Matrix Operations

Definition

Given two matrices, A and B, of the same size, the matrix obtained by subtracting the corresponding
entries of the two matrices is called the difference of the two matrices. The result will be a matrix
having the same size as A and B.
A−B = C
such that
ai j − bi j = ci j


 Example 3 Given matrices A, B, C, and D compute each of the following, if possible.

" # " # " # " #
−2 4x 1 −11 3 6 −9 6 −2 12
A= , B= , C= , and D= .
y 8 3y 18 5 7 −1 −8 3 4

a. D − C

b. C − B

c. A + B

N Remember we can not use the calculator if the matrix involves variables.

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 Chapter 1: Matrices

Theorem 1.1 Properties of Matrix Addition

• Commutative Property: For all m × n matrices, A + B = B + A
• Associative Property: For all m × n matrices, (A + B) + C = A + (B + C)
• Identity Property: If 0m×n is the m × n matrix whose entries are all 0, then 0m×n is called the
m × n additive identity and for all m × n matrices A

A + 0m×n = 0m×n + A = A

• Inverse Property: For every m × n matrix A, there is a unique matrix denoted −A, called the
additive inverse of A, such that

A + (−A) = (−A) + A = 0m×n

 Example 4 Given matrices A, B, C, and D,

" # " # " # " #
−2 4x 1 −11 3 6 −9 6 −2 12
A= , B= , C= , and D=
y 8 3y 18 5 7 −1 −8 3 4

a. State the additive inverse of matrix B, if possible.

b. State the size of the additive identity of matrix D, if possible.

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1.1 Basic Matrix Operations

Multiplying a Matrix by a Scalar

Definition

If A is any matrix and k is any number, the scalar multiple kA is the matrix obtained from multiplying
each entry of A by k. This is also known as the scalar product. The resulting matrix, kA, is the same
size as matrix A. 

 Example 5 Given matrices A, B, C, and D compute each of the following, if possible.

" # " # " # " #
−2 4x 1 −11 3 6 −9 6 −2 12
A= , B= , C= , and D=
y 8 3y 18 5 7 −1 −8 3 4

a. 5A

1
b. − C
2

c. −6B + 7A

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 Chapter 1: Matrices

Transposing a Matrix

Definition

If A is an m × n matrix, the transpose of A, written as AT , is an n × m matrix whose columns are just

the rows of A in the same order. 

" #
a b c
If A = , then AT is
d e f

Theorem 1.2 Transpose Properties

Let A and B denote matrices of the same size, and let k denote a scalar.

1. If A is an m × n matrix, then AT is an n × m matrix.

 T
2. AT = A

3. (kA)T = kAT

4. (A + B)T = AT + BT

 Example 6 Given matrices A and E,

 
" #  3 6 
−2 4x
A= and E =  0 −9 
 
y 8
5 7
 

a. Write the transpose of matrix A, if possible. Then, state the dimensions of the resulting matrix.

 T
b. Compute E T .

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1.1 Basic Matrix Operations

Matrix Equality

Definition

Two matrices, A and B, are called equal (written A = B) if and only if:

1. They are the same size.

2. Corresponding entries are equal.

In other words, A = B means ai j = bi j for all i and j. 

 Example 7 Given the matrix equation below, state the values of a, b, and c, which make the equation
true.
#T
(c + 2) 4
" # " # "
a 4 4 3
−2 =
1 −2 (b + 3) 0 −2 c

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 Chapter 1: Matrices

Applying Basic Matrix Operations

Solving Equations Involving Basic Matrix Operations

 Example 8 Solve the following matrix equation for matrix X.

" # " #
7 −3 8 6
+ 2X =
2 −6 −5 −10

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1.1 Basic Matrix Operations

Using Matrices to Solve Real-World Scenarios

When using matrices to find solutions to real-world problems, you must begin by converting the
information into a matrix using a logical system for the rows and columns.

 Example 9 Vendors on each side of a local university stadium keep track of the number of hot dogs,
pretzels, and pickles on a stick they sell during a conference football game. The home side of the stadium
estimates they sold 250 hot dogs, 475 pretzels, and 300 pickles on a stick, while the visitor side of the
stadium estimates they sold 200 pretzels, 550 pickles on a stick, and 325 hot dogs. Write a 2 × 3 matrix to
represent this information.

In preparation for the next home game against a conference rival, the vendors order 15% more than was
sold at the previous game. Use matrices to represent the number of items to order on each side of the
stadium for the next home game.

Reflection:

• Given matrix A, can you list its dimensions and any element, ai j ?
• Can you perform appropriate matrix algebra operations on two or more matrices without the use of
technology?
• How would you use a matrix to organize information?
• How would you construct matrices and apply matrix algebra to solve a real-world application?

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