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What is a Matrix?
This lesson introduces the matrix - the rectangular array at the heart of matrix algebra. Matrix algebra is
used quite a bit in advanced statistics, largely because it provides two benefits.
Matrix Definition
A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers arranged in rows and columns. The array of numbers below is
an example of a matrix.
21 62 33 93
44 95 66 13
77 38 79 33
The number of rows and columns that a matrix has is called its dimension or its order. By convention,
rows are listed first; and columns, second. Thus, we would say that the dimension (or order) of the above
matrix is 3 x 4, meaning that it has 3 rows and 4 columns.
Numbers that appear in the rows and columns of a matrix are called elements of the matrix. In the above
matrix, the element in the first column of the first row is 21; the element in the second column of the first
row is 62; and so on.
Matrix Notation
Matrix elements. Consider the matrix below, in which matrix elements are represented entirely
by symbols.
A11 A12 A13 A14
Matrices. There are several ways to represent a matrix symbolically. The simplest is to use a
boldface letter, such as A, B, or C. Thus, A might represent a 2 x 4 matrix, as illustrated below.
11 62 33 93
A=
44 95 66 13
Another approach for representing matrix A is:
This notation indicates that A is a matrix with 2 rows and 4 columns. The actual elements of the
array are not displayed; they are represented by the symbol Aij.
Other matrix notation will be introduced as needed. For a description of all the matrix notation used in
this tutorial, see the Matrix Notation Appendix.
Matrix Equality
To understand matrix algebra, we need to understand matrix equality. Two matrices are equal if all three
of the following conditions are met:
111 x
A=
y 444
111 222
B=
333 444
l m n
C=
o p q
If A = B, we know that x = 222 and y = 333; since corresponding elements of equal matrices are also
equal. And we know that matrix C is not equal to A or B, because C has more columns than A or B.
Problem 1
A = [ Aij ]
where i = 1, 2, 3 and j = 1, 2
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) All of the above
(E) None of the above
Solution
Matrix A has 3 rows and 2 columns; that is, 3 rows, each with 2 elements. This adds up to 6
elements, altogether - not 5.
The dimension of matrix B is 2 x 4 - not 4 x 2. That is, matrix B has 2 rows and 4 columns - not 4
rows and 2 columns.
And, finally, element B21 refers to the first element in the second row of matrix B, which is equal to
555 - not 222.