Algebra II Recipe: Matrices
By G Redden
A. Definitions
- Matrix - a rectangular arrangement of numbers into rows and columns
- Entries - numbers inside the matrix
- Dimension - the size of the matrix stated as the # of rows by the # of columns
- Scalar - a number on the outside of the matrix, which indicates to multiply
- Scalar Multiplication - multiply each entry of the matrix by the scalar (like the distributive property)
B. Adding and Subtracting Matrices
- The matrices must be the same size.
- If subtracting, add the opposite.
- Add the numbers in the same position.
- The answer will be the same size as those being added.
1.
+
= ?
+
= ?
2.
+
= ?
+
= ?
3.
-
= ?
-
= ?
4.
What are the values for each variable?
+
=
+
=
C. Solving a Matrix Equation
- Simplify each side of the equation to one matrix.
- Set corresponding entries equal to each other.
- Solve each equation.
Practice Problems