Lesson 10-A: Matrices

In this lesson we will explore operations on matrices. You might recall that a matrix is a rectangular
array of real numbers. Every item listed in a matrix is called an element. An element is identified by
its position in the matrix. For example, 𝑎𝑎21 is the entry in the second row and the first column. A
matrix having m rows and n columns is said to be of order 𝒎𝒎 × 𝒏𝒏 Each subscript 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 identifies the
location of the element in the matrix.
𝑎𝑎11 𝑎𝑎12
𝐴𝐴 = 𝑎𝑎21 𝑎𝑎22
𝑎𝑎31 𝑎𝑎32

Order of Matrices

EX #1: Determine the order of each matrix.

3 −1 1 0 2 0 1
A. B.
1 2 0 3 1 C. 3 −2
1 0

Operations Using Matrices

Let A, B, and C be matrices of order m × n:
* Matrices must be the same size.

Commutative Property: 𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 = 𝐵𝐵 + 𝐴𝐴

Associative Property: 𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶 = 𝐴𝐴 + (𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶)

Zero Matrix Property: 𝐴𝐴 + 0 = 𝐴𝐴

Scalar Multiplication: 𝑘𝑘 𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 = 𝑘𝑘𝐴𝐴 + 𝑘𝑘𝐵𝐵

Sum and Differences of Two Matrices

Let A and B be matrices of order m × n:

* Matrices must be the same size.

1. 𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 = 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 + 𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 2. 𝐴𝐴 − 𝐵𝐵 = 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 − 𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖

2 4 5 −2
EX #2: Given: 𝑨𝑨 = and 𝑩𝑩 =
5 −3 −1 0

A. Find 𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 B. Find 𝐴𝐴 − 𝐵𝐵

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 Other Properties of Matrix Algebra

In this course, we will focus on topics related to linear algebra and the products of matrices. The
main difference between matrix algebra and regular algebra with numbers is that matrices do not
have the commutative property of multiplication. 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 ≠ 𝐵𝐵𝐴𝐴.
We see that the commutative property holds for matrix addition when they have matching orders
𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 = 𝐵𝐵 + 𝐴𝐴.
Also, the Associative Property holds for multiplication 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 𝐶𝐶 = 𝐴𝐴(𝐵𝐵𝐶𝐶)
Distribution Over Addition and Subtraction holds 𝐴𝐴 𝐵𝐵 ± 𝐶𝐶 = 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 ± 𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶.

Scalar Multiplication

In matrix operations, numbers are referred to as scalars. In our course, scalars will always
be real numbers. To multiply a matrix 𝐴𝐴 by a scalar 𝑘𝑘, multiply each element in 𝐴𝐴 by 𝑘𝑘.
If 𝐴𝐴 = 𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 is an 𝑚𝑚 × 𝑛𝑛 matrix and 𝑘𝑘 is a scalar, the scalar multiple of A by 𝒌𝒌
is the 𝑚𝑚 × 𝑛𝑛 matrix given by 𝑘𝑘𝐴𝐴 = 𝑘𝑘𝑎𝑎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 .

2 −1 3 1 0 2
EX #3: Given 𝐴𝐴 = 0 4 −2 and 𝐵𝐵 = −1 3 −1
1 2 3 2 4 −2

A. Find 𝟑𝟑𝑨𝑨 B. Find 𝟑𝟑𝑨𝑨 − 𝑩𝑩

The Product of Two Matrices

Two matrices can be multiplied if the number of columns in the first matrix equals the
number of rows in the second matrix.
Row by Column matrix multiplication of RC is defined as a single number.

𝑐𝑐1
𝑐𝑐2
𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶 = 𝑟𝑟1 𝑟𝑟2 ⋯ 𝑟𝑟𝑛𝑛
⋮ =
𝑐𝑐𝑛𝑛

*** The columns of A must equal the rows of B. ***

Let A denote an 𝑚𝑚 × 𝑟𝑟 matrix and let B denote an 𝑟𝑟 × 𝑛𝑛 matrix.

The product of AB is an 𝑚𝑚 × 𝑛𝑛 matrix whose element in row I, column j is the product
of the i-th row of A, and the j-th column of B.

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 The Product of Two Matrices

2
EX #4: Multiply 𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶, given: 𝑅𝑅 = 3 −4 5 and 𝐶𝐶 = 6
−4

Multiplying Two Matrices

2 0
3 1 2
EX #5: Given: 𝐴𝐴 = and 𝐵𝐵 = 1 1
−1 1 0
3 2

A: Multiply 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 B: Multiply 𝐵𝐵𝐴𝐴

Applications

EX #6: A citrus grower has oranges and grapefruit trees in their groves. They ship the citrus to
three different packing houses. The table below shows how many bushels of each fruit
are shipped to each packing house. Profits for oranges are $8.25 per bushel, and the profit
for grapefruit is $12.50. Find the profits for each packing house.

Hall’s Packing Florida Citrus Indian River Fruit

oranges 125 150 100
grapefruit 100 75 75

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 Lesson 10-B: Matrices

Let’s look a little deeper into matrix multiplication in this lesson by first exploring some important
concepts related to the properties of matrices. In general, you need to be aware of four things:
1. 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 ≠ 𝐵𝐵𝐴𝐴
2. If 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 = 𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶, it is NOT necessary that 𝐵𝐵 = 𝐶𝐶
3. If 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 = 0, you CANNOT assume that either 𝐴𝐴 = 0 or 𝐵𝐵 = 0
4. How to use a graphing utility to perform matrix operations.

Commutative Property and Other Concepts

EX #7: Show that the commutative property of multiplication does not hold by
demonstrating 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 ≠ 𝐵𝐵𝐴𝐴.
0 −1 1 5
𝐴𝐴 = ; 𝐵𝐵 =
1 2 2 3

2 −3 5 −2 8 4
EX #8: Let 𝐴𝐴 = ; 𝐵𝐵 = and 𝐶𝐶 = Show 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 = 𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶 and 𝐵𝐵 ≠ 𝐶𝐶
−4 6 3 1 5 5
A. Find 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵
B. Find 𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶

−6 3
EX #9: Let 𝐴𝐴 = Construct a 2 × 2 matrix 𝐵𝐵 such that 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 is a zero matrix. Use two different
−2 1
nonzero columns for 𝐵𝐵.

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 Solving a Matrix Equation

5 1 3 0 2 4 12 0
EX #10: Solve for 𝑋𝑋 given 𝐴𝐴 = ; 𝐵𝐵 = and 𝐶𝐶 =
6 0 −2 −3 1 8 −4 8

A. 4𝑋𝑋 = 𝐶𝐶 B. 2𝐴𝐴 − 𝑋𝑋 = 3𝐵𝐵

Using Technology

Let’s explore the TI-84 and TI-Nspire graphing utilities for performing matrix operations.
The keystrokes for each calculator is shown below.

3 −2 5 −2 1 0
EX #11: Multiply 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 given: 𝐴𝐴 = 1 1 4 𝐵𝐵 = 3 2 1
−1 2 −3 4 3 −1

TI-Nspire CX (CAS) TI-84 Plus CE

To access the Matrix & Vector Operations: To access the Matrix & Vector Operations:
1. Create a Matrix MENU 7 1 1 1. Create a Matrix 2ND X-1 EDIT

2
2. Set the Rows and Columns 2. Set the Rows and Columns
3. Enter the elements for A (see below) 3. Enter the elements for A
4. Multiply 4. Repeat Steps 1-3 for B
5. Enter the elements for B (see below) 5. Press following to 2ND X-1 1
multiply (see below)
6. Press ENTER
6. Press ENTER 2ND X-1 2

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 Using Technology

2 −3 6 4 5 3 1 −1 7
EX #12: Given 𝐴𝐴 = 5 3 1 , 𝐵𝐵 = 6 −2 7 and 𝐶𝐶 = 2 −1 8
0 −1 4 1 0 −5 3 1 −1

A. Find 𝐴𝐴𝐵𝐵 − 𝐶𝐶 B. Find 𝐶𝐶 2

Applications

EX #13: The LaCrosse Teams at Olympia High School have a list of equipment for the athletic
director. Each stick costs $55, helmets cost $175 and protective gear costs $125. Use
matrices for Cost and Equipment to find the total cost of equipment for each team.

Men’s Women’s
Equipment
Team Team
LaCrosse Stick 20 18

Helmet 14 15

Protective Gear 15 14

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