Matrix Definition Fe1C8A
1. The problem is to understand the definition of a matrix and see some examples.
2. A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers arranged in rows and columns. It is usually denoted by a capital letter such as $A$, $B$, or $C$.
3. The size or dimension of a matrix is given by the number of rows and columns it has, written as $m \times n$, where $m$ is the number of rows and $n$ is the number of columns.
4. For example, a matrix $A$ with 2 rows and 3 columns looks like this:
$$
A = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \end{bmatrix}
$$
Here, $A$ is a $2 \times 3$ matrix.
5. Another example is a square matrix, where the number of rows equals the number of columns, such as a $3 \times 3$ matrix:
$$
B = \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 8 & 9 \\ 1 & 2 & 3 \\ 4 & 5 & 6 \end{bmatrix}
$$
6. Matrices are used in many areas of mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering to represent data, perform transformations, and solve systems of equations.
7. Important rules:
- Elements of a matrix are usually numbers but can be other mathematical objects.
- Matrices can be added or multiplied under certain conditions related to their dimensions.
This explanation covers the definition and examples of matrices.