1.

7 Matrices

AI HL
 1.7.1 Introduction to Matrices
Introduction to Matrices
Matrices are a useful way to represent and manipulate data in order to model situations. The elements
in a matrix can represent data, equations or systems and have many real-life applications.
What are matrices?
A matrix is a rectangular array of elements (numerical or algebraic) that are arranged in rows and
columns
The order of a matrix is de ned by the number of rows and columns that it has
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The order of a matrix with m rows and n columns is m × n
A matrix A can be de ned by A = ( a ) where i = 1, 2, 3, . . ., m and j = 1, 2, 3, . . ., n and
ij
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a ij refers to the element in row i , column j

What type of matrices are there?

A column matrix (or column vector) is a matrix with a single column, n = 1
A row matrix is a matrix with a single row, m = 1
A square matrix is one in which the number of rows is equal to the number of columns, m = n
Two matrices are equal when they are of the same order and their corresponding elements are
equal, i.e. a = b for all elements
ij ij
⎛⎜ 0 0 ⎞⎟
A zero matrix, O , is a matrix in which all the elements are 0 , e.g. O = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 0 0 ⎠
The identity matrix, I , is a square matrix in which all elements along the leading diagonal are 1 and
⎛⎜ 1 0 ⎞⎟
the rest are 0 , e.g. I = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 0 1 ⎠

Exam Tip
Make sure that you know how to enter and store a matrix on your GDC

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 Worked example
⎛⎜ 5 −3 7 ⎞⎟
Let the matrix A = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ −1 2 4 ⎠
a) Write down the order of A .

b) State the value of a .

2 ,3

1.7.2 Operations with Matrices

Matrix Addition & Subtraction
Just as with ordinary numbers, matrices can be added together and subtracted from one another,
provided that they meet certain conditions.
How is addition and subtraction performed with matrices?
Two matrices of the same order can be added or subtracted
Only corresponding elements of the two matrices are added or subtracted
A ± B = ( a ) ± (b ) = ( a ± b )
ij ij ij ij
The resultant matrix is of the same order as the original matrices being added or subtracted
What are the properties of matrix addition and subtraction?
A + B = B + A (commutative)
A + ( B + C ) = ( A + B ) + C (associative)
A+O=A
O−A= −A
A − B = A + ( − B)

Exam Tip
Make sure that you know how to add and subtract matrices on your GDC for speed or for
checking work in an exam!

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 Worked example
⎛⎜ −4 2 ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ 2 6 ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
Consider the matrices A = ⎜⎜ 7 3 ⎟⎟ , B = ⎜⎜ 5 −9 ⎟⎟ .
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ 1 −5 ⎠ ⎝ −2 −3 ⎠
a) Find A + B .

b) Find A − B .

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Matrix Multiplication
Matrices can also be multiplied either by a scalar or by another matrix.
How do I multiply a matrix by a scalar?
Multiply each element in the matrix by the scalar value
kA = (ka ) ij
The resultant matrix is of the same order as the original matrix
Multiplication by a negative scalar changes the sign of each element in the matrix
How do I multiply a matrix by another matrix?
To multiply a matrix by another matrix, the number of columns in the rst matrix must be equal to

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the number of rows in the second matrix
If the order of the rst matrix is m × n and the order of the second matrix is n × p , then the
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order of the resultant matrix will be m × p
The product of two matrices is found by multiplying the corresponding elements in the row of
the rst matrix with the corresponding elements in the column of the second matrix and nding
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the sum to place in the resultant matrix

⎡a b c⎤ ⎤ ⎡g h
E.g. If A = ⎢ ⎥, B = ⎢ i j
⎥
⎣ d e f ⎦ ⎥ ⎢
⎦ ⎣k l
⎡ ( ag + bi + ck )
( ah + bj + cl ) ⎤
then AB = ⎢ ⎥
⎣ (dg + ei + fk )
(dh + ej + fl ) ⎦
⎡ (ga + hd ) (gb + he) (gc + hf ) ⎤
then BA = ⎢ (ia + jd ) (ib + je ) (ic + jf ) ⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎣ (ka + ld ) (kb + le) (kc + lf ) ⎦
How do I square an expression involving matrices?
If an expression involving matrices is squared then you are multiplying the expression by itself, so
write it out in bracket form rst, e.g. (A + B ) 2 = (A + B ) (A + B )
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remember, the regular rules of algebra do not apply here and you cannot expand these
brackets, instead, add together the matrices inside the brackets and then multiply the
matrices together
What are the properties of matrix multiplication?
AB ≠ BA (non-commutative)
A ( BC ) = ( AB ) C (associative)
A ( B + C ) = AB + AC (distributive)
( A + B ) C = AC + BC (distributive)
AI = IA = A (identity law)
AO = OA = O , where O is a z ero matrix
Powers of square matrices: A 2 = AA , A 3 = AAA etc.

Exam Tip
Make sure that you are clear on the properties of matrix algebra and show each step of your
calculations
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 Worked example

⎡ 4 2 −5 ⎤ ⎡ 5 1⎤
Consider the matrices A = ⎢ −3 8 1 ⎥ and B = ⎢ −2 5 ⎥ .
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎣ −1 −2 2 ⎦ ⎣ 9 7⎦
a) Find AB .

b) Explain why you cannot nd BA .

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c) Find A 2 .

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 1.7.3 Determinants & Inverses
Determinants
What is a determinant?
The determinant is a numerical value (positive or negative) calculated from the elements in a
matrix and is used to nd the inverse of a matrix
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You can only nd the determinant of a square matrix
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The method for nding the determinant of a 2 × 2 matrix is given in your formula booklet:
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⎛ a b ⎞⎟
A = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⇒ det A =  A  = ad − bc
⎝c d ⎠
You only need to be able to nd the determinant of a 2 × 2 matrix by hand
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For larger n × n matrices you are expected to use your GDC
The determinant of an identity matrix is det ( I ) = 1
The determinant of a zero matrix is det ( O ) = 0
When nding the determinant of a multiple of a matrix or the product of two matrices:
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det (kA ) = k 2 det ( A ) (for a 2 × 2 matrix)
det ( AB ) = det ( A ) × det ( B )

Worked example
⎛⎜ 3 −6 ⎞⎟
Consider the matrix A = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ , where p ∈ℝ is a constant.
⎝ p 7 ⎠
a) Given that det A = − 3 , nd the value of p .

b) Find the determinant of 4 A .

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Inverse Matrices
How do I nd the inverse of a matrix?

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The determinant can be used to nd out if a matrix is invertible or not:

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If det A ≠ 0 , then A is invertible
If det A = 0 , then A is singular and does not have an inverse
The method for nding the inverse of a 2 × 2 matrix is given in your formula booklet:
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⎛ a b ⎞⎟ 1 ⎛⎜ d −b ⎞⎟
A = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⇒ A −1 = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟, ad ≠ bc
⎝c d ⎠ det A ⎝ − c a ⎠
You only need to be able to nd the inverse of a 2 × 2 matrix by hand
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For larger n × n matrices you are expected to use your GDC
The inverse of a square matrix A is the matrix A −1 such that the product of these matrices is an
identity matrix, AA −1 = A −1 A = I
As a result of this property:
AB = C ⇒ B = A −1 C (pre-multiplying by A −1 )
BA = C ⇒ B = CA −1 (post-multiplying by A −1 )

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 Worked example
⎛⎜ 4 −2 ⎞⎟ ⎛ k 6 ⎞⎟ ⎛ 18 18 ⎞⎟
Consider the matrices P = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ , Q = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ and R = ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ , where k is a
⎝ 8 2 ⎠ ⎝ −5 3 ⎠ ⎝ 6 54 ⎠
constant.
a) Find P −1 .

b) Given that PQ = R nd the value of k .

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 1.7.4 Solving Systems of Linear Equations with Matrices
Solving Systems of Linear Equations with Matrices
Matrices are used in a huge variety of applications within engineering, computing and business. They
are particularly useful for encrypting data and forecasting from given data. Using matrices allows for
much larger and more complex systems of linear equations to be solved easily.
How do you set up a system of linear equations using matrices?
A linear equation can be written in the form Ax = b , where A is a matrix
Note that for a system of linear equations to have a unique solution, the matrix must be invertible
and therefore must be a square matrix
In exams, only invertible matrices will be given (except when solving for eigenvectors)
You should be able to use matrices to solve a system of up to two linear equations both with and
without your GDC
You should be able to use a mixture of matrices and technology to solve a system of up to three
linear equations
How do you solve a system of linear equations with matrices?
STEP 1
⎛⎜ x ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
Write the information in a matrix equation, e.g. for a system of three linear equations A ⎜⎜ y ⎟⎟ = B ,
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝z ⎠
where the entries into matrix A are the coe cients of x , y and z and matrix B is a column matrix
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STEP 2
⎛⎜ x ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
Re-write the equation using the inverse of A , ⎜⎜ y ⎟⎟ = A −1 B
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝z ⎠
STEP 3
Evaluate the right-hand side to nd the values of the unknown variables x , y and z
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Exam Tip
If you are asked to solve a system of linear equations by hand you can check your work
afterwards by solving the same question on your GDC

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 Worked example
a) Write the system of equations
⎧⎪
⎪⎪ x + 3y − z = − 3
⎪⎪
⎨⎪ 2x + 2y + z = 2
⎪⎪
⎪⎪ 3x − y + 2z = 1
⎩
in matrix form.

b) Hence solve the simultaneous linear equations.

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