How to Understand the Basics of Matrices

Reviewed by Joseph Meyer

Last Updated: December 23, 2021

A matrix - nothing to do with "The Matrix" - is an array of numbers. They are very useful in a number of fields. They are commonly used in physics - the existence of antimatter was first theorized by matrices. they also come up in vector graphics a lot, as matrices can be used to apply transformations to a set of vectors.

Steps

Download Article

1
Understand what a matrix is. A matrix is a collection of numbers, called elements, arranged in a rectangle or a square. The numbers do not have to be positive, and they can be decimals or even complex numbers. A square matrix is, as the name suggests, a matrix that is square in shape, with the same number of columns and rows. In algebra, a matrix is usually represented by a capital letter in bold or underlined. The numbers in a matrix are surrounded by square (or curved, sometimes, but not curly) brackets.
2
Learn what is meant by the dimension of a matrix. The dimension of matrix A, dim(A), is how many rows and columns it has. dim(A) = m x n represents a matrix with m rows and n columns.

Advertisement
3

Learn how to multiply a matrix by a scalar. To multiply a matrix by a scalar, multiply all of the elements by the scalar.
4
Learn how to add and subtract two matrices. Simply add or subtract the relevant elements. The matrices must have the same dimensions if you are to add or subtract them. In other words, A+B and A-B exist if and only if dim(A) = dim(B).
5
Learn that matrix multiplication has a few quirks that aren't found in scalar multiplication:
- You can only multiply two matrices AxB if dim(A) = m x n and dim(B) = n x p
- AxB is not the same as BxA.
- The resultant matrix has dimensions dim(C) = m x p, so it isn't the same size as the starting matrices (unless you are multiplying square matrices).
- If AxB is possible, BxA is only possible if m = p
- However, in common with scalar multiplication, Ax(BxC) = (AxB)xC, and Ax(B+C) = AxB + AxC
6
Learn how to multiply two matrices. This can be a bit tricky until you get the hang of it. For AxB:
- Draw the matrices into a grid, like the one on the left of the photo. A goes on the left and B goes on top.
- For each element in the resultant matrix, consider the column and row that it is in.
- Multiply the first element in the row by the first element in the column. Do this for the second elements, and the third, and so on.
- Add up the products of the elements. This is the value of the element in the resultant matrix.
- Do this for each element in the resultant matrix.
7
Learn what a "minor" is. The minor of an element of a matrix is the determinant of the matrix that is left when you erase the row and column containing that element.
8
Learn how to calculate the determinant. This is a value that is used in calculating the inverse of a matrix. It is usually written as det(A) or |A|. If you see a matrix with lines instead of square brackets, it means the determinant of that matrix. The determinant only exists for square matrices. For a 2x2 matrix, the determinant is simply ad-bc. For a 3x3 matrix, it's a bit trickier: a x minor(a) - b x minor(b) + c x minor(c)
9
Learn what a "cofactor" is. A cofactor of an element is related to the minor of that element. You need to know the position of the element in the matrix. Say the element is in the first row and second column. It's position is 1,2. For an element at position i,j, calculate (-1)^(i+j). The cofactor is the minor multiplied by this value.
10
Learn how to take the transpose of a matrix. The transpose of a matrix, A^T, is the matrix that you get when you flip A around its diagonal axis. Rows become columns and columns become rows.
11
Learn about the identity matrix, I. This is a matrix with 1's along the diagonal axis, and zeroes elsewhere. It results in a couple of places:
- AxI = IxA = A
- AxA^-1 = I
12
Finally, learn how to take the inverse of a matrix. The inverse of a matrix, A^-1, reverses the effect of the matrix A. Multiplying the two together cancels them out, leaving the identity matrix. To take the inverse:
- Calculate |A|
- Calculate the cofactor of every element in the matrix.
- Replace every element in the matrix with its cofactor. This is matrix C.
- A^-1 = C^T/|A|

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

This article made it so easy how to learn basics of matrices, thank you!

Community Answer

We're glad it was useful for you. It's helpful to let others know that an article is useful, it provides additional confidence in its outcome.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 22
Question

How would I assign signs in an inverse of 33 matrices?

TomPN

Top Answerer

You could calculate it with cofactors, or you could remember the Rule of Alternating Signs: The first element is positive, second is negative, third positive et cetera.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
Question

What is scalar matrix?

Pimemorized

Top Answerer

A scalar matrix is a square matrix that is a multiple of the identity matrix. In other words, the values on the main diagonal are all the same number, and every other value not on the main diagonal is zero.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 5