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Matrices

1.1 Definitions

Definition of a matrix, element notation, size, transpose, and special matrix types: row, column, square, diagonal, identity, symmetric, anti-symmetric, triangular, null.

1.1 Definitions

Definition 1.1: An m × n matrix is a rectangular array of numbers arranged in m rows and n columns. Elements are denoted aij where i = row, j = column.

Example 1.1 — Various matrix sizes:

A (3×3):
12−5
032
−150
B (4×1) column:
1
5
−6
7
D (1×6) row:
0.9−.981.257.8300.02

Key Definitions

Definition 1.2 — Row/Column matrix: A matrix with only one row is a row vector; with only one column is a column vector.
Definition 1.3 — Square matrix: m = n. The matrix A (3×3) above is square of order 3.
Definition 1.4 — Transpose AT: Rows and columns of A are interchanged. If C is 2×4, then CT is 4×2.

Example 1.2 — Transpose:

4.3−3.152.717.5
03−2.58−12.75
C (2×4)
→ CT =
4.30
−3.153
2.7−2.58
17.5−12.75
CT (4×2)

1.3 Special Square Matrices

Definition 1.10 — Principal diagonal: Elements aii from top-left to bottom-right.
Definition 1.11 — Diagonal matrix: dik = 0 for i ≠ k. Only main diagonal can be nonzero. Diagonal matrices commute: AB = BA.
Definition 1.12 — Identity matrix I: Diagonal matrix with all diagonal entries = 1. AI = IA = A for any compatible A.
1000
0100
0010
0001
I₄ (4×4 identity)
7000
0700
0070
0007
Scalar matrix = 7I
Definition 1.13 — Symmetric: AT = A. Anti-symmetric: AT = −A (diagonal must be zero).
12−5
232
−520
Symmetric: AT = A
02−5
−202
5−20
Anti-sym: AT = −A
Definition 1.15 — Triangular: Upper-triangular: zeros below diagonal. Lower-triangular: zeros above diagonal.
2−78
0515
005
Upper triangular
50
45
Lower triangular
Definition 1.16 — Null matrix: All elements are 0. Need not be square.