Matrix Fundamentals Flashcards
What is a “matrix”?
A rectangular array (or collection) of numbers. It can contain row(s), or column(s) or both.
What is a “row”?
A collection of numbers that lie side-by-side in a horizontal line.
What is a “column”?
A collection of numbers that are placed one-on-top of the other in a vertical line.
What is “dimension”?
The size of the matrix stated as the ‘number of rows’ and the ‘number of columns’ that make up the entire matrix.
What are the “elements” (or “entries”)?
The values that are placed at each location within the matrix.
What is the “address”?
The specific location within the matrix that contains an ‘element’ or ‘entry’. It is based upon the row and column location with the matrix. (The rows start at the top of the matrix. The columns start at the left-side of the matrix).
What is a “scalar”?
A number that is used to multiply with a matrix. The number can be an integer, a fraction, or a decimal, etc.
What is “scalar multiplication”?
The multiplication of a matrix by a number. The number can be an integer, a fraction, or a decimal, etc.
What is “Matrix Multiplication”?
The multiplication of two or more matrices.
What is “Matrix Addition”?
The addition of two or more matrices.
What is “Matrix Subtraction”?
The subtraction of two or more matrices.
What is a “Square Matrix”?
A matrix containing the same number of rows and columns.
What is the “Identity Matrix”?
A matrix that contains the value “1” as the elements down the main diagonal from the upper-left to the bottom-right. All other elements or entries are zero.
What is the “Main ‘Diagonal”?
The diagonal that exists from the upper-left corner of a matrix down to the bottom-right corner of the matrix.
What is the “Inverse of a Matrix”?
A new matrix that when multiplied with the original matrix produces the Identity Matrix.
What is a “Coefficient Matrix”?
A matrix that contains only the coefficients from a system of equations.
What is a “Variable Matrix”?
A matrix that contains only the variables from a system of equations.
What is a “Constant Matrix”?
A matrix that contains only the constant values from a system of equations.
What is a “determinant”?
A numerical value that is calculated from a square matrix. It has special features which include: 1.) helping to determine the area of a triangle; and 2.) helping to determine if the original square matrix has an inverse.
