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Question 118800: This is on a hand-out from my teacher I am ill and being home schooled so I have missed all instruction on a matrix. The question is explain the difference between an a x b matrix and a b x a matrix. Please help. Thank you. This is the first time I have used this. Neither my father nor I can figure this one out.
Answer by bucky(2189)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! "a x b" and "b x a" both refer to the size of a matrix. (They are read as "a by b" and "b by a"
just as you would say a 10 x 12 rug is a 10 by 12 size rug -- feet being implied for the
rug dimensions.)
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The letter before the "x" is the number of horizontal rows in the matrix and the letter after
the "x" represents the number of vertical columns in the matrix.
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For example ... a 2 x 3 matrix has 2 horizontal rows and 3 vertical columns. An example of
such a matrix is:
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1 0 3
5 1 2
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(Presume these six numbers are within the matrix bar symbols)
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But a 3 x 2 matrix has 3 horizontal rows and 2 vertical columns. So it would look like:
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1 3
2 5
0 7
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One of my favorite math sides (other than this one) is "purple math". There are some excellent
lessons on that site. Here's how you can get to the purple math lessons on matrices:
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Go to:
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www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm
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when that page opens, scroll down to the dark purple heading "Advanced Algebra Topics."
Under that heading, find the link "Matrix Definitions" and click on it. When it opens, scroll
down until you find "The Size of a Matrix." Read that lesson, and note that it goes on for
two additional pages.
.
Hope this helps you with your home schooling and good luck ...
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