Introduction

Matrices are one of the most powerful tools in mathematics.Matrices applications are used in business,finance,economics,genetics, sociology,modern,psychology and industrial management.

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Matrix:

A matrix is an ordered rectangular array of numbers(real or complex)or functions.The numbers or functions are called the elements or entries of the matrix. We denote matrices by capital letters.

It is to be noted that a matrix is just an arrangement of elements with out any value in rows and columns

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Order of a matrix:
A matrix having m rows and n columns is called a matrix of order mxn or simply mxn matrix(read as an m by n matrix).
Order of matrix mxn means there are m(rows) and n(columns). The number of elements in an mxn matrix will be equal to m n.
eg.

(i)

The order of this matrix is 2x2 (2rows and 2columns). Total number of element will be 4.(2x2)
(ii)

The order of this matrix is 3x3 (3rows and 3columns). Total number of elements are 9.(3x3)

Note: In general, if a matrix has order m x n then total number of elements in this matrix will be mn.