Scalar multiplication
A scalar is a quantity, or a magnitude. When we multiply a matrix by a scalar, we multiply each element in the matrix by the given scalar. In general, the multiplication of a matrix by a scalar will appear similar the following:
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| Multiplication by a scalar |
As an example, the multiplication of a matrix with numerical elements by a scalar will look like the following:
Worked examples
example 1
Evaluate the following multiplication of a matrix by scalar.
Think: When we want to evaluate the scalar multiplication of a matrix, we multiply each element by the scalar.
Do: Multiplying each element by $\frac{1}{2}$12 is the same as dividing each element by $2$2. This gives us the following matrix.
example 2
Rewrite the following as a single matrix.
Think: The order of operations of matrices follow the typical order of operations of numbers. So we first want to compute the scalar multiplication and then compute the subtraction.
Do: Notice that we've already solved the scalar multiplication in the previous example. So we can simplify the matrix expression as the following.
To compute the difference between the matrices, we subtract the corresponding elements which gives us the following.
Practice questions
Question 1
| If $A$A$=$= |
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, find $3A$3A. |
$3A$3A $=$= $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$
Matrices and using the calculator
Matrices allow us to perform numerous calculations in one operation. They are very useful when analysing and keeping track of large amounts of data. For example, we could store information about a large inventory in a matrix. We could then use spreadsheets, calculators or other technology to monitor stock, by using matrix addition to add in orders, subtraction to take away sales and multiplications to calculate revenue, expenses and profit.
Let's look at how we can enter matrices and use matrix operations with our calculators.
Casio Classpad
How to use the CASIO Classpad to complete the following tasks regarding matrices
| If $A$A$=$= | $1$1 | $5$5 | $6$6 | and $B$B$=$= | $4$4 | $1$1 | $0$0 | ||||||
| $3$3 | $4$4 | $5$5 | $-2$−2 | $5$5 | $1$1 |
Find $3A$3A.
Find $A+2B$A+2B.
Find $3B-2A$3B−2A.
TI Nspire
How to use the TI Nspire to complete the following tasks regarding matrices
| If $A$A$=$= | $1$1 | $5$5 | $6$6 | and $B$B$=$= | $4$4 | $1$1 | $0$0 | ||||||
| $3$3 | $4$4 | $5$5 | $-2$−2 | $5$5 | $1$1 |
Find $3A$3A.
Find $A+2B$A+2B.
Find $3B-2A$3B−2A.
Try using your calculator to find the answers to the following practice questions, click reveal solution to check your final answer.
Practice questions
Question 2
| Find $\frac{1}{2}A+\frac{2}{3}B$12A+23B if $A$A$=$= |
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and $B$B$=$= |
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. |
$\frac{1}{2}A+\frac{2}{3}B=$12A+23B= $\editable{}$ $6$6 $-12$−12 $4$4 $14$14 $+$+ $\editable{}$ $24$24 $3$3 $-12$−12 $0$0 $=$= $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $+$+ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $=$= $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$