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ACT Strategies for Adding and Subtracting Matrices

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Updated:  
2016-03-26 15:47:53
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From The Book:  
ACT 5-Hour Quick Prep For Dummies
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For the ACT Math test, you definitely want to know how to work with matrices. Fortunately, adding and subtracting matrices are both simple and similar operations.

A matrix is a grid of numbers or variables arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns.

The figure shows a variety of matrices.

Examples of three matrices.
Examples of three matrices.

The dimensions of the matrices (that is, the number of rows and columns) in the figure are

image1.png

respectively. By convention, the number of rows is stated first and the number of columns second.

Adding matrices is easy: Just add pairs of corresponding numbers in the matrix and place the results in a new matrix.

The two matrices you’re adding must have identical horizontal and vertical dimensions. As a result, the new matrix always has the same dimensions as the two matrices you’re adding.

Example 1

Which of the following is the result when you add

image2.png

and

image3.png

To find the correct answer, simply add each pair of corresponding numbers

image4.png

and then place them in the same positions in a new matrix. The correct answer is Choice (C).

Subtracting matrices is similar to adding them: For each pair of corresponding numbers in the matrix, subtract the second number from the first and then place the results in a new matrix. As with addition, you can only subtract one matrix from another if both matrices have identical horizontal and vertical dimensions.

Example 2

Which of the following is the result when you perform this matrix subtraction:

image5.png

Subtract each pair of corresponding numbers in order

image6.png

and then place them in the same positions in a new matrix. The correct answer is Choice (H).

About This Article

This article is from the book: 

About the book author:

Mark Zegarelli is a math tutor and author of several books, including Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies.