THE NEW CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
MATHEMATICS - GRADE 10
MATRICES – HANDOUT 3
INTRODUCTION
In this Handout, we will be looking at the Addition of Matrices. We will look at how to
determine if matrices can be added, and also the results of adding matrices of the same
order/size.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF TWO MATRICES CAN BE ADDED:
Two matrices can only be added if both of the matrices have the same order/size. We have
already looked at how we can find the order or size of a matrix (i.e. the number of rows by the
number of columns). So, in adding matrices, it is important to first determine the order/size of
each matrix, and then proceed to add if the order/size is the same.
LOOK AT THE EXAMPLES BELOW:
A= 1 0
( )
0 1
B= [−14 −83 ] B=[10 ¿−2 0] C=¿
2 X 2 Matrix 2 X 2 Matrix 1 X 3 Matrix 1 X 2 Matrix
Order of the Matrices A and B Order of Matrices A and B above are
above are the same so they can be added. different so they cannot be added.
HOW TO ADD TWO MATRICES:
Once the Matrices have the same order/size, it therefore means that we can go ahead and add
them. Each element (number) of one matrix will have a corresponding element in the other
matrix. The corresponding elements are added to each other to produce a new matrix.
Note:
In order to add the elements correctly, we must apply the rules for addition of directed
numbers (i.e. positive and negative numbers)
The order/size of the new matrix is the same as the two matrices being added.
LET US LOOK AT THE EXAMPLES BELOW SHOWING THE ADDITION OF
MATRICES:
Given: A= (58 −7
3 ) B= (−2 4
−1 3 )
C= (−11 02 )
Find:
(a) A + B (b) B + C + A
SOLUTIONS:
(a) A + B:
Since Matrix A and B have the same order/size, we can add their corresponding elements.
The corresponding elements refer to the numbers which have the same position in the
matrices.
Therefore:
A + B set down the matrices as given in
problem
A+B= (58 −7
3 ) + (−2 4
−1 3 )
A+B= 5 + (-2) -7 + (4) Note: the numbers with the same colour
8 + (-1) 3+3 are the corresponding elements.
A+B= (37 −3
6 ) the answer also has the same order/size as the
two matrices added.
(b) B + C + A
4
B+C+A= (−2
−1 3 )
+ (−11 02 ) + (58 −7
3 )
B+C+A= -2 + 1 + 5 4 + 0 + (-7)
-1 + (-1) + (8) 3+2+3
B+C+A= ( 46 −3
8 )
END