Lesson 10

Getting Started (Introduction to Matrices, continued)

What is a matrix? A matrix is a rectangular arrangement of values inside brackets. The “rectangular arrangement” is made up of rows and columns. We use the number of rows by number of columns to name a matrix. For example, a 3x4 matrix has 3 rows and 4 columns.

Each individual value inside a matrix is called an element of the matrix. If we have a matrix named A, A[2,3] means the individual value located at the cross-section of row 2 and column 3.

Very Important
When we name a matrix the number of rows ALWAYS comes before the number of columns. Just think RC.

Before beginning Part 1...

1. Download the Virtual ClassPad file (vcp file)

  • Click Lesson_10.vcp
  • Choose the Save or Save As… option
  • Open the Save in dropdown box (near top)
  • Brows to your My Documents folder and select it
  • Select the CASIO folder and then the ClassPad Manager folder
  • Click Save
  • Click Open Folder
  • Double click on Lesson_10.vcp to open it

2. Alternative way to open a Virtual ClassPad File

  • Right click on your ClassPad (a "context menu" will appear)
  • Select File and then Open...
  • Browse to your Lesson_10.vcp file (It should be in My Documents/CASIO/ClassPad Manager folder)
  • Select Lesson_10.vcp
  • Click Open

Part I

In this part, we will practice creating matrices, adding matrices and multiplying a matrix by a number (called a scalar).

1. Inputting a 2x3 Matrix

2. Inputting a 2x3 Matrix (Another Way) & Scalar Matrices

3. Adding Two Matrices

Part I


Practice Exercises

Before beginning the practice exercises, open a word document, type in the following information and then save it as Lesson10 in your CASIO folder within My Documents:

  • Date: (enter today's date)
  • To: (put your instructor's name here)
  • From: (put your name here)
  • Re: Lesson 10
  1. Please open the eActivity application.
  2. Open the eActivity named L10_PartI_a in the Lesson 10 folder.
  3. Find the sum of the two given matrices inside the Verify window.
  4. Once you find the sum, get a screen capture. Paste it into your Lesson 10 document (under a title of PART I).
  5. Save your work as an eActivity named L10_PartI_a_your initials here.
  6. Open the eActivity named L10_PartI_b in the Lesson 10 folder.
  7. In this exercise, you are asked to rewrite a single matrix as the sum of two matrices. Before beginning, open the Verify strip that contains an example so that you can see what you need to do.
  8. When you have your matrix rewritten (note that there can be many different answers), get a screen capture. Add two blank spaces following the first screen capture and then paste this one.
  9. Save your work as an eActivity named L10_PartI_b_your initials here.
  10. Open the eActivity named L10_PartI_c in the Lesson 10 folder.
  11. In this exercise, you will rewrite a single matrix as a scalar multiple times a matrix. Before beginning your exercise, open the Verify strip that contains an example.
  12. When you have your matrix rewritten, get a screen capture. Add two blank spaces following the last screen capture and then paste this one.
  13. Save your work as an eActivity named L10_PartI_c_your initials here.