A rectangular array of numbers that are arranged in rows and columns is known as a “matrix.” The size of a matrix can be determined by the number of rows and columns in it. If a matrix has “m” rows and “n” columns, then it is said to be an “m by n” matrix and is written as an “m × n” matrix.
For example, if a matrix has five rows and three columns, it is a “5 × 3” matrix. We have various types of matrices, like rectangular, square, triangular, symmetric, singular, etc. Now let us discuss the column matrix in detail.
Table of Content
What is a Column Matrix?
A column matrix is defined as a matrix that has only one column. A matrix “A = [aij]” is said to be a column matrix if the order of the matrix is “m × 1.” In a column matrix, all the entries are arranged in a single column. A column matrix can have numerous rows but only one column. For example, the matrix given below is a column matrix of order “2 × 1,” which has one column and two rows that are equal to the number of entries in the matrix.
Examples of a Column Matrix
- Column matrix of order “2 × 1” is given below,
- Column matrix of order “3 × 1” is given below,
- Column matrix of order “4 × 1” is given below,
Properties of a Column Matrix
Some important properties of a column matrix are given below,
- Any column matrix will have only one column.
- A column matrix can have numerous rows.
- The number of entries in a column matrix is equal to the number of rows.
- A column matrix is also a rectangular matrix and a vertical matrix.
- The transpose of a column matrix is a row matrix and vice versa.
- Any two-column matrices can be added or subtracted if the order of both matrices is the same.
- The multiplication of a column matrix is possible only with a row matrix if and only if the number of rows in the column matrix is equal to the number of columns in the given row matrix.
- A square matrix is obtained when a column matrix and row matrix are multiplied.
Operations on Column Matrix
Different algebraic operations, such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication, can be performed on column matrices, but division cannot be performed because its inverse does not exist.
Addition of Column Matrices
Any two-column matrices can be added if the order of both matrices is the same. If the orders of both matrices are the same, then the corresponding entries are added.
Subtraction of Column Matrices
Any two-column matrices can be subtracted if the order of both matrices is the same. If the orders of both matrices are the same, then the corresponding entries are subtracted.
Multiplication
The multiplication of a column matrix is possible only with a row matrix if and only if the number of rows in the column matrix is equal to the number of columns in the given row matrix. A square matrix is obtained when a column matrix and row matrix are multiplied.
We can see that the resultant matrix is a square matrix of order “3 × 3.”
Column and Row Matrix
The common difference between row and column matrix is listed in the following table:
| Aspect | Column Matrix | Row Matrix |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A matrix with only one column. | A matrix with only one row. |
| Representation | Written vertically. | Written horizontally. |
| Number of Elements | The number of elements in a column is the number of rows in the matrix. | The number of elements in a row is the number of columns in the matrix. |
| Dimension | Dimension is m × 1, where m is the number of rows. | Dimension is 1 × n, where n is the number of columns. |
| Example |
\begin{bmatrix} 1\\ 2 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix}_{3\times 1} |
\begin{bmatrix} 1 ~~ 2 ~~ 3 \end{bmatrix}_{1\times 3} |
| Typical Use | Representing vectors or sets of data in linear algebra. | Representing a set of data points or coefficients in linear equations. |
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Solved Examples on Column Matrix
Example 1: Find the value of Q − 2P, if
Solution:
Example 2: Prove that the transpose of a column matrix is a row matrix.
Solution:
Let us consider an example, to prove that the transpose of a column matrix is a row matrix.
The above matrix is a column matrix of order “3 × 1.” We know that the transpose of a matrix is obtained by interchanging the entries of rows and columns. So, the order of the transpose of the given matrix will be “1 × 3.”
We can see that the resultant matrix is a row matrix.
Hence proved.
Example 3: Find the product of the matrices given below.
Solution:
Example 4: Find the value of M − N, if
Solution:
FAQs on Column Matrix
Define a column matrix.
A column matrix is defined as a matrix that has only one column. A matrix “A = [aij]” is said to be a column matrix if the order of the matrix is “m × 1.”
What is the difference between a row matrix and a column matrix?
A row matrix can have numerous columns but only one row, whereas a column matrix can have numerous rows but only one column.
What is the transpose of a column matrix?
The transpose of a column matrix is a row matrix and vice versa. For example, if “A” is a column matrix of order “m × 1,” then its transpose is a row matrix of order “1 × m,” which is obtained by interchanging the elements of rows and columns. A row matrix is defined as a matrix that has only one row.
What is the order of a column matrix?
A matrix “A = [aij]” is said to be a column matrix if the order of the matrix is “m × 1.” For example, the matrix given below is a column matrix of order “4 × 1,” which has one column and four rows that are equal to the number of entries in the matrix.