A matrix, in general sense, represents a collection of
information stored or arranged in an orderly fashion.
The mathematical concept of a matrix refers to a set of numbers, variables or functions ordered in rows and columns. Such a set then can be defined as a distinct entity, the matrix, and it can be manipulated as a whole according to some basic mathematical rules. A matrix with 9 elements is shown below.
Matrix [A] has 3 rows and 3 columns.
Each element of matrix [A] can be referred to by its row and column number. For example, a23=6 ORDER OF A MATRIX The order of a matrix is defined in terms of its number of rows and columns. Order of a matrix = No. of rows × No. of columns Matrix [A], therefore, is a matrix of order 3 × 3.
COLUMN MATRIX A matrix with only one column is called a column matrix or column vector. ROW MATRIX
A matrix with only one row is called a row matrix or
row vector. [3 5 − 6] SQUARE MATRIX
A matrix having the same number of rows and columns
is called a square matrix. RECTANGULAR MATRIX
A matrix having unequal number of rows and
columns is called a rectangular matrix. UNIT MATRIX
A square matrix in which all elements of the principal
diagonal are equal to 1 while all other elements are zero is called the unit matrix. DIAGONAL MATRIX
If all elements except the elements of the principal
diagonal of a square matrix are zero, the matrix is called a diagonal matrix. Equality of Matrices Two matrices are equal if all corresponding elements are equal. [A] = [B] if aij = bij for all i and j Two matrices can be added (subtracted) by adding (subtracting) the corresponding elements of the two matrices. [C]= [A]+ [B]= [B]+ [A] cij = aij + bij Matrices [A], [B] and [C] must have the same order. If a matrix is multiplied by a scalar k, each element of the matrix is multiplied by k. Two matrices can be multiplied together provided they are compatible with respect to their orders. The number of columns in the first matrix [A] must be equal to the number of rows in the second matrix [B]. The resulting matrix [C] will have the same number of rows as [A] and the same number of columns as [B]. The transpose [A]T of an m×n matrix [A] is the n×m matrix obtained by interchanging the rows and columns of [A]. Tri-Diagonal Matrix
A tri-diagonal matrix is a band matrix that has nonzero
elements only on the main diagonal, and the first diagonal below this, and the first diagonal above the main diagonal. Tri-diagonal Matrix Algorithm Thomas’ algorithm, also called Tri-Diagonal Matrix Algorithm (TDMA) is essentially the result of applying Gaussian elimination to the tri-diagonal system of equations. Generalizing Tri-diagonal Matrix Generalizing Tri-diagonal Matrix The Matrix can be written as −1 + + +1 = : 1=0& =0 Why Thomas Algorithm is used ?
1-This type of computation is quick.
2-Tri-diagonal system of equations are most common. 3-Even most of them convert the general system of equations to tri-diagonal system of equations. 4-It’s importance is clearly visible with a large number of unknowns.