Not multiplying the scalar with each element of the matrix

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 113 views

Introduction

In linear algebra, scalar multiplication is a fundamental operation that involves multiplying a matrix by a scalar. This operation is used to scale the elements of a matrix by a certain factor. In this article, we will explore the concept of scalar multiplication and use it to find the values of x and y in a given matrix equation.

What is Scalar Multiplication?

Scalar multiplication is a binary operation that takes a matrix and a scalar as input and produces another matrix as output. The scalar is a number that is multiplied with each element of the matrix. The resulting matrix has the same dimensions as the original matrix, but its elements are scaled by the scalar.

Matrix Equation

The given matrix equation is:

-\frac{1}{4} \cdot\left[\begin{array}{lll} x & 12 & -32 \end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{lll} 5 & -3 & y \end{array}\right]

In this equation, we have a 1x3 matrix on the left-hand side, which is multiplied by a scalar -1/4. The resulting matrix is a 1x3 matrix on the right-hand side.

Step 1: Multiply the Scalar with the Matrix

To solve this equation, we need to multiply the scalar -1/4 with each element of the matrix on the left-hand side. This will give us:

\left[\begin{array}{lll} -\frac{1}{4}x & -3 & 8 \end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{lll} 5 & -3 & y \end{array}\right]

Step 2: Equate the Corresponding Elements

Now, we can equate the corresponding elements of the two matrices. This will give us three equations:

-\frac{1}{4}x = 5

-3 = -3

8 = y

Solving the Equations

Let's solve the first equation for x:

-\frac{1}{4}x = 5

Multiplying both sides by -4, we get:

x = -20

Now, let's solve the third equation for y:

8 = y

So, we have found the values of x and y:

x = -20

y = 8

Conclusion

In this article, we used scalar multiplication to find the values of x and y in a given matrix equation. We multiplied the scalar -1/4 with each element of the matrix on the left-hand side and equated the corresponding elements of the two matrices. This gave us three equations, which we solved to find the values of x and y. The final answer is:

x = -20
y = 8

Final Answer

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of scalar multiplication and used it to find the values of x and y in a given matrix equation. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about scalar multiplication of matrices.

Q: What is scalar multiplication?

A: Scalar multiplication is a binary operation that takes a matrix and a scalar as input and produces another matrix as output. The scalar is a number that is multiplied with each element of the matrix.

Q: How do I perform scalar multiplication?

A: To perform scalar multiplication, you multiply the scalar with each element of the matrix. This will give you a new matrix with the same dimensions as the original matrix, but its elements are scaled by the scalar.

Q: What are the properties of scalar multiplication?

A: The properties of scalar multiplication are:

Distributive property: The scalar can be distributed over the addition of two matrices.
Associative property: The scalar can be associated with the multiplication of two matrices.
Commutative property: The order of the scalar and the matrix does not change the result.

Q: How do I find the value of a variable in a matrix equation using scalar multiplication?

A: To find the value of a variable in a matrix equation using scalar multiplication, you need to multiply the scalar with each element of the matrix on the left-hand side and equate the corresponding elements of the two matrices. This will give you a system of equations that you can solve to find the value of the variable.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when performing scalar multiplication?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when performing scalar multiplication are:

Not multiplying the scalar with each element of the matrix: Make sure to multiply the scalar with each element of the matrix.
Not equating the corresponding elements of the two matrices: Make sure to equate the corresponding elements of the two matrices.
Not solving the system of equations: Make sure to solve the system of equations to find the value of the variable.

Q: How do I apply scalar multiplication in real-world problems?

A: Scalar multiplication is used in many real-world problems, such as:

Physics: Scalar multiplication is used to describe the scaling of physical quantities, such as distance and velocity.
Engineering: Scalar multiplication is used to describe the scaling of engineering quantities, such as force and torque.
Computer Science: Scalar multiplication is used in computer graphics to describe the scaling of objects.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions about scalar multiplication of matrices. We discussed the properties of scalar multiplication, how to perform scalar multiplication, and how to apply scalar multiplication in real-world problems. We also discussed some common mistakes to avoid when performing scalar multiplication.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{0}$ , but the real answer is that scalar multiplication is a powerful tool that can be used to solve many problems in mathematics and real-world applications.