Finite Mathematics covers mathematical concepts and techniques applicable to business and social sciences, including matrix algebra, linear programming, and probability.
Matrices are rectangular arrays of numbers, symbols, or expressions arranged in rows and columns. Matrix algebra is the study of how to add, subtract, and multiply these arrays, as well as how to use them to solve systems of equations.
Matrices can be added or subtracted if they are the same size. Multiplying matrices is trickier; you multiply the rows of the first by the columns of the second. The result is useful for modeling complex relationships.
Matrices are powerful tools in business and science. They help organize data, model networks, and solve problems with lots of variables at once.
Companies use matrices to track sales in different regions, plan supply chains, and even analyze social connections.
\[C = AB\]
A business tracks product sales across months using a matrix, with products as rows and months as columns.
Solving for unknowns in a system like \(2x + 3y = 8\), \(x - y = 2\) can be done with matrices.
Matrix algebra organizes and solves complex problems using rows and columns of numbers.