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Matrices

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Are you ready to enter the matrix?

A matrix is a set of numbers arranged in rows and columns (they form what is called a rectangular array).  They have many applications in maths, statistics, economics, physics, engineering etc. as well as computer graphics and web-search page ranking.  One of the reasons they are so powerful is that we can use computers to solve large matrix problems relatively easily.

In this feature you will discover how matrices can be multiplied, explore how they can be used to represent transformations, use them to model probability problems and explore four dimensional numbers.

 

The Matrix
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The Matrix

Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
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Explore a new way of multiplying with matrices.
A powerful Matrix
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A powerful Matrix

Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
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What happens when you find the powers of this matrix?
Flipping Twisty Matrices
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Flipping Twisty Matrices

Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
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Investigate the transformations of the plane given by the 2 by 2 matrices with entries taking all combinations of values 0, -1 and +1.
Square Pair
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Square Pair

Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
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Explore the shape of a square after it is transformed by the action of a matrix.
Markov Matrices
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Markov Matrices

Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
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Use matrices to find out how much cake I eat.
Pass the Parcel
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Pass the Parcel

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Use matrices to model this popular party game.
Fix me or crush me
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Fix me or crush me

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Can you make matrices which will fix one lucky vector and crush another to zero?
Matrix meaning
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Matrix meaning

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Explore the meaning behind the algebra and geometry of matrices with these 10 individual problems.
Transformations for 10
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Transformations for 10

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Explore the properties of matrix transformations with these 10 questions.