What's the use of matrices in real life?

Answer 1

As John said above, Matrices can be used to solve linear equations, but they have other applications in computer science and cryptography.

They are often used for dynamic programming (how to find a solution in an efficient way). You calculate values, store them in the matrix, and then compare values to other spots in the matrix to see if you have the best result.

They are used in cryptography for encryption and decryption. If we let the alphabet be numbers (A=0, B=1, etc), then here's an encryption function:

E = Ax

(A is a matrix and x is the message put into a matrix)

And here's the decryption function:

D = A^-1c

(A^-1 is the inverse and c is the encrypted message put into a matrix)

These are experiences I've had in my studies of computer science and math, they may have uses elsewhere as well.

I hope this answers your question!

Answer 2

Matrices are just another tool that can be used to generate solutions to sets of linear equations. The various properties of matrices make generating solutions algorithmic, and thus the solution process can be automated. Asking how they are useful is a bit like asking, what's a hammer good for. You don't have to use a hammer to drive in a nail, but using the right tool for the right job is more efficient.