Matrix Addition and Subtraction

Matrices can be added
together or subtracted from each other only if they have the same size, which means
that they have to have the same number of rows and columns. This is because when
adding or subtracting matrices, the operators work on corresponding entries of the
matrices, hence the need for same size.

Matrix addition takes the following form as shown in these two matrices A
and B both of size 2 x 2

Each entry in matrices A and B is added to its corresponding counterpart
in the other matrix.

Using the matrix i,j notation mentioned before, the above can be generalized
as follows

The same goes for matrix subtraction:

Addition of Matrices is commutative, meaning that given two matrices A and
B:

The best way to get used to matrix addition and subtraction is try as many examples
as you can and eventually it becomes second nature. Here are a few worked examples,
starting with some easy ones.

Matrix Addition and Subtraction Examples

Example 1: Given matrices A and B, find their sum

solution:

Example 2: Find C + A, given that

solution:

which is not mathematically possible since the matrices are not the same size; A
is a 2 x 3 matrix while C is a 3 x 2 matrix, therefore they can’t be added
or subtracted.