ACT Math · Matrices and vectors

What is bmatrix 3 & -1 \\ 2 & 5 bmatrix + bmatrix 4 & 6 \\ -3 & 1 bmatrix?

What is [3−125]+[46−31]\begin{bmatrix} 3 & -1 \\ 2 & 5 \end{bmatrix} + \begin{bmatrix} 4 & 6 \\ -3 & 1 \end{bmatrix}?

Answer and explanation

Answer: F: bmatrix 7 & 5 \\ -1 & 6 bmatrix

Add corresponding entries: 3+4=73+4=7, −1+6=5-1+6=5, 2+(−3)=−12+(-3)=-1, and 5+1=65+1=6. The result is [75−16]\begin{bmatrix}7&5\\-1&6\end{bmatrix}, choice F. Choice G has 77 in the top right, which comes from adding ∣−1∣+6|-1|+6 and losing the sign of the −1-1. Choice H has the wrong entries throughout; it looks like the result of subtracting the first matrix from the second, which is a different operation. Choice J multiplies or otherwise combines entries incorrectly instead of adding them. Matrix addition always combines the entries in the same position of each matrix.

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