Submatrices Submatrices

Submatrices - Definition

A submatrix is a matrix formed by taking certain rows and columns from a bigger matrix.

For example

<math>
 A=\begin{bmatrix} 
   a_{11} & a_{12} & a_{13} & a_{14} \\ 
   a_{21} & a_{22} & a_{23} & a_{24} \\
   a_{31} & a_{32} & a_{33} & a_{34}
 \end{bmatrix}

<math> Then

<math>
 A[1,2; 1,3,4]=\begin{bmatrix}
   a_{11} & a_{13} & a_{14} \\ 
   a_{21} & a_{23} & a_{24} 
 \end{bmatrix}

<math> is a submatrix of A formed by rows 1,2 and columns 1,3,4. This submatrix can also be denoted by A(3;2) which means that it is formed by deleting row 3 and column 2.

There is no standard way to denote a submatrix - although the above two methods are the most common - so one should be careful while reading an article on matrix theory.

The corresponding concept in determinant theory is of minor determinant, that is, determinant of a square submatrix.

Example Usage of Submatrices

yomcat: Now I can get all my Submatrices printed out. Next step - counting how many rows they have.
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