Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

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Performance objectives

• Define a matrix and identify its order.
• Add and subtract 2x2 matrices.
• Multiply a 2x2 matrix by a scalar.
• Multiply two 2x2 matrices.
• Recognize the identity and zero matrices.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces the concept of matrices, which are powerful mathematical tools for organizing and manipulating data. Think about how your school organises student scores for different subjects or how a shopkeeper tracks stock of different items. Matrices provide a structured way to handle this kind of information. In Ghana, from tracking agricultural produce at the market to managing data in banking and technology, matrices are used behind the scenes. This lesson provides the foundation for understanding these applications. We will learn the basic language and arithmetic of 2x2 matrices.

Lesson notes

A. What is a Matrix?

A matrix is simply a rectangular arrangement of numbers, symbols, or expressions in rows and columns. Each item in a matrix is called an element or an entry. We enclose the elements in brackets `[ ]` or parentheses `( )`. Rows run horizontally (left to right). Columns run vertically (top to bottom).

Example: Consider a matrix `A` representing the number of exercise books and pens owned by two students, Kofi and Ama.

``` Books Pens Kofi [ 5 3 ] Ama [ 4 6 ] ``` This can be written as the matrix `A = [5 3; 4 6]`.

Evaluation guide

• Add and subtract matrices (2x2 matrix) and multiply a matrix by a scalar and a matrix by a matrix (2x2 matrices).
• Discuss matrix addition and subtraction.
• Collaborative Learning, Experiential Learning, and Talk for Learning Approaches:
• Learners work in groups/pairs to explore commutative and associative properties of addition.