Chapter 5 Matrices

General Mathematics 2018

Chapter 5 - Matrices

Key knowledge
• The concept of a matrix and its use to store, display and manipulate information.
• Types of matrices (row, column, square, zero, identity) and the order of a matrix.
• Matrix arithmetic: the definition of addition, subtraction, multiplication by a scalar, multiplication,
the power of a square matrix, and the conditions for their use.
• Determinant and inverse of a matrix.
Key skills
• Use matrices to store and display information that can be presented in rows and columns.
• Identify row, column, square, zero, and identity matrices and determine their order.
• Add and subtract matrices, multiply a matrix by a scalar or another matrix, raise a matrix to a
power and determine its inverse, using technology as applicable.
• Use matrix sums, difference, products, powers and inverses to model and solve practical problems.
• Use of CAS calculator to do matrix operations
Chapter Sections Questions to be completed
5A The basics of a matrix 1(a,b,c,d), 2(a,b,c), 3 and4(a,b)
5B Using matrices to model(represent practical situations All questions
5C Adding and subtracting matrices All questions
5D Scalar multiplications All questions
5E Matrix multiplication All questions
5F Applications of matrices All questions
5G Communications and connections All questions
5H Identity and inverse matrices All questions
5J Solving simultaneous equations All question
5K Extended application and problem solving tasks All questions
Transition Matrix All questions
Review – All questions

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Table of Contents
5A THE BASICS OF A MATRIX 3
ORDER OF A MATRIX 3
ELEMENTS OF A MATRIX 3
ROW MATRICES 4
COLUMN MATRICES 4
5B USING MATRICES TO MODEL/REPRESENT PRACTICAL SITUATIONS 6
Example 2: Using a matrix to represent connections. 6
5C ADDING AND SUBTRACTING MATRICES 7
ADDING MATRICES 7
SUBTRACTING MATRICES 7
Example 3: 7
THE ZERO MATRIX, 0 7
5D SCALAR MULTIPLICATION 8
Example 4: 8
Example 5: Application of scalar multiplication. 8
Example 6: Scalar multiplication and subtraction of matrices. 9
5E MATRIX MULTIPLICATION 10
RULES FOR MATRIX MULTIPLICATION 11
Example 7: 11
5F APPLICATIONS OF MATRICES 13
Example 8: Business application of matrices 13
PROPERTIES OF ROW AND COLUMN MATRICES 14
Example 9: Using row and column matrices to extract information 14
5G COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTIONS 15
Example 10: 15
Example: 17
5H IDENTITY AND INVERSE MATRICES 18
IDENTITY MATRIX 18
Example 11 18
IDENTITY MATRIX 2 X 2 MATRICES 18
THE INVERSE OF A MATRIX AND ITS EVALUATION 19
ALTERNATIVELY, WE CAN USE CAS CALCULATOR TO CALCULATE THE DETERMINANT AND THE INVERSE OF A MATRIX 19
SINGULAR MATRIX 20
Example: 20
USING INVERSE MATRICES TO SOLVE PROBLEMS 20
5J SOLVING SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS USING MATRICES 21
Example 15: 21
Using the CAS 21
TRANSITION MATRICES APPLICATIONS 22
SETTING UP A TRANSITION MATRIX 22
Example16: 23
USING RECURSION TO GENERATE STATE MATRICES STEP-BY-STEP 23
CONSTRUCTING A MATRIX RECURRENCE RELATION 23
GENERATING S1 24
GENERATING S2 24
GENERATING S3 24
Example 17: Using a recursion relation to calculate state matrices step-by-step 25
Example 18: 26
TRANSITION MATRICES QUESTIONS 27

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Chapter 5 Matrices

5A The basics of a matrix

Matrices can be used to store information, solve sets of simultaneous equations, find optimal
solutions in business, analyse networks, transform shapes in geometry, encode information and
devise the best strategies in game theory.

A matrix (plural matrices) is an array of numbers set out in rows and columns.

Order of a matrix
Matrices are described by the number of rows and number of columns. This is known as the
order/size/dimension of a matrix.

The above matrix has 2 rows and 3 columns and is called a 2 × 3 matrix.

When writing a matrix, the number of rows is always given first followed by the number of
columns.
Matrices are usually named using capital letters such as A, B, X and Y.

Elements of a matrix
The number within a matrix are called its elements.

For example, in the matrix: • Element a13 is in row 1, column 3 and its value is 4
• Element a22 is in row 2, column 2 and its value is 7

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Example 1: Interpreting the elements of a matrix.

Matrix B shows the number of boys and girls in years 10 to 12 at a particular school.

(a) Give the order of the matrix B.

______________________________________________________________________
(b) What information is given by the element b12?
______________________________________________________________________
(c) Which element give the number of girls in year 12?
______________________________________________________________________
(d) How many boys in total?
______________________________________________________________________
(e) How many students in year 11?
______________________________________________________________________

Row Matrices
A row matrix has a single row of elements.

In matrix A, the Friday sales from the market stall can be represented by a 1 x 3 row matrix.
Column Matrices
A column matrix has a single column of elements.
In matrix A, the sales of jeans from the market stall can be represented by a 2 x 1 column matrix.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Square Matrices
In square matrices, the number of rows equals the number of columns. Here are three examples.

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5B Using matrices to model/represent

practical situations
A network diagram consists of vertices and edges can be used to show connections or relationships
between vertices. The information in network diagrams can be recorded in a matrix known as an
adjacency matrix.
Example 2: Using a matrix to represent connections.
The diagram below shows the number of roads connecting between four towns, A, B, C and D. Construct an
adjacency matrix to represent this information.

TO

A B C D

F A

R B A =

O C

M D

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Chapter 5 Matrices

5C Adding and subtracting matrices

Matrices can be added and subtracted if they have the same order/size/dimension. That is if they have the
same number of rows and columns.

Adding matrices
To add matrices, add the corresponding elements of each matrix together. That is the numbers in
the same position.
Subtracting matrices
To subtract matrices, subtract the corresponding elements of each matrix together. That is the
numbers in the same position.

Example 3:
Complete the following addition and subtraction of matrices if possible.

2 4 9 8
(a) [ ]+[ ]=
5 1 9 −1

7 3 4 2
(b) [2 8] − [−1 9] =
1 0 3 7

7 3
2 4
(c) [ ] + [ 2 8] =
5 1
1 0

The Zero Matrix, 0

In a zero matrix, every element is zero. The following are examples of zero matrices.

Just like arithmetic with ordinary numbers, adding or subtracting a zero matrix does not make any
changes to the original matrix.

Also, subtracting any matrix from itself gives a zero matrix.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

5D Scalar multiplication
A scalar is just a number. Multiplying a matrix by a number is called scalar multiplication.

Example 4:
5 1
If 𝐴 = [ ] , find 3A
−3 0

3A = 3 × [ 5 1] =
−3 0

Scalar multiplication has many practical applications. It is particularly useful in scaling up the
elements of a matrix, for example, add the GST to the cost of the prices of all items in a shop by
10%, simply multiplying a matrix of prices by 1.1. (Note 1.1 is 110% where 100% which is the original
price) plus 10% GST).

Example 5: Application of scalar multiplication.

A gymnasium has the enrolments in courses shown in this matrix.

The manager wishes to double the enrolments in each course. Show this in a matrix.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Example 6: Scalar multiplication and subtraction of matrices.

1 1 0 1
Calculate 2 [ ] − 3[ ]
0 1 1 1

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5E Matrix Multiplication
Matrix multiplication is the multiplication of a matrix by another matrix.
The matrix multiplication of two matrices A and B can be written as A × B or just AB.
Although it is called multiplication and the symbol “×” may be used, matrix multiplication is not as
simple as multiplication of numbers but a routine involving the sum of pairs of numbers that have
been multiplied.
For example, the method of matrix multiplication can be demonstrated by using a practical example.
The numbers of CD’s and DVD’s sold by Fatima and Gaia are recorded in matrix N. The selling prices
of the CD’s and DVD’s are shown in matrix P.

We want to make a matrix, S, that shows the value of the sales made by each person.

The steps used in this example follow the routine for the matrix multiplication of N × P

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Rules for matrix multiplication

Because of the ways the products are formed, the number of columns in the first matrix must equal
the numbers of rows in the second matrix. Otherwise, we say that matrix multiplication is not
defined, meaning it is not possible.

In our example of the CD and DVD sales:

Notice that the outside numbers give the order of the product matrix (answered matrix). It is made
by multiplying the two matrices. In our case, the order of the answer matrix is 2 x 1.

Example 7:
5 2 8
8
For the following matrices 𝐴 = [4 6] 𝐵 = [ ] 𝐶 = [2 4 7] 𝐷 = [6]
9
1 3 5
(i) decide whether the matrix multiplication in each question below is defined.
(ii) if matrix multiplication is defined, give the order of the answer matrix and then do the
matrix multiplication.

(a) AB
Multiplication of matrix test A B AB
Matrix order

(b) BA

Multiplication of matrix test A B AB

Matrix order

________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 5 Matrices

(c) CD

Multiplication of matrix test M N MN

Matrix order

Usually, when we reverse the order of the matrices in matrix multiplication, we get a different
answer. That is A × B does NOT equal to B × A.

Define matrices A and B

On a calculator page, press:

 MENU b
 1: Actions 1
 1: Define 1
The template for the (2 × 2) can be found by pressing /t
Complete the entry lines as:
3 6
 Define M = [ ]
5 2

1 8
 Define N = [ ]
5 4
Press ENTER after each entry
Complete the entry lines as:

 M×N
 N×M
Press ENTER after each entry.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

5F Applications of matrices
Data represented in matrix form can be multiplied to produce new useful information.
Example 8: Business application of matrices
Fatima and Gaia’s store has a special sales promotion. One free cinema ticket is given with each DVD
purchased. Two cinema tickets are given with the purchase of each computer game.

The number of DVDs and games sold by Fatima and Gaia are given in matrix S.

The selling price of a DVD and a game, together with the number of free tickets is given by matrix P.

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Properties of row and column matrices

Row and column matrices provide efficient ways of extracting information from data stored in large
matrices. Matrices of a convenient size will be used to explore some of the surprising and useful
properties of row and column matrices.
Example 9: Using row and column matrices to extract information
Three rangers completed their monthly park surveys of feral animal sightings in the matrix S.

(a) Evaluate S × B

(b) What information about matrix S is given in the product S × B?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

(c) Evaluate A × S

(d) What information about matrix S is given in the product A × S?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 5 Matrices

5G Communication and connections

Social networks, communication pathways and connections can be represented and analysed using
matrix techniques.

Example 10:
The diagram shows the communications within a group of friends, where:
 a double-headed arrow connecting two names indicates that those two people communicate
with each other.
 if there is no arrow directly connecting two people, they do not communicate.

(a) These links are called one-step connections because there is just one direct step in making
contact with the other person. Record the social links in a matrix N, using the first letter of each
name to label the columns and rows. Explain how the matrix should be read.

TO

V S K P

F V

R S N =

O K

M P

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(b) Explain why there is a symmetry about the leading diagonal of the matrix.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 5 Matrices

(c) What information is given by the sum of a column or row?

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

(d) N2 gives the number of two-step communications between people. Namely, how many ways
one person can communicate with someone via another person. Find the matrix N2, the square
of matrix N.

N = N2 =

(e) Use the matrix N2 to find the number of two-step ways Kathy can communicate with Steven
and write the connections.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

(f) In the N2 matrix there is a 3 where S column meets the S row. This indicates that there are three
two-step communications Steven can have with himself. Explain how this can be given a sensible
interpretation.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The matrix N3 would give the three-step communications between people. The number of ways of
communicating with someone via two people.

The matrix methods of investigating communications can be applied to friendships, travel between
towns and other types of two-way connections.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Example:
The following adjacency matrix shows the number of pathways between four attractions at the zoo: Lions
(L), Seals (S), Monkeys (M) and Elephants (E).

Using CAS or otherwise, determine how many ways a family can travel from the Lions to the
Monkeys via one of the other two attractions.
Solution

The number of ways a family can travel from the Lions to the Monkeys via one of the other two
attractions indicates that we need to determine a ___________________ path matrix. A simple way
of determining a two-steps path matrix is simply raise the matrix to the power of ______.

2
A2 = =

Reading down the L column to the M row in the two steps matrix, A2, we can say that there are
_____ ways in which a family can travel from the Lions to the Monkeys via one of the other two
attractions.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

5H Identity and Inverse Matrices

Identity matrix
In ordinary arithmetic, when 1 multiplies a number, the answer is always the original number.
Example 3 × 1 = 3, the number 1 is called the multiplicative identity element.
When multiplying any matrix by an identity matrix the resultant matrix will be the original matrix.
Example 11
5 2 1 0
Given two matrices 𝐴 = [ ] 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼= [ ]
8 3 0 1

5 2 1 0
(a) Calculate AI = [ ].[ ]=
8 3 0 1

1 0 5 2
(b) Calculate IA = [ ].[ ]=
0 1 8 3

Identity matrix 2 x 2 matrices

The identity matrix, I, also has the special property that it is commutative in matrix multiplication.
When I is one of the matrices in the multiplication, the answer is the same when the order of the
matrices is commuted (reversed).
So
AI = IA = A

Remember that matrix multiplication is not usually commutative, except for this special case
Only a square matrices have identity matrices. The identity matrix for any square matrix is a
square matrix of the same order with 1s along the leading diagonal (from the top left to the
bottom right) and 0s in all other positions.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

The inverse of a matrix and its evaluation

1
In the real number system, a number multiplied by its reciprocal results in 1, example 3 × 3 = 1.
1
In this case is the reciprocal or multiplicative inverse of 3.
3

In matrices, if the product matrix is the identity matrix, then one of the matrices is the multiplicative
inverse of the other.
1 4 9 −4 1 0
[ ].[ ]=[ ]=𝐼
2 9 −2 1 0 1

A × A−1 = I = A−1 × A

The inverse matrix A, written as A−1, is a matrix that multiplies A to make the identity matrix I
8 4
Finding the inverse matrices of the matrix A = [ ]
3 2
Step 1: Determine the determinant of matrix A

Det A = |𝐴|= (8 × 2)  (4 × 3) = 16 − 12 = 4

Step 2: Swap the elements in the main the diagonal [2 ]

8
Step 3: Multiply the elements on the other diagonal by 1 or simply swap the signs of these
numbers
2 −4
[ ]
−3 8
Step 4: Write the inverse matrix of A
2 4 1
1 2 −4 − −1 0.5 −1
𝐴−1 = 4[ ] = [ 4 3 8 4] = [ 2 3 ]=[ ]
Determinant −3 8 −4 4 −4 2 −0.75 2

Only square matrices have inverses

Alternatively, we can use CAS calculator to calculate the determinant and the inverse of a matrix
Define matrices A Define matrices A
On a calculator page, enter as follows to determine the On a calculator page, enter as follows to determine the
determinant of matrix A determinant the inverse of matrix A
7 2 7 2 −1
 det(a) or det(| |)  a1 or [ ]
4 1 4 1

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Singular Matrix
Example:
4 6
Determine the inverse for the matrix B = [ ]
2 3

Calculate the determinant of B =

Calculate the inverse of B1 =

Since the determinant of matrix B is equal to ______, therefore the inverse of B does not ________.

Therefore, matrix B is said to be _________________________ matrix.

Using inverse matrices to solve problems

Unlike in the real number system, we can’t divide one matrix by another matrix. However, we can use
inverse matrices to help us solve matrix equations in the same way that division is used to help solve many
linear equations.

Given the matrix equation AX = B, where matrix X is the unknown. We can use the multiplication of the
inverse matrix to find the value of the unknown matrix X as follows:

If the equation was XA = B, where the matrix X is the unknown that is needed to be found. Again we can
apply the principal of inverse multiplication to determine for the value of matrix X:

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Chapter 5 Matrices

5J Solving Simultaneous equations using matrices

If you have a pair of simultaneous equations, they can be set up as a matrix equation and solved
using inverse matrices.
Example 15:
Solve the following pair of simultaneous equations by using inverse matrices.
2x + 3y = 6
4x – 6y = 4
Set up the simultaneous equations as a matrix equation then solve for the value of the unknowns

Using the CAS

Open a Calculator page and complete the entry lines as:
2 3
[ ]→𝑎
4 −6
6
[ ]→𝑏
−4

Press ENTER · after each entry.

X is found by pre-multiplying both sides of the equation by A-1 (and

hence isolating X on the left and leaving A-1 B on the right).

Complete the entry line as:

a-1 × b

Then press ENTER ·

Alternatively, you can use the solve function on the CAS

Type the following:

2 3 𝑥 6
𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 ([ ] × [𝑦] = [ ] , 𝑥)
4 −6 −4

Then press ENTER ·

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Transition Matrices Applications

Setting up a transition matrix
A car rental firm has two branches: one in Bendigo and one in Colac. Cars are usually rented and returned in
the same town. However, a small percentage of cars rented in Bendigo each week are returned in Colac, and
vice versa. The diagram below describes what happens on a weekly basis.

What does this diagram tell us? From week to week:

 0.8 (or 80%) of cars rented each week in Bendigo are returned to Bendigo
 0.2 (or 20%) of cars rented each week in Bendigo are returned to Colac
 0.1 (or 10%) of cars rented each week in Colac are returned to Bendigo
 0.9 (or 90%) of cars rented each week in Colac are returned to Colac

The percentages (written as proportions) are summarised in the form of the matrix below.

This matrix is an example of a transition matrix (T). It describes the way in which transitions are made
between two states:

state1: the rental car is based in Bendigo.

state2: the rental car is based in Colac.

Note: In this situation, where the total number of cars remains constant, the columns in a transitional
matrix will always add to one (100%). For example, if 80% of cars are returned to Bendigo, then 20% must
be returned to Colac.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Example16:
A factory has many different machines. The machines can be in one of two states: operating or
broken. Broken machines are repaired and come back into operation, and vice versa. On a given
day:

 85% of machines that are operational stay operating

 15% of machines that are operating breakdown
 5% of machines that are broken are repaired and start operating again
 95% of machines that are broken stay broken.
Construct a transition matrix to describe this situation. Use the columns to define the situation at
the ‘Start’ of the day and the rows to describe the situation at the ‘End’ of the day.
Transition Diagram Transition matrix

Using recursion to generate state matrices step-by-step

We return to the car rental problem discussed above. The car rental firm now plans to buy 90 new
cars. Fifty will be based in Bendigo and 40 in Colac. Given this pattern of rental car returns, the
first question the manager would like answered is:
‘If we start with 50 cars in Bendigo, and 40 cars in Colac, how many cars will be available for rent
at both towns after 1 week, 2 weeks, etc?’
If you think of a number and double it, over and over again, you are just taking the current number
and timing it by 2.
3 6 12 24 48 96
We do the same with the car rental problem, the only difference being that we are now working
with matrices.

Constructing a matrix recurrence relation

A recurrence relation must have a starting point.

50 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑜
In this case, it is the initial state matrix: 𝑆0 = [ ]
40 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑐

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Generating S1
To find out the number of cars in Bendigo and Colac after 1 week, we use the transition matrix 𝑇=
0.8 0.1
[ ] to generate the next state matrix in the sequence, S, as follows:
0.2 0.9
𝑆1 = 𝑇𝑆0
0.8 0.1 50
=[ ]×[ ]
0.2 0.9 40
0.8 × 50 + 0.1 × 40
=[ ]
0.2 × 50 + 0.9 × 40
44 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑜
𝑆1 = [ ]
46 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑐
Thus, after 1 week we predict that there will be 44 cars in Bendigo and 46 in Colac.

Generating S2
Following the same pattern, after 2 weeks;

0.8 0.1 44 39.8 40 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑜

𝑆2 = 𝑇𝑆1 = [ ][ ] = [ ]=[ ]
0.2 0.9 46 50.2 50 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑐
Thus, after 2 weeks we predict that there will be 40 cars in Bendigo and 50 in Colac.

Generating S3
After 3 weeks:

0.8 0.1 39.8 36.9 37 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑜

𝑆3 = 𝑇𝑆3 = [ ][ ]=[ ]=[ ]
0.2 0.9 50.2 53.1 53 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑐
Thus, after 3 weeks we predict that there will be 37 cars in Bendigo and 53 in Colac.

A pattern is now emerging. So far, we have seen that:

S1 =TS0

S2 =TS1

S3 =TS2

If we continue this pattern we have:

S4 =TS3

S5 =TS4

or, more generally, Sn+1 = TSn.

With this rule as a starting point, we now have a recurrence relation that will enable us to model and
analyse the car rental problem on a step-by-step basis.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Example 17: Using a recursion relation to calculate state matrices step-by-step

A factory has a large number of machines. The machines can be in one of two states: operating (O)
or broken (B). Broken machines are repaired and come back into operation and vice versa. At the
start, 80 machines are operating and 20 are broken.
Use the recursion relation S0 = initial value, Sn+1 = T Sn

80 0.85 0.05
Where 𝑆0 = [ ] and 𝑇 = [ ]
20 0.15 0.95
to determine the number of operational and broken machines after 1 day and after 3 days

Calculator hint: In practice, generating matrices recursively

is performed on your CAS calculator as shown opposite for
the calculations performed in last the example.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Example 18:
In a large country town, there are three major supermarkets. Customers switch from one to
another due to advertising, better service, prices and for other reasons.
A survey of 1000 customers has revealed the following information for the past month.

 Best buys started with 40% of the market; 90% of its customers remained loyal to Best Buys
but 5% changed to Great Groceries and 5% to Super Store.
 Great Groceries started with a 36% market share: 85% remained loyal, 10% transferred to Best
Buys and 5% to Super Store.
 Super Store stared with 24% of the customers: it lost 15% to Best Buys and 5% to Great
Groceries, but 80% remained.
Summarise the information in matrix form and calculate the new market share.

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Transition Matrices Questions

Question 1

Two politicians, Rob and Anna, are the only candidates for a forthcoming
election. At the beginning of the election campaign, people were asked for
whom they planned to vote. The numbers were as per the table.

During the election campaign, it is expected that people may change the
candidate that they plan to vote for each week according to the transition diagram shown.

(a) The total number of people who are expected to change the candidate that they plan to vote for 1 week
after the election campaign begins is:

A. 828
B. 1423
C. 2251
D. 4269
E. 6891

(b) The election campaign will run for 10 weeks. If people continue to follow this pattern of changing the
candidate they plan to vote for, the expected winner after 10 weeks will be:

A. Rob by about 50 votes

B. Rob by about 100 votes
C. Rob by fewer than 10 votes
D. Anna by about 100 votes
E. Rob by about 200 votes

Question 2

At a large retail outlet, 60% of people drink coffee and 40% drink tea. The catering company has decided to
introduce a new brand of coffee and market research shows that of those who drink tea 45% will change to
coffee each week and of those who drink coffee only 10% will change to tea each week. The remainder will
continue to drink the same drink as present.

(a) Draw a tree diagram to represent this situation for week 1.

(b) What proportion of people will drink coffee at the end of week 1?
(c) Set up matrices to represent the situation.
(d) Solve the matrices to show that you get the same answer as in part (b).
(e) What proportion of people will drink coffee at the end of week 3?

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Chapter 5 Matrices

Question 3
At a large retail outlet, 55% of people drink coffee and 45% drink tea. The catering company has
introduced a new brand of tea and market research shows that of those who drink tea 15% will change to
coffee each week and of those who drink coffee 75% will change to tea each week.
(a) Draw a tree diagram to represent this situation for 1 week.
(b) What proportion of people will drink coffee at the end of 1 week?
(c) Set up matrices to represent this situation.
(d) Solve the matrices to show that you get the same answer as in part (b).

Question 4
At a large retail outlet, only two types of milkshake are produced. At the moment, 45% of people drink
chocolate milkshakes and 55% drink strawberry milkshakes. The catering company has decided to
introduce a richer strawberry milkshake in place of the current one, and market research shows that of
those who drink chocolate milkshakes 35% will change to strawberry each month and of those who drink
strawberry only 5% will change to chocolate each month.
(a) What is the initial state matrix?
(b) What is the transition matrix?
(c) What proportion of people will drink each type of milkshake at the end of 1 month?
(d) What proportion of people will drink each type of milkshake at the end of 2 months?
(e) What proportion of people will drink each type of milkshake at the end of 3 months?
(f) What proportion of people will drink each type of milkshake at the end of 100 months?
(g) What proportion of people will drink each type of milkshake at the end of 101 months?
(h) What do you notice about the answers for (f) and (g)?

Question 5
24% of students in a large school own a Warren mobile phone and the rest own an Oval mobile phone. The
company that owns Warren decided to run a series of advertisements to promote Warren and market
research shows that 15% of students who own an Oval mobile phone will change to Warren each month
and 10% of students who own a Warren mobile phone will change to Oval each month. Assume they are all
on monthly plans.
(a) What is the initial state matrix?
(b) What is the transition matrix?
(c) What proportion of the students will use each type of phone at the end of 1 month?
(d) What proportion of the students will use each type of phone at the end of 2 months?
(e) What proportion of the students will use each type of phone at the end of 3 months?
(f) What proportion of the students will use each type of phone at the end of 50 months? (2dp)
(g) What proportion of the students will use each type of phone at the end of 51 months? (2dp)
(h) What do you notice about the answers for (f) and (g)?

Question 6
35% of students travel by train to a certain school and the rest travel by bus. Vic Rail decided to offer a
huge discount to school students to increase their market share. It is known that 20% of students who
travel by bus will switch to travelling by train and only 5% of students who travel by train will switch to
travelling by bus.
(a) What is the initial state matrix?
(b) What is the transition matrix?
(c) What proportion of the students will use each type of transport at the end of 1 month?
(d) What proportion of the students will use each type of transport at the end of 2 months?
(e) What proportion of the students will use each type of transport at the end of 3 months?
(f) What proportion of the students will use each type of transport at the end of 3 years? Give your
answer correct to 2 decimal places.

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