Mathematics is the queen of sciences. It gives us a lot of things that successfully find their application in various scientific spheres but seem to be completely useless in ordinary daily life. One of such things is a matrix. Matrix helps us to solve differential equations, but one could say that its practical application looks rather vague. However, this statement is inaccurate. The aim of this paper is to discuss matrices and to observe their use in everyday life.
For a start, let’s make a brief overview of matrices and their scientific applications. According to the textbook, a matrix is “a rectangular array of numbers” (Howard 17). These numbers, or elements, are put into columns and rows that determine the size of a matrix. The matrices of proper sizes can be added and multiplied. In mathematics, they are mostly used for listing and solving differential equations. However, the matrix is one of those mathematical objects that find their use in other scientific areas, such as computer engineering, programming, physics, genetics, robotics, etc. For instance, software developers use matrices for the projection of 3D images on 2D screen, ranking web pages after the search, and encryption. Geologists apply them in seismic surveys and conducting of studies. Statisticians use matrices for listing and analyzing the data. In robotics, they are used for programming robots’ movements. Matrices are also applied in economic calculations, sociology, architecture, and other areas of life.
Encryption is one of the most crucial applications of matrices. To understand its importance, one should know what encryption is and how it is used in computer programming. Encryption is encoding of messages and the data in a specific way that allows reading them only to machines with special access. In other words, it is used for protection and keeping of the confidential information and anonymity, and for recoding of data inputs to the software language. The Internet cannot function without encryption and, hence, without matrices. The Internet is an essential part of the modern age of technological progress; it has become crucial for our work, education, communication, and for our life in whole. Hence, we can say that matrices that constitute a considerable part of the web coding also constitute a large part of our everyday life in this sphere. It is also worth noting the use of matrices for simple encryption. Imagine that you need to write a letter with the secret information aimed only for the understanding of several people. You can use various codes, and most of them are based on the matrix. For instance, you can use numeric value of the every book in the alphabet and write the message in a form of a matrix notation. However, it is very simple, and to mask the message, you can take another matrix and multiply two of them. To read the message, your addressee should just know the second matrix and to make an inverse procedure.
Furthermore, matrices can be used in time management. For example, American President Dwight D. Eisenhower developed an Eisenhower Matrix that allowed him to estimate his responsibilities and their priority. The Eisenhower Matrix is a square divided into four equal parts. The head left part is for considerable and urgent deals that should be completed immediately. The top right part is for important and not urgent doings that could be put off for some time. The bottom right part is for a non-important but urgent business that could be delegated to another people. Finally, the bottom left side is for the doings that are neither important nor urgent, and can be eliminated. The Eisenhower Matrix has a classic matrix notation and nowadays, it is one of the most popular ways aimed to help people to manage their time. Matrix notations can either be used for maintaining the proper timetable among students.
As a matter of fact, matrix notations are used not only in time management but also for listing and analyzing the data obtained in experiments and surveys. For instance, matrix notation allows to calculate the number of surveyed people in dependence to their answers to research questions and to draw a proper conclusion with the indication of the percentage ratio. Also, is can be applied to the analysis of the experimental results gathered under various conditions. What is more, matrices are used for the economic purposes. In her paper “Several Simple Real-world Applications of Linear Algebra Tools,” Ulrychova gives the example of matrix application for calculations aimed to find the most economically advantageous way of shopping (Ulrychova 31). Three persons should buy some products, and each of them needs a different amount of these products. Ulruchova uses matrices for listing the prices in two shops and analyzes which of them is better for each of the persons. Matrices help to calculate the necessary production of goods and to analyze incomes and profit on the market. They are also used in business and strategic planning that make a good use of the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix and Strategic Plan Implementation Matrix for evaluation, analytics, and formulation of company’s strategies.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that matrices have a wide range of daily applications. They form a basis of computers and the Internet and help to calculate economic advantages and profits, to analyze the data gathered in various experiments and surveys, and to manage our time. The importance of matrices is invaluable. Indeed, one who thinks that math would not be useful in one’s future life is totally wrong. It is necessary just to take a closer look.
Works Cited
Howard, Anton. Elementary Linear Algebra. 10th ed. New York, NY: Wiley, 2010. Print.
Ulrychova, Eva. “Several Simple Real-world Applications of Linear Algebra Tools.” WDS'06 Proceedings of Contributed Papers Part I (2006): 31–34. Print.
