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How Do I

 Enter a Matrix?

Entering matrices in Maple is very simple. This section demonstrates two methods for entering a matrix: by inserting a template from the Matrix palette and by using the Matrix-constructor shortcut syntax.

Before you proceed, be sure to familiarize yourself with entering simple mathematical expressions. Open a new worksheet in Document mode, and ensure that you are in Math mode.

Using the Matrix Palette to Create a Template

Follow the steps below to enter the three-by-four matrix $\left[\begin{array}{cccc}1& 2& 3& 6\\ 4& 5& 6& 15\\ 7& 8& 9& 24\end{array}\right]$ and assign it to a variable whose name is $M$.

Step

Description

Illustration

1

Type $M$, followed by a colon (:) and an equal sign (=). The colon-equals notation assigns the content on the right-hand side to a variable on the left-hand side.

2

In the Matrix palette, either:

 • Click and hold the Choose... button and drag a three-by-four rectangle in the box that pops up, or
 • Type $3$ into the Rows field and $4$ into the Columns field.

3

Click Insert Matrix.

4

Type $1$ over the highlighted placeholder. To move to and highlight the next placeholder, press the Tab key.

5

Continue to navigate through the placeholders by pressing Tab to enter values for the entire matrix.

6

Press Enter. Maple displays and labels the result of an executed statement in a new line. (For more information, see the How do I topic on evaluating expressions and the Equation Labels subsection of the How Do I help page under the Tools and Features heading.)

When Working with Templates From the Palettes, Keep These Tips in Mind:

 • If you accidentally move the cursor outside a template, simply move the cursor back into the template and press [Tab] to move to the next placeholder.
 • Use Shift + Tab to move back to the previous placeholder, if you have not overwritten it yet.
 • To add a row to a template, place the cursor in an element and from the Context Panel, select Insert Row. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+R.
 • To add a column to a template, place the cursor in an element and from the Context Panel, select Insert Column. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+C.

Using Maple's Matrix-constructor Shortcut Syntax

Follow the steps below to enter the three-by-four matrix $\left[\begin{array}{cccc}1& 2& 3& 6\\ 4& 5& 6& 15\\ 7& 8& 9& 24\end{array}\right]$ and assign it to a variable whose name is $M$. For details about the special syntax used in these steps, see the associated help topic.

 Step Description Illustration 1 Type $M$, followed by a colon (:) and an equal sign (=). The colon-equals notation assigns the content on the right-hand side to a variable name on the left-hand side. 2 Type two left angle brackets (<) (<), followed by $1,4,7$ (separated by commas), and a right angle bracket (>). The expression $⟨1,4,7⟩$ represents the first column of the final matrix. 3 Press Shift + | to type the pipe character (|). This character separates the four columns in the final matrix. 4 As before, type the columns $⟨2,5,8⟩$, $⟨3,6,9⟩$, and $⟨6,15,24⟩$, separated by pipe characters (|). Type a final right angle bracket (>). The angular brackets are automatically formatted by Maple. 5 Press Enter. Maple displays and labels the result of an executed statement in a new line. (For more information, see the How do I topic on evaluating expressions and the Equation Labels subsection of the How Do I help page.)

When Working with this Shortcut Syntax, Keep These Tips in Mind:

 • The comma (,) is used to separate elements in different rows, while the pipe symbol (|) is used to separate elements in different columns.
 • As a result, the matrix could also be entered as $⟨⟨1|2|3|6⟩,⟨4|5|6|15⟩,⟨7|8|9|24⟩⟩$.