How to Write a Matrix in Latex
Table of Contents
You can write a matrix in LaTeX as inline equation (in the middle of a
floating text) or as block equation (as a new section). Listing [1]
shows the LaTeX code of both variations. The resulting PDF is shown in
figure [1]. Pay attention to the second line of the example, it includes
the amsmath
package which is required to use the matrix
commands. The pmatrix
key word is just one possible
matrix form. See table [1]
for all supported matrices styles. To use a different style you just have
to replace pmatrix
in the \begin{pmatrix}
and \end{pmatrix}
command.
For inline matrices you might also consider using the smallmatrix
command (see listing [2]
for a complete example). Which behaves the same just makes the matrix
smaller.
\documentclass[10pt]{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr,
sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore
magna aliquyam erat, \(\begin{pmatrix} 1a & 1b \\ 2a & 2b\end{pmatrix} \) sed
diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum.
\begin{equation}
\begin{pmatrix}
1a & 1b \\
2a & 2b
\end{pmatrix}
\end{equation}
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr,
sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore.
\end{document}

\begin{smallmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{smallmatrix}
LaTeX Code | Result |
---|---|
\begin{matrix} 1a & 1b \\ 2a & 2b\end{matrix}
|
![]() |
\begin{pmatrix} 1a & 1b \\ 2a & 2b\end{pmatrix}
|
![]() |
\begin{bmatrix} 1a & 1b \\ 2a & 2b\end{bmatrix}
|
![]() |
\begin{Bmatrix} 1a & 1b \\ 2a & 2b\end{Bmatrix}
|
![]() |
\begin{vmatrix} 1a & 1b \\ 2a & 2b\end{vmatrix}
|
![]() |
\begin{Vmatrix} 1a & 1b \\ 2a & 2b\end{Vmatrix}
|
![]() |
Denoting a Matrix with Dots (cdots, ddots, vdots)
Often you have to describe large matrices or matrices with an undefined
end. For this purpose you can use the LaTeX
commands \cdots
, \vdots
and \ddots
. See equation [eq-1], [eq-2]
and the [3]
for an example. In table [2]
you see a description of the LaTeX dot commands.

M = \begin{pmatrix}
x_{11} & \cdots & x_{1j} \\
\vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\
x_{i1} & \cdots & x_{ij}
\end{pmatrix}

LaTeX Command | Type |
---|---|
\cdots |
Horizontal dots above the line |
\ldots |
Horizontal dots on the line |
\vdots |
Vertical dots |
\ddots |
Diagonal dots |
Matrices With the Array Command
As an alternative to the matrix command you can also use the array command
to achieve similar results. If you want to have parentheses around the
array you can wrap the array between \left[
and \right]
for square brackets or \left(
and \right)
for normal brackets. Listing [4]
shows and example with square brackets.
\left[ \begin{array}{rrr}
1 & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 1 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 1 \\
\end{array}\right]
Using the array command gives you the possibility to control the spacing
between the matrix components/cells. This is handy if you have more
complicated terms in your matrix (e.g. fractions). Increasing the spacing
makes it look better and the symbols of the matrix cells do not overlap.
Listing [5]
illustrates a working example. Pay attention to the begingroup
and endgroup
command. If you do not specify them it will
change the strech for the all arrays in the document which are placed
after this command.
\begingroup
\renewcommand*{\arraystretch}{1.5}
\left[ \begin{array}{rrr}
1 & 0 & 0 \\
0 & 1 & 0 \\
0 & 0 & 1 \\
\end{array}\right]
\endgroup
A Matrix with Sections
If you use the matrix command which does not render parentheses around the
matrix, you can combine two matrices and have a vertical dividing line
between them (via \left|
and \right.
command). You can then wrap the whole construct with \left(
and \right)
again to have parentheses around the
combined matrix.
\left(
\begin{matrix}
a_1 & b_1 \\
a_2 & b_2 \\
a_3 & b_3
\end{matrix}
\left|
\begin{matrix}
c_1 \\
c_2 \\
c_3
\end{matrix}
\right.
\right)
