# Types of matrices

The entries (or elements) are arranged in rows and columns for expressing them in matrix form. The arrangement possibly forms either a rectangle and square. Hence, the matrices are basically classified into two types.

1. Square matrix
2. Rectangular matrix

Let’s start to learn each type of matrix with understandable examples.

### Square matrix

The arrangement of elements in a case forms a square shape in a matrix.

${\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 9 & 1 & 3 \\ 7 & 1 & 0 & 5 \\ 6 & 8 & 2 & 6 \\ 0 & 6 & 3 & 5 \\ \end{bmatrix}}$

It is possible if the number of elements in a row is exactly equal to the number of elements in a column. Hence, the matrix is called a square matrix.

### Rectangular matrix

The arrangement of elements in the remaining case forms a rectangle shape in a matrix.

${\begin{bmatrix} 8 & 0 & 4 & 2 \\ 6 & 2 & 3 & 8 \\ 7 & 4 & 5 & 1 \\ \end{bmatrix}}$

It is possible when the number of elements in a row is not equal to the number of elements in a column. Hence, the matrix is called a rectangular matrix.

In mathematics, there are two types of rectangular matrices. Let’s learn both types of rectangular matrices with some understandable examples.

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