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A matrix’s dimensions, or order, are given as rows × columns: the first number counts horizontal rows and the second counts vertical columns. This describes the matrix’s rectangular structure, not the values of its entries; an matrix has rows and columns, and is square when those counts are equal. The description applies to finite matrices, not infinite arrays or abstract vector-space dimensions.
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To find a matrix’s dimensions, count its rows first (horizontal lines of entries), then its columns (vertical lines of entries). Write the result as rows columns.
For example, consider
The dimensions describe the matrix’s rectangular shape, not the values of its entries. Since , this matrix is not square.
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