If a matrix is diagonal, what can be said about its non-diagonal elements? (2020

If a matrix is diagonal, what can be said about its non-diagonal elements? (2020)

If a matrix is diagonal, what can be said about its non-diagonal elements? (2020)

Step 1: Understand what a matrix is. A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers arranged in rows and columns.
Step 2: Identify what a diagonal matrix is. A diagonal matrix is a special type of matrix where all the elements outside the main diagonal are zero.
Step 3: Recognize the main diagonal. The main diagonal of a matrix runs from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.
Step 4: Note the position of non-diagonal elements. Non-diagonal elements are those that are not on the main diagonal.
Step 5: Conclude that in a diagonal matrix, since all non-diagonal elements are not on the main diagonal, they must be zero.

Diagonal Matrix – A matrix in which all elements outside the main diagonal are zero.