Question

If a matrix has 8 elements, how many possible orders can it have?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer 1

The correct option is C

4

Let the number of rows be m and the number of columns be n.

If the order of a matrix is m $\times$ n then the matrix has mn elements.

Given that mn = 8

m = 1, n = 8

m = 2, n = 4

m = 4, n = 2

m = 8, n = 1

Therefore the possible orders of the matrix are 1$\times$8, 2$\times$4, 4$\times$2, 8$\times$1

Therefore the number of possible orders is 4.