9.2. Explaining matrices and creating a matrix to find the answer

N9. Matrices

Question

Elen operates two large cafes at two locations. The table below shows the number of staff working in these cafes.

WaitersChefs/cooksCleaners
Yum Cafe (Yishun)734
Yum Cafe (Bishan)642

Their monthly salaries are made of a fixed base salary and fringe benefits. The table below shows the base salary and fringe benefits of each staff.

Base salaryFringe benefits
Waiters2500200
Chefs/cooks3500300
Cleaners150080

It is given that the matrix P = \begin{pmatrix} 7 & 3 & 4\\ 6 & 4 & 2 \end{pmatrix} and the matrix Q = \begin{pmatrix} 2500 & 200\\ 3500 & 300\\ 1500 & 80 \end{pmatrix}.

(a) Evaluate the matrix R = PQ. [1]

(b) State what each element in R represents. [1]

(c) Elen increased the fringe benefits for each staff by 10%. Using the matrix R found in (a) and another matrix, find the new total monthly salary paid to all staff at each cafe.

Solution