Rows in Maths - Definition, Examples, and Uses

Remember how you are asked to stand in rows and columns in your school assembly, according to height? But what is exactly a row or a column? When things, people, or any data is arranged in a straight line from left to right or horizontally, it is called a row.

Here is one row of apples.

A row of 5 apples

In Mathematics, if two or more numbers are written side by side, i.e., from left to right, they form a row while a column runs in a vertical direction, from up to down. Also, remember that columns and rows may be used interchangeably sometimes, depending on the perspective.

The concept of rows and columns is used in a topic called ‘matrices’ which you will study in higher classes in Mathematics. This matrix has 2 rows and 3 columns.

A matrix

A table or spreadsheet with a series of numbers is also made up of rows and columns.

Rows and columns in a table

Practical Uses of Rows

Knowing the meaning of rows is not only important in Maths but also holds significance in day-to-day life. Some areas where rows can be used in real life are explained below:

• Movie theatres, stadiums, or any place with an organised seating has seats that are set up in rows. Each seat in a row is given a particular number in terms of numbers and letters, which helps you in finding your seat. For example, your seat in a movie theatre labelled "G10" means it is the 10th seat in row G.

Rows of seats in a movie theatre

• Rows of trees or shrubs are planted alongside roads, or crops are planted in rows in a field.

• Students stand in rows in an assembly.

Solved Examples on Rows

Example 1: Which of the following figures represents a row?

Solution: Since all the peaches are arranged side by side in a straight line in Figure 1, it represents a row.

Example 2: Determine the number of rows in Maths in each table.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

Solution:

1. 2

2. 3

3. 4

4. 2

5. 1

Conclusion

When kids move to higher classes, the concept of rows will be used in many advanced topics. Thus, studying such articles which explain rows in Maths is essential for them to build a strong foundation in any particular topic. If you are looking for more such informational Maths topics, head to our website and explore through a huge collection of well-researched topics.