Vectors, matrices, and arrays are the basic tools of numerical computation. Vectors are one-dimensional arrays and matrices are two-dimensional arrays. The Essential Math Module provides classes representing vectors and matrices, as well as arrays with an arbitrary number of dimensions. The array classes are especially useful for working with three-dimensional and four-dimensional arrays.

The matrix classes of the Essential Math Module are general matrices. Matrix classes for dealing with special types of matrices, such as symmetric or banded, are available in the Rogue Wave Linear Algebra Module.