Initializing variables in Dr.Java/ACM/Java for a 2D Array?

[frig0018]

I have an assignment to create a static class for 2 matrices (2d arrays) that I need to multiply, add, subtract, and find the inverse. However, I am having trouble creating a method to initialize the values in the arrays. So far, I have:

  private int [][] a;
 
  public Matrix(int r, int c)
  {
    a = new int [r][c];
  }
 

and I also know I can initialize all values (in a test suite) by:

    for(int i=0; i < rowsA; i++)
      for(int k=0; k < columnsA; k++)
    {  
      valA = readInt("Enter a value for position (" + i + ", " + k + ") of Matrix A: ");
    }
 

but I know that the latter is wrong if I am trying to use static classes for multiplication, etc. Can I have some help hints!?

Thanks,
Lacey

Also, we are using the platform Dr. Java which imports the ACM library but any help would be appreciated!