protected void checkBounds(int row, int column) {
         if((numRows < row) || (row < 0)){
             throw new MatrixException(String.format("The row (%s) is out of range", numRows));
         }

         if((numColumns < column) || (column < 0)){
             throw new MatrixException(String.format("The column (%s) is out of range", numColumns));
         }

    }