Matrix Multiplication

In mathematics, matrix multiplication is different from the multiplication that we perform, generally. It is a binary operation that performs between two matrices and produces a new matrix. In this section, we will learn matrix multiplication, its properties, along with its examples.

While we do addition or subtraction of matrices, we add or subtract the elements matching with the positions. But in matrix multiplication, we do not so. Instead of it, we perform the dot product of the rows and columns.

Dot Product: It is the sum of the product of the matching entries of the two sequences of the numbers.

Note: While dealing with the matrix multiplication, remember that the number of columns in the first matrix must be equals to the number of rows in the second matrix. If the condition is not satisfied, the matrix multiplication is not possible.

In matrix multiplication, it is not necessary that both matrices must be a square matrix, as in addition and subtraction.

Suppose we have a matrix A of m×n dimensions and a matrix B of n×k dimensions, then the resultant matrix will be of m×k dimensions.

Matrix Multiplication

Let's understand it through an example.

Suppose we have two matrices A and B of dimensions 2×3 and 3×2, respectively. The resultant matrix will be a 2×2 matrix.

Matrix Multiplication

To find the first element of the resultant matrix, multiply the first row of matrix A by the first column of matrix B and sum up the product.

(a,b,c).(p,q,r)=a×p+b×q+c×r

To find the second element of the resultant matrix, multiply the first row of matrix A by the second column of matrix B and sum up the product.

(a,b,c).(x,y,z)=a×x+b×y+c×z

To find the third element of the resultant matrix, multiply the second row of matrix A by the first column of matrix B and sum up the product.

(d,e,f).(p,q,r)=d×p+e×q+f×r

To find the fourth element of the resultant matrix, multiply the second row of matrix A by the second column of matrix B and sum up the product.

(d,e,f).(x,y,z)=d×x+e×y+f×z

The resultant matrix is:

Matrix Multiplication

Multiplication of a 2×2 matrix and 2×1 matrix

Matrix Multiplication

Multiplication of the two 2×2 matrix

Matrix Multiplication

Multiplication of 3×3 matrix

Matrix Multiplication

Similarly, we can find the multiplication of the matrices with different dimensions.

Properties of Multiplication

  • Non-commutative: AB ≠ BA
  • Associative: A(BC) = (AB)C
  • Left Distributive: A(B + C) = AB + AC
  • Right Distributive: (A + B)C = AC + BC
  • Scalar: k(AB)=(kA)B (where k is scalar)
  • Identity: IA=AI=A
  • Transpose: (AB)T=ATBT

Example 1: Multiply the following matrices.

Matrix Multiplication
Matrix Multiplication
Matrix Multiplication

Example 4:

Matrix Multiplication

Solution:

The dimensions of the matrix A and B are 1×4 and 4×1, respectively, so the resultant matrix will be of dimension 1×1.

Matrix Multiplication

A×B=[2×7+5×2+6×3+8×9]

A×B=[114]

The multiplication of the matrices A and B is [114].

Matrix Multiplication

Solution:

The dimensions of the matrix A and B are 3×2 and 2×1, respectively, so the resultant matrix will be of dimension 3×1.

Matrix Multiplication

Solution:

We know that the identity matrix is the matrix whose principal diagonal elements are 1 and other elements are zero is called an identity matrix.

Matrix Multiplication

Example 8: Multiply matrix A by its negative matrix.

Matrix Multiplication

Solution:

We have to find A×(-A) or -A2.

The negative matrix of the matrix A is -A. It means to multiply each element of matrix A by the negative sign.

Matrix Multiplication




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