How should this matrix be multiplied

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In summary: So, the resulting matrix has the same number of rows as A and the same number of columns as B. Each element in the resulting matrix is the inner product of a row from A and a column from B.
  • #1
mathlearn
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0
$A=\begin{bmatrix}
3&2\\
\end{bmatrix} B=\begin{bmatrix}
1\\
2\end{bmatrix}$

Find the value of the matrix $AB$.

The order of the first matrix is 1*2

The order of the second matrix is 2*1

Matrix AB should be 1*1

I am a bit struggling in determining the way that these two matrices should be multiplied

Many thanks :)
 
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  • #2
You are correct about the order of the matrices! (Yes)

We have the following:
$$AB=\begin{bmatrix}
3&2\\
\end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix}
1\\
2\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}
c_{11}
\end{bmatrix}$$

To calculate the element $c_{11}$ we have to multiply the $1$st row of $A$ with the $1$st column of $B$, as an inner product. So we get the following:
$$c_{11}=3\cdot 1+2\cdot 2=3+4=7$$ So, the result is $$AB=\begin{bmatrix}
7
\end{bmatrix}$$
 
  • #3
mathmari said:
You are correct about the order of the matrices! (Yes)

We have the following:
$$AB=\begin{bmatrix}
3&2\\
\end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix}
1\\
2\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}
c_{11}
\end{bmatrix}$$

To calculate the element $c_{11}$ we have to multiply the $1$st row of $A$ with the $1$st column of $B$, as an inner product. So we get the following:
$$c_{11}=3\cdot 1+2\cdot 2=3+4=7$$ So, the result is $$AB=\begin{bmatrix}
7
\end{bmatrix}$$

Thanks :) I can see it in this problem now

But how do we know which row are to be multiplied with what column ?
 
  • #4
mathlearn said:
But how do we know which row are to be multiplied with what column ?

Let $A=\begin{pmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 \\
4 & 5 & 6 \\
7 & 8 & 9
\end{pmatrix}$ and $B=\begin{pmatrix}
1 & 2 \\
3 & 4 \\
5 & 6
\end{pmatrix}$.

We have the following:
$$AB=\begin{pmatrix}
1 & 2 & 3 \\
4 & 5 & 6 \\
7 & 8 & 9
\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}
1 & 2 \\
3 & 4 \\
5 & 6
\end{pmatrix}=\begin{pmatrix}
c_{11} & c_{12} \\
c_{21} & c_{22} \\
c_{31} & c_{32}
\end{pmatrix}$$ To calculate the element $c_{ij}$ we have to multiply the $i$-th row of $A$ with the $j$-th column of $B$, as an inner product.

So, we get the following elements:
$$c_{11}=1\cdot 1+2\cdot 3+3\cdot 5=1+6+15=22 \\
c_{12}=1\cdot 2+2\cdot 4+3\cdot 6=2+8+18=28 \\
c_{21}=4\cdot 1+5\cdot 3+6\cdot 5=4+15+30=49 \\
c_{22}=4\cdot 2+5\cdot 4+6\cdot 6=8+20+36=64 \\
c_{31}=7\cdot 1+8\cdot 3+9\cdot 5=7+24+45=76 \\
c_{32}=7\cdot 2+8\cdot 4+9\cdot 6=14+32+54=100$$ Therefore, the result is the following:
$$AB=\begin{pmatrix}
22 & 28 \\
49 & 64 \\
76 & 100
\end{pmatrix}$$
 
  • #5
mathlearn said:
Thanks :) I can see it in this problem now

But how do we know which row are to be multiplied with what column ?
To multiply AB, all rows of A are multiplied with all columns of B.
 

Related to How should this matrix be multiplied

1. How do you multiply a matrix?

To multiply a matrix, you need to use the dot product method. This involves multiplying each element in a row of the first matrix by its corresponding element in a column of the second matrix, and then adding the products together to get a single number. The result is placed in the corresponding position in the resulting matrix. This process is repeated for every element in the resulting matrix.

2. Can you multiply any two matrices together?

No, in order for two matrices to be multiplied, the number of columns in the first matrix must match the number of rows in the second matrix. This is known as the "inner dimensions" rule. If this rule is not met, the matrices cannot be multiplied.

3. What is the result of matrix multiplication?

The result of matrix multiplication is a new matrix that has the same number of rows as the first matrix and the same number of columns as the second matrix. Each element in the resulting matrix is calculated using the dot product method and represents a combination of the elements from the original matrices.

4. Does the order of multiplication matter for matrices?

Yes, the order of multiplication does matter for matrices. In general, matrix multiplication is not commutative, meaning that the order in which you multiply the matrices will affect the result. This means that A*B does not necessarily equal B*A.

5. Are there any special rules for multiplying matrices?

Yes, there are two special rules for multiplying matrices: the identity matrix and the zero matrix. The identity matrix is a square matrix with 1s on the main diagonal and 0s everywhere else. When multiplied by any matrix, it will result in the original matrix. The zero matrix is a matrix with all elements equal to 0. When multiplied by any matrix, it will result in the zero matrix.

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