How do you multiply matrices #A =((1, 2, 1), (-1, -1, 2), (-1, 1, -2))# and #B=((1, -1), (0, -1), (-1, 1))#?

1 Answer
Sep 23, 2016

#"A X B" = ((" "0,-2),(-3, " "4),(" "1,-2))#

Explanation:

Before you can multiply matrices, you have to check that they are compatible, Matrices are named according to the number of rows (horizontal) and columns (vertical).

A is a #3 xx 3# matrix read as "3 by 3"
and B is a #3 xx 2# matrix - "3 by 2"

#A xx B# means #color(blue)(3) xx color(red)(3)# and #color(red)(3) xx color(blue)(2)#

This is only possible if the middle 2 numbers are the same
- in this case shown in #color(red)"red"#

The answer will be a #color(blue)(3 xx 2)# matrix - (the outer numbers)

Each ROW in A must be multiplied by each COLUMN in B.
This involves multiplying the elements in the row by the elements in B and adding them together to get a single answer.

#"A X B" = ((1, 2, 1), (-1, -1, 2), (-1, 1, -2)) ((1, -1), (0, -1), (-1, 1))#

#(1,2,1) " must be multiplied by "(1,0,-1)#
This gives: #1+0-1 = 0 " "larr# 1st row, 1st column .

#(-1,-1,2) " multiplied by " (1,0,-1)#
This gives #-1+0-2 = -3" "larr# 2nd row, 1st column

#(-1,1,-2) " multiplied by "(1,0,-1)#
This gives #-1+0+2 = 1" "larr# 3rd row, 1st column

#(1,2,1) " multiplied by " (-1,-1,1)#
This gives # -1-2+1 = -2" "larr #1st row 2nd column

#(-1,-1,2) " multiplied by " (-1,-1,1#
This gives #1+1+2 = 4" "larr# 2nd row 2nd column

#(-1,1,-2) " multiplied by " (-1,-1,1)#
This gives #1-1-2 = -2" "larr# 3rd row 2nd column

#"A X B" = ((" "0,-2),(-3, " "4),(" "1,-2))#