Matrix Multiplication: Definition, Formula, Examples

Matrix not only has addition and subtraction but also it has multiplication. There are some rules of multiplication of matrix depend on the problem. Matrix has some type of multiplication problem:

Multiplication with a constant (Scalar Multiplication)

Multiplication of matrix with a constant has simple concept. It is just multiplying each element of matrix with the constant. If there is any real number as a constant (it is also called scalar) and a matrix with any dimension,

Scalar = 3 and matrix A

Matix Multiplication with Constant

Matrices Multiplication

Matrices multiplication means multiplying matrix with another matrix. It can not apply in any matrix. There are some rules:

  • It is only matrices that has certain dimension that can be operated. It means the dimension of the first matrix is pxq then the second matrix must be qxr. The number of columns in first matrix must be same with number of rows in second matrix. Then the result (matrix product) has dimension pxr. Number of rows is like first matrix and number of columns is like second matrix.  
    If matrix A1×3 and matrix B3×2 then the result of A.B is C1×2.
  • If there are matrix A and B then AxB ≠ BxA, in another word AB ≠ BA.
  • Matrices multiplication has own rule. It is different with algebra operation and scalar multiplication. The base concept is dot product.
    Concept of dot product:
    (1,3,5)·(6,7,8) = 1.6 + 3.7 + 5.8 = 6 + 21 + 40 = 67

 If there are matrix A2×2 and B2×2, then the result of AxB can be solved by using steps:

a. Multiply first row of matrix A with the first column of matrix B. the result will be element a1,1.
b. Multiply first row of matrix A with the second column of matrix B. the result will be element of a1,2.
c. Multiply second row of matrix A with the first column of matrix B. the result will be element of a2,1.
d. Do the same way to get other element of the result.    

Matix Multiplication

Remember that the dimension of the result came from matrix A2x2 and matrix B2x2 then the result is matrix C2×2 (the red one). The blue one shows the requirement (they must be same) that two matrices can be multiply.

Identity Matrix

Matrix has an identity. It is symbolized as “I”.

Identity Matrix

For matrix that has larger dimension is not difficult. The concept is “1” is always in the diagonal. The others are “0”. Result of multiplying matrix with identity matrix is the matrix itself.  

If there is matrix A, then

A x I = A

I x A = A

Matrices Multiplication Example

  1. Determine the result of multiplying of A.B if
Matix Multiplication Example 1a
Answer
Matix Multiplication Example 1b

2. Determine the result if M.I + 3N – M if

Matix Multiplication Example 2a
Answer

Because of multiplying between M and identity get matrix M itself, then

M.I + 3N – M = M + 3N – M = 3N

The answer is matrix 3N.

Matix Multiplication Example 2b

3. Determine the result of L.K and the dimension if

Matix Multiplication Example 3a
Answer

Dimension of matrix L is 2×3

Dimension of matrix K is 3×1

Then the result has dimension 2×1

Matix Multiplication Example 3b

4. There are any matrix 3×2 and 2×1.

Is it possible to multiply?

(If you answer “yes” then give an example).

Answer

It is possible.

The dimension of the first matrix is 3×2 then the second matrix is 2×1. The number of columns in first matrix is same with number of rows in second matrix. Then the result (matrix product) has dimension 3×1.

Example (it can be different with others)

Matrix Example 4

5. Determine the result of multiplication of matrix below.

Matrix Example 5a
Answer
Matrix Example 5b

6. If there are some matrix and XY = Z, determine the value of 2k.

Matrix Example 6
Answer

XY = Z

Then

Matrix Example 6b

So, k = -11 and 2k = 2(-11) = -22

7. There are matrixes

Matrix Example 7a

Determine p + q + r + s.

Answer
Matrix Example 7b

Because of

Matrix Example 7c

Then

Matrix Example 7d
  • 3r = 3 → r = 1
  • -5r = -3 – q

-5(1) = -3 – q

      -5 = -3 – q

       q = -3 + 5 = 2

  • 3p – 1 = q + 3

      3p = 2 + 3 + 1

      3p = 6

        p = 2

  • 1 – p = -5 + s

1 – 2 = -5 + s

-1 + 5 = s

         s = 4  

so, p + q + r + s = 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 9

8. Determine the result of matrix multiplication

(AB-1) (B + A) A-1 = …

Answer

(AB-1) (B + A) A-1 = (AB-1) (BA-1 + AA-1)

= (AB-1) (BA-1 + I)

= AB-1BA-1 + AB-1

= AA-1 + AB-1

= I + AB-1

9. There is a multiplication of matrixes

Matrix Example 9a

If C is a matrix 2×2 and the determinant is 10, determine a + 7b.

Answer
Matrix Example 9b

Determinant of C = ad – bc

10 = (-2)(a+2b) – (-2)(-5b+2)

10 = (-2a-4b) – (10b – 4)

10 = -2a – 4b – 10b + 4

10 = -2a -14b + 4

10 – 4 = -2a – 14b

6 = -2a – 14b (divide by 2)

3 = -a – 7b

3 = -(a+7b)

-3 = a + 7b

Read Also

Matrix (Introduction)

Determinant of Matrix

Invers of a Matrix

Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using Matrix