Matrix multiplication is very different from matrix addition and subtraction.
You do not multiply corresponding entries;
in particular, $\,[\,2\ \ 3\,]\,$ times $\,[\,4\ \ 5\,]\,$
is not Not NOT $\,[\,8\ \ 15\,]\,$!
Indeed, we'll see that these two matrices aren't even ‘compatible’ for matrix multiplication.
At first glance, the definition of matrix multiplication may seem strange and complicated.
However, it is defined in a way that makes it perfect for working with systems of equations.
The example below may help you to understand why multiplication of matrices is defined the way it is.
The students in a large high school (grades $\,9\,$ through $\,12\,$) get there in a variety of ways:
by bike, by bus, and by car.
The percentage of students using different modes of transportation is summarized on the left below.
For example, $\,25\%\,$ of $\,9^{\text{th}}\,$ grade students travel to school by bike;
$\,50\%\,$ of $\,12^{\text{th}}\,$ grade students travel to school by car.
The total number of male and female students in each grade is summarized in the table on the top right.
For example, there are $\,110\,$ male $\,9^{\text{th}}\,$ grade students;
there are $\,80\,$ female $\,12^{\text{th}}\,$ grade students.
GENDER | Male | Female | |||||
$\,9^{\text{th}}\,$ | $110$ | $105$ | |||||
$\,10^{\text{th}}\,$ | $100$ | $95$ | |||||
$\,11^{\text{th}}\,$ | $95$ | $90$ | |||||
$\,12^{\text{th}}\,$ | $85$ | $80$ | |||||
MODES OF TRANSPORTATION |
$\,9^{\text{th}}\,$ | $\,10^{\text{th}}\,$ | $\,11^{\text{th}}\,$ | $\,12^{\text{th}}\,$ | |||
bike | $25\%$ | $20\%$ | $15\%$ | $10\%$ | $\begin{alignat}{2}&0.25(110) &&\,+\, 0.20(100)\cr +\, &0.15(95) &&\,+\, 0.10(85) = 70\end{alignat}$ | $\begin{alignat}{2}&0.25(105) &&\,+\, 0.20(95)\cr +\, &0.15(90) &&\,+\, 0.10(80) = 67\end{alignat}$ | |
bus | $55\%$ | $65\%$ | $55\%$ | $40\%$ | $\begin{alignat}{2}&0.55(110) &&\,+\, 0.65(100)\cr +\, &0.55(95) &&\,+\, 0.40(85) = 212\end{alignat}$ | $\begin{alignat}{2}&0.55(105) &&\,+\, 0.65(95)\cr +\, &0.55(90) &&\,+\, 0.40(80) = 201\end{alignat}$ | |
car | $20\%$ | $15\%$ | $30\%$ | $50\%$ | $\begin{alignat}{2}&0.20(110) &&\,+\, 0.15(100)\cr +\, &0.30(95) &&\,+\, 0.50(85) = 108\end{alignat}$ | $\begin{alignat}{2}&0.20(105) &&\,+\, 0.15(95)\cr +\, &0.30(90) &&\,+\, 0.50(80) = 102\end{alignat}$ |
The following observations are critical:
Now strip away the labels, record the percentages as decimals, and suppress the computations.
Put the ‘Modes’ matrix in green
and the ‘Gender’ matrix in purple.
The product of these two matrices is shown in white.
$110$ | $105$ | ||||
$100$ | $95$ | ||||
$95$ | $90$ | ||||
$85$ | $80$ | ||||
$0.25$ | $0.20$ | $0.15$ | $0.10$ | row $1$ green column $1$ purple $70$ |
row $1$ green column $2$ purple $67$ |
$0.55$ | $0.65$ | $0.55$ | $0.40$ | row $2$ green column $1$ purple $212$ |
row $2$ green column $2$ purple $201$ |
$0.20$ | $0.15$ | $0.30$ | $0.50$ | row $3$ green column $1$ purple $108$ |
row $3$ green column $2$ purple $102$ |
Here is the most conventional display of this product of matrices: $$ \begin{bmatrix} 0.25 & 0.20 & 0.15 & 0.10 \cr 0.55 & 0.65 & 0.55 & 0.40 \cr 0.20 & 0.15 & 0.30 & 0.50 \end{bmatrix} \ \begin{bmatrix} 110 & 105 \cr 100 & 95 \cr 95 & 90 \cr 85 & 80 \cr \end{bmatrix} \ =\ \begin{bmatrix} 70 & 67 \cr 212 & 201 \cr 108 & 102 \end{bmatrix} $$
Thus, we have:
Notice how easy it is to organize systems of equations in matrix form with this definition!
Check that the system
$$
\cssId{s59}{\begin{align}
2x-3y &=5\cr
x+7y &=4
\end{align}}
$$
has the following matrix representation:
$$
\cssId{s61}{\overset{\text{coefficient matrix}}{\overbrace{
\begin{bmatrix}
2 & -3\cr
1 & 7\cr
\end{bmatrix}}}}
\
\cssId{s62}{\underset{\text{variable matrix}}{\underbrace{
\begin{bmatrix}
x\cr
y
\end{bmatrix}}}}
\cssId{s63}{\ =\
\begin{bmatrix}
5 \cr
4
\end{bmatrix}}
$$
Then, after additional tools for working with matrices are developed,
the system can be easily solved
using matrix methods.
On this exercise, you will not key in your answer. However, you can check to see if your answer is correct. |
PROBLEM TYPES:
|