Skip to content
← All questions

How does matrix-vector multiplication work in 3D?

Matrix-vector multiplication in 3D works by scaling the columns of the matrix by the corresponding coordinates of the input vector and summing the results. The coordinates (x,y,z)(x, y, z) act as scalar multipliers for the transformed basis vectors (the columns), leveraging the linearity property that preserves addition and scalar multiplication.

Conditions

  • The matrix is a 3x3 transformation matrix.
  • The input vector has coordinates (x,y,z)(x, y, z).
  • The transformation is linear.

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Identify the columns of the 3x3 matrix as the images of the standard basis vectors i^\hat{i}, j^\hat{j}, and k^\hat{k}.
  2. Take the x-coordinate of the input vector and multiply it by the first column.
  3. Take the y-coordinate and multiply it by the second column.
  4. Take the z-coordinate and multiply it by the third column.
  5. Add these three scaled vectors together to find the final transformed vector.

Example

The script explains: 'The coordinates act as scalar multipliers for the basis vectors. Because linear transformations preserve addition and scalar multiplication, the transformed vector is found by scaling each column of the matrix by its corresponding input coordinate (xx, yy, or zz) and summing the results.'

Common misconceptions

  • Thinking that matrix-vector multiplication involves dot products of rows with the vector without geometric interpretation.
  • Forgetting that the columns represent the transformed basis vectors.

Watch the explanation

Connected concepts

Explore next

Related questions

Understand why

↗
Meet the concept

↗
Know when to use it

↗
Find a method

↗
Meet the concept

↗

Answers are generated from source material and independently checked. Consult the original video or creator if something is unclear.