In what order are transformations applied when multiplying two matrices to compose them?
Conditions
- Performing matrix multiplication
- Matrices represent linear spatial transformations
- Vectors are treated as column vectors
Reasoning, step by step
- Identify the rightmost matrix in the product expression.
- Apply the transformation encoded by this rightmost matrix to the original vector/space.
- Identify the next matrix to the left.
- Apply that transformation to the result of the previous step.
- Repeat until all matrices in the sequence have been applied from right to left.
Example
Mathematically, implies that transforms first, and then transforms the intermediate result. This is equivalent to computing .
Common misconceptions
- Assuming the leftmost matrix acts first because we read equations from left to right.
- Believing matrix multiplication is commutative (), which would make the order irrelevant.
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