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In what order are transformations applied when multiplying two matrices to compose them?

When multiplying two matrices AA and BB to form ABAB, the transformation represented by the rightmost matrix BB acts first on the initial space, followed by the leftmost matrix AA acting on the already transformed result.

Conditions

  • Performing matrix multiplication ABAB
  • Matrices represent linear spatial transformations
  • Vectors are treated as column vectors

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Identify the rightmost matrix in the product expression.
  2. Apply the transformation encoded by this rightmost matrix to the original vector/space.
  3. Identify the next matrix to the left.
  4. Apply that transformation to the result of the previous step.
  5. Repeat until all matrices in the sequence have been applied from right to left.

Example

Mathematically, w⃗=A(Bv⃗)\vec{w} = A(B\vec{v}) implies that BB transforms v⃗\vec{v} first, and then AA transforms the intermediate result. This is equivalent to computing (AB)v⃗(AB)\vec{v}.

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming the leftmost matrix acts first because we read equations from left to right.
  • Believing matrix multiplication is commutative (AB=BAAB = BA), which would make the order irrelevant.

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