Matrix Multiplication Rules & Non-Commutativity
Two matrices A (order m × n) and B (order p × q) can be multiplied only if n = p (columns of A = rows of B). The resulting matrix AB has order m × q. Key property: Matrix multiplication is associative [A(BC) = (AB)C] and distributive [A(B + C) = AB + AC], but generally NON-COMMUTATIVE: AB ≠ BA. Furthermore, AB = 0 does NOT imply that A = 0 or B = 0.