Is division of matrices possible?Is it possible to divide a

Shirley Thompson

Shirley Thompson

Answered question

2021-12-16

Is division of matrices possible?
Is it possible to divide a matrix by another? If yes, What will be the result of AB if
A=(abcd)

B=(wxyz)?

Answer & Explanation

Marcus Herman

Marcus Herman

Beginner2021-12-17Added 41 answers

There is a way to performa sort of division , but I am not sure if it is the way you are looking for. For motivation ,consider the ordinary real numbers R . We have that for two real numbers, xy is really the same as multiplying x and y1=1y. We call y1 the inverse of y, and note that it has the property that y1=1.
The same goes for different algebraic structures. That is, for two elements x, y in this algebraic structure we define xy as xy1 (under some operation). Most notably, we have a notion of division in any division ring (hence the name!) . It turns out that if you consider invertible n×n matrices with addition and ordinary matrix multiplication, there is a sensible way to define division since every invertible matrix has well, an inverse. So just to help you grip what an inverse is, say that you have a 2×2 matrix
The inverse of A is then given by
A1=1(adbc)[dbca]
and you should check that AA1=E, the identity matrix. Now, for two matrices B and A, BA=BA1

Chanell Sanborn

Chanell Sanborn

Beginner2021-12-18Added 41 answers

For ordinary numbers ab means the solution to the equation xb=a. This is the same as bx=a, but since matrix multiplication is not commutative, there are two different possible generalizations of "division" to matrices.
If B is invertible, then you can form AB1orB1A, but these are not in general the same matrix. They are the solutions to XB=A and BX=A respectively.
If B is not invertible, then XB=A and BX=A may have solutions, but the solutions will not be unique. So in that situation speaking of "matrix division" is even less warranted.

Jeffrey Jordon

Jeffrey Jordon

Expert2021-12-26Added 2605 answers

Normally, matrix division is defined as AB=AB1 where B1 stands for the inverse matrix of B. In the case where the inverse doesn't exist the so called pseudoinverse may be used.

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

New Questions in Linear algebra

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?