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</math>

</math>

It is important to note that matrix multiplication is not commutative: in general, <math>AB \neq BA</math> for two matrices <math>A</math> and <math>B</math>. This has important consequences in [[quantum mechanics]].

It is important to note that matrix multiplication is not [[commutative]]: in general, <math>AB \neq BA</math> for two matrices <math>A</math> and <math>B</math>. This has important consequences in [[quantum mechanics]].

To see why matrix multiplication works the way it does, we will use [[suffix notation]]. Consider first forming the product of two matrices, <math>AB</math>, which is itself a matrix. Then form the product <math>ABx</math>. Matrix multiplication is associative, so we can consider this as either <math>(AB)x</math> or <math>A(Bx)</math>. In suffix notation,

To see why matrix multiplication works the way it does, we will use [[suffix notation]]. Consider first forming the product of two matrices, <math>AB</math>, which is itself a matrix. Then form the product <math>ABx</math>. Matrix multiplication is associative, so we can consider this as either <math>(AB)x</math> or <math>A(Bx)</math>. In suffix notation,