Explanation
This Java program is designed to perform two fundamental linear algebra operations: Matrix Addition and Matrix Multiplication. The code is structured modularly, using helper methods to handle specific tasks like reading input, printing data, and performing mathematical calculations.
- Input and Dimension Check: The program starts by asking the user for the number of rows and columns for two matrices, Matrix A and Matrix B. It performs a basic check to ensure dimensions are positive integers.
- Modular Reading: The
readMatrixmethod uses nestedforloops to populate a 2D array. It prompts the user for each specific element (e.g.,A[1][1]) to make the data entry process clear. - Addition Logic: Matrix addition is only possible if both matrices have the same dimensions ($rA=rB$ and $cA=cB$). The
addMatricesmethod iterates through every index $(i, j)$ and computes the sum of the corresponding elements from A and B. - Multiplication Logic: Matrix multiplication has a stricter requirement: the number of columns in the first matrix ($cA$) must equal the number of rows in the second matrix ($rB$). The
multiplyMatricesmethod uses a triple-nested loop:- The outer two loops ($i$ and $j$) navigate the resulting product matrix.
- The innermost loop ($k$) performs the "dot product" of the $i$-th row of A and the $j$-th column of B.
- Output: Finally, the program prints the original matrices and the results of the operations, provided the mathematical conditions for those operations were met.