In the whole context of matrices, addition is probably the simplest operation (except possibly for scalar multiplication) but there are certain rules that need to be applied. Two matrices can only be added together if they have the same size, that is the same number of rows and the same number of columns.



To add the matrices, simply add up the corresponding elements. To give you an idea I have coloured the first three matching elements but I think from this you can get the idea. The resulting product matrix would be:



Interestingly the commutative rule with regard to arithmetic addition also applies in simple matrix addition, so matrix A and matrix B would give the same results, if added together as matrix B plus matrix A.