History of Linear Algebra
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ScribdTranslationsHistory of Linear Algebra
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ScribdTranslationsHistorical background of linear algebra
Since ancient times, human beings began to question various aspects of the
daily life led him to invent tools that would allow him to measure lengths,
to organize and count objects, as well as to recognize periodic phenomena in nature.
As a result of this process, humans have constructed models that have
facilitated the task of solving concrete problems or have helped him find a
solution to the specific problem that affects him. All this with the purpose of favoring
both their way of life and that of the members of their local environment
Around 1650 BC, the Egyptian priest Ahmés wrote the Rhind Papyrus,
which is one of the oldest mathematical documents. In it, it
They find the first knowledge about linear algebra.
the document contains 85 problems written in hieratic script and was
originally conceived as a practical manual for the uninitiated.
The Babylonians knew how to solve concrete problems that involved
first and second degree equations, completing squares or by
substitution, as well as cubic and biquadratic equations and systems of
linear and nonlinear equations. Some examples that were found
about these problems date back to the last Sumerian period,
approximately from the year 2100 BC.
.
Chinese mathematicians during the 3rd and 4th centuries BC continued the tradition
from the Babylonians and they left us the first methods of linear thinking.
For example, in the treatise Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art,
Published during the Han Dynasty, the following linear system appears.
Greek mathematicians did not worry about linear problems, even though
they had a recognized linear thought. In their works, some attempts can be appreciated.
of Diophantine analysis, especially in the study of magnitudes (Book V) and the
arithmetic properties of integers (Book VII). However, the solution
The general form of the quadratic equation appears in the Elements of Euclid. Without
Despite the embargo, these elements did not represent a formally algebraic thought.
speaking, like the one known today.
In fact, the algebraic formalities studied in current mathematics do not
didn't see the light until the late 17th century, with the rediscovery and development of the
original ideas from the Babylonians, and mainly from the Chinese, about thought
linear, and with the relationship between geometry and algebra, based on the ideas of René Descartes and
by Pierre de Fermat. Thus, until the 18th century, algebra was the art of solving equations.
of arbitrary degree
Linear algebra had a strong boost
thanks to the study of systems of
linear equations.
In 1843, the Irish mathematician Sir William Hamilton discovered quaternions.
In 1843, the Irish mathematician Sir William Hamilton discovered the
quaternions. In 1863, they appear with Hamilton, Arthur Cayley (1821-1895) and
Hermann Günther Grassmann (1809-1877) read the notions of vector
vector space, as an axiomatisation of the idea of vector that was
managed by scholars of Mechanics since the late 17th century, this
this represented the genesis of Vector Calculus and Mathematics
modern. Moreover, Grassmann who is considered the master of algebra
linear, introduced the geometric and linear product, being the first of these
equivalent to the vector product.
The first to use the term matrix was the English mathematician James.
Joseph Sylvester in 1850 defined a matrix as a rectangular array.
of terms.
Some time later, he established contact with Cayley who quickly
understood the importance of the concept of matrix.
One of the main merits of Cayley was the introduction of operations
basics of matrix addition and multiplication, although there are hints of these already
appeared in previous works of Euler, Lagrange, and Gauss. Additionally, Cayley
he proved that matrix multiplication is associative and introduced the
powers of a matrix, as well as symmetric and antisymmetric matrices.
Since Cayley's contributions, algebra has continued to evolve and
followed several lines of development. For example, modern algebra has
evolved from classical algebra by focusing more on the
mathematical structures. Some consider modern algebra as a
set of objects with rules that connect or relate them. Thus, in their
In a more general form, a good definition of algebra is the one that says that the
Algebra is the language of mathematics.
Currently, it can be said that linear algebra
it is the branch of mathematics that studies concepts such as vectors,
matrices, systems of linear equations and, in a more formal approach,
vector spaces and their linear transformations. In this subject
you will study the part of vectors, matrices, and systems of equations.
This area of study relates to many branches both inside and outside of the
mathematics such as functional analysis, differential equations, research
of operations, computer graphics, engineering, etc.
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human development.
Nowadays, matrices, like polynomials or series of
formal powers can well be considered as arrays of data
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´are you determining the what ´these data can be combined to
generate new information ´(Cayley). The formulation ´there is a problem
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concrete termst´ of linear algebra have been, y follow sindudalo ra
being one of the most m' effective ´methods to find your solution n.
Tools such as the determinant, canonical forms and the
linear transformations, among many others, contribute
decisively to facilitate this task.
It isp Hello, the study of is justified ´ yoriade
both professional and techniques.
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It's enough to know the presentation´ that today y to each one
These themes require, in addition, ´ historical elements. ´orico
who motivates the interest to continue higher studies and, with no
less importance, to suggest solutions to concrete problems.
We hope that this modest essay about the o r´ nilearaglebra
until the early 20th an˜
century, which has been complemented with
numerous references, especially those that have been published (or
translated) into our Castilian language, help to fulfill with
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