The purpose of the present article is to investigate the definition of matrix multiplication as a central issue in linear algebra courses. Applying both historical and pedagogical approaches, it focuses on the philosophy of generating the usual matrix multiplication, as a special binary operation, with its partly unexpected form compared with the…

In this paper, we reconstruct matrices from their minors, and give explicit formulas for the reconstruction of matrices of orders 2 × 3, 2 × 4, 2 × n, 3 × 6 and m × n. We also formulate the Plücker relations, which are the conditions of the existence of a matrix related to its given minors.

This linear algebra note offers teaching and learning ideas in the treatment of the inner product space R[superscript m x n] in a technology-supported learning environment. Classroom activities proposed in this note demonstrate creative ways of integrating MATLAB technology into various properties of Frobenius inner product as visualization tools…

Given three planes in space, a complete characterization of their intersection is provided. Special attention is paid to the case when the intersection set does not exist of one point only. Besides the vector cross product, the tool of generalized inverse of a matrix is used extensively.

In this paper, we present a hypothetical learning trajectory (HLT) aimed at supporting students in developing flexible ways of reasoning about matrices as linear transformations in the context of introductory linear algebra. In our HLT, we highlight the integral role of the instructor in this development. Our HLT is based on the "Italicizing…

This article aims to illustrate a process of making connections, not between mathematics and other activities, but within mathematics itself--between diverse parts of the subject. Novel connections are still possible in previously explored mathematics when the material happens to be unfamiliar, as may be the case for a learner at any career stage.…

A well known result due to Laplace states the equivalence between two different ways of defining the determinant of a square matrix. We give here a short proof of this result, in a form that can be presented, in our opinion, at any level of undergraduate studies.

In this article, we derive one-parameter family of Schroder's method based on Gupta et al.'s (K.C. Gupta, V. Kanwar, and S. Kumar, "A family of ellipse methods for solving non-linear equations", Int. J. Math. Educ. Sci. Technol. 40 (2009), pp. 571-575) family of ellipse methods for the solution of nonlinear equations. Further, we introduce new…

This paper discusses student difficulties in grasping concepts from Linear Algebra--in particular, the connection of eigenvalues and eigenvectors to other important topics in linear algebra. Based on our prior observations from student interviews, we propose technology-enhanced instructional approaches that might positively impact student…

This article presents a fun activity of generating a double-minded fractal image for a linear algebra class once the idea of rotation and scaling matrices are introduced. In particular the fractal flip-flops between two words, depending on the level at which the image is viewed. (Contains 5 figures.)

Using the elementary tools of matrix theory, we show that the product of two rotations in the three-dimensional Euclidean space is a rotation again. For this purpose, three types of rotation matrices are identified which are of simple structure. One of them is the identity matrix, and each of the other two types can be uniquely characterized by…

This note presents geometric and physical interpretations of the sufficient condition for a critical point to be a strict relative extremum: f[subscript xx]f[subscript yy] - f[superscript 2][subscript xy] greater than 0. The role of the double derivative f[subscript xy] in this inequality will be highlighted in these interpretations. (Contains 14…

Hill ciphers are linear codes that use as input a "plaintext" vector [p-right arrow above] of size n, which is encrypted with an invertible n x n matrix E to produce a "ciphertext" vector [c-right arrow above] = E [middle dot] [p-right arrow above]. Informally, a near-field is a triple [left angle bracket]N; +, *[right angle bracket] that…

The Maine Learning Results (MLR) expects the state's students in prekindergarten through grade 2 to describe two-dimensional shapes as well as use positional language. Requiring translations of two-dimensional shapes supports this expectation. Students in grades 3-4 are expected to "use transformations," while students in grade 5-8 are…

Discussion of the use of computers in math instruction highlights two possibilities suggested in response to an earlier journal column: (1) a program written in BASIC for producing spirolaterals, and (2) the use of LOGO list processing to solve matrix problems for exploring geometric transformations. (LRW)