Math Is Fun Forum

Hixy

Member

Registered: 2011-09-24

Posts: 15

Definition of mathematical terms (widely used in linear algebra)

I need to imprint the following terms on my mind:

1) Set

2) Abelian groups

3) Groups

4) Fields

5) Vector spaces

6) Subspaces

If you had to explain them concretely, what would you say?

is what I've understood. Before seeing my tries at defining the terms, could you write yours? It could happen, unknowningly, that your definitions got influenced by mine in one way or the other.

I hope you can help. Getting a grasp of this should be quite important to understand linear algebra successfully.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: Definition of mathematical terms (widely used in linear algebra)

hi Hixy,

That's quite a big ask so perhaps you should start by having a look at, for example,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_(mathematics)

Notice that in a field the distributive property is 'one way round'    x over +.

I would have defined a group first and then an Abelian group as a special case.

You will need the definitions to understand, but, I suggest you get 'stuck in' to some questions and then post when you want an answer checked, or help getting to an answer.

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob