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Early History of Linear Algebra

초기 선형대수학의 역사

  • Lee, Sang-Gu (Department of Mathematics, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Lee, Jae Hwa (BK21 Math. Modeling HRD Division, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Ham, Yoon Mee (Department of Mathematics, Kyonggi University)
  • Received : 2012.08.29
  • Accepted : 2012.10.23
  • Published : 2012.11.30

Abstract

Until the 1950s, linear algebra was considered only as one of abstract and advanced mathematics subject among in graduate mathematics courses, mainly dealing with module in algebra. Since the 1960s, it has been a main subject in undergraduate mathematics education because matrices has been used all over. In Korea, it was considered as a course only for mathematics major students until 1980s. However, now it is a subject for all undergraduate students including natural science, engineering, social science since 1990s. In this paper, we investigate the early history of linear algebra and its development from a historical perspective and mathematicians who made contributions. Secondly, we explain why linear algebra became so popular in college mathematics education in the late 20th century. Contributions of Chinese and H. Grassmann will be extensively examined with many newly discovered facts.

행렬 및 벡터공간을 다루는 선형대수학은 사회의 복잡한 현상을 선형화 과정을 거쳐 선형연립방정식이라는 단순한 형태의 수학 문제로 바꾼 후 실제로 해결하는 데 결정적으로 기여한다. 이와 같은 이유로 20세기 중반까지 추상적인 고등수학 과목으로만 여겨지던 선형대수학이 현재는 자연-공학-사회계열 분야 학생의 대부분이 배우는 기본 교과목이 되었다. 본 연구에서는 초기 선형대수학의 발전에 기여한 중국, 일본, 그리고 서양의 수학자들에 대하여 다룬다. 선형대수학은 <산수서>, <구장산술>, 세키 고와, 뫼비우스, 그라스만 실베스터, 케일리 등을 거치면서 비선형적으로 발전해왔다. 우리는 새로 발굴한 내용을 중심으로 초기 선형대수학의 발전과정을 소개한다.

Keywords

References

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