WildLinAlg4: Area and volume
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Description
This is the fourth lecture in our series on Linear Algebra. Here we introduce area as a determinant, first in two dimensions, then in three. We give a pictorial definition using the affine grid plane, then also a purely algebraic approach using Grassmann's bi-vectors. A bi-vector is a two dimensional analog of a vector, and captures the physical notions of torque, angular momentum, and force on a charged particle in a magnetic field. We find the classical formulas for 2 and 3 dimensional determinants.
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This is the Introductory lecture to a beginner's course in Algebraic Topology, MATH5665, given by N J Wildberger of the School of Mathematics and Statistics at UNSW in 2010. The course is suitable for 3rd and 4th year mathematics majors, hopefully with some prior knowledge of group theory. Others...
Published 07/27/10
By studying how Bob would view a dilation in Rachel's framework, we are led to the notion of a generalized dilation. Going from one basis to the other involves a 'Change of basis matrix'. We show how these ideas lead naturally to the important concepts of eigenvectors and associated eigenvalues,...
Published 04/16/10