Talk:Matrix (mathematics)

What does: " The notation A = (a_ij) means that A[i,j] = a_ij for all indices i and j. " mean? What is a, is it another matrix, or a contant or what? -- SGBailey 22:15 Jan 17, 2003 (UTC)

There is no a, just a₁₁, a₃₂, etc. -- Wshun Jan 21

There are several ways of notating the (i,j)th element. A[i,j] is one; a_ij is another which is easier on the eye. the small a is used to emphasize that it is a number. Also, A_ij is used for the matrix A with some sort of manipulation to the (i,j)th element or ith row & jth column. This probably needs adfding to the article -- Tarquin 23:19 Jan 21, 2003 (UTC)

You mean I could rephrase the original quote as:

" The notation A = (A[i,j]) means that A[i,j] = A[i,j] for all indices i and j. " -- It seems overcomplicated to introduce an alternative set of nomenclature for this "one page" article. I suggest we either stick to one method throughout to explain matrices or we consider both nomenclatures important enough to be explained as part of the article and explain them and give an example in each case. -- SGBailey 23:32 Jan 21, 2003 (UTC)