Matrix (mathematics) - Abstract Algebraic Aspects and Generalizations

Abstract Algebraic Aspects and Generalizations

Matrices can be generalized in different ways. Abstract algebra uses matrices with entries in more general fields or even rings, while linear algebra codifies properties of matrices in the notion of linear maps. It is possible to consider matrices with infinitely many columns and rows. Another extension are tensors, which can be seen as higher-dimensional arrays of numbers, as opposed to vectors, which can often be realised as sequences of numbers, while matrices are rectangular or two-dimensional array of numbers. Matrices, subject to certain requirements tend to form groups known as matrix groups.

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