History of N-Tuples & Vectors: Hamilton or Otherwise?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gear300
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vectors
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the historical association between n-tuples and vectors, questioning whether this connection originated with Hamilton's work. It highlights that Hamilton is credited with the term "set" for n-tuples, but there is uncertainty regarding his use of the term in relation to vectors. Participants seek clarity on whether n-tuples were defined as a result of vector definitions or if the reverse is true. The conversation emphasizes the need for accurate historical references to understand the development of these mathematical concepts. The inquiry remains open as participants look for definitive sources on the topic.
Gear300
Messages
1,209
Reaction score
9
Who was it that associated n-tuples with vectors (was it originally Hamilton's work)?...or were n-tuples defined as a result of the attempt to define vectors?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Hamilton is given here: http://jeff560.tripod.com/s.html as having first assigned the term set to n-tuples but I can find no reference to its use for vectors.
 
Alright then. Thanks again for the assistance.
 
Thread 'Video on imaginary numbers and some queries'

Thread 'Video on imaginary numbers and some queries'

Hi, I was watching the following video. I found some points confusing. Could you please help me to understand the gaps? Thanks, in advance! Question 1: Around 4:22, the video says the following. So for those mathematicians, negative numbers didn't exist. You could subtract, that is find the difference between two positive quantities, but you couldn't have a negative answer or negative coefficients. Mathematicians were so averse to negative numbers that there was no single quadratic...
View full post »

Thread 'What Exactly is Dirac’s Delta Function? - Insight'

Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
View full post »
Thread 'Unit Circle Double Angle Derivations'

Thread 'Unit Circle Double Angle Derivations'

Here I made a terrible mistake of assuming this to be an equilateral triangle and set 2sinx=1 => x=pi/6. Although this did derive the double angle formulas it also led into a terrible mess trying to find all the combinations of sides. I must have been tired and just assumed 6x=180 and 2sinx=1. By that time, I was so mindset that I nearly scolded a person for even saying 90-x. I wonder if this is a case of biased observation that seeks to dis credit me like Jesus of Nazareth since in reality...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Definition of tangent vector on smooth manifold
Replies
21
Views
3K
Python Converting List and tuples using str() function
Replies
3
Views
1K
I Symmetric injective mapping from N² to N
Replies
7
Views
2K
Polar unit vectors form a basis?
Replies
11
Views
8K
Python Transpose of a non-square matrix (without using ndarray.transpose)
Replies
15
Views
4K
A Recover Hamilton equation from 2-form defined on phase space
Replies
3
Views
1K
A What is the packet speed in the discrete case?
Replies
2
Views
1K
I Getting eigenvalues of an arbitrary matrix with programming
Replies
1
Views
2K
Writing a vector parallel and normal to a unit vector ##\hat n##
Replies
26
Views
1K
B Vector Space over Field of Real Numbers
Replies
7
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top