Adventures in the World of Matrices (Contemporary Mathematical Studies)

The purpose of the book is to give the reader a feeling for the beauty and the surprises of mathematical research by building up step by step a theory of cycle matrices. The notions of matrix and cycle are presented for those readers who do not yet know the concepts. Then, starting and experimenting with cycle matrices of low dimensions and engaging the readers in various activities, beautiful results are obtained with attractive geometrical interpretation. Gradually the results are extended to cycle matrices of higher dimensions and then generalised. A note is included for those readers who would like to use a computer in exploring cycle matrices. Two appendices give the possibility to further use the computer by exploring inverses matrices and determinants.