MATHEMATI C S : F . L .

HI TC HC OC K
F rom t h e s e d a t a t h e f ol l ow i n g p oi n t s a re t o b e n ot e d :
1 . Th e v i t a l i n d e x h a s t h e l ow e s t me a n v a l u e i n t h e q u a rt e r e n d i n g on
Ma rch 3 1 , t h e w i n t e r q u a rt e r. I n t h a t p e ri od t h e b i rt h i n ci d e n ce i s re l a -
t i v e l y l ow a n d t h e d e a t h i n ci d e n ce re l a t i v e l y h i g h .
2 . N e x t i n v a l u e t o t h i s , b u t
s t a n d i n g
9 . 4 0 - i = 1 . 7 5
p oi n t s
a b ov e i t , i s
t h e me a n v i t a l i n d e x f or t h e a u t u mn q u a rt e r e n d i n g D e ce mb e r 3 1 . Th e
d i f f e re n ce b e i n g 5 . 4 t i me s i t s p rob a b l e e rror, ma y b e re g a rd e d a s s i g n i f i ca n t .
3 . Th e s p ri n g q u a rt e r, e n d i n g J u n e 3 0 , s h ow s t h e n e x t h i g h e r me a n ,
b e i n g
1 3 . 4 3 1 . 7 5
p oi n t s
a b ov e t h e w i n t e r
q u a rt e r.
4 . Th e h i g h e s t v a l u e of t h e i n d e x f a l l s i n t h e s u mme r q u a rt e r, w h e n
b i rt h s a re mos t f re q u e n t a n d d e a t h s l e a s t s o. Th e me a n v a l u e , h ow e v e r,
l i e s on l v 5 . 5 4
=
2 . 0 5 a b ov e t h a t f or t h e
s p ri n g q u a rt e r,
a d i f f e re n ce w h i ch
ca n n ot b e re g a rd e d a s s i g n i f i ca n t .
5 . I n v a ri a b i l i t y of t h e v i t a l i n d e x , t h e f i rs t t w o a n d t h e l a s t q u a rt e rs
of t h e y e a r, a l l e x h i b i t s i g n i f i ca n t l y t h e s a me s t a t u s . Th e v i t a l i n d e x i s
d i s t i n ct i v e l y more v a ri a b l e i n t h e s u mme r q u a rt e r, t h e d i f f e re n ce i n s t a n d -
a rd d e v i a t i on s w h e n t h i s q u a rt e r i s comp a re d w i t h t h a t e n d i n g J u n e 3 0 ,
a mou n t i n g
t o 6 . 0 4 1 . 4 5 . Th i s
ma y
b e
re g a rd e d
a s
s i g n i f i ca n t , b e i n g
4 . 2 t i me s i t s p rob a b l e e rror.
I t t h u s a p p e a rs t h a t t h e e x t re me l y cl os e comp e n s a t ory re l a t i on b e t w e e n
b i rt h ra t e a n d d e a t h ra t e , w h i ch P e a rl a n d B u rg e r3 h a v e s h ow n t o h ol d
i n a n n u a l f i g u re s , d oe s n ot ob t a i n w i t h i n t h e s i n g l e y e a r. I n s t e a d t h e re
i s a w e l l - ma rk e d s t a t i s t i ca l l y s i g n i f i ca n t i n t ra - a n n u a l , or s e a s on a l f l u ct u a -
t i on of t h e b i rt h - d e a t h ra t i o.
1 P a p e rs f rom t h e D e p a rt me n t of B i ome t ry a n d V i t a l S t a t i s t i cs , S ch ool of Hy g i e n e
a n d P u b l i c He a l t h , J oh n s Hop k i n s U n i v e rs i t y , N o. 5 1 .
2
C f . p a rt i cu l a rl y P e a rl , R . , " Th e V i t a l i t y of t h e P e op l e s of Ame ri ca , " Ame r. J . Hy g . ,
1 9 1 9 2 1 ( 5 9 2 - 6 7 4 ) .
3 P e a rl , R . a n d B u rg e r, M. H. , " Th e V i t a l I n d e x of t h e P op u l a t i on of En g l a n d a n d
W a l e s , 1 8 3 8 - 1 9 2 0 , " P ros . N a t . Aca d . S ci . , 8 , 1 9 2 2 , p p . 7 1 - 7 6 .
A S OL U TI ON OF THE L I N EAR MATR I X EQU ATI ON B Y D OU B L E
MU L TI P L I C ATI ON
B y F R AN K L AU R EN HI TC HC OC K
D U P AR TMZN T OF MATHE3 MATI C S , MAS S AC HU S ETTS I N S TI TU h T OF Ts C HN OL OGY
C ommu n i ca t e d b y E. B . W i l s on , F e b ru a ry 2 8 , 1 9 2 2
1 . Me t h od s of S y l v e s t e r a n d of Ma cl a g a n W e d d e rb u rn . - A ma t ri x A of
ord e r N i s d e f i n e d a s a b i n a ry a s s e mb l a g e of N 2 e l e me n t s
a i k ,
w h e re e i t h e r
s u b s cri p t ma y h a v e a n y v a l u e f rom 1 t o N . W e a d d t w o ma t ri ce s b y a d d -
i n g corre s p on d i n g e l e me n t s . W e mu l t i p l y b y t h e ru l e
( AB ) i k
=
2 a j 1 b 1 k ;
( s
=
1 , 2 , . . . , N ) . ( 1 )
I f A1 , A2 , . . . , Ah a n d B 1 , B 2 , . . . , B h a n d C a re a l l k n ow n ma t ri ce s ,
w h i l e x i s a re q u i re d ma t ri x , t h e l i n e a r ma t ri x e q u a t i on ma y b e w ri t t e n
- ~ 7 8 - P R _ OC . N . A. S .
MATHEMATI C S : F . L . HI TC HC OC K
0 ( x ) =
Aj x B l
+ A2 x B 2 + . . . + Ah x B h
= C . ( 2 )
I n 1 8 8 4 S y l v e s t e r a t t a ck e d t h i s - e q u a t i on w i t h ch a ra ct e ri s t i c e n e rg y . 1
He p oi n t e d ou t t h a t , s i n ce e a ch e l e me n t of t h e ma t ri x f ( x ) i s a l i n e a r
f u n ct i on of t h e e l e me n t s of x - t h e e q u a t i on ( 2 ) b e i n g t h u s - e q u i v a l e n t t o
N 2 l i n e a r e q u a t i on s of ord i n a ry a l g e b ra - i t f ol l ow s 0 h a s t h e p rop e rt i e s
of a ma t ri x of ord e r N 2 a n d s a t i s f i e s a Ha mi l t on - C a y l e y e q u a t i on
r"
-
ml , l - I + m2 0 - 2 - . . . + ( - l ) " mMI = 0 ( 3 )
w h e re n = N 2 a n d w h e re I d e n ot e s t h e ma t ri x of ord e r N 2 w h os e e l e me n t s
l i k
a re
u n i t y
w h e n
s u b s cri p t s
a re
e q u a l ,
ot h e rw i s e z e ro. I f w e k n ow t h e
coe f f i ci e n t s ml
. . mn , , w e ca n s ol v e ( 2 ) , a s i s e v i d e n t on mu l t i p l y i n g ( 2 )
a n d ( 3 ) t h rou g h b y 0 - ' . W e ca n f i n d a l l t h e coe f f i ci e n t s i f w e k n ow t h e
ru l e f or f i n d i n g m, , w h i ch i s t h e d e t e rmi n a n t of t h e ma t ri x 0 ; f or t h e l e f t
s i d e of ( 3 ) ma y b e f ou n d b y f ormi n g t h e d e t e rmi n a n t of g - 0 a n d a f t e r-
w a rd s p u t t i n g 0 i n p l a ce of g . To S y l v e s t e r, s ol u t i on of t h e e q u a t i on ( 2 )
w a s e q u i v a l e n t t o f i n d i n g , i n t e rms of t h e ma t ri ce s A1 . . .
Ah a n d B 1 . . . B h
t h e d e t e rmi n a n t of ord e r N 2 b e l on g i n g t o t h e op e ra t i on 0 .
Hi s g e n e ra l me t h od con s i s t s i n s e t t i n g u p t h e t w o ma t ri ce s of ord e r
N a n d of e x t e n t ( e t e n d u e ) h
x , Al + x 2 A2 + . . . +
Xh Ah ,
x l B , + x 2 B 2 + . . . +
x / ; B A,
w h e re x l , x 2 , e t c. a re s ca l a r v a ri a b l e s . B y f ormi n g t h e d e t e rmi n a n t s of
t h e s e t w o ma t ri ce s w e h a v e t w o q u a n t i cs i n t h e v a ri a b l e s . He s h ow s t h a t
t h e re q u i re d d e t e rmi n a n t i s a con t ra ri a n t ca l l e d t h e n i v e l l a n t of t h e s e t w o
q u a n t i cs , a n d i s a n i n t e g ra l b u t n ot n e ce s s a ri l y a ra t i on a l f u n ct i on of t h e
coe f f i ci e n t s of t h e q u a n t i cs . Th e s e coe f f i ci e n t s a re re g a rd e d a s k n ow n
q u a n t i t i e s . Th e f orma t i on of t h e con t ra ri a n t i s i n g e n e ra l d i f f i cu l t .
He w ork s ou t t h e s ol u t i on f or s e v e ra l s p e ci a l ca s e s . W i t h re g a rd t o t h e
g e n e ra l ca s e h e re ma rk s 2
" P ou r p re s e n t e r l ' e x p re s s i on g e n & a l e d e ce d e t e rmi n a n t p ou r u n e ma t ri ce
d ' u n ord re e t d ' u n e e t e n d u e q u e l con q u e s , c' e s t - a - d i re p ou r re s ou d re l ' e q u a -
t i on l i n 6 a i re e n ma t ri ce s d a n s t ou t e s a g 6 n & a l i t e , i l f a u d ra i t a v oi r u n e
con n a i s s a n ce d e s p rop ri e t e s d e s f orme s q u i v a b e a u cou p a u d e l h d e s l i mi t e s
d e s f a cu l t e s h u ma i n e s , t e l l e s q u ' e l l e s s e s on t ma n i f e s t 6 e s j u s q u ' a u t e mp s
a ct u e l , e t q u i , d a n s mon j u g e me n t , n e p e u t a p p a rt e n i r q u ' A l ' i n t e l l i g e n ce
s u p re me . "
B u t t h e i n d e t e rmi n a t e p rod u ct of Gi b b s w a s a t t h a t t i me u n b orn , or
a t l e a s t v e ry y ou n g .
I n 1 9 0 4 Ma cl a g a n W e d d e rb u rn 3 g a v e a s ol u t i on of ( 2 ) b y i n f i n i t e s e ri e s .
Hi s me t h od con s i s t s e s s e n t i a l l y i n s e l e ct i n g on e of t h e k n ow n ma t ri ce s ,
a s
Aj ,
mu l t i p l y i n g b y AJ - ' a n d i n t o B 1 3 I g i v i n g ( 2 ) i n t h e f orm
x + At ' ( x )
=
Aj
1
C B '
1 = C '
w h e re
J i s s i mi l a r i n f Qrm t o 0 b u t con t a i n s h - 1 t e rms . Th e n
x
=
( 1 + , )
- 1
C '
=
( 1
-
, 6 + F 6 2
.
) C f .
V OL . 8 , 1 9 2 2 7 9
MATHEMATI C S : F . L . HI TC HC OC K
Th e ch oi ce - of t h e t e rm
A1 x B j
t o b e f re e d f rom ma t ri x coe f f i ci e n t s a f f e ct s
t h e con v e rg e n ce of t h e s ol u t i on .
2 . Tra n s f orma t i on f rom Ma t ri ce s t o D ou b l e D y a d i cs . - B y Gi b b s ' d ou b l e
mu l t i p l i ca t i on w e ma y s e t u p e x p l i ci t f ormu l a s f or t h e coe f f i ci e n t s ml . . .
of t h e Ha mi l t on - C a y l e y e q u a t i on ( 3 ) . I t i s k n ow n t h a t a n y ma t ri x A
i s e q u i v a l e n t t o a d y a d i c Za a ' w h e re a a n d a ' a re v e ct ors . An y ma t ri x
t e rm of t h e f orm Ax B i s e q u i v a l e n t t o a s u m of t e rms of t h e f orm a a ' . X. b b '
w h e re X i s t h e d y a d i c e q u i v a l e n t t o x . W e n ow i n t rod u ce t h e d ou b l e d ot
p rod u ct d e f i n e d b y t h e ru l e a b : x y
= a . x b . y , a n d ma y w ri t e
a a ' . X. b b ' = a b ' a ' b : X. ( 4 )
An y t e rm Ax B i s t h e re f ore e q u i v a l e n t t o a s u m of t e rms of t h e f orm
MN : X w h e re M a n d N a re d y a d i cs , a n d t h e l i n e a r ma t ri x e q u a t i on ( 2 )
i s e q u i v a l e n t t o
p : X=
z MN : X= C
( 5 )
w h e re s o i s a d y a d i c w h os e a n t e ce d e n t s a n d con s e q u e n t s a re d y a d i cs , s a y
a d ou b l e d y a d i c.
3 . D y a d i cs Tre a t e d L i k e V e ct ors i n S p a ce of Hi g h e r D i me n s i on s . - Ad op t i n g
u n i t v e ct ors e l
. . . e n s u ch t h a t e i . e k i s u n i t y w h e n s u b s cri p t s a re e q u a l ,
ot h e rw i s e z e ro, a n y d y a d i c M ma y b e e x p a n d e d i n t e rms of t h e d y a d s
e , e k ; a n d i f w e a g re e on s ome d e f i n i t e ord e r, n o ma t t e r w h a t , a mon g t h e s e
d y a d s w e ma y s e t Er =
e i e k , l e t t e ri n g r ru n f romn i t o N 2 a s i a n d k e a ch ru n
f rom i t o N . W i t h n = N 2 , a n y d y a d i c
Ml
ma y b e e x p a n d e d
M= El mg l + E2 m1 2 + . . +
En mi x
( 6 )
w h e re
ml
e t c. a re s ca l a rs . Th e d ou b l e d y a d i c p ma y b e e x p a n d e d a s
s o
=
EM1+ E2 M2 + . . . +E" M" . ( 7 )
N ow
e i e k : e re s i s u n i t y w h e n b ot h i = r a n d k = s , ot h e rw i s e z e ro. Th i s .
i s t h e s a me a s s a y i n g
Ep :
EB i s u n i t y w h e n s u b s cri p t s a re e q u a l , ot h e rw i s e
z e ro. I t i s i mme d i a t e l y e v i d e n t t h a t t h e d ou b l e d y a d i c p w i l l b e h a v e w i t h
re f e re n ce t o d ou b l e d ot p rod u ct a s w ou l d a n ord i n a ry d y a d i c i n n - d i me n -
s i on a l s p a ce w i t h re f e re n ce t o ord i n a ry d ot p rod u ct , a n d e q u a l l y e v i d e n t
t h a t t h e w h ol e of t h e u s u a l ma t ri x t h e ory w i l l a p p l y t o p w i t h n o e s s e n t i a l
ch a n g e .
4 . F orma t i on of t h e Ha mi l t on - C a y l e y
Eq u a t i on . - S i n ce e p : X = ( x ) t h e
Ha mi l t on - C a y l e y e q u a t i on f or
( p
w i l l b e t h e s a me a s t h a t f or 0 . I t re -
ma i n s t o s h ow h ow t o ca l cu l a t e t h e coe f f i ci e n t s ml . . mn , , of t h i s e q u a t i on .
L e t M1 , M2 , . . . ,
Mp
a n d N 1 , N 2 , . . . ,
N p
b e a n y d y a d i cs :
D e f i n i t i on . - Th e s ca l a r
( ( MI N I ,
M2 N 2 , . . . ,
Mp N p ) ) s
i s d e f i n e d t o b e
t h e s u m of t e rms comp u t e d a s f ol l ow s : t h e l e a d i n g t e rm i s t h e p rod u ct
of d ou b l e d ot p rod u ct s M1 : N l M2 : N 2 . . . . . . . .
Mp : N p ;
t h e ot h e r t e rms
a re of l i k e f orm a n d a re ob t a i n e d f rom t h e l e a d i n g t e rm b y k e e p i n g t h e
a n t e ce d e n t s M1 . . . .
Mp
f i x e d i n p os i t i on w h i l e t h e con s e q u e n t s N 1 . . .
N p
a re p e rmu t e d i n a l l w a y s . Th e s i g n of a n y t e rm i s p l u s or mi n u s a ccord i n g a s
t h e n u mb e r of s i mp l e i n t e rch a n g e s n e e d e d t o f orm t h a t t e rm i s e v e n or od d .
8 0 P R OC . N . A. S .
MATHEMATI C S : F . L . HI TC HC OC K8
Th u s i f p = 2 w e s h a l l h a v e
( ( MI N , , M2 N 2 ) ) s = M1 : N 1 M2 : N 2 - M1 : N 2 M2 : N 1 .
I f
2 ,
.
p .
,
p
a re d ou b l e d y a d i cs d e f i n e d a s i n ( 7 ) t h e s ca l a r
( ( V I ,
p 2 , . . . , ( V p ) ) s
i s d e f i n e d t o b e t h e re s u l t of
e x p a n d i n g e a ch (
a s i n ( 7 ) ,
mu l t i p l y i n g ou t t e rm b y t e rm, a n d a d d i n g t h e s ca l a rs of a l l t h e t e rms of
t h e p rod u ct .
I f e a ch M b e e x p a n d e d a s i n ( 6 ) t h e s ca l a r e l e me n t s of e v e ry
( p
w i l l
f orm a s q u a re ma t ri x
ml ,
of ord e r N 2 or n , s o t h a t e a ch ( p d e p e n d s on N 4
s ca l a r e l e me n t s . Th e s ca l a r ( ( s ol .
V 2 ,
. . ,
p ) ) s
i s t h e s u m of cu b i c d e t e rmi -
n a n t s of ord e r p w h os e ma i n d i a g on a l s l i e on t h e ma i n d i a g on a l s of t h e
re s p e ct i v e ma t ri ce s
mt , ;
t h e p ma t ri ce s
mt ,
a re t o b e re g a rd e d a s p n on -
s i g n a n t l a y e rs of a cu b i c ma t ri x . 4
W e ma y n ow s u p p os e t h e s e p d ou b l e d y a d i cs t o b e a l l e q u a l . Th e
s ca l a r j u s t w ri t t e n b e come s ( ( s o, ( p , . . . t o p f a ct ors ) ) s a n d ma y b e a b b re v i -
a t e d ( GP t ) ) S .
Th e ore m. - Th e s ca l a r ( ( ' P t ) ) s = p I mp w h e re mp i s t h e coe f f i ci e n t of
( p n t P i n t h e Ha mi l t on - C a y l e y e q u a t i on f or ( p .
P roof . L e t ( p b e e x p a n d e d a s i n ( 7 ) . Th e t e rms of t h e i n d e t e rmi n a t e
p rod u ct ( s o( p ,
.
. . . t o p f a ct ors ) a re of t h e f orm
( Ei Mi ,
E> Mi ,
Ek Mk , . . .
ErMr) ( 8 )
w h e re a n y s u b s cri p t w i l l h a v e a n y v a l u e f rom 1 t o n . S i n ce Es : Mt
=
mt ,
t h e s ca l a r of t h e e x p re s s i on ( 8 ) h a s f or i t s l e a d i n g t e rm
mi - j . - k k
. * mr. .
a n d , b y t h e d e f i n i t i on , t h e s ca l a r i s t h e d e t e rmi n a n t of ord e r p of w h i ch
t h i s i s t h e l e a d i n g t e rm, a mi n or of t h e d e t e rmi n a n t of ( p . Th u s t h e s ca l a rs
of a l l e x p re s s i on s ( 8 ) v a n i s h e x ce p t w h e n t h e s u b s cri p t s i , j , k , . . . , r a re
a l l d i f f e re n t . Ea ch ch oi ce of s u b s cri p t s i ,
j ,
k , . . . , r w i l l occu r p ? t i me s .
Th e s ca l a r
( ( ( P ) ) s
i s t h e re f ore p ' t i me s t h e s u m of mi n ors of ord e r p t a k e n
a l on g t h e ma i n d i a g on a l of t h e d e t e rmi n a n t of ( . B y t h e u s u a l ma t ri x
t h e ory t h e n
( ( Gp - ) ) s
= p I mp a s w a s t o b e p rov e d . 5
5 . Tra n s f orma t i on i . B a ck t o Ma t ri ce s . - I t h a s t h u s b e e n s h ow n h ow t h e
i n v a ri a n t s ml
. . .
m,
of t h e Ha mi l t on - C a y l e y e q u a t i on f or ( p or 0 ma y b e
ca l cu l a t e d b y p rod u ct s w h i ch a re cl os e l y a n a l og ou s w i t h Gi b b s ' p rod u ct s
of ord i n a ry d y a d i cs . To comp l e t e t h e s ol u t i on w e n e e d t o s e e h ow t h e s e
i n v a ri a n t s ma y b e f orme d d i re ct l y f rom t h e g i v e n ma t ri ce s A1 . . .
Ah
a n d B 1 . . . B h w i t h ou t t h e n e e d of f i rs t f ormi n g ( p b y t h e ru l e ( 4 ) .
C on s i d e r f i rs t ml , t h e coe f f i ci e n t of ,
( p 1 1 . I f ( p =
ZMN w e h a v e ml
= MM: N
=
2 a b ' : a ' b
=
2 a . a ' b . b '
=
MAs B s
w h e re
As
a n d B s a re t h e
s ca l a rs of t h e d y a d i cs corre s p on d i n g t o A a n d B , or, i n ma t ri x l a n g u a g e ,
t h e y a re t h e re s p e ct i v e s u ms of t h e e l e me n t s of t h e ma i n d i a g on a l s . Th u s
mI =
A, s B , s
+
A2 S B 2 S
+ . . . + Ah S B h S . ( 9 )
F or m2 w e h a v e , b y t h e d i s t ri b u t i v e ch a ra ct e r of a l l t h e s t e p s i n v ol v e d
i n t h e p roce s s ,
8 1 V oL . 8 , 1 9 2 2
MATHEMATI C S : F . L . HI TC HC OC K
2 M2 = ( ( e ' , ' p ) ) s
=
7 ( ( Mi N i , Mk N k ) ) S
=
2 ( ( a i b ' i a ' i b i , a k b k a I k b k ) ) S
=
[ ( a i b ' i : a ' , b i ) ( a k b ' k : a k b k ) -
( a i b ' t a g k b k ) ( a k b ' k :
a ' i b i ) ]
=
2 [ a i . a ' i b i : b ' i a k a ' k b k . b k -
a s a k a k . a ' i b k b ' s b i b ' k ]
=
z [ Ai S B i S Ak S B k S
-
( Ai Ak ) s ( B k B i ) s ] ( 1 0 )
w h e re , a s b e f ore , Ai s
i s t h e s u m of e l e me n t s of t h e ma i n
d i a g on a l of
Ai ,
e t c. a n d
( Ai Ak ) s
i s t h e s u m of e l e me n t s of t h e ma i n
d i a g on a l of t h e p rod u ct
of t h e t w o ma t ri ce s
Ai
a n d Ak .
B y s i mi l a r t ra n s f orma t i on w e ma y s h ow t h a t
6 m3 = 2 [ Ai s B i S AJ S B J S AS B k S - Ai s B i s ( Aj Ak ) s , ( B k B j ) s
- Aj s B j s ( Ak Ai ) S ( B B k )- S
A
k s B k s ( Ai Aj ) s ( B j B i ) s
+ ( Ai Aj Ak ) s ( B k B j B i ) s + ( Ak Aj Ai ) s ( B i B j B k ) s I . ( 1 1 )
I n e v e ry ca s e a l l s u b s cri p t s ru n f rom 1 t o h , a n d t e rms w h e re s ome or a l l
of t h e s u b s cri p t s a re e q u a l d o n ot i n g e n e ra l v a n i s h . F or a ma t ri x t e rm
Ax B i s n ot i n g e n e ra l e q u i v a l e n t t o a s i n g l e d y a d i c t e rm MN : X.
Th e g e n e ra l ru l e f or a n y m i s n ow e a s y t o s e e . Th e
q u a n t i t y p ! mp
ma y b e w ri t t e n a s a s u mma t i on of s q u a re b ra ck e t e x p re s s i on s , e a ch s q u a re -
b ra ck e t e n cl os i n g p ! t e rms . Th e l e a d i n g t e rm i s
2 Ai s B i s Aj s B j s Ak s B k s .
. .
Ars B rS
w h e re t h e p s u b s cri p t s i , j , k , . . . r a re t h os e of t h e g i v e n ma t ri x
coe f f i ci e n t s
i n ( 2 ) a n d ma y b e e i t h e r a l i k e or d i f f e re n t . Th e ot h e r t e rms a re f orme d b y -
f i rs t k e e p i n g t h e a n t e ce d e n t s A
f i x e d a n d ma k i n g i t t e rch a n g e s a mon g t h e
con s e q u e n t s B . A mu l t i p l e i n t e rch a n g e s u ch t h a t q con s e q u e n t s B a B , B c . .
B e B f B g ( w h e t h e r a l i k e or n ot ) ch a n g e p l a ce s a mon g t h e mn s e l v e s l e a d s t o a
p rod u ct of t w of a ct ors a s ( AC Ab AC . . .
Ad Af Aa ) s ( B a B f B d . . .
B e B b B c) s
w h e re -
t h e ord e r of con s e q u e n t s i s t h e ord e r t h e y s t a n d a f t e r t h e i n t e rch a n g e , w h i l e t h e
ord e r of a n t e ce d e n t s i s t h e re v e rs e of t h a t of t h e con s e q u e n t s . An y a n t e ce d e n t s -
or con s e q u e n t s w h i ch h a v e n ot b e e n mov e d y i e l d t h e s a me s ca l a rs a s i n t h e l e a d i n g
t e rm.
Th e s e q u a n t i t i e s m ma y b e t ra n s f orme d i n ma n y w a y s .
6 . A S e con d Me t h od of S ol u t i on . - An ot h e r me t h od of s ol v i n g t h e e q u a -
t i on ( 2 ) f ol l ow s a t on ce f rom t h e a n a l og y b e t w e e n 0 a n d a n ord i n a ry d y a d i c.
I f s p
=
2 N M l e t s p '
= 2 N M corre s p on d i n g t o 0 ' , t h a t i s t o ZA' x B ' .
L e t C l , C 2 , . . .
C , n 1
b e n - i ma t ri ce s or d y a d i cs s u ch t h a t e a ch i s
ort h og on a l .
t o t h e g i v e n ma t ri x C i n t h e s e n s e t h a t C :
C i
= 0 f ori
=
1 , 2 , . . . , n - 1 .
F orm n - 1 n e w ma t ri ce s
O' ( C Q) .
A ma t ri x ort h og on a l t o a l l t h e s e n e w ma t ri ce s
w i l l i n g e n e ra l b e a s ol u t i on of ( 2 ) a s i d e f rom a s ca l a r f a ct or w h i ch ma y b e
f ou n d b y d i re ct s u b s t i t u t i on . Th i s s ca l a r ma y a l s o b e f ou n d a s a f u n ct i on
of
m.
a n d t h e ma t ri ce s C , C 1 , C 2 , . * * C . _ . .
Th i s me t h od i s a n a l og ou s w i t h Ha mi l t on ' s ori g i n a l me t h od of s ol v i n g
t h e l i n e a r v e ct or e q u a t i on . 6
7 . C on cl u s i on . - Th e a n a l og y b e t w e e n a d y a d i c a n d a v e ct or b y v i rt u e
of t h e d ou b l e d ot p rod u ct ma y b e e x t e n d e d t o p ol y a d i cs a n d K- t u p l e d ot
8 2 P R OC . N . A. S .
MATHEMATI C S : F . L . HI TC HC OC K
p rod u ct s , h e n ce t o d y a d i cs w h os e a n t e ce d e n t s a n d con s e q u e n t ; a re p ol y -
a d i cs , s a y d ou b l e p ol y a d i cs . Th e a n a l og y ma y a l s o b e a p p l i e d t o ce rt a i n
ot h e r p rod u ct s . Th u s t h e s ca l a r ( ( a b , cd ) ) s or a . b c. d - a . d c. b ma y b e
re g a rd e d a s a p rod u ct of t w o d y a d i cs M* N a n d d y a d i cs f ou n d w h i ch a re
ort h og on a l w i t h re s p e ct t o s t a r p rod u ct , t h a t i s s u ch t h a t
Mi * N k
i s u n i t y
w h e n s u b s cri p t s a re
e q u a l ,
ot h e rw i s e z e ro. W e ma y s i mi l a rl y h a v e s t a r
p rod u ct s f or d ou b l e d y a d i cs a n d d ou b l e p ol y a d i cs . W e s h a l l h a v e Ha mi l -
t on - C a y l e y e q u a t i on s w i t h re s p e ct t o s t a r p rod u ct s , w h e re t h e s ca l a rs m
a re f orme d b y s t a r p rod u ct j u s t a s t h os e of t h i s p a p e r w e re f orme d b y d ou b l e
d ot p rod u ct . Th e p re s e n t p a p e r i s i n t e n d e d a s i n t rod u ct i on t o more d e -
t a i l e d t re a t me n t of s ome of t h e s e p h a s e s of mu l t i p l e a l g e b ra . Th e y h a v e
a b e a ri n g on ord i n a ry a l g e b ra b y v i rt u e of t h e f a ct t h a t a p ol y n omi a l of
d e g re e K i n N v a ri a b l e s corre s p on d s t o a s y mme t ri ca l p ol y a d i c of ord e r
K i n s p a ce of N d i me n s i on s . 7
I
I n a s e ri e s of P a ri s p a p e rs , C . R . Aca d . S ci . , 9 8 , a n d 9 9 ( 1 8 8 4 ) a n d e l s e w h e re . Th e .
comp l e t e b i b l i og ra p h y ma y b e f ou n d i n B u l l . I n t e r. As s oc. P romot i n g S t u d y Qu a t e rn i on s
a n d Al l i e d B ra n ch e s , p a rt i cu l a rl y f or Ma rch , 1 9 0 8 .
2
P a ri s , C . R . Aca d of S ci . ,
9 9 , p . 4 3 5 .
" ' N ot e on t h e L i n e a r Ma t ri x Eq u a t i on , " Ed i n b u rg h Ma t h . S oc. P roc. , 2 2 , 1 9 0 4 ( 4 9 - 5 3 ) .
4
Th e l a w s of s i g n a n t a n d n on - s i g n a n t i n d i ce s f or p - w a y d e t e rmi n a n t s w e re g i v e n b y
L e p i n e Ha l l R i ce , Ame r. J . Ma t h . , 4 0 , N o. 3 , J u l y , 1 9 1 8 .
B y f ormi n g t h e d e t e rmi n a n t of p - XI .
o El e me n t s of Qu a t e rn i on s , V ol . I , 2 n d . Ed . , p . 4 9 8 .
7
B i n a ry q u a d ri cs a s v e ct ors i n 3 - s p a ce , w i t h w h a t I h e re ca l l s t a r ort h og on a l i t y , h a v e
b e e n s t u d i e d i n g re a t d e t a i l b y Emi l W a e l s ch . S e e t h e b i b l i og ra p h i e s re f e rre d t o i n
N ot e 1 . Hi s me t h od i s g i v e n i n W i e n . B e r. , 1 1 2 , 1 9 0 3 , p . 6 4 5 , 1 0 9 1 , a n d 1 5 3 3 , a n d ca l l e d
" B i n a re - a n a l y s e . "
V OL . 8 , 1 9 2 2 8 3