Multilinear algebra

Multilinear algebra is a branch of mathematics that expands upon the principles of linear algebra. It
extends the foundational theory of vector spaces by introducing the concepts of p-vectors and multivectors
using Grassmann algebras.

Origin
In a vector space of dimension n, the focus is primarily on using vectors. However, Hermann Grassmann
and others emphasized the importance of considering the structures of pairs, triplets, and general multi-
vectors, which offer a more comprehensive perspective. With multiple combinatorial possibilities, the space
of multi-vectors expands to 2n dimensions.[1] The abstract formulation of the determinant is one direct
application of multilinear algebra. Additionally, it finds practical use in studying the mechanical response of
materials to stress and strain, involving various moduli of elasticity. The term "tensor" emerged to describe
elements within the multi-linear space due to its added structure. This additional structure has made
multilinear algebra significant in various fields of higher mathematics. However, despite Grassmann's early
work in 1844 with his Ausdehnungslehre, which was also republished in 1862, it took time for the subject
to gain acceptance, as ordinary linear algebra posed enough challenges on its own.

The concepts of multilinear algebra find applications in certain studies of multivariate calculus and
manifolds, particularly in relation to the Jacobian matrix. Infinitesimal differentials encountered in single-
variable calculus are transformed into differential forms in multivariate calculus, and their manipulation is
carried out using exterior algebra.[2]

Following Grassmann, developments in multilinear algebra were made by Victor Schlegel in 1872 with the
publication of the first part of his System der Raumlehre[3] and by Elwin Bruno Christoffel. Notably,
significant advancements came through the work of Gregorio Ricci-Curbastro and Tullio Levi-Civita,[4]
particularly in the form of absolute differential calculus within multilinear algebra. Marcel Grossmann and
Michele Besso introduced this form to Albert Einstein, and in 1915, Einstein's publication on general
relativity, explaining the precession of Mercury's perihelion, established multilinear algebra and tensors as
important mathematical tools in physics.

In 1958, Nicolas Bourbaki included a chapter on multilinear algebra titled "Algèbra Multilinéair" in his
series Éléments de mathématique, specifically within the book on algebra. The chapter covers topics such
as bilinear functions, the tensor product of two modules, and the properties of tensor products.[5]

Topics in multilinear algebra

The field of multilinear algebra has experienced less evolution in its subject matter compared to changes in
its presentation over the years. The following pages provide additional information that is central to the
topic:

Closed and exact differential forms

Component-free treatment of tensors
Cramer's rule
Dual space
 Einstein notation
Exterior algebra
Inner product
Kronecker delta
Levi-Civita symbol
Metric tensor
Mixed tensor
Multilinear form
Symmetric algebra, Symmetric power
Symmetric tensor
Tensor
Tensor algebra, Free algebra
Tensor contraction

There is also a glossary available for tensor theory.

Applications
Multilinear algebra concepts find applications in various areas, including:

Classical treatment of tensors

Dyadic tensor
Bra–ket notation
Geometric algebra
Clifford algebra
Pseudoscalar
Pseudovector
Spinor
Outer product
Hypercomplex number
Multilinear subspace learning

References
1. Grassmann, Hermann (2000) [1862]. Extension Theory (https://books.google.com/books?id=
yeGPeaPVLKoC&pg=PP1) [Die Ausdehnungslehre]. Translated by Kannenberg, Lloyd.
American Mathematical Society. ISBN 978-0-8218-9049-3.
2. Fleming, Wendell H. (1977). "Exterior algebra and differential calculus" (https://link.springer.
com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4684-9461-7_7). Functions of several variables. Undergraduate
Texts in Mathematics (2nd ed.). Springer. pp. 275–320. doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-9461-7_7 (h
ttps://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-1-4684-9461-7_7). ISBN 978-1-4684-9461-7. OCLC 2401829
(https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2401829).
3. Schlegel, Victor. System der Raumlehre: Nach den Prinzipien der Grassmann'schen
Ausdehnungslehre und als Einleitung in Dieselbe; Geometrie; Die Gebiete des Punktes, der
Geraden, der Ebene. ISBN 978-0-364-22177-8.
4. Ricci-Curbastro, Gregorio; Levi-Civita, Tullio (1900). "Méthodes de calcul différentiel absolu
et leurs applications" (https://zenodo.org/record/1428270). Mathematische Annalen. 54 (1):
 125–201. doi:10.1007/BF01454201 (https://doi.org/10.1007%2FBF01454201). ISSN 1432-
1807 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1432-1807). S2CID 120009332 (https://api.semanticsch
olar.org/CorpusID:120009332).
5. Nicolas Bourbaki (1958) Algèbra Multilinéair, chapter 3 of book 2 Algebra, in Éléments de
mathématique, Paris: Hermann

Greub, W. H. (1967) Multilinear Algebra, Springer

Douglas Northcott (1984) Multilinear Algebra, Cambridge University Press ISBN 0-521-
26269-0
Shaw, Ronald (1983). Multilinear algebra and group representations. Linear Algebra and
Group Representations. Vol. 2. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-639202-9.
OCLC 59106339 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/59106339).

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