Hüseyin Tevfik Pasha - The Inventor of  'Linear Algebra'

Gert Schubring

Linear algebra constitutes today one of the most important basic theories of modern mathematics. During the period of the curricular reform movement, also called "modern mathematics", linear algebra even replaced proper geometry teaching within the school curriculum. While comparing mathematical cultures, it might be useful to comment on developments at the "periphery", where their innovations often go beyond the state of the art attained in the "metropoles," even though these innovations may be noticed indirectly at best.

Hüseyin Tevfik Pasha (1832-1901), educated at the 'Mühendishane' (Military School of Engineering) at Istanbul, was active there and in private endeavours of teaching mathematics and the sciences. His Linear Algeba saw two editions in Istanbul in 1882 and 1892. Tevfik Pasha's notion of "linear algebra" originates from an approach aiming at generalizing the notion of multiplication to lines in the two- and the three-dimensional case, thus establishing a version of vectorial calculus. His focus on Argand as his source of motivation was conditioned by the lens of reception as practiced by Tait's school of quaternionists.

Key words: Vidinli Hüseyin Tevfik Paşa, Lineer Cebir, matematik tarihi; Anahtar kelimeler: Hüseyin Tevfik Pasha, linear algebra, history of mathematics.