Why Should We Pivot in Gaussian Elimination?

by Edward Rozema

Award: George Pólya

Year of Award: 1989

Publication Information: The College Mathematics Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1, (1988), pp. 63-72

Summary: An explanation of how small pivots can affect results of computer solutions in Gaussian elimination.

About the Author: (from The College Mathematics Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1, (1988)) Edward Rozema received his undergraduate training at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his Ph.D. in 1972 from Purdue University under the direction of Richard B. Holmes. He taught one year at Purdue University Calumet Campus before moving south to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where his is a Professor of Mathematics.

Subject classification(s): Systems of Linear Equations | Linear Algebra

Publication Date:

Sunday, July 20, 2008