Teaching and Examining Sparse Matrix Methods

Abstract

A method is presented for concise teaching and examining of the principles and advantages of sparse matrix methods. The method uses only mental arithmetic and is illustrated using Gauss elimination for the solution of simultaneous equations. Indications are given of the ways in which the ideas can be extended to methods other than Gauss elimination and to types of sparse matrix method other than those considered in detail. Indications are also given of how the material can be taught so as to integrate with related matters, such as the evaluation of determinants and the way that the savings obtained by using the most sophisticated sparse matrix methods increase rapidly as the order of the matrix increases.