genericMatrix -- make a generic matrix of variables

• Usage:

  genericMatrix(R,r,m,n)

• Inputs:
  • R, a ring
  • r, a ring element, which is a variable in the ring R (this input is optional)
  • m, an integer
  • n, an integer
• Outputs:
  • a matrix, with m rows and n columns whose entries are variables in the ring R starting with r

i1 : R = ZZ[a..z];

i2 : genericMatrix(R,a,2,4)

o2 = | a c e g |
     | b d f h |

             2      4
o2 : Matrix R  <-- R

i3 : genericMatrix(R,i,3,2)

o3 = | i l |
     | j m |
     | k n |

             3      2
o3 : Matrix R  <-- R

i4 : genericMatrix(R,2,4)

o4 = | a c e g |
     | b d f h |

             2      4
o4 : Matrix R  <-- R

i5 : genericMatrix(R,3,2)

o5 = | a d |
     | b e |
     | c f |

             3      2
o5 : Matrix R  <-- R