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In my lecturer's notes, he made use of the notation $$\begin{pmatrix}|&|&|\\\mathbf u&\mathbf v&\mathbf w\\|&|&|\end{pmatrix}$$ to denote a matrix which is made up of the vectors $\mathbf u$, $\mathbf v$ and $\mathbf w$. He states in the notes that it is not a standardised notation, but he used it for convenience. He used a similar notation for covectors: $$\begin{pmatrix}-~\mathbf a~-\\-~\mathbf b~-\\-~\mathbf c~-\end{pmatrix}$$ Has anyone encountered this notation before? I wish to make use of it in a textbook I am writing, should I ask his permission to use this notation?

Luke Collins
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    I think it's pretty common. –  Jan 27 '16 at 18:43
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    It's common, but usually not "extended" with lines - just listing vectors in a row or a column does the trick. – orion Jan 27 '16 at 18:46
  • I can't see what the lines add to the notation. The relative position of the vectors indicate whether they are row or column as I understand it. – Karl Jan 27 '16 at 19:05
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    Lines are just decoration to make the matrix look more square - personal choice of the person, but as you said, doesn't matter. The notation with vectors also makes sense if you look at a matrix as array of arrays (programmer's understanding). – orion Jan 27 '16 at 19:07
  • @orion that makes sense. I like the idea of assuming the matrix is square and using the lines to indicate otherwise. – Karl Jan 27 '16 at 19:14

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