Resumen de Introduction of the elementary divisor theory in Spain

Yolima Alvarez Polo, Luis Español González

• This article presents an historical approach to the introduction of the elementary divisor theory in Spain. It aims at answering the question: When did this theory first appear in Spain? We will try to answer this in two different settings, with attention both to research, and teaching. We will refer mainly to teaching because it is there that the main activity was produced.

  Although the origins of the elementary divisor theory are seen in the work of other authors, it is well-known [21] that this theory was consolidated by Weierstrass in his work (1868) about bilinear and quadratic forms [32].