Huang, Zhanwen2010-03-292010-03-292009-12https://hdl.handle.net/11299/59872University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. December 2009. Major: Applied and Computational Mathematics. Advisor: John Greene. 1 computer file (PDF); iv, 31 pages, appendix page 22.A formula for the number of trace equivalent classes for a matrix string of 2× 2 matrices which is comprised of two different matrices A and B with k A's and n − k B's is derived. Simulations for traces of matrix products with 2 A's and n B's for n varying from 2 to10are carried out. A comparison between traces of ABAB and AABB and their connection to the eigenvalues of individual matrix is discussed. A formula for a special case is given and a potential application in Statistical Physics is provided. Key Words: Trace, Matrix Products, Trace Equivalent Classen-USMatrix ProductsTraceTrace Equivalent ClassApplied and Computational mathematicsThesis or Dissertation