In mathematics, the eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and eigenspaces of a
transformation are important properties of this transformation. These
key concepts play a major role in mathematics and, in particular, in
linear algebra and functional analysis, as well as in numerous applied
disciplines. The prefix eigen emphasizes the fact that these
properties are important characteristics of the transformation. In
many common cases knowing all eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a
transformation is equivalent to the explicit knowledge of the
transformation. The word eigen is German for "own", "peculiar",
or
"individual": the most likely translation into English mathematical
jargon would be "characteristic", and some older references do use the
expressions "characteristic value", "characteristic vector" and so
forth, or even "eigenwert" which is German for eigenvalue, but the
more distinctive term "eigenvalue" has become standard.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigenvalue%2C_eigenvector_and_eigenspace
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1512:
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was re-painted in fresco by
Michelangelo.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistine_Chapel)
1521:
Ferdinand Magellan led the first European expedition to navigate the
Strait of Magellan, the passage immediately south of mainland South
America, connecting the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Magellan)
1755:
A massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami destroyed Lisbon, and
killed over 100,000 people in Portugal and Morocco.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1755_Lisbon_earthquake)
1954:
The "Front de Libération Nationale" began the Algerian War of
Independence against French rule, with guerrilla attacks in various
parts of Algeria.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_War_of_Independence)
1963:
The Arecibo Observatory, with the world's largest radio telescope,
officially opened in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecibo_Observatory)
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Wikiquote of the day:
I am everything — Tonight I'll be your mother — I willDo such
things to ease your pain —Free your mind and you won't feel ashamed.
-- Sophie B. Hawkins --
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sophie_B._Hawkins)