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 _______________________________ 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) _____________________ 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)