eigenvalue

[ ahy-guhn-val-yoo ]

noun

, Mathematics.

1. characteristic root.

eigenvalue

/ ˈaɪɡənˌvæljuː /

noun

1. maths physics one of the particular values of a certain parameter for which a differential equation or matrix equation has an eigenfunction. In wave mechanics an eigenvalue is equivalent to the energy of a quantum state of a system

Word History and Origins

Origin of eigenvalue¹

1925–30; partial translation of German Eigenwert, equivalent to eigen- characteristic, particular + Wert value

Example Sentences

Well, this week the company added six more problem types, including arithmetic, eigenvalue, eigenvector, limit, statistics and system of equations.

From Search Engine Land