Talk:Eigenvalue

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Just curious...does anyone know how eigenvalues and eigenvectors got their names? Decrypt3 02:20, Jul 21, 2004 (UTC)

From de Gërmân, of course! The original was "Eigenwert". Graft 02:40, 21 Jul 2004 (UTC)

What does "Eigenwert" mean? Decrypt3 14:24, Jul 21, 2004 (UTC)

I'd guess, 'own value'.

A better translation would be intrinsic value.

[edit] topic table

is there any reason for the "Topics in mathematics related to linear algebra" table to be at the top instead of the bottom? ✈ James C. 19:07, 2004 Aug 2 (UTC)

[edit] Geometric multiplicity

"The geometric multiplicity of λ is the number of factors t-λ of the minimal polynomial of A or equivalently the nullity of (λI-A)." This is untrue. The geometric multiplicity is defined as the nullity of (λI-A), which is not equivalent to "the number of factors t-λ of the minimal polynomial of A." Here's a counter example:

1  -3  3
3  -5  3
6  -6  4

The geometric multiplicity of λ=-2 is 2, while the minial polynomial is (t+2)(t-4). So the number of factors t-λ of the minimal polynomial is 1.

You're right. There is also a term for the number of factors in the minimal polynomial, which I've unfortunately forgotten; do you remember it? In any case, please do improve the article. -- Jitse Niesen 12:33, 11 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for fixing it. The same mistake is repeated in Minimal polynomial. Unfortunately I've not studied about Jordan blocks yet, so I am not sure how to go about correcting it :). Can you change it too? Spikeballs 17:53, Apr 11, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Latent root

It's another name. I created the article, maybe you guys could mention it.