eigenvalue
noun
ei·gen·val·ue
ˈī-gən-ˌval-(ˌ)yü 
: a scalar associated with a given linear transformation of a vector space and having the property that there is some nonzero vector which when multiplied by the scalar is equal to the vector obtained by letting the transformation operate on the vector
especially
: a root of the characteristic equation of a matrix
Examples of eigenvalue in a Sentence
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Wigner conjectured that the eigenvalues of any random matrix should always obey the same probability distribution.
—
Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Mathematicians measure the size of those changes using numbers called eigenvalues.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, WIRED, 4 Aug. 2024
Time and again, regardless of their specific characteristics, the random matrices are found to exhibit that same chaotic yet regular pattern in the distribution of their eigenvalues.
—Quanta Magazine, 5 Feb. 2013
The pattern involved a second layer of numbers called eigenvalues, which are like the DNA of a matrix.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2019
By contrast, the Tracy-Widom curve appears to arise from variables that are strongly correlated, such as interacting species, stock prices and matrix eigenvalues.
—Natalie Wolchover, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2014
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Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Mathematicians measure the size of those changes using numbers called eigenvalues.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, WIRED, 4 Aug. 2024
Time and again, regardless of their specific characteristics, the random matrices are found to exhibit that same chaotic yet regular pattern in the distribution of their eigenvalues.
—Quanta Magazine, 5 Feb. 2013
The pattern involved a second layer of numbers called eigenvalues, which are like the DNA of a matrix.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2019
By contrast, the Tracy-Widom curve appears to arise from variables that are strongly correlated, such as interacting species, stock prices and matrix eigenvalues.
—Natalie Wolchover, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2014
Cite this Entry
“Eigenvalue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eigenvalue. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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