Eigenvector vs Eigenvalue – What’s the difference?

Eigenvector vs Eigenvalue - What's the difference?
As nouns the difference between eigenvector and eigenvalue is that eigenvector is (linear algebra) a vector that is not rotated under a given linear transformation; a left or right eigenvector depending on context while eigenvalue is (linear algebra) the change in magnitude of a vector that does not change in direction under a given linear transformation; a scalar factor by which an eigenvector is multiplied under such a transformation.

eigenvector

English

Noun

(wikipedia eigenvector )
(en noun )

  • (linear algebra) A vector that is not rotated under a given linear transformation; a left or right eigenvector depending on context.
  • (physics, engineering) A right eigenvector; a nonzero vector
    x

    such that, for a particular matrix

    A

    ,

    A x = lambda x

    for some scalar

    lambda

    which is its eigenvalue and an eigenvalue of the matrix.

  • Synonyms

    * latent vector, proper vector

    See also

    * Mathworld article on eigenvectors
    —-

    eigenvalue

    English

    Noun

    (en noun )

  • (linear algebra) A scalar,
    lambda!

    , such that there exists a vector

    x

    (the corresponding eigenvector) for which the image of

    x

    under a given linear operator

    rm A!

    is equal to the image of

    x

    under multiplication by

    lambda

    ; i.e.

    {rm A} x = lambda x!
  • ”The eigenvalues

    lambda!

    of a square transformation matrix

    rm M!

    may be found by solving

    det({rm M} – lambda {rm I}) = 0!

    .

    Usage notes

    When unqualified, as in the above example, eigenvalue conventionally refers to a right eigenvalue, characterised by

    {rm M} x = lambda x!

    for some right eigenvector

    x!

    . Left eigenvalues, charactarised by

    y {rm M} = y lambda!

    also exist with associated left eigenvectors

    y!

    . For commutative operators, the left eigenvalues and right eigenvalues will be the same, and are referred to as eigenvalues with no qualifier.

    Synonyms

    * characteristic root
    * characteristic value
    * eigenroot
    * latent value
    * proper value

    See also

    * (“eigenvalue” on Wikipedia )
    * Mathworld article on eigenvalues