singular matrix
- noun
- /ˈsɪŋɡjələr ˈmeɪtrɪks/
- Specialized
:
matriz singular
- In linear algebra, a singular matrix is one that does not have an inverse due to a determinant of zero.
Examples
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How does a singular matrix reveal itself as elimination goes forward?
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But its purpose is to regularize the problem, to take this nearly singular matrix and push it up.
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When solving systems of equations, encountering a singular matrix often indicates that there are either no solutions or infinitely many solutions.
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A singular matrix can lead to computational problems when trying to find solutions for linear systems.
Antonyms
- Specialized
A square table of numbers that you can undo by multiplying with another table
Surface Forms
Morphology
A B1 learner who knows 'singular' as 'one-of-a-kind' or 'single' and 'matrix' as a rectangular arrangement of numbers would not be able to infer the technical mathematical sense 'determinant zero / non-invertible' and would likely interpret it as a 'single' or 'unique' matrix. The meaning here is a specialized, lexicalized mathematical sense that requires domain knowledge rather than composition of the common word meanings, so it is not derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Singular matrix uses singular in the older sense of 'one of a kind' and matrix to mean a square box of numbers. Imagine the box as a machine you can run forwards and backwards; a 'singular' one has parts that repeat or are missing, so the machine 'cannot be inverted'.
