Hermitian
/həːˈmɪtɪən
/adjective Mathematics
Denoting or relating to a matrix in which those pairs of elements which are symmetrically placed with respect to the principal diagonal are complex conjugates.Hermite is now best known for a number of mathematical entities that bear his name: Hermite polynomials, Hermite's differential equation, Hermite's formula of interpolation and Hermitian matrices....
- In general, the eigenvalues can be complex numbers, even when the elements of the matrix are real, but the symmetry of a Hermitian matrix ensures that all the eigenvalues will be real.
- Do you realize that's the pair-correlation function for the eigenvalues of a random Hermitian matrix?
Origin
Early 20th century: from the name of Charles Hermite (1822–1905), French mathematician, + -ian.
Rhymes
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