M-matrix
Encyclopedia
In mathematics
, especially linear algebra
, an M-matrix is a Z-matrix with eigenvalues whose real
parts are positive. M-matrices are a subset of the class of P-matrices, and also of the class of inverse-positive matrices (i.e. matrices with inverses belonging to the class of positive matrices
).
A common characterization of an M-matrix is a non-singular square matrix with non-positive off-diagonal entries and all principal minors positive, but many equivalences are known. The name M-matrix was seemingly originally chosen by Alexander Ostrowski
in reference to Hermann Minkowski
.
A symmetric M-matrix is sometimes called a Stieltjes matrix
.
M-matrices arise naturally in some discretizations of differential operators, particularly those with a minimum/maximum principle, such as the Laplacian, and as such are well-studied in scientific computing.
The LU factors of an M-matrix are guaranteed to exist and can be stably computed without need for numerical pivoting, also have positive diagonal entries and non-positive off-diagonal entries. Furthermore, this holds even for incomplete LU factorization, where entries in the factors are discarded during factorization, providing useful preconditioners for iterative solution.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, especially linear algebra
Linear algebra
Linear algebra is a branch of mathematics that studies vector spaces, also called linear spaces, along with linear functions that input one vector and output another. Such functions are called linear maps and can be represented by matrices if a basis is given. Thus matrix theory is often...
, an M-matrix is a Z-matrix with eigenvalues whose real
Real number
In mathematics, a real number is a value that represents a quantity along a continuum, such as -5 , 4/3 , 8.6 , √2 and π...
parts are positive. M-matrices are a subset of the class of P-matrices, and also of the class of inverse-positive matrices (i.e. matrices with inverses belonging to the class of positive matrices
Nonnegative matrix
A nonnegative matrix is a matrix in which all the elements are equal to or greater than zeroA positive matrix is a matrix in which all the elements are greater than zero...
).
A common characterization of an M-matrix is a non-singular square matrix with non-positive off-diagonal entries and all principal minors positive, but many equivalences are known. The name M-matrix was seemingly originally chosen by Alexander Ostrowski
Alexander Ostrowski
Alexander Markowich Ostrowski , was a mathematician.His father Mark having been a merchant, Alexander Ostrowski attended the Kiev College of Commerce, not a high school, and thus had an insufficient qualification to be admitted to university...
in reference to Hermann Minkowski
Hermann Minkowski
Hermann Minkowski was a German mathematician of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, who created and developed the geometry of numbers and who used geometrical methods to solve difficult problems in number theory, mathematical physics, and the theory of relativity.- Life and work :Hermann Minkowski was born...
.
A symmetric M-matrix is sometimes called a Stieltjes matrix
Stieltjes matrix
In mathematics, particularly matrix theory, a Stieltjes matrix, named after Thomas Joannes Stieltjes, is a real symmetric positive definite matrix with nonpositive off-diagonal entries. A Stieltjes matrix is necessarily an M-matrix...
.
M-matrices arise naturally in some discretizations of differential operators, particularly those with a minimum/maximum principle, such as the Laplacian, and as such are well-studied in scientific computing.
The LU factors of an M-matrix are guaranteed to exist and can be stably computed without need for numerical pivoting, also have positive diagonal entries and non-positive off-diagonal entries. Furthermore, this holds even for incomplete LU factorization, where entries in the factors are discarded during factorization, providing useful preconditioners for iterative solution.