Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 January 2010
How much of the matrix must be zero for it to be considered sparse depends on the computation to be performed, the pattern of the nonzeros, and even the architecture of the computer. Generally, we say that a matrix is sparse if there is an advantage in exploiting its zeros.
Iain Duff, et al. Direct Methods for Sparse Matrices. Clarendon Press (1986)To be fair, the traditional classification of solution methods as being either direct or iterative methods is an oversimplification and is not a satisfactory description of the present state of affairs.
Michele Benzi. Journal of Computational Physics, Vol. 182 (2002)A direct method for linear system Ax = b refers to any method that seeks the solution x, in a finite number of steps, by simplifying the general matrix A to some special and easily solvable form (1.3), e.g. a diagonal form or triangular form. In the absence of computer roundoff, x will be the exact answer x*; however unless symbolic computing is used, computer roundoff is present and hence conditioning of A will affect the quality of x. Often a direct method is synonymous with the Gaussian elimination method, which essentially simplifies A to a triangular form or equivalently decomposes matrix A into a product of triangular matrices. However one may also choose its closely related variants such as the Gauss–Jordan method, the Gauss–Huard method or the Purcell method especially when parallel methods are sought; refer to [143].
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.