Why is kappa(A)=infty if A is a singular matrix? Al though not important for my course, I was curious as to why the condition number of a singular matrix is infty. Which also begs the question of what the condition number of a non-invertible non-square matrix would be.

Elsa Brewer

Elsa Brewer

Answered question

2022-07-14

Why is κ ( A ) = if A is a singular matrix?
Why the condition number of a singular matrix is ∞. Which also begs the question of what the condition number of a non-invertible non-square matrix would be.

Answer & Explanation

iljovskint

iljovskint

Beginner2022-07-15Added 18 answers

The condition number is defined as the ratio between the highest and smallest singular value of the matrix.
If the matrix is singular, then the smallest singular value is 0
Thus, the condition numbers tends to

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