characteristic equation

noun

Mathematics.
  1. the characteristic polynomial of a given matrix, equated to zero.
  2. Also called auxiliary equation. an equation with one variable and equated to zero, which is derived from a given linear differential equation and in which the coefficient and power of the variable in each term correspond to the coefficient and order of a derivative in the original equation.
Physics. equation of state.

Origin of characteristic equation

First recorded in 1920–25

Words nearby characteristic equation

character type, character witness, characterful, characteristic, characteristic curve, characteristic equation, characteristic function, characteristic polynomial, characteristic root, characteristic vector, characteristic velocity