Covariance and Contravariance of Vectors - Definition

Definition

The general formulation of covariance and contravariance refers to how the components of a coordinate vector transform under a change of basis (passive transformation). Thus let V be a vector space of dimension n over the field of scalars S, and let each of f = (X1,...,Xn) and f' = (Y1,...,Yn) be a basis of V. Also, let the change of basis from f to f′ be given by

(1)

for some invertible n×n matrix A with entries . Here, each vector Yj of the f' basis is a linear combination of the vectors Xi of the f basis, so that

Read more about this topic:  Covariance And Contravariance Of Vectors

Famous quotes containing the word definition:

    One definition of man is “an intelligence served by organs.”
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    ... we all know the wag’s definition of a philanthropist: a man whose charity increases directly as the square of the distance.
    George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)

    Perhaps the best definition of progress would be the continuing efforts of men and women to narrow the gap between the convenience of the powers that be and the unwritten charter.
    Nadine Gordimer (b. 1923)