Critical Points and Discriminant
If the gradient of f (i.e. its derivative in the vector sense) is zero at some point x, then f has a critical point (or stationary point) at x. The determinant of the Hessian at x is then called the discriminant. If this determinant is zero then x is called a degenerate critical point of f, this is also called a non-Morse critical point of f. Otherwise it is non-degenerate, this is called a Morse critical point of f.
Read more about this topic: Hessian Matrix
Famous quotes containing the words critical and/or points:
“I know that I will always be expected to have extra insight into black texts—especially texts by black women. A working-class Jewish woman from Brooklyn could become an expert on Shakespeare or Baudelaire, my students seemed to believe, if she mastered the language, the texts, and the critical literature. But they would not grant that a middle-class white man could ever be a trusted authority on Toni Morrison.”
—Claire Oberon Garcia, African American scholar and educator. Chronicle of Higher Education, p. B2 (July 27, 1994)
“We only part to meet again.
Change, as ye list, ye winds: my heart shall be
The faithful compass that still points to thee.”
—John Gay (1685–1732)