Invariant (Noun)
Meaning
A feature (quantity or property or function) that remains unchanged when a particular transformation is applied to it.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The length of a vector is an invariant under rotation, meaning it remains the same regardless of the angle of rotation.
- In physics, the speed of light is an invariant, remaining constant for all observers in uniform motion relative to one another.
- The determinant of a matrix is an invariant under similarity transformations, meaning its value does not change when the matrix is transformed in certain ways.
- The Lorentz transformation in relativity theory leaves the interval between two events invariant, making it a fundamental concept in spacetime geometry.
- The Euler characteristic of a topological space is an invariant that remains unchanged under continuous deformations, such as stretching and bending.