Rayleigh quotient

noun

A formula used in the min-max theorem to find exact eigenvalues, and in eigenvalue algorithms to obtain an eigenvalue approximation from an eigenvector approximation; it has applications in quantum mechanics.

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Meanings

nounRayleigh quotient (plural Rayleigh quotients)

plural Rayleigh quotients

  1. mathematicsA formula used in the min-max theorem to find exact eigenvalues, and in eigenvalue algorithms to obtain an eigenvalue approximation from an eigenvector approximation; it has applications in quantum mechanics.

Origin

Named after Lord Rayleigh.

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Cite this entry
APA

Rayleigh quotient. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Rayleigh%20quotient

MLA

“Rayleigh quotient.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Rayleigh%20quotient. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Rayleigh quotient,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Rayleigh%20quotient.

Source: Rayleigh quotient on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.