Orthogonal Matrix (redirected from Special orthogonal matrix)

orthogonal matrix [ȯr′thäg·ən·əl ′mā·triks]

(mathematics)

A matrix whose inverse and transpose are identical.

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Orthogonal Matrix 

An orthogonal matrix of order n is a matrix

whose product with the transpose A′ gives the identity matrix, that is, AA′ = E and A′ A = E. The elements of an orthogonal matrix satisfy the relations

or the equivalent relations

The determinant ǀAǀ of an orthogonal matrix is equal to +1 or – 1. The product of two orthogonal matrices is an orthogonal matrix. All orthogonal matrices of order n form, with respect to the operation of multiplication, a group called the orthogonal group. In conversion from one rectangular coordinate system to another, the coefficients a_ij in the coordinate transformation equations

form an orthogonal matrix.