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2 - Direct methods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2010

Ke Chen
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool
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Summary

How much of the matrix must be zero for it to be considered sparse depends on the computation to be performed, the pattern of the nonzeros, and even the architecture of the computer. Generally, we say that a matrix is sparse if there is an advantage in exploiting its zeros.

Iain Duff, et al. Direct Methods for Sparse Matrices. Clarendon Press (1986)

To be fair, the traditional classification of solution methods as being either direct or iterative methods is an oversimplification and is not a satisfactory description of the present state of affairs.

Michele Benzi. Journal of Computational Physics, Vol. 182 (2002)

A direct method for linear system Ax = b refers to any method that seeks the solution x, in a finite number of steps, by simplifying the general matrix A to some special and easily solvable form (1.3), e.g. a diagonal form or triangular form. In the absence of computer roundoff, x will be the exact answer x*; however unless symbolic computing is used, computer roundoff is present and hence conditioning of A will affect the quality of x. Often a direct method is synonymous with the Gaussian elimination method, which essentially simplifies A to a triangular form or equivalently decomposes matrix A into a product of triangular matrices. However one may also choose its closely related variants such as the Gauss–Jordan method, the Gauss–Huard method or the Purcell method especially when parallel methods are sought; refer to [143].

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2005

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  • Direct methods
  • Ke Chen, University of Liverpool
  • Book: Matrix Preconditioning Techniques and Applications
  • Online publication: 06 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511543258.004
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  • Direct methods
  • Ke Chen, University of Liverpool
  • Book: Matrix Preconditioning Techniques and Applications
  • Online publication: 06 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511543258.004
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Direct methods
  • Ke Chen, University of Liverpool
  • Book: Matrix Preconditioning Techniques and Applications
  • Online publication: 06 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511543258.004
Available formats
×