ker

Units & Measurements abbreviation · Math

ker
Stands forKernel
CategoriesUnits & Measurements

ker stands for Kernel, a math abbreviation.

The set of vectors a linear map sends to zero, written ker T; for a matrix it is the null space. A linear map is one-to-one exactly when its kernel contains only the zero vector.

Example: The kernel of the projection onto the x-axis is the y-axis: ker P = {(0, y)}.

Usage notes

Group and ring homomorphisms have kernels too, defined as the elements mapped to the identity. The dimension of the kernel is called the nullity. In computing, kernel also means the core of an operating system or a function run on a GPU, unrelated meanings.

More math abbreviations

  • HL – Hypotenuse-Leg (congruence)
  • iff – If and only if
  • Im – Imaginary part
  • inf – Infimum
  • IVT – Intermediate value theorem
  • K – Thousand
  • lb – Binary logarithm
  • LCD – Least common denominator
  • LCM – Least common multiple
  • lg – Logarithm (base 10 or base 2)
  • LHS – Left-hand side
  • lim – Limit

See all 91 math abbreviations →

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