Difference between orthogonal and orthonormal
Author
Hi,
I just wanted to check. When dealing with a 3x3 3d matrix, is the difference between an orthonormal and an orthogonal matrix that the orthonormal matrix does not include scaling, whereas an orthogonal matrix could also include scaling?
Thanks!
Technically, a matrix is orthogonal and vectors are (form an) orthonormal (basis).
You can say an orthogonal matrix is composed of basis vectors which are orthonormal.
You can say an orthogonal matrix is composed of basis vectors which are orthonormal.
Author
Quote:Original post by John Schultz
Technically, a matrix is orthogonal and vectors are (form an) orthonormal (basis).
You can say an orthogonal matrix is composed of basis vectors which are orthonormal.
So, is there a difference between an orthonormal matrix and an orthogonal matrix?
Quote:Original post by RaeldorQuote:Original post by John Schultz
Technically, a matrix is orthogonal and vectors are (form an) orthonormal (basis).
You can say an orthogonal matrix is composed of basis vectors which are orthonormal.
So, is there a difference between an orthonormal matrix and an orthogonal matrix?
While some literature (typically computer graphics related) uses the term "orthonormal matrix", this tends to ruffle some people's feathers as "incorrect- no such thing". Historically, orthogonal has a very specific meaning for matrices, and orthonormal has a very specific meaning for vectors. In the same sense that a vector is "perfect" while being unit length, a matrix is "perfect" by being orthogonal. An orthogonal matrix, by common, historical definition, must contain basis vectors which are orthonormal. If someone where to say an orthogonal matrix is equal to an orthonormal matrix, it would be linguistically true, where orthonormal matrix implies it is composed of orthonormal vectors.
While it's possible for a matrix to contain basis vectors which are orthogonal, but not unit length, it would be confusing to call such a matrix orthogonal given the long history of the use of the term 'orthogonal matrix'.
Author
Interesting. So it would be more correct to use the term 'orthogonal' in respect to matrices and forget about 'orthonormal' all together? Do you think most people just use the terms interchangably when referring to matrices?
Quote:Original post by RaeldorSome people do use the terms somewhat interchangably, but as John mentioned this might annoy some people :-) For example, the matrix function in the Doom 3 math library is called 'orthonormalize' rather than 'orthogonalize'. Although the terminology is a bit suspect for the aforementioned reasons, I suppose it could be argued that if the matrix is always used to represent a pure rotation when that function is called, 'orthonormalize' is not inappropriate, inasmuch as the operation is being applied to a set of basis vectors representing a rotation.
Interesting. So it would be more correct to use the term 'orthogonal' in respect to matrices and forget about 'orthonormal' all together? Do you think most people just use the terms interchangably when referring to matrices?
A quick look through some of the math libraries I have lying around indicates that both terms are used. But if you want to avoid confusion and/or argument, just stick with 'orthogonalize' for your matrix function; that's what I do :-)
I thought that the answer in your question sounded correct, but had no idea there were so many conflicting definitions. Orthogonal, I thought, indicated basic vectors seperated by right angles, and normal indicated unit vectors... and "orthonormal", therefore, meant that both were true.
Of course, "normal" really has nothing to do with length, so I don't know why I thought that.
Of course, "normal" really has nothing to do with length, so I don't know why I thought that.
Author
Ok, so just to make sure I have this right. An 'orthogonal' matrix comprises of 'orthonormal' basis vectors, ie the vectors in the columns of the matrices are unit length and at right angles to each other. Ie, an 'orthogonal' matrix will only ever represent a pure rotation?
Quote:Original post by Raeldor
Ie, an 'orthogonal' matrix will only ever represent a pure rotation?
Yes.
Not necessarily. Let's not forget about the often forgotten reflection transform. It too can be represented by an orthognal matrix.
This topic is closed to new replies.
Advertisement
Popular Topics
Advertisement
