4 ms·
I hear you. A derivative is a derivative of a function (or a function like object, say a functional). The phrase "the derivative of a matrix" keeps it unclear
by srean 4y ago
I hear you.
A derivative is a derivative of a function (or a function like object, say a functional). The phrase "the derivative of a matrix" keeps it unclear whether "the matrix" is the function, or whether "the matrix" is a variable, an element in the domain of the function.
Bereft of that information, the phrase is as meaningful as "the derivative of 4.2"
- iq234 4y agoThe complete statement is: derivative of a matrix expression or derivative of an expression involving matrices. But this is usually clear from the context.
- tpoacher 4y agoYes; like I said, it's a reflex. I know that it's abuse of terminology and I shouldn't overthink it, but, there's always a bit of a nag in my head when I hear it. I have a similar annoyance with the notation for probability. I think stuff like `p(a)` is a historical mistake. We would have been better served with a notation that would make clear the distinction between a domain as an entity in itself, the set of possible values in the domain, and the action/event of selecting one or more values from that domain. But oh well. The naming problem is one of the hardest problems in science after all :)