What is your Eigen?

Eigenvalues

Romans 1:8-10 NIV

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.  God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.


"Eigen" is a cool word, much more fun the the English version "character." Finding an eigenvalue sounds so much more exotic that finding a characteristic value.  But, it is still true that the value you find represents in an important way the action of linear transformation given by a matrix.  The character/eigen of the matrix is important in applications like least-squares solutions and differential equations.  In a way, knowing the eigen of a matrix is a way of completely characterizing what the matrix is able to do.

So how do you determine the "eigen" of a person?  The eigen of a person is evident in the actions that the person does--others should be able to classify your eigen through daily interactions with you in routine settings.  A demonstration of a Christ-like eigen is essential to spreading the good news of salvation.  Paul writes to the Christians in Rome that he will "give thanks . . your character (eigen) is reported around the world."  Let's do the same today!