AI engineering glossary · Linear algebra
What is sparse matrix?
Sparse matrix (also called Sparse array): A matrix in which most entries are zero, so it is stored by recording only the non-zero values and their positions. This saves memory and speeds up arithmetic for data such as word counts or user-item ratings.
Sparse matrix: an example
A 1,00,000 x 50,000 user-by-product matrix where each user bought about 20 items is over 99.9 percent zeros and is stored as a sparse matrix.
Related terms
More Linear algebra terms
- Sparse vector
- Spectral norm
- Spectral radius
- Spectral theorem
- Standard basis
- Subspace
- Symmetric matrix
- System of linear equations
Where you learn it
Sparse matrix is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.