Definition:Orthonormal Basis of Vector Space
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Definition
Let $V$ be a vector space.
Let $\BB = \tuple {\mathbf e_1, \mathbf e_2, \ldots, \mathbf e_n}$ be a basis of $V$.
Then $\BB$ is an orthonormal basis of $V$ if and only if:
- $(1): \quad \tuple {\mathbf e_1, \mathbf e_2, \ldots, \mathbf e_n}$ is an orthogonal basis of $V$
- $(2): \quad \norm {\mathbf e_1} = \norm {\mathbf e_2} = \cdots = \norm {\mathbf e_n} = 1$
Also known as
An orthonormal basis is also known as a Cartesian basis, particularly when it is used as the basis of a Cartesian coordinate system.
Also see
- Results about orthonormal bases can be found here.
Sources
- 1992: Frederick W. Byron, Jr. and Robert W. Fuller: Mathematics of Classical and Quantum Physics ... (previous) ... (next): Volume One: Chapter $1$ Vectors in Classical Physics: $1.2$ The Resolution of a Vector into Components
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Entry: orthonormal basis