Text: Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology: scalar [sk´lär] ( pc | mac ) Science. relating to or represented on a scale. Physics. 1. a quantity that has only a magnitude; i.e., it has no direction associated with it. Also, scalar invariant.a quantity that has only a magnitude; i.e., it has no direction associated with it. Also, scalar invariant. 2. of or relating to such a quantity.of or relating to such a quantity. Mathematics. an element of the field (usually the real or complex numbers) by which elements of a vector space over the field are multiplied; such multiplication is called scalar multiplication. The field is also called the scalar field or field of scalars. --------------------- The Computational Beauty of Nature - Computer Explorations of Fractals, Chaos, Complex Systems, and Adaptation Scalar A single number, as opposed to a multidimensional vector or matrix. --------------------- Technical Terms for Aerospace Use scalar Any physical quantity whose field can be described by a single numerical value at each point in space. A scalar quantity is distinguished from a vector quantity by the fact that a scalar quantity possesses only magnitude, whereas a vector quantity possesses both magnitude and direction. --------------------- Webster's unabridged, 1913 Sca"lar (?), n. (Math.) In the quaternion analysis, a quantity that has magnitude, but not direction; -- distinguished from a vector, which has both magnitude and direction. --------------------- The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. scalar SYLLABICATION: sca·lar PRONUNCIATION: sklr, -lär NOUN: 1a. A quantity, such as mass, length, or speed, that is completely specified by its magnitude and has no direction. b. Mathematics A number, numerical quantity, or element in a field. 2. A device that yields an output equal to the input multiplied by a constant, as in a linear amplifier. ADJECTIVE: Of or relating to a scalar. ETYMOLOGY: Latin sclris, of a ladder, from sclae, ladder.

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