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Tensor rank decomposition

Tensor rank decomposition is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Tensor rank decomposition rather than just read about it. In short: In multilinear algebra, the tensor rank decomposition or rank-R decomposition is the decomposition of a tensor as a sum of R rank-1 tensors, where R is minimal. Computing this decomposition is an open problem.

Key takeaways

  • Tensor rank decomposition belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Tensor rank decomposition to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Tensor rank decomposition from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In multilinear algebra, the tensor rank decomposition or rank-R decomposition is the decomposition of a tensor as a sum of R rank-1 tensors, where R is minimal. Computing this decomposition is an open problem. Canonical polyadic decomposition (CPD) is a variant of the tensor rank decomposition, in which the tensor is approximated as a sum of K rank-1 tensors for a user-specified K. The CP decomposition has found some applications in linguistics and chemometrics. It was introduced by Frank Lauren Hitchcock in 1927 and later rediscovered several times, notably in psychometrics. The CP decomposition is referred to as CANDECOMP, PARAFAC, or CANDECOMP/PARAFAC (CP). Note that the PARAFAC2 rank decomposition is a variation of the CP decomposition. Another popular generalization of the matrix SVD known as the higher-order singular value decomposition computes orthonormal mode matrices and has found applications in econometrics, signal processing, computer vision, computer graphics, and psychometrics.

Notation A scalar variable is denoted by lower case italic letters, a {\displaystyle a} and an upper bound scalar is denoted by an upper case italic letter, A {\displaystyle A} . Indices are denoted by a combination of lowercase and upper case italic letters, 1 ≤ i ≤ I {\displaystyle 1\leq i\leq I} . Multiple indices that one might encounter when referring to the multiple modes of a tensor are conveniently denoted by 1 ≤ i m ≤ I m {\displaystyle 1\leq i_{m}\leq I_{m}} where 1 ≤ m ≤ M {\displaystyle 1\leq m\leq M} . A vector is denoted by a lower case bold roman, a {\displaystyle \mathbf {a} } and a matrix is denoted by bold upper case letters A {\displaystyle \mathbf {A} } . A higher order tensor is denoted by calligraphic letters, A {\displaystyle {\mathcal {A}}} . An element of an M {\displaystyle M} -order tensor A ∈ C I 1 × I 2 × … I m × … I M {\displaystyle {\mathcal {A}}\in \mathbb {C} ^{I_{1}\times I_{2}\times \dots I_{m}\times \dots I_{M}}} is denoted by a i 1 , i 2 , … , i m , … i M {\displaystyle a_{i_{1},i_{2},\dots ,i_{m},\dots i_{M}}} or A i 1 , i 2 , … , i m , … i M {\displaystyle {\mathcal {A}}_{i_{1},i_{2},\dots ,i_{m},\dots i_{M}}} .

Definition A data tensor A ∈ F I 0 × I 1 × … × I C {\displaystyle {\mathcal {A}}\in {\mathbb {F} }^{I_{0}\times I_{1}\times \ldots \times I_{C}}} is a collection of multivariate observations organized into a M-way array where M=C+1. Every tensor may be represented with a suitably large R {\displaystyle R} as a linear combination of R {\displaystyle R} rank-1 tensors:

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Tensor rank decomposition

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Tensor rank decomposition claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Tensor rank decomposition before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Tensor rank decomposition ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Tensor rank decomposition

In research
Tensor rank decomposition appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Tensor rank decomposition in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Tensor rank decomposition is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Multilinear algebra, Tensors, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Tensor rank decomposition outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Tensor rank decomposition in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Tensor rank decomposition means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Tensor rank decomposition out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tensor rank decomposition in simple terms?

In multilinear algebra, the tensor rank decomposition or rank-R decomposition is the decomposition of a tensor as a sum of R rank-1 tensors, where R is minimal. Computing this decomposition is an open problem.

Why does Tensor rank decomposition matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Tensor rank decomposition?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Tensor rank decomposition.

Tags

  • Multilinear algebra
  • Tensors

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