Frame from Eigenvectors and eigenvalues | Chapter 14, Essence of linear algebra Plays with YouTube's privacy-enhanced embed

Eigenvectors and eigenvalues | Chapter 14, Essence of linear algebra

Open on YouTube First HN thread

6 HN users recommended this explainer in 5 different months between 2016 and 2025.

2007–2026
5 strong recommendations 1 recommendation HackerTube score 7

HN repeatedly names it the best, most intuitive explanation of eigenvalues, and a gateway to the whole linear algebra series.

3Blue1Brown's chapter on eigenvectors and eigenvalues in the Essence of Linear Algebra series. It builds a visual intuition for what they mean, why an eigenbasis is useful, and ends with a puzzle.

Pull quote: “By far the best explanation of eigenvalues is found on 3blue1brown” (HN, 2022)

Also tagged: linear algebra, eigenvectors, eigenvalues, 3blue1brown, visual math, eigenbasis

What Hacker News said

6 labeled comments from the HN archive; up to 20 are kept per video, favoring different commenters. Each one links back to the original thread.

Strongly recommends ivan_ah October 2016 under Meet the New Math, Unlike the Old Math
Visual introduction to eigenvalues.
On the topic of eigenvalues, this video is a very nice introduction: [this video] (the whole playlist kicks ass; highly recommended for anyone interested in "seeing" what linear algebra is all about)
Strongly recommends yamaneko February 2017 under The Essence of Linear Algebra [video]
Intuitive explanation of eigenvectors and eigenvalues.
3Blue1Brown explanation of eigenvectors and eigenvalues is very insightful and intuitive [1]. One of my favorite videos from his channel is "Who cares about topology? (Inscribed rectangle problem)" [2]. They way a Torus and Möbius Strip come up as solution to the problem is so elegant. [1]: [this video] [2]: [link]
Strongly recommends raydiatian November 2022 under What is an eigenvalue?
Approachable primer on eigenvalues.
A far easier to digest primer on eigenvalues is available from 3Blue1Brown [+]. His presentation format is undeniably approachable, so much so that I think you could probably use it to teach linear algebra and eigenvectors to 9-year olds. [+] [this video]
Strongly recommends scmitton November 2022 under What is an eigenvalue?
Best explanation of eigenvalues.
By far the best explanation of eigenvalues is found on 3blue1brown: [this video] Seriously, the course on the essence of linear algebra did more for me than my entire college linear algebra course. It's only a pity I discovered the videos at the end of my mechanical engineering degree and not sooner.
Strongly recommends mportela March 2025 under Statistical Formulas for Programmers (2013)
Made eigenvalues click; series is well produced.
Then definitely what 3Blue1Brown's video on eigenvalues and eigenvectors. [1] That's when I clicked to me! His entire series on Linear Algebra is incredibly well produced. [1] [this video]
Recommends steamer25 May 2018 under Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues (2015)
Animated eigen-concepts built on visual foundations.
3Blue1Brown has a good series on YouTube for building intuition in linear algebra: [link] In one of the last videos in the (relatively short) series, he discusses eigen-*: ~'eigen-stuffs are straight-forward but only make sense if you have a solid visual understanding of the pre-requisites (linear transformations, determinants, linear systems of equations, change of basis, etc.). Confusion about eigen-stuffs usually has more to do with a shaky foundation than the eigen-things themselves' [this video] All of the videos in the series, including this later one on eigen-things, focus on animations to show what the number crunching is doing to the coordinate system.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Search
j k
Next / previous video in a list
Enter
Open the focused video
l
Like (on a video page)
w
Watch later (on a video page)
?
This help
Esc
Close