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Carl D. Meyer is a highly regarded mathematician who spent most of his career (1968-2024) in the mathematics department at North Carolina State University In Raleigh North Carolina. During some of this time he was head of the NCSU Operations Research program, a member of the NCSU Computer Science department, and a data science professor in NCSU's Institute for Advanced Analytics. He also held visiting positions in the Computer Science department at Stanford University (1978-79) and the Applied Mathematics department at the University of Virginia (1985-86), and in 1991 he was a member of Boeing's Phantom Works in Belleview, WA. During his long career Meyer became internationally known for his contributions to linear algebra, numerical analysis, and matrix theory. Some of his notable contributions include:
- Matrix Analysis and Applied Linear Algebra: Meyer authored the widely used SIAM textbook "Matrix Analysis and Applied Linear Algebra," first published in 2000 and the second edition that SIAM published in 2023. These books are renowned for their clear explanations and comprehensive coverage of topics in linear algebra, including matrix theory, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and applications in various fields.
- Nonnegative Matrices and Perron-Frobenius Theory: Meyer made significant contributions to the study of nonnegative matrices and the Perron-Frobenius theory, which deals with the spectral properties of nonnegative matrices. He pioneered the use of the group generalized inverse in the theory of Markov chains, and through his development of the concepts of stochastic complementation and its extension to Perron complementation his work helped advance understanding in theoretical linear algebra along with applications in diverse fields such as biology, economics, and computer science.
- Numerical Analysis: Meyer has also contributed to numerical analysis, particularly in the development of algorithms for solving problems related to eigenvalues and singular values of matrices as well as solving large systems of linear equations. His research in these areas are found in practical applications in scientific computing and engineering.
Carl D. Meyer is a fellow of The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, and overall he is recognized as a leading authority in linear algebra and matrix theory. His work has had a profound effect on both theoretical developments and practical applications in mathematics and other disciplines.