| scalar [`skā·lǝr] COMPUTER SCIENCE A single value or item. MATHEMATICS One of the algebraic quantities which form a field, usually the real or complex numbers, by which the vectors of a vector space are multiplied. PHYSICS 1. A quantity which has magnitude only and no direction, in contrast to a vector. 2. A quantity which has magnitude only, and has the same value in every coordinate system. Also known as scalar invariant. |