Papers

The Eigenvector in lay language

Author(s)
Thomas Saaty
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
University of Pittsburgh
United States

Publication date: Dec, 2010

Journal: International Journal of the Analytic Hierarchy Process
Vol.: 2- Issue: 2

Abstract: Decision making depends on identifying a structure of criteria and alternatives of a decision. It also depends on experience and judgments to select the best alternative. In the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for decision making the criteria and alternatives are prioritized by forming matrices of judgments and from these judgments priorities are derived for each matrix in the form of the principal eigenvector. An eigenvector is a technical mathematical idea that would benefit from a simplifying explanation. That is what this note does - in two ways.

Keywords: AHP, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Decision making, Principal eigenvector, Priorities

URL: https://doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v2i2.87