In
mathematics, a
term used by
professors (and
students soon
thereafter) to signify insignificance:
"At least one zero of f(x)=x^3-x is trivial."
In
matrices, there is a trivial
vector space x to the
equation Ax=
0 for any given
matrix A. Sometimes this space amounts to
x=
0.
Some examples of "
nontrivial" items:
The
solution set of vectors
x in the equation
Ax=
0 for
x != 0.
The
number of
primes less than or equal to some given number N.
The
complete factorization of any particular
large number (
e.g. (10^174)-7).