# Rank

> Source: https://sukruyusufkaya.com/en/glossary/rank
> Updated: 2026-05-13T20:58:51.956Z
> Type: glossary
> Category: matematik-istatistik-optimizasyon
**TLDR:** A structural measure that expresses the number of linearly independent rows or columns in a matrix.

<p>Rank is one of the most fundamental concepts in linear algebra for understanding how much information a matrix truly carries. If some rows or columns are combinations of others, the matrix does not contain fully independent information, and its rank decreases. In data science, rank is critical for understanding multicollinearity, information loss, dimensionality reduction, and the structure of the solution space. The solvability of linear systems, matrix invertibility, and the effectiveness of data representations are often evaluated through rank.</p>