[Math] Can a positive definite matrix have an eigenvalue equal to zero

eigenvalues-eigenvectorslinear algebramatrices

I have a square symmetric matrix. I want to check if it is positive definite. I understand that according to wikipedia if all the eigenvalues are positive, the matrix is positive definite. I don't know if this means $\lambda$>0 or if it means $\lambda \geq$0. Because I have $\lambda$=0.

According to wiki zero isn't positive or negative. I am just a little confused on this topic.

Best Answer

A Positive Definite has full rank: all its eigenvalues are strictly positive.

A square symmetric matrix with non-negative eigenvalues (i.e., eigenvalues that are positive or zero) is called Positive Semi-Definite (PSD).