In linear algebra, a Hankel matrix (or catalecticant matrix), named after Hermann Hankel, is a rectangular matrix in which each ascending skew-diagonal from left to right is constant. For example,
More generally, a Hankel matrix is any  matrix
 matrix  of the form
 of the form
In terms of the components, if the  element of
 element of  is denoted with
 is denoted with  , and assuming
, and assuming  , then we have
, then we have  for all
 for all 