Band matrix ($A_{ij}=0\text{ if }i-j>p\text{ or }j-i>q$)

A band matrix has nonzero entries confined to a band around its main diagonal. The nonnegative integers $p,q$ in the displayed condition are its lower and upper bandwidths. A tridiagonal matrix has $p=q=1$. Storing only the band reduces memory use; banded Gaussian elimination can exploit the same structure when the pivoting assumptions permit it.