discriminant

[ dih-skrim-uh-nuhnt ]

nounMathematics.
  1. a relatively simple expression that determines some of the properties, as the nature of the roots, of a given equation or function.

Origin of discriminant

1
First recorded in 1830–40; from Latin discrīminant-, stem of discrīmināns “separating,” present participle of discrīmināre “to divide up, separate,” verb derived from discrīmen (stem discrīmin- ) “separating line, distinction,” from discrī- (variant stem of discernere; see discern) + -men, noun suffix

Other words from discriminant

  • dis·crim·i·nan·tal [dis-krim-uh-nan-tl], /dɪsˌkrɪm əˈnæn tl/, adjective

Words Nearby discriminant

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How to use discriminant in a sentence

  • The determines the nature or character of the roots; hence it is called the discriminant.

    A Review of Algebra | Romeyn Henry Rivenburg

British Dictionary definitions for discriminant

discriminant

/ (dɪˈskrɪmɪnənt) /


noun
  1. an algebraic expression related to the coefficients of a polynomial equation whose value gives information about the roots of the polynomial: b² – 4ac is the discriminant of ax² + bx + c = 0

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012