discriminant
[ dih-skrim-uh-nuhnt ]
nounMathematics.
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
1First 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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
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
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