congruence

American  

[kong-groo-uhns, kuhn-groo-, kuhng-] / ˈkɒŋ gru əns, kənˈgru-, kəŋ- /

noun

1. the quality or state of agreeing or corresponding.

2. Mathematics. a relation between two numbers indicating that the numbers give the same remainder when divided by some given number.

3. Geometry. the relationship that exists between two figures when one can be superimposed over the other and all their angles and sides coincide, as a mirror image.

   the congruence of trapezoids with identical measurements.

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congruence British  

/ ˈkɒŋɡrʊəns /

noun

1. the quality or state of corresponding, agreeing, or being congruent

2. maths the relationship between two integers, x and y, such that their difference, with respect to another positive integer called the modulus, n, is a multiple of the modulus. Usually written x ≡ y (mod n ), as in 25 ≡ 11 ( mod 7 )

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Other Word Forms

• noncongruence
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of congruence

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin congruentia, derivative of congruent- congruent; see -ence

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Explanation

Congruence means compatibility. If you've been studying French, you might be glad to note, when learning Spanish, that there are many areas of congruence in grammar and vocabulary between the two Romance languages. In geometry, shapes are congruent when they are exactly the same, such as squares with three-inch sides. In a more general context, congruent means "in agreement with," as in "the school's rules are congruent with expectations for behavior at home."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

congruence

There is also little diplomatic congruence within the bloc.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 21, 2023

“They can’t do it alone anymore because China is catching up with the U.S., and the Chinese economy is significantly larger than India’s. So, there is a congruence of geopolitical interests here.”

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 19, 2023

County’s efforts on stormwater capture and recycling “much more aligned and in congruence with City efforts,” and that both entities should mandate that more projects use graywater and recycled water for non-potable purposes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2022

After observing the congruence between the two asteroids, scientists went back to the drawing board.

From Salon ● Feb. 8, 2022

The equality of the numerical measures and the congruence of the two segments are not always clearly discriminated, and are lumped together under the term equality.

From The Concept of Nature The Tarner Lectures Delivered in Trinity College, November 1919 by Alfred North Whitehead

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