extremal

[ ik-stree-muhl ]

/ ɪkˈstri məl /

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adjective Mathematics.

of or relating to an extremum or the calculation of extrema: an extremal problem.

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Origin of extremal

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English. see origin at extremum, -al¹

Words nearby extremal

extravehicular mobility unit, extraversion, extravert, extra-virgin, Extremadura, extremal, extreme, extreme fighting, extremely, extremely high frequency, extremely low frequency

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use extremal in a sentence

“It is quite difficult to have a common theorem to incorporate all the extremal cases,” said Kang.
Mathematicians Settle Erdős Coloring Conjecture|Kelsey Houston-Edwards|April 5, 2021|Quanta Magazine
In the context of extremal combinatorics, you can use probability to show that networks with certain properties actually exist, even if you might have a hard time coming up with an example of one yourself.
The Coach Who Led the U.S. Math Team Back to the Top|Max G. Levy|February 16, 2021|Quanta Magazine
He studies extremal combinatorics, meaning objects like very large graphs or networks.
The Coach Who Led the U.S. Math Team Back to the Top|Max G. Levy|February 16, 2021|Quanta Magazine
Third, the position of the quantum extremal surface was highly significant.
The Most Famous Paradox in Physics Nears Its End|George Musser|October 29, 2020|Quanta Magazine

As the hole shrank, so did the quantum extremal surface and, with it, the entanglement entropy.
The Most Famous Paradox in Physics Nears Its End|George Musser|October 29, 2020|Quanta Magazine

British Dictionary definitions for extremal

extremal

/ (ɪkˈstriːməl) /

noun

maths logic the clause in a recursive definition that specifies that no items other than those generated by the stated rules fall within the definition, as in 1 is an integer, if n is an integer so is n+1, and nothing else is

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