mathematics

[ math-uh-mat-iks ]

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the systematic treatment of magnitude, relationships between figures and forms, and relations between quantities expressed symbolically.
2. (used with a singular or plural verb) mathematical procedures, operations, or properties.

mathematics

/ ˌmæθəˈmætɪks; ˌmæθˈmæt- /

noun

1. functioning as singular a group of related sciences, including algebra, geometry, and calculus, concerned with the study of number, quantity, shape, and space and their interrelationships by using a specialized notation
2. functioning as singular or plural mathematical operations and processes involved in the solution of a problem or study of some scientific field

mathematics

/ măth′ə-măt′ĭks /

1. The study of the measurement, relationships, and properties of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and calculus are branches of mathematics.

mathematics

1. The study of numbers, equations , functions , and geometric shapes ( see geometry ) and their relationships. Some branches of mathematics are characterized by use of strict proofs based on axioms . Some of its major subdivisions are arithmetic, algebra , geometry , and calculus .

Word History and Origins

Origin of mathematics¹

1350–1400; Middle English mathematic < Latin mathēmatica ( ars ) < Greek mathēmatikḕ ( téchnē ) scientific (craft), equivalent to mathēmat- (stem of máthēma ) science, knowledge + -ikē, feminine of -ikos -ic; -ics

Word History and Origins

Origin of mathematics¹

C14: mathematik (n), via Latin from Greek (adj), from mathēma a science, mathēmatikos (adj); related to manthanein to learn

Example Sentences

His career seemed finished as little as three months ago when he was studying for a mathematics degree at Old Dominion when Washington asked him to be the team’s “quarantine quarterback.”

From Washington Post

They’re making the mathematics community aware of many natural and interesting questions.

From Quanta Magazine

Used in middle school and college mathematics and science courses, graphing calculators have the ability to display plotted graphs for multiple complex equations and are necessary tools for algebra, geometry, calculus, and standardized tests.

From Popular-Science

The TI-89 Titanium CAS features advanced functionality that makes problem-solving for mathematics and engineering courses easier.

From Popular-Science

I’m a professor of mathematics education at Stanford University.

From Freakonomics

The two scientific stories resort to the equivalent of Mathematics for Dummies andPhysics for Dummies.

From The Daily Beast

“I think Sex Ed is equally, if not more, important than mathematics or English,” says Reign.

From The Daily Beast

Muslims made many discoveries in mathematics, chemistry, physics, medicine, astronomy and psychology.

From The Daily Beast

And you can find it in any college in the country: the mathematics of monsters.

From The Daily Beast

One old soldier is on the path to a doctorate in mathematics and another is a trained underwater welder.

From The Daily Beast

Samuel Clarke, a famous English divine, died; celebrated also for his writings on mathematics, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, mathematics alone seem to have offered any serious difficulty to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, mathematics frequently deal with purely ideal figures, which never did or never can exist.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides music, Albrecht took great interest in natural science and mathematics.

From Project Gutenberg

In Athens, rhetoric, mathematics, and natural history supplanted rhapsodies and speculations on God and Providence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• algebra
• calculation
• calculus
• geometry
• math