mathematics

American  

[math-uh-mat-iks] / ˌmæθ əˈmæt ɪks /

noun

• mathematics
  plural

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.

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mathematics British  

/ 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

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mathematics Scientific  

/ 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.

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mathematics Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mathematics
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mathematics

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; see -ics

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Explanation

Mathematics is the long word for "math," or the science of numbers and shapes and what they mean. Most people need mathematics everyday to count and measure. Mathematics is technically a plural noun — mathematics include geometry, algebra, and calculus. But in the U.S., the word is usually treated as a singular concept: That's why someone says that mathematics is their favorite subject, not mathematics are their favorite subjects. The word mathematics comes from the Greek word manthanein, meaning "to learn."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mathematics

The mathematics of the problem is fairly simple.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

"The key insight was to go back to the mathematics and ask whether there was a fundamentally cleaner way to retrieve spectra," said Dr. Chunhui Yao, a lead author of the study.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

"In mathematics, the conclusion is less important than the path to get there."

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

There is some doubt about the mathematics of the championship because it is not completely clear how many races are remaining.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Division by zero is forbidden by the logic of mathematics.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

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Related Words

• algebra
• calculation
• calculus
• geometry
• math

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