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mean proportional

American  

noun

Mathematics.
  1. (between two numbers a andb ) a number x for which a/x = x/b .

    The number 3 is a mean proportional between 1 and 9.


Etymology

Origin of mean proportional

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Each of the other sides is the mean proportional between the hypotenuse and the segment of the hypotenuse adjacent to that side.

From The Teaching of Geometry by David Eugene Smith

The perpendicular is the mean proportional between the segments of the hypotenuse.

From The Teaching of Geometry by David Eugene Smith

Assuming π to be 3⅛, he finds out by working instance after instance that the mean proportional between one-fifth of the area and one-fifth of eight is the radius.

From A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume II by David Eugene Smith

If 4 quantities are in proportion and the second is a mean proportional between the third and fourth, prove that the third will be a mean prop. between the first and second.

From A Review of Algebra by Romeyn Henry Rivenburg

The explanation of this is that CD is a mean proportional between AC and CB.

From The Seven Follies of Science [2nd ed.] A popular account of the most famous scientific impossibilities and the attempts which have been made to solve them. by John Phin

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