modulus

[moj-uh-luhs]

noun

plural

moduli 

1. Physics.,  a coefficient pertaining to a physical property.

2. Mathematics.

   1. that number by which the logarithms in one system are multiplied to yield the logarithms in another.

   2. a quantity by which two given quantities can be divided to yield the same remainders.

   3. absolute value.

modulus

/ ˈmɒdjʊləs /

noun

1. physics a coefficient expressing a specified property of a specified substance See bulk modulus modulus of rigidity Young's modulus

2. maths the absolute value of a complex number See absolute value

3. maths the number by which a logarithm to one base is multiplied to give the corresponding logarithm to another base

4. maths an integer that can be divided exactly into the difference between two other integers See also congruence

   7 is a modulus of 25 and 11

modulus

plural

moduli 

1. A number by which two given numbers can be divided and produce the same remainder.

2. The numerical length of the vector that represents a complex number. For a complex number a + bi, the modulus is the square root of (a ² + b ²).

3. The number by which a logarithm to one base must be multiplied to obtain the corresponding logarithm to another base.

Word History and Origins

Origin of modulus¹

1555–65; < Latin: a unit of measure; mode ¹, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of modulus¹

C16: from Latin, diminutive of modus measure