mathematics

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Contents

English [edit]

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Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Latin mathēmatica (“mathematics”), from Ancient Greek μαθηματικός (mathematikos, “fond of learning”), from μάθημα (máthema, “knowledge, study, learning”).

Pronunciation [edit]

  • IPA: /mæθ(ə)ˈmætɨks/
  • Audio (US)
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Noun [edit]

mathematics (uncountable)

  1. An abstract representational system used in the study of numbers, shapes, structure, change and the relationships between these concepts.
    • 2001, David Salsburg, The Lady Tasting Tea: How Statistics Revolutionized Science in the Twentieth Century, page 8
      In many cases, the mathematics involved are deep and complicated.
    • 2002, Ian Stewart, Does God Play Dice?: The New Mathematics of Chaos, page 38
      The answer is 'yes', and the mathematics needed is the theory of probability and its applied cousin, statistics.
  2. A person's ability to count, calculate, and use different systems of mathematics at differing levels.
    My mathematics is not very good.
    Their mathematics are not very good.
    Their mathematics is not very good.

Usage notes [edit]

  • Before the beginning of the 20th century, it was proper to say "My mathematics are not very good".

Synonyms [edit]

Derived terms [edit]

Related terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

field of study
person's ability to use mathematics
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See also [edit]

External links [edit]

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