quantity

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

From Latin quantitas (“‘quantity’”), from quantum (“‘how much’”)

[edit] Pronunciation

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[edit] Noun

Singular
quantity

Plural
quantities

quantity (plural quantities)

  1. A fundamental, generic term used when referring to the measurement (count, amount) of a scalar, vector, number of items or to some other way of denominating the value of a collection or group of items.
    You have to choose between quantity and quality.
  2. An indefinite amount of something
    Some soap making oils are best as base oils, used in a larger quantity in the soap, while other oils are best added in a small quantity.
    Olive oil can be used practically in any quantity.
  3. A specific measured amount
    This bag would normally costs $497.50 for a quantity of 250, at a price of $1.99 per piece.
    Generally it should not be used in a quantity larger than 15 percent.
  4. A considerable measure or amount
    The Boeing P-26A was the first all-metal monoplane fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Army Air Corps.
  5. (mathematics) Indicates that the entire preceding expression is henceforth considered a single object.
    x plus y quantity squared equals x squared plus 2xy plus y squared.

[edit] Usage notes

  • In mathematics, used to unambiguously orate mathematical equations; it is extremely rare in print, since there is no need for it there.

[edit] Abbreviations

[edit] Quotations

  • 2006, Jerome E. Kaufmann and Karen Schwitters, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: A Combined Approach, p 89
    For problems 58-67, translate each word phrase into an algebraic expression.
    (...)
    65. x plus 9, the quantity squared
  • 2005, R. Mark Sirkin, Statistics For The Social Sciences, p137
    The second, (\sum x)^2, read "summation of x, quantity squared," tells us to first add up all the xs to get \sum x and then square \sum x to get (\sum x)^2.
  • 1985, Serge Lang, Math!: Encounters with High School Students, p54
    ANN. ra quantity cubed.
    SERGE LANG. That's right, (ra)3.

[edit] Related terms

[edit] Translations

fundamental, generic term used when referring to the measurement
indefinite amount of something
specific measured amount
considerable measure or amount
word used to indicate that preceding expression is a single object
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