quantity

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

From Latin quantitas (quantity), from quantus (how much).

[edit] Pronunciation

  • (Canada) IPA: /ˈkʍɑndədi/, /ˈkʍɑnɾəɾi/; SAMPA: /"kWAnd@di/, /"kWAn4@4i/
    (file)
  • (UK) IPA: /ˈkwɒn.tɪ.ti/, SAMPA: /kwQn.tI.ti/
    (file)
    (file)
    Note: This is with a relaxed middle T, and should be considered colloquial pronunciation.
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[edit] Noun

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

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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