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Mathematics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [terminology]

Questions on the usage and meaning of words in mathematics, the names for mathematical entities, and other such questions.

Terminology is a discipline that studies, among other things, the development of terms and their interrelationships. This tag is intended to be used for questions on the usage and meaning of words in mathematics, the names for mathematical entities, and other such questions.

8534 questions
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What does a space mean?

In Wikipedia, they say that a space is a set with some added structure. But what do they mean by "with some added structure"?
DrStrangeLove
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Commutative vs. Symmetric

When we are discussing a binary operation $*:X \times X \to X$, we typically say that $*$ is commutative if $*(x,y) = *(y,x)$ for all $x,y \in X.$ However, when discussing a function $F: X \times X \to Y$ (where $X \neq Y$) such that $F(x,y) =…
Optional
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What is the difference between an identity, an equation and a conditional equation?

What is the difference between an identity, an equation and a conditional equation? Thank you?
LosAngelesMath
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11
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(k+1)th, (k+1)st, k-th+1, or k+1?

(Inspired by a question already at english.SE) This is more of a terminological question than a purely mathematical one, but can possibly be justified mathematically or simply by just what common practice it. The question is: When pronouncing…
Mitch
  • 8,591
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What does "calculus" mean in the most general sense?

Possible Duplicate: What do Algebra and Calculus mean? I understand that there is calculus, as in math 101 integration and differentiation. Then there is lambda calculus, and there is logical calculus, propositional calculus, etc. What does the…
me2
  • 111
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Base versus basis

This is a question on the borderline between mathematics and English. I wonder in mathematics, are there some general differences between concepts with base and with basis in their names? In other words, do you have some idea when to use which,…
Tim
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Difference between root, zero and solution.

Can somebody precisely tell me what is the difference between a root, a zero and solution ? Is it correct to say that an equation has solutions, and a polynomial has zeros or roots?
Reader
  • 1,353
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What's the etymology of the word "injective" in mathematics?

The words "surjective" and "bijective" have transparent etymologies: "sur" is French for "on" (as in, "onto"), and "bi" hints at the two-way nature of bijective functions. "Injective" is more of a mystery. All functions "inject" every element of…
WillG
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Is there a name for $[0,1]$?

When writing software, there are often situations where I need a parameter to be a floating point number $x \in [0,1]$. I don't know of a name for that category, but I think there must be one because it's such a useful categories. Perhaps there's a…
Amy de Buitléir
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What does "harmonic" mean in "harmonic mean"?

Pun aside, what is harmonic about the harmonic series or the harmonic average? I assume it has a direct connection to music, but I cannot see it.
Casey
  • 201
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How can I read this mathematical sentence aloud in English?

A map $s : \mathbb{N} \to X$ is a computable sequence in $(X,\nu_X)$ when there exists a computable map $f : \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{N}$ such that $s(n) = \nu_X(f(n))$ for all $n \in \mathrm{dom}(\nu_X)$. My best guess would be, "A map s taking N…
ixtmixilix
  • 955
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Map Vs. Mapping?

I am so confused in the usage of the words: Map and Mapping. For example, consider the mapping: $T:W^{2,p}(\Omega)\rightarrow L^{p}(\Omega)$ defined by $T(u):=\Delta u.$ Can we write: consider the map $T$ in this case? When do we use map? and…
Hahn
  • 433
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What is "exterior" about an exterior product?

This is a question about terminology. What is "inner" about an inner product, or "outer" about an outer product?
Tobin Fricke
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What are the functions that make composite functions called?

What do you call the functions that make a composite function. Example : $e^{\sin x} $ is made up of $\sin x$ in the argument of $e^x$ So what are $\sin x$ and $e^x$ called here in this context? Basic functions or something? (Please don't tell me…
William
  • 4,893
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Why do we use the word "regime" in math/science/engineering instead of "region"?

For example, I would hear people say in the "regime" of x>3? Does it have a different meaning/origin to the "region" of x>3? To me, "region" sounds like the more proper term. Edit: I have heard this usage in a few context in physics, electrical…
gdlamp
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