Mathematics Definition

mathematics

English

Alternative forms

• mathematicks (obsolete)

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA: /mæθ(ə)ˈmætɨks/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

mathematics (uncountable)

1. An abstract representational system used in the study of numbers, shapes, structure and 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

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

Synonyms

• (ability to use mathematics): numeracy
• abbreviation: maths (UK), math (US)
• See also Wikisaurus:mathematics

Derived terms

• applied mathematics
• astromathematics
• biomathematics
• discrete mathematics
• ethnomathematics
• metamathematics
• pseudomathematics
• pure mathematics
• recreational mathematics

Related terms

• mathematical
• mathematically
• mathematician

See also

• Mathematics on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Definitions of mathematics on Wikipedia.Wikipedia:Definitions of mathematics
• polymath

External links

• PlanetMath.Org Encyclopedia
• Mathematics Glossary
• Mathworld Encyclopedia

Related 'Mathematics' Searches:

See Also:

• Mathematically Correct