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mathematics

/mæθ(ə)ˈmædɪks/

/mæθəˈmætɪks/

Mathematics is the long word for "math," or the science of numbers and shapes and what they mean. Most people need mathematics everyday to count and measure.

Mathematics is technically a plural noun — geometry, algebra, calculus: all of these are mathematics — but usually it is treated as singular. That's why a person says, mathematics is my favorite subjects, not mathematics are my favorite subject. The word mathematics comes from the Greek word manthanein, meaning "to learn."

Definitions of mathematics
  1. noun
    a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement
    synonyms: math, maths
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    types:
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    pure mathematics
    the branches of mathematics that study and develop the principles of mathematics for their own sake rather than for their immediate usefulness
    applied math, applied mathematics
    the branches of mathematics that are involved in the study of the physical or biological or sociological world
    arithmetic
    the branch of pure mathematics dealing with the theory of numerical calculations
    geometry
    the pure mathematics of points and lines and curves and surfaces
    numerical analysis
    (mathematics) the branch of mathematics that studies algorithms for approximating solutions to problems in the infinitesimal calculus
    trig, trigonometry
    the mathematics of triangles and trigonometric functions
    algebra
    the mathematics of generalized arithmetical operations
    calculus, infinitesimal calculus
    the branch of mathematics that is concerned with limits and with the differentiation and integration of functions
    set theory
    the branch of pure mathematics that deals with the nature and relations of sets
    group theory
    the branch of mathematics dealing with groups
    analysis situs, topology
    the branch of pure mathematics that deals only with the properties of a figure X that hold for every figure into which X can be transformed with a one-to-one correspondence that is continuous in both directions
    metamathematics
    the logical analysis of mathematical reasoning
    linear programming
    a mathematical technique used in economics; finds the maximum or minimum of linear functions in many variables subject to constraints
    statistics
    a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters
    probability theory, theory of probability
    the branch of applied mathematics that deals with probabilities
    type of:
    science, scientific discipline
    a particular branch of scientific knowledge
Pronunciation
US

/mæθ(ə)ˈmædɪks/

UK

/mæθəˈmætɪks/

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