Determinate: meaning, definitions and examples
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determinate
[ dɪˈtɜːrmɪnət ]
general use
The term 'determinate' refers to something that has a definite or fixed form, limit, or outcome. It can describe conditions that are clearly defined, resulting in a specific conclusion or decision. In mathematics, determinate can refer to a quantity that can be calculated precisely. This characteristic often contrasts with indeterminate, where outcomes are uncertain or variable.
Synonyms
certain, definite, fixed, specific.
Examples of usage
- The outcome of the experiment was determinate.
- She had a determinate plan for her career.
- His feedback was determinate, leading to a clear conclusion.
mathematics
In mathematical terms, 'determinate' refers to an expression or matrix that can be evaluated to yield a particular value. It often applies in the context of determinants in linear algebra, where it signifies a function that provides important properties of a matrix, including its invertibility. If the determinant is zero, the corresponding matrix is singular.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- To solve the system, we calculated the determinate of the matrix.
- The determinate indicates whether the equations have a unique solution.
- A non-zero determinate confirms that the vectors are linearly independent.
Translations
Translations of the word "determinate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 determinante
🇮🇳 निर्धारणीय
🇩🇪 bestimmend
🇮🇩 menentukan
🇺🇦 визначальний
🇵🇱 determinant
🇯🇵 決定的な
🇫🇷 déterminant
🇪🇸 determinante
🇹🇷 belirleyici
🇰🇷 결정적인
🇸🇦 محدد
🇨🇿 určující
🇸🇰 rozhodujúci
🇨🇳 决定性
🇸🇮 določilen
🇮🇸 ákveðin
🇰🇿 анықтаушы
🇬🇪 დადგენილი
🇦🇿 müəyyənedici
🇲🇽 determinante
Etymology
The word 'determinate' originates from the Latin 'determinatus', which means 'definite, fixed, settled' and is derived from the verb 'determinare', meaning 'to set boundaries or limits'. The term has been used in English since the late 14th century, evolving from its Latin roots to describe various contexts like mathematics, philosophy, and general language use. In mathematics, it started to gain prominence during the development of linear algebra and the study of equations, where the concept of limits and fixed outcomes became critically important. The term is often contrasted with 'indeterminate', helping to delineate clear outcomes from those that are ambiguous or uncertain.