Subsequence Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
🔢
Add to dictionary
subsequence
[ˈsʌbˌsiːkwəns ]
Definitions
Context #1 | Noun
mathematics
A subsequence is a sequence that can be derived from another sequence by deleting some or no elements without changing the order of the remaining elements.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- In the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, a subsequence can be 1, 3, 5, 7.
- The subsequence may not be contiguous elements from the original sequence.
Context #2 | Noun
computer science
In computer science, a subsequence refers to a sequence of elements that appear in the same order as they do in the original sequence, but not necessarily consecutively.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Finding the longest increasing subsequence is a common problem in dynamic programming.
- The algorithm identifies the longest subsequence of elements that are in increasing order.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Mathematics
- In mathematics, a subsequence is derived from a sequence by deleting some elements without changing the order of the remaining elements.
- For example, from the sequence {1, 2, 3, 4}, {2, 4} is a subsequence, while {3, 1} is not since the order is changed.
- Subsequences are crucial in combinatorial optimization and algorithm design.
Computer Science
- In computer science, subsequences are often used to describe efficient data structures and algorithms, especially in string matching.
- Dynamic programming techniques often use subsequences to solve complex problems, such as finding the longest subsequence within a string.
- The notion of subsequence plays a key role in various fields, including bioinformatics for analyzing DNA and protein sequences.
Literature
- In storytelling, subsequences can represent the development of themes or character arcs, where events unfold in a logical order.
- Writers may craft subsequences within plots to build suspense, where certain events lead to climactic moments.
- The structure of poems often follows subsequences of images or metaphors enhancing the overall narrative.
Psychology
- In cognitive psychology, understanding subsequences can help explain how humans process and remember sequences of events.
- Learning often relies on identifying subsequences, where understanding smaller parts aids in grasping the whole concept.
- Subsequences in behavior can illustrate how actions can be linked to form habits, showcasing a chain of related decisions.
Origin of 'subsequence'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'subsecuta', meaning 'following closely' or 'after'.
- It is formed from the prefix 'sub-', meaning 'under' or 'after', and 'sequent', which means 'following'.
- The term has been used in English since the early 18th century to describe ordered sequences.
The word 'subsequence' originated from the combination of 'sub-' meaning 'under, below' and 'sequence' referring to an ordered list of elements. It first appeared in English in the mid-20th century, primarily in the fields of mathematics and computer science.