Theta: meaning, definitions and examples

mathematics, science

Theta (Θ, θ) is a letter in the Greek alphabet that is commonly used as a symbol in various fields, notably mathematics and physics. In mathematics, it often represents an angle in geometry or trigonometry, while in statistics, it may denote a parameter in a probability distribution. In computer science, Theta notation (Θ-notation) is used to describe the asymptotic behavior of functions. Specifically, it emphasizes that a function grows at the same rate as another function in terms of complexity, making it a fundamental concept in algorithm analysis.

angle, parameter, symbol

Examples of usage

• The angle θ is measured in radians.

• In our study of algorithms, we found a Theta notation for the time complexity.

• Theta can also represent the unknown variable in a mathematical function.