Indeterminate coefficients
(gcide) | Indeterminate \In`de*ter"mi*nate\, a. [L. indeterminatus.]
Not determinate; not certain or fixed; indefinite; not
precise; as, an indeterminate number of years. --Paley.
[1913 Webster]
Indeterminate analysis (Math.), that branch of analysis
which has for its object the solution of indeterminate
problems.
Indeterminate coefficients (Math.), coefficients
arbitrarily assumed for convenience of calculation, or to
facilitate some artifice of analysis. Their values are
subsequently determined.
Indeterminate equation (Math.), an equation in which the
unknown quantities admit of an infinite number of values,
or sets of values. A group of equations is indeterminate
when it contains more unknown quantities than there are
equations.
Indeterminate inflorescence (Bot.), a mode of inflorescence
in which the flowers all arise from axillary buds, the
terminal bud going on to grow and sometimes continuing the
stem indefinitely; -- called also {acropetal
inflorescence}, botryose inflorescence, {centripetal
inflorescence}, and indefinite inflorescence. --Gray.
Indeterminate problem (Math.), a problem which admits of an
infinite number of solutions, or one in which there are
fewer imposed conditions than there are unknown or
required results.
Indeterminate quantity (Math.), a quantity which has no
fixed value, but which may be varied in accordance with
any proposed condition.
Indeterminate series (Math.), a series whose terms proceed
by the powers of an indeterminate quantity, sometimes also
with indeterminate exponents, or indeterminate
coefficients. -- In`de*ter"mi*nate*ly adv. --
In`de*ter"mi*nate*ness, n.
[1913 Webster] |