Theorem Definition | Definition of Theorem at Dictionary.com

the⋅o⋅rem

[thee-er-uh

m, theer-uh

–noun

1.	Mathematics. a theoretical proposition, statement, or formula embodying something to be proved from other propositions or formulas.

2.	a rule or law, esp. one expressed by an equation or formula.

3.	Logic. a proposition that can be deduced from the premises or assumptions of a system.

4.	an idea, belief, method, or statement generally accepted as true or worthwhile without proof.

Origin:
1545–55; < LL theōrēma < Gk the

rēma spectacle, hence, subject for contemplation, thesis (to be proved), equiv. to theōrē-, var. s. of theōreîn to view + -ma n. suffix

Related forms:

the⋅o⋅re⋅mat⋅ic [thee-er-uh-mat-ik, theer-uh-]

, adjective

the⋅o⋅re⋅mat⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Link To theorem

the·o·rem (thē'ər-əm, thîr'əm)

An idea that has been demonstrated as true or is assumed to be so demonstrable.
Mathematics A proposition that has been or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions.

[Late Latin theōrēma, from Greek, from theōrein, to look at, from theōros, spectator; see theory.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Theorem

The"o*rem\, n. [L. theorema, Gr. ? a sight, speculation, theory, theorem, fr. ? to look at, ? a spectator: cf. F. th['e]or[`e]me. See Theory.]

1. That which is considered and established as a principle; hence, sometimes, a rule.

Not theories, but theorems (?), the intelligible products of contemplation, intellectual objects in the mind, and of and for the mind exclusively. --Coleridge.

By the theorems, Which your polite and terser gallants practice, I re-refine the court, and civilize Their barbarous natures. --Massinger.

2. (Math.) A statement of a principle to be demonstrated.

Note: A theorem is something to be proved, and is thus distinguished from a problem, which is something to be solved. In analysis, the term is sometimes applied to a rule, especially a rule or statement of relations expressed in a formula or by symbols; as, the binomial theorem; Taylor's theorem. See the Note under Proposition, n., 5.

Binomial theorem. (Math.) See under Binomial.

Negative theorem, a theorem which expresses the impossibility of any assertion.

Particular theorem (Math.), a theorem which extends only to a particular quantity.

Theorem of Pappus. (Math.) See Centrobaric method, under Centrobaric.

Universal theorem (Math.), a theorem which extends to any quantity without restriction.

Theorem

The"o*rem\, v. t. To formulate into a theorem.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

Language Translation for : theorem

Spanish: teorema,

German: das Theorem,

Japanese: 定理

More Translations »

theorem [(thee-uh-ruhm, theer-uhm)]

A statement in mathematics that is not a basic assumption, such as an axiom, but is deduced (see deduction) from basic assumptions.

theorem

1551, from M.Fr. théorème, from L.L. theorema, from Gk. theorema "spectacle, speculation," in Euclid "proposition to be proved," from theorein "to consider" (see theory).

theorem the·o·rem (thē'ər-əm, thēr'əm)
n.

An idea that is demonstrably true or is assumed to be so.
A mathematical proposition that has been or is to be proved on the basis of explicit assumptions.

theorem (thē'ər-əm, thîr'əm) Pronunciation Key
A mathematical statement whose truth can be proved on the basis of a given set of axioms or assumptions.

Search another word or see theorem on Thesaurus | Reference

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Advertise with Us · Link to Us · NASCAR® · Contact Us