dual number

The term "dual number" has distinct meanings in both grammar and mathematics, indicating 'two' in grammar and a special number system in algebra.

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Definition

B2Grammar

(linguistics, formal)A grammatical form used to indicate exactly two items or individuals.

Example

  • In Ancient Greek, the dual number was used to refer to two people or things.
  • Some languages, like Slovene, have retained the use of the dual number.

C1Mathematics

(technical, academic)A number in a system where each element is of the form a + bε, with ε being a symbol such that ε² = 0 and ε ≠ 0.

Example

  • Dual numbers are used in algebra to simplify certain types of calculations.
  • The expression 3 + 2ε is an example of a dual number.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "dual number":

dual spaceimaginary numberfractional numberfloating-point numberreal numberbinary system