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➗ About integer equations ➗ An integer problem
Diophantine

Diophantine

1 9.9
About math equations that ask for whole number solutions or the mathematician Diophantus
  • adjective
  • /ˌdaɪəˈfænˌtaɪn/
  • Specialized
: diofantino
  • Many mathematicians study Diophantine equations to find integer solutions to complex problems.

Examples

  • She especially likes number theory, power series, and Diophantine equations.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • I did have to look up what a "diophantine problem" is, but this seems to me to be a somewhat imbalanced depiction of the kind of work being done in philosophy.

    Blog text (17)

  • In his lectures, the professor explained the significance of Diophantine methods in modern mathematics.

  • The challenge involves solving a Diophantine equation with three variables for positive integers.

Surface Forms

Diophantine positive

Morphology

Diophantine = Diophantus (opaque) = Diophantus + ine

Formally a regular adjectival derivation from the proper name 'Diophantus' using -ine, so the morphological process is clear though specialized.

Etymology

Diophantine comes from the name of the ancient Greek mathematician Diophantus, who worked on equations that look for whole-number answers. So a Diophantine equation is one that only accepts 'integer' or 'whole number' solutions.