Skip to main content
constant quantity

constant quantity

4.1
A number or amount that does not change
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : cantidad constante
  • In mathematics, the value of pi is considered a constant quantity since it never changes.

Examples

  • The scientist measured a constant quantity of energy released during the experiment.

  • Its ability to control chlorine residuals is a result of a biasing system that introduces a small constant quantity of sodium hypochlorite solution into the sample before analysis.

    Academic text (1998)
  • For this equation, the constant quantity ensures that the results remain consistent across different trials.

Synonyms

constant
vsconstant quantity
  • Specialized
37 4.2

A value that does not change in math or science

is a general term for an unchanging quantity beyond technical fields

Antonyms

variable quantity
  • Specialized
5.4

A number or amount that can change

How Random

stochastic variable
  • Specialized
9.1
deterministic
  • Specialized
8 7.7
constant quantity
  • Specialized
4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

constant + quantity

The phrase 'constant quantity' is directly compositional: a 'quantity' (a measurable amount) described by 'constant' (not changing or fixed), so the meaning 'a quantity whose value does not change' follows immediately from the parts. This pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so an average B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it.

Etymology

Constant quantity comes from a simple image: constant means 'always the same' and quantity means 'amount'. So think of a jar that always has the same number of coins; that picture explains why constant quantity means 'a quantity that does not change'.