unknown quantity
- noun
- /ʌnˈnoʊn ˈkwɒntɪti/
- Specialized
:
cantidad desconocida
- In the equation, the unknown quantity represents the variable we need to solve for.
We just have two numbers in an unknown quantity.
- We just have two numbers in an unknown quantity.
Examples
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It's a method of estimating the values of an unknown quantity using what is called inferential statistics.
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Instead, in estimation problems, the unknown quantities are more of a numerical type.
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Note that the derived system of three equations has six unknown quantities, three of them having been chosen as the mean as the result of a considerable number of measurements:
Academic text (1995) -
The conditions of Equation 1 make it possible to work out a series of independent proportions, which are reduced to the system of three equations with six unknown quantities by means of using biomechanical constants (5).
Academic text (1995) -
To find the value of the unknown quantity, we can use algebraic techniques to isolate it.
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The scientist discovered a method to calculate the unknown quantity in her experiment.
Synonyms
41
6.1
Something you do not know or cannot identify, for example a variable in math
1
4.6
A letter or sign in an equation that stands for a value you do not know
A number or amount that can change
An amount that is not exactly known
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'unknown' (not known) and 'quantity' (an amount) yield a clear literal sense of 'an amount that is not known', so part of the meaning is compositional. However, the common use to mean a person or thing with unpredictable abilities or influence is a metaphorical extension of 'quantity' to evaluative traits and may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without exposure.
Etymology
Unknown quantity comes from math and names a quantity, meaning a number, whose value is unknown, like the letter x you must find in an equation, so it means 'a value you must determine'.