Figurate number

Figurate number

A figurate number is a number that can be represented as a regular and discrete geometric pattern (e.g. dots). If the pattern is polytopic, the figurate is labeled a polytopic number, and may be a polygonal number or a polyhedral number.

The first few triangular numbers can be built from rows of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 items:

Besides the subtractive method, the additive method can also approximate square roots of positive integers and solve quadratic equations.

The concepts of figurate numbers and gnomon implicitly anticipate the modern concept of recursion.

ee also

*Pick's theorem

References

*

External links

* [http://com2mac.postech.ac.kr/papers/2001/01-22.pdf On Regular Polytope numbers]


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  • figurate number — /fig yeuhr it/, Math. a number having the property that the same number of equally spaced dots can be arranged in the shape of a regular geometrical figure. [1605 15] * * * …   Universalium

  • figurate number — noun A number equal to the number of dots in a geometric figure formed of dots …   Wiktionary

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  • Figurate — Fig ur*ate, a. [L. figuratus, p. p. of figurare. See {Figure}.] 1. Of a definite form or figure. [1913 Webster] Plants are all figurate and determinate, which inanimate bodies are not. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. Figurative; metaphorical. [Obs.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • Figurate numbers — Figurate Fig ur*ate, a. [L. figuratus, p. p. of figurare. See {Figure}.] 1. Of a definite form or figure. [1913 Webster] Plants are all figurate and determinate, which inanimate bodies are not. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. Figurative; metaphorical.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • Number — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Number >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 number number symbol numeral figure cipher digit integer Sgm: N 1 counter counter Sgm: N 1 round number round number Sgm: N 1 formula …   English dictionary for students

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