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]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • figurate number — noun : any of a progression of numbers formed from an arithmetical progression in which the first term is 1 and the difference an integer by taking the first term, and the sums of the first two, first three, first four, and so on as the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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

  • Number — For other uses, see Numbers (disambiguation). A number is a mathematical object used to count and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational… …   Wikipedia

  • 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

  • Figurate counterpoint — 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

  • Figurate descant — 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

  • 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

  • number game — Introduction       any of various puzzles and games that involve aspects of mathematics.       Mathematical recreations comprise puzzles and games that vary from naive amusements to sophisticated problems, some of which have never been solved.… …   Universalium

  • 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”