a critical number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in mathematical or analytical contexts to refer to a specific value that is significant for determining the behavior of a function or system. Example: "To find the maximum profit, we need to calculate the critical number where the derivative equals zero."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the Cornell tape also reached a critical number of people at a critical moment.

The New York Times - Arts

The Basel group still has not given us a critical number.

The New York Times

"It would appear that the sloop capsized while under tow, when the number of passengers on deck reached a critical number and stability was lost," their report said.

The New York Times

Some scientists believe that consciousness is an emergent property that is inevitable when a critical number of brain cells are interconnected.

The Guardian

But Pickles argues that his deliberate 'love bombing' of the Liberal Democrats also persuaded a critical number of their supporters to defect.

The Guardian

Tiny tweaks to side mirrors or taillight shapes can lower a car's coefficient of drag, a critical number in the marketing of passenger cars.

The New York Times

Like all community-supported services, Waze's weakness is that it depends on a critical number of users, in any given area, sharing their data.

The Economist

Once loss of a critical number of endothelial cells has occurred, however, the cornea can swell, causing decreased vision and, in severe cases, surface changes and pain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of it is completely unfair, but there's a critical number of Missourians who believe that people from the East Coast or West Coast don't think that people in the heartland are smart".

The New Yorker

N.F.L. scouts are more concerned with some of his other statistics: Moore said he measured in at exactly 6 feet at the combine Friday, a critical number, and at less than 200 pounds.

The New York Times - Sports

How much funding female founders raise is a critical number for the industry.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a critical number", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the number 'critical'. Provide specific details or explanations to highlight its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a critical number" without specifying why the number is critical. Ensure that the significance of the number is clear to the reader to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical number" functions as a noun phrase, where 'critical' acts as an adjective modifying 'number'. It identifies a specific quantity or value that is of significant importance in a given context, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical number" is a common phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific quantity or value in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. To ensure clarity, it's essential to specify why the number is considered 'critical' in the given situation. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, suggesting its versatility and broad applicability. When writing, make sure to contextualize the phrase so the reader understands its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant quantity

Emphasizes the importance of the amount or quantity being referred to.

an essential amount

Highlights the necessity of having a certain quantity for a specific purpose.

a vital quantity

Stresses the importance of the amount for survival or success.

a crucial amount

Indicates that the quantity is decisive and pivotal.

a pivotal quantity

Highlights the turning point nature of the quantity

a requisite quantity

Specifies that the amount is required or necessary for a particular outcome.

a threshold number

Focuses on the idea of a boundary or limit that must be reached.

a necessary threshold

Highlights the obligatory boundary

a minimum requirement

Indicates the least acceptable quantity for a specific condition.

a defining amount

Emphasizes that the quantity determines the nature or outcome of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a critical number" in a sentence?

You can use "a critical number" to refer to a quantity or value that is essential or decisive in a particular situation. For example, "The project will fail if we don't reach "a critical number" of participants".

What's a good alternative to "a critical number"?

Alternatives include "a significant quantity", "an essential amount", or "a crucial amount" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "critical number" a formal or informal phrase?

"Critical number" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the communication. However, be aware that, depending on the context, the term can also have a technical meaning (e.g. in mathematics).

How does "a critical number" differ from "a large number"?

"A critical number" implies that the quantity is essential or decisive for a specific outcome, whereas "a large number" simply indicates a quantity that is numerically high, without necessarily implying a specific importance. If the number is also essential, you might prefer ""a significant quantity"".