a discrete number

USAGE SUMMARY

"a discrete number" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase to refer to a specific, individual value or amount in a set of data. For example, "The survey collected discrete numbers from each respondent about their level of satisfaction with the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has an automatic transmission that is continuously variable, rather than having a discrete number of gears.

The New York Times

In a common approach a discrete number of free electrons (qubits) reside within extremely small regions, known as quantum dots, and in one of two spin states, interpreted as 0 and 1.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this system, workers (teachers) work on an assembly line (school) at a pace mandated by remote authorities (State Education Department) to produce products (educated students) at a level that passes or fails a discrete number of quality control tests (Regents exams).

The New York Times

A discrete number of transmission powers were considered for both the transmitter and the jammer.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Each receptor detects a discrete number of odorous molecules in the air and sends signals to the brain for processing.

Science Magazine

The produced stream is classified into a discrete number of prototype streams or populations by a global 'population classifier'.

Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research

The shape of the body is parameterized and can be changed by means of a discrete number of design variables.

Journal of Computational Physics

Traditional techniques for aggregating classifiers such as stacking or voting would choose a discrete number as the output.

Journal of Big Data

Fluidic ladders comprise a discrete number of parallel channels, the ends of which are connected to a straight distributor manifold and to a straight collector manifold.

Chemical Engineering Science

For that reason, we have defined a flexible procedure that uses a discrete number of models as a reference to evaluate how realistic a hypothesis is.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

To illustrate the approach, the inversion of an acoustic field created by the superposition of a discrete number of propagating noisy acoustic sources is considered.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a discrete number" when you want to emphasize that the quantity is countable and not continuous. This is especially relevant in scientific and mathematical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a discrete number" when referring to data that can take on any value within a range. Instead, use terms like "continuous variable" or "range of values".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a discrete number" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a particular type of quantity. It modifies a noun, indicating that the quantity being referred to is countable and distinct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

84%

News & Media

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a discrete number" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a countable and distinct quantity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently used in scientific and academic contexts to emphasize the separateness and quantifiability of the items being counted. When writing, ensure you're referring to data that is indeed countable and not continuous to avoid misuse. Alternatives include "a finite number" or "a specific amount", depending on the precise meaning you wish to convey. Its frequent occurrence in reputable scientific journals underscores its acceptability and utility in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a finite number

Emphasizes the limited and countable nature of the quantity.

a limited quantity

Highlights the restriction on the amount or extent.

a specific amount

Focuses on the precise and defined nature of the quantity.

a set number

Implies a pre-determined or fixed quantity.

a defined quantity

Stresses the clarity and established nature of the amount.

a fixed number

Indicates a quantity that does not change or vary.

a particular quantity

Highlights a certain, but not necessarily specified, amount.

a restricted amount

Emphasizes the limited or controlled aspect of the quantity.

a countable quantity

Focuses on the ability to enumerate or count the items.

a determined number

Suggests that the number has been calculated or decided.

FAQs

How to use "a discrete number" in a sentence?

You can use "a discrete number" to describe a countable quantity, for example: "The experiment analyzed "a discrete number" of samples to determine the average reaction time."

What can I say instead of "a discrete number"?

You can use alternatives like "a finite number", "a limited quantity", or "a specific amount" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a discrete number"?

Use "a discrete number" when you are referring to values that are distinct and separate, rather than continuous or infinite. This is common in fields like statistics, mathematics, and computer science.

What's the difference between "a discrete number" and "a continuous range"?

"A discrete number" refers to specific, separate values that can be counted, while a continuous range includes all possible values within an interval. For example, the number of students in a class is discrete, while the temperature in a room is continuous.