an abstract number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an abstract number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing mathematical concepts, theories, or philosophical ideas related to numbers that do not have a specific value or representation. Example: "In mathematics, an abstract number can represent a concept rather than a tangible quantity, allowing for broader applications in theoretical discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It almost becomes an abstract number.

The New York Times

But the more than four thousand infants, children, and youths for whom no survival was possible... remained, and will remain, an abstract number, like all the other numbers in the thousands, hundred thousands, millions, that then as now could only be estimated.

The New Yorker

That's a bit of an abstract number — more concretely, Doshi said Mixpanel has been profitable since 2012.

TechCrunch

The expression of allergenicity by an abstract number facilitates comparisons and the index can be applied to green spaces sharing similar characteristics.

Landscape and Urban Planning

This study mainly stresses PTs' ability in (a) making connections between representations through a specific sequence, from concrete to abstract, and (b) explaining the meaning of an abstract number sentence by referring it to concrete contexts.

International Journal of STEM Education

Of course, that's an abstract number.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As a contrast to these models with a common abstract representation, Campbell and Clark [4], [5] proposed an encoding-complex model that denies the existence of a single, abstract number representation.

Plosone

For these battles, "deathblows" may only be executed after first building up the "Attack Level"—an abstract concept represented by a number in the bottom-left of the gear combat interface through the execution of simple strong, moderate, or weak attacks.

Wikipedia

Eight of 12 patients receiving ≥4 mg/kg daratumumab had at least a minimal response (ASH 2012, abstract number 73).

BioMed Research International

These results may indicate a difficulty in establishing an abstract spatial number representation as predicted from neuropsychological research (SNARC-effect).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

"When I say $200 billion a year, this is not some abstract number.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex systems or models, use "an abstract number" to represent a parameter or variable that doesn't have a direct physical interpretation. This helps in generalizing the model and making it applicable to a wider range of scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "an abstract number" when you actually mean an approximation or an estimated value. An abstract number represents a conceptual or theoretical entity, whereas an approximation is a practical estimate of a real-world quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an abstract number" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "abstract" describes the type of number being referred to. It denotes a number that exists as a concept rather than a concrete value. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an abstract number" is a grammatically correct phrase that refers to a numerical value representing a concept rather than a concrete quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent across diverse sources, including news media and scientific publications. It's crucial to distinguish it from terms like "approximate number", which denotes an estimate of a real-world value. When writing, use "an abstract number" to represent theoretical or conceptual values, especially in mathematical and philosophical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a theoretical number

Replaces "abstract" with "theoretical", emphasizing the conceptual nature of the number.

a conceptual number

Substitutes "abstract" with "conceptual", highlighting that the number is an idea or concept.

a non-concrete number

Replaces "abstract" with "non-concrete", focusing on the lack of physical existence.

an intangible number

Emphasizes the lack of physical presence of the number.

a mathematical abstraction

Rephrases the idea to focus on the mathematical concept.

a symbolic representation

Highlights the number as a symbol rather than a quantity.

a notional number

Uses "notional" to convey that the number exists in theory or notion.

a purely conceptual figure

Emphasizes the number as a pure concept, removing practical considerations.

a dimensionless number

Focuses on the lack of physical dimensions.

a hypothetical value

Presents the number as a hypothetical value rather than a real one.

FAQs

How can I use "an abstract number" in a sentence?

You can use "an abstract number" when referring to a numerical value that represents a concept or idea, rather than a concrete quantity. For example: "In theoretical physics, certain equations rely on "an abstract number" to represent fundamental constants".

What are some alternatives to "an abstract number"?

Alternatives include "a theoretical number", "a conceptual number", or "a non-concrete number" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "an abstract number" in scientific writing?

Yes, it is appropriate in scientific writing when discussing mathematical models or theoretical concepts where numbers represent abstract quantities rather than measurable values.

What's the difference between "an abstract number" and "an approximate number"?

"An abstract number" represents a theoretical or conceptual value, while "an approximate number" is a close estimate of a real-world quantity. They are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings.