an undefined quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an undefined quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in mathematical, scientific, or philosophical contexts to refer to a value or concept that is not clearly specified or determined. Example: "In this equation, we are dealing with an undefined quantity that cannot be easily measured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"But we also see a large bloc of potential Republican primary voters for whom the attorney general is an undefined quantity". But that shouldn't be a huge hurdle; Cruz started out as a virtual unknown and is now Texas Republicans' top choice for president in 2016.

The Washington Post

Since severe generalized oedema of soft tissues was observed together with a change in diuresis, an undefined quantity of chloride is supposed to have been absorbed into the third space.

BMC Anesthesiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The plaintiffs are seeking an undefined amount in damages to cover medical costs.

The New York Times

Again like an incubator, it provides space for an undefined amount of time.

Forbes

Steve Coll on an undefined Presidency.

The New Yorker

stands for an undefined value.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Now Contreras returns to an undefined role.

The New York Times - Sports

First, peanut accessions with an undefined botanical type were classified.

Nature

And that she can forge an undefined "new togetherness".

The New York Times

First, most published experiments use an undefined siderophore mutant.

Nature

Mr. Kimbrell notes that the E.P.A. has an undefined "reasonable time" to respond to the petition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an undefined quantity", ensure the context clearly indicates why the quantity is undefined. This might involve explaining the limitations of measurement, the complexity of the system, or the preliminary nature of the data.

Common error

Avoid using "an undefined quantity" without providing context. Readers might misinterpret it as a simple lack of data rather than a more nuanced situation of inherent indeterminacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an undefined quantity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It refers to something that lacks a precise or determined value. As Ludwig AI tells us, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an undefined quantity" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something lacking a precise or determined value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. While its frequency is rare, it appears in various contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, provide sufficient context to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives include "an unspecified amount" or "an indeterminate value", depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unspecified amount

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", suggesting a focus on magnitude rather than a specific count or measure.

an indeterminate value

Uses "indeterminate" to emphasize the lack of a fixed or ascertainable value.

an unknown variable

Highlights the algebraic or mathematical sense of something whose value is not yet determined.

an unquantifiable element

Suggests the impossibility of assigning a numerical value or measure.

an imprecise measure

Focuses on the lack of accuracy or exactness in measurement.

an estimated figure

Emphasizes that the quantity is based on an approximation or educated guess.

an approximate number

Similar to 'estimated figure' but more directly refers to a numerical value.

an uncertain magnitude

Highlights the doubt or lack of certainty about the size or extent.

an ill-defined amount

Uses 'ill-defined' to stress the lack of clarity or precision in defining the quantity.

an ambiguous measure

Emphasizes the potential for multiple interpretations or understandings of the measure.

FAQs

How can I use "an undefined quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "an undefined quantity" to refer to something that is not precisely known or measurable, as in, "The model relies on several assumptions, including treating some variables as "an undefined quantity"."

What are some alternatives to "an undefined quantity"?

Some alternatives include "an unspecified amount", "an indeterminate value", or "an unknown variable", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "undefined quantity" or "unknown quantity"?

Both "undefined quantity" and "unknown quantity" are valid, but "undefined" often implies that the quantity cannot be precisely determined, while "unknown" simply means it is not currently known but could potentially be determined.

What does it mean for something to be "an undefined quantity" in mathematics?

In mathematics, "an undefined quantity" means that the operation or expression does not have a valid result or is not defined within the standard rules of mathematics. For example, division by zero results in "an undefined quantity".