arbitrary quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arbitrary quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in mathematical or scientific contexts to refer to a value that is chosen without any specific reason or constraint. Example: "In this equation, we can substitute an arbitrary quantity for x to see how it affects the outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The paper suggests a theoretical consideration of the growth kinetics of spherical clusters in the presence of an arbitrary quantity of supporting electrolyte.

Electrochimica Acta

Where ρ ¯ ij Open image in new window is the mean value of density between the i th and j th particle, and ϵ' is the relative change of an arbitrary quantity between simulations.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Here we develop a computational method, a probabilistic decomposition-synthesis technique, that takes into account the nature of internal instabilities to inexpensively determine the non-Gaussian probability density function for any arbitrary quantity of interest.

Journal of Computational Physics

Finally, by considering an arbitrary quantity defined from the graph, we also generalize some of the known results on lower and upper bounds that are obtained previously (see [12, 17, 18]) and our results that will be given in the second section.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Applying the efficiency-corrected comparative quantitation method [40], results were calculated as "relative quantity to the calibrator," where the calibrator sample (purified P-SS2 gDNA) is assigned an arbitrary quantity of "1" and the unknown samples (LASL PCR intermediate and WGSL ligation) are expressed in terms of their fold difference (variation) to this sample.

Plosone

Q-PCR data are expressed relative to a calibrator sample assigned an arbitrary quantity of 1.

Cell Death and Disease

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

His point is that all good productions and all processes of generation that come to a good end presuppose 'right measure', while arbitrary quantities ('the more and less') have no such results.

SEP

Rampant speculation is the domain of an advanced and complex economy, that has realized -- even if subconsciously -- that money is a fluid concept and can be manufactured readily in arbitrary quantities by the confluence of human ingenuity and mass belief.

Huffington Post

The control cDNA was diluted from 1 6.25 to 1 25,600 and relative arbitrary quantities were defined.

BMC Genomics

The balance for an arbitrary extensive quantity is dealt with in an open electrochemical system.

Electrochimica Acta

We found that simple distribution schedules such as releasing an arbitrary fixed quantity each month from the federal stockpile to the states proportional to population size perform optimally, due to the mild nature of the disease.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arbitrary quantity" in technical writing, clearly define the context in which the quantity is considered arbitrary. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended meaning.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume that "arbitrary quantity" means "negligible quantity". It simply implies that the specific value is not predetermined or relevant to the analysis, not that it is small or unimportant. Ensure the quantity's role, even if arbitrary, is clear in your explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arbitrary quantity" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "arbitrary" modifies the noun "quantity". It is used to denote an amount or value that can be any chosen number, often used in mathematical or scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

90%

Encyclopedias

3%

News & Media

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "arbitrary quantity" is a grammatically correct noun phrase, primarily used in formal and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources shows that it indicates an amount or value chosen without specific constraints, often in mathematical or scientific discussions. It is important to avoid misinterpreting "arbitrary" as "negligible"; rather, it denotes a value that is not predetermined but still relevant to the context. Alternatives such as "random amount" or "unspecified quantity" can be used depending on the nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

random amount

Replaces "quantity" with "amount" and "arbitrary" with "random", suggesting a selection made without a specific pattern or purpose.

unspecified quantity

Substitutes "arbitrary" with "unspecified", emphasizing that the exact amount is not defined or known.

variable amount

Replaces "arbitrary" with "variable", highlighting the capacity of the quantity to change or differ.

undefined quantity

Uses "undefined" instead of "arbitrary", indicating that the quantity lacks a precise or established value.

nominal quantity

Replaces "arbitrary" with "nominal", suggesting a quantity that is stated or expressed but not necessarily corresponding to the real value.

non-specific amount

Uses "non-specific" to convey the lack of detailed designation or particularity of the quantity.

discretionary amount

Emphasizes that the quantity is determined by choice or judgment, replacing "arbitrary" with "discretionary".

unrestricted quantity

Highlights the absence of limitations or constraints on the amount, substituting "arbitrary" with "unrestricted".

free-form quantity

Implies a quantity that can take any form or value without restriction, using "free-form" in place of "arbitrary".

unconstrained amount

Similar to "unrestricted", this phrase emphasizes the lack of constraints affecting the quantity's value.

FAQs

How can I use "arbitrary quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "arbitrary quantity" to refer to an amount or value that is chosen without any specific reason or constraint. For example, "In this equation, we can substitute an arbitrary quantity for x to see how it affects the outcome."

What are some alternatives to saying "arbitrary quantity"?

You can use alternatives like "random amount", "unspecified quantity", or "variable amount" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an arbitrary quantity" or "a arbitrary quantity"?

It is correct to say "an arbitrary quantity" because "arbitrary" begins with a vowel sound.

What does "arbitrary" mean in the context of "arbitrary quantity"?

In the context of "arbitrary quantity", "arbitrary" means that the quantity is chosen without any particular rule or reason; it's not fixed or predetermined. It doesn't mean the quantity is unimportant, just that its specific value is not critical to the discussion.