equal to unity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equal to unity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to a situation or equation in which the value is equal to one. For example , "The equation x + y = 1 implies that x and y are equal to unity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In most cases the activity coefficient, γi, is not equal to unity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Net/Gross was set equal to unity for all layers.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Precisely, the transmission coefficient is almost equal to unity for the all studied cases.

Ultrasonics

where has been set equal to unity without loss of generality.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The sum of all agents in the economy is equal to unity.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

The depth of the pipe is equal to unity (Itasca 2008b).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

where e n denotes the N×1 unit vector with the nth element equal to unity.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The effective Lewis number is equal to unity with no stretch effect associated with differential diffusion.

Combustion and Flame

Short and long flags, as well as flags with aspect ratio equal to unity, were considered.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

However, the sum total power of all the taps is equal to unity.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

For an ideal diode, the diode ideality factor should be nearly equal to unity.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equal to unity" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly defines what quantity or parameter is being equated to one. This avoids ambiguity and reinforces the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "equal to unity" in contexts where a simple "equal to one" would suffice, particularly in non-technical communications. Overusing technical jargon can obscure the message for a general audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equal to unity" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or pronoun as having a value equivalent to one. It's often found in technical and mathematical contexts, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equal to unity" is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in technical and scientific literature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys that a specific value or quantity is equivalent to one, usually after normalization or standardization. Predominantly used within scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a formal tone, making it suitable for expert audiences. Alternatives include "equivalent to one" or, in simpler contexts, "is one". When employing "equal to unity", clarify the context to ensure precision. Remember that while grammatically proper, Ludwig emphasizes selecting more common language in communications intended for a broader audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equivalent to one

Emphasizes numerical equivalence rather than a broader concept of unity.

amounts to one

Focuses on the result or outcome being numerically one.

is identical to one

Highlights the exact correspondence to the value of one.

normalized to one

Indicates a scaling process where the final value is set to one.

unity

Uses a concise term implying a single, whole entity or value.

having a value of one

Explicitly states the numerical value.

being one

Simple and direct way to express the value of one.

a value of 1

Uses the numerical representation of one.

the value is 1

Explicitly states that some value is 1.

standardized to one

Highlights the standardization, after which the value is one

FAQs

How is the phrase "equal to unity" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "equal to unity" is typically employed in mathematical, scientific, and technical contexts to denote a value or quantity that is equivalent to one. For example, "In this normalized system, the total probability is "equal to unity"".

What are some alternatives to saying "equal to unity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "equivalent to one", "amounts to one", or simply "is one". The choice depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "equal to one" and "equal to unity"?

While both phrases indicate a value of one, "equal to unity" is more commonly used in formal, technical, or mathematical contexts. "Equal to one" is more general and can be used in everyday language. Therefore, in many cases both expressions may be considered equivalent to one.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "equal to unity" over simpler alternatives?

The phrase "equal to unity" is most appropriate when discussing normalized values, dimensionless quantities, or fundamental mathematical principles where the concept of "unity" carries a specific significance beyond just the numerical value of one. It is best used in technical documents and formal papers.