numeric

USAGE SUMMARY

'numeric' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is related to numbers or a system of numbers. For example, "The numeric value of pi is 3.14".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The IANA's job is to dish out the Internet's system of numeric addresses, the so-called IP numbers, on behalf of the government.

The Economist

Widespread adoption of kiosks (like the ones in the airport) and electronic check-in services (by which you receive a numeric door code in an e-mail) will make checking-in far faster.

The Economist

In the case of Swift-Tuttle he might be allowed a particular bent towards the numeric: the eventual return that made it 109P conformed to a prediction in which he took particular pride.The 1862 observations led astronomers to calculate that Swift-Tuttle had the longest period of any so far discovered, and would not return to the Earth's neighbourhood until the 1980s.

The Economist

DNS translates the server part of an intelligible internet address, like "www.economist.com" in "http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage", into the underlying numeric address that identifies the entry point to a content-feeding server (or a gateway to multiple servers)—and back again.

The Economist

A photographer friend of Babbage's notes that when he switched to the iPhone, he felt speedy compared to his chums that still relied on the older T9 predictive numeric keypad text entry system.

The Economist

A second approach is to extract a numeric code or "digital fingerprint" from the content file itself by comparing, say, the colours or texture of regions in a frame.

The Economist

The observatory is a repository of public SSL/TLS certificates compiled by scanning numeric internet addresses.

The Economist

But they also scan the airwaves for traces of Wi-Fi beacons: even encrypted networks pulse out signals with the network's name, numeric hardware ID, and other details.

The Economist

According to an inscription from his reign, Sargon II, an Assyrian king, built a perimeter wall around his capital whose length (16,280 cubits) was the same as the numeric sum of the letters of his name.

The Economist

There are no generally accepted classification schemes for museum objects, although certain subjects have developed schemes with numeric or alphanumeric notations to facilitate the ordering and retrieval of information.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Pioneering computers had been used even earlier in the 1950s for numeric calculations in population genetics, but the first instances of authentic computational modeling in biology were the work by Turing and by the group at Los Alamos).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "numeric", ensure the context clearly involves numbers or numerical systems. Avoid using it as a general synonym for "quantitative" if precise numerical values are not relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "numeric" when you mean "quantitative" in contexts where the emphasis is on measurable quantities rather than precise numerical values. Using "quantitative" is more appropriate when discussing broad measurements or data analysis.

Linguistic Context

The term "numeric" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a relationship to numbers, numerical systems, or data represented by numbers. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in describing attributes or properties associated with numbers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

31%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "numeric" is an adjective used to describe something related to numbers or numerical systems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's important to use "numeric" when you specifically refer to numbers or numerical representation, and to avoid using it as a general substitute for "quantitative" when precise numerical values are not central to the context. The phrase is very common, appearing frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science sources. Related terms include "numerical", "quantitative", and "mathematical", each with slight differences in emphasis. Remember that while "numeric" and "numerical" are often interchangeable, "numerical" has a slightly broader scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerical

Focuses specifically on numbers as quantities or values, often interchangeable with "numeric" but slightly more formal.

quantitative

Emphasizes the measurement or expression of quantities, broadening the scope beyond just numbers to include data.

mathematical

Highlights the relationship to mathematics and mathematical principles, suitable when the context involves calculations or theorems.

arithmetical

Specifically relates to arithmetic operations and calculations, useful when discussing basic numerical processes.

digital

Focuses on the representation of information using digits, often in the context of computing or electronics.

in numbers

Expresses the concept of being represented by numerical values, often used when summarizing data or statistics.

expressed numerically

Highlights the action of converting something into a numerical format, suitable when emphasizing the process of quantification.

data-driven

Implies that decisions or analyses are based on numerical data, broadening the focus to include decision-making processes.

statistically significant

Connects numerical data to statistical analysis, implying that observed patterns are unlikely to be due to chance.

computationally

Relates to computations and the use of computers for numerical processing, appropriate when discussing algorithms or simulations.

FAQs

How is "numeric" used in a sentence?

You can use "numeric" to describe something related to numbers or a system of numbers, such as, "The "numeric value" of pi is approximately 3.14."

What are some alternatives to the word "numeric"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "numerical", "quantitative", or "mathematical".

What is the difference between "numeric" and "numerical"?

While often interchangeable, "numeric" generally refers to something expressed in numbers, whereas "numerical" is broader and can refer to anything related to numbers. For instance, a "numeric code" uses numbers, while "numerical analysis" involves the study of algorithms for solving problems of continuous mathematics.

Is "numeric data" or "numerical data" more correct?

Both terms are acceptable, but "numerical data" is slightly more common and encompasses a broader range of data types. "Numeric data" often implies data strictly composed of numbers, whereas "numerical data" can also include data that can be represented numerically.