discriminant

[ dih-skrim-uh-nuh nt ]
/ dɪˈskrɪm ə nənt /

noun Mathematics.

a relatively simple expression that determines some of the properties, as the nature of the roots, of a given equation or function.

Origin of discriminant

1830–40; < Latin discrīminant- (stem of discrīmināns) separating, present participle of discrīmināre to divide up, separate, verbal derivative of discrīmen, stem discrīmin- separating line, distinction, equivalent to discrī-, variant stem of discernere (see discern) + -men noun suffix; see -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM discriminant

dis·crim·i·nan·tal [dis-krim-uh-nan-tl] /dɪsˌkrɪm əˈnæn tl/, adjective

Words nearby discriminant

discretionary, discretionary account, discretionary trust, discretization, discriminable, discriminant, discriminant function, discriminate, discriminating, discrimination, discrimination learning

Example sentences from the Web for discriminant

  • The determines the nature or character of the roots; hence it is called the discriminant.

    A Review of Algebra |Romeyn Henry Rivenburg

British Dictionary definitions for discriminant

discriminant
/ (dɪˈskrɪmɪnənt) /

noun

an algebraic expression related to the coefficients of a polynomial equation whose value gives information about the roots of the polynomial b² – 4ac is the discriminant of ax² + bx + c = 0