| Indeterminate | a. [ L. indeterminatus. ] Not determinate; not certain or fixed; indefinite; not precise; as, an indeterminate number of years. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]
Indeterminate analysis (Math.), that branch of analysis which has for its object the solution of indeterminate problems. --
Indeterminate coefficients (Math.), coefficients arbitrarily assumed for convenience of calculation, or to facilitate some artifice of analysis. Their values are subsequently determined. --
Indeterminate equation (Math.), an equation in which the unknown quantities admit of an infinite number of values, or sets of values. A group of equations is indeterminate when it contains more unknown quantities than there are equations. --
Indeterminate inflorescence (Bot.), a mode of inflorescence in which the flowers all arise from axillary buds, the terminal bud going on to grow and sometimes continuing the stem indefinitely; -- called also acropetal inflorescence, botryose inflorescence, centripetal inflorescence, and indefinite inflorescence. Gray. --
Indeterminate problem (Math.), a problem which admits of an infinite number of solutions, or one in which there are fewer imposed conditions than there are unknown or required results. --
Indeterminate quantity (Math.), a quantity which has no fixed value, but which may be varied in accordance with any proposed condition. --
Indeterminate series (Math.), a series whose terms proceed by the powers of an indeterminate quantity, sometimes also with indeterminate exponents, or indeterminate coefficients.
-- In`de*ter"mi*nate*ly adv. -- In`de*ter"mi*nate*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] |
