alternating

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of alternate. Use it after "is" or "are", or to name the action itself.

   The two teachers are alternating days in the classroom this term.

   Alternating work and short breaks helps me study longer.

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Taking turns, or switching back and forth again and again.

   The flag has alternating stripes of red and white.

   We had alternating sun and rain all day at the beach.

3. 3
   adjective

   Describes a long sum of numbers whose signs keep switching between plus and minus.

   Our teacher wrote an alternating series on the board: 1 − 2 + 3 − 4, and so on.

   In an alternating series, every second number is negative.

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Describes a math rule with several inputs of one kind that gives zero when two inputs next to each other match.

   An alternating map gives zero if you put the same vector in two slots side by side.

   The determinant is alternating, so a matrix with two matching rows side by side has a determinant of zero.

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Describes a knot that can be drawn flat so the string goes over, then under, at each crossing in turn.

   This knot is alternating, so the rope goes over and under by turns at every crossing.

   Most of the simple knots in our math book are alternating.

   Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 5