# mathematics

Pronunciation: say "math-uh-MAT-iks" /mæθ(ə)ˈmætɪks/

## Noun

1. The study of numbers, quantities, shapes, structures, and how they relate and change, or a person's knowledge and skill in it.
   - Simple: The study of numbers, shapes, and patterns, or how good someone is at using them.
   - _Modern physics relies heavily on mathematics to model the natural world._
   - _Mathematics provides the tools for everything from architecture to cryptography._
2. The numerical side of a specific situation, plan, or activity: the figures involved and the calculations or reasoning applied to them.
   - Simple: The numbers and calculations that are part of a certain plan, situation, or activity.
   - _Once she worked through the mathematics, opening a second store looked far less attractive._
   - _The mathematics of the election favored the challenger, who needed only a small swing in three districts._

## Origin

Recorded in English since the 16th century, it was formed from "mathematic" plus "-ics". The line runs back through Old French "mathematique" and Latin "mathēmatica" to Ancient Greek "mathēmatikós", meaning "having to do with what is learned", which was built on "máthēma" (knowledge, study, learning). It replaced the native Old English word "rīmcræft".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/mathematics (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).