indeterminate series

1 definition found

indeterminate series - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Indeterminate \In`de*ter"mi*nate\, 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]