multiplication table

1 definition found

multiplication table - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Multiplication \Mul`ti*pli*ca"tion\, n. [L. multiplicatio: cf.
     F. multiplication. See Multiply.]
     1. The act or process of multiplying, or of increasing in
        number; the state of being multiplied; as, the
        multiplication of the human species by natural generation.
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              The increase and multiplication of the world.
                                                    --Thackeray.
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     2. (Math.) The process of repeating, or adding to itself, any
        given number or quantity a certain number of times;
        commonly, the process of ascertaining by a briefer
        computation the result of such repeated additions; also,
        the rule by which the operation is performed; -- the
        reverse of division.
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     Note: The word multiplication is sometimes used in
           mathematics, particularly in multiple algebra, to
           denote any distributive operation expressed by one
           symbol upon any quantity or any thing expressed by
           another symbol. Corresponding extensions of meaning are
           given to the words multiply, multiplier, multiplicand,
           and product. Thus, since [phi](x + y) = [phi]x + [phi]y
           (see under Distributive), where [phi](x + y), [phi]x,
           and [phi]y indicate the results of any distributive
           operation represented by the symbol [phi] upon x + y,
           x, and y, severally, then because of many very useful
           analogies [phi](x + y) is called the product of [phi]
           and x + y, and the operation indicated by [phi] is
           called multiplication. Cf. Facient, n., 2.
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     3. (Bot.) An increase above the normal number of parts,
        especially of petals; augmentation.
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     4. The art of increasing gold or silver by magic, --
        attributed formerly to the alchemists. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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     Multiplication table, a table giving the product of a set
        of numbers multiplied in some regular way; commonly, a
        table giving the products of the first ten or twelve
        numbers multiplied successively by 1, 2, 3, etc., up to 10
        or 12. Called also a times table, used by students in
        elementary school prior to memorization of the table.
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