inequality

inequality
/in'i kwol"i tee/, n., pl. inequalities.
1. the condition of being unequal; lack of equality; disparity: inequality of size.
2. social disparity: inequality between the rich and the poor.
3. disparity or relative inadequacy in natural endowments: a startling inequality of intellect, talents, and physical stamina.
4. injustice; partiality.
5. unevenness, as of surface.
6. an instance of unevenness.
7. variableness, as of climate.
8. Astron.
a. any component part of the departure from uniformity in astronomical phenomena, esp. in orbital motion.
b. the amount of such a departure.
9. Math. a statement that two quantities are unequal, indicated by the symbol = with a diagonal stroke; alternatively, by the symbol < , signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is less than that following, or by the symbol > , signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is greater than that following.
[1375-1425; late ME < L inaequalitas. See IN-3, EQUALITY]

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In mathematics, a statement of an order relationship
greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, or less than or equal to
between two numbers or algebraic expressions.

Inequalities can be posed either as questions, much like equations, and solved by similar techniques, or as statements of fact in the form of theorems. For example, the triangle inequality states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than or equal to the length of the remaining side. Mathematical analysis relies on many such inequalities (e.g., the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality) in the proofs of its most important theorems.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Inequality — In e*qual i*ty, n.; pl. {Inequalities}. [L. inaequalitas.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being unequal; difference, or lack of equality, in any respect; lack of uniformity; disproportion; unevenness; disparity; diversity; as, an inequality in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inequality — inequality, social inequality Unequal rewards or opportunities for different individuals within a group or groups within a society. If equality is judged in terms of legal equality, equality of opportunity, or equality of outcome, then inequality …   Dictionary of sociology

  • inequality — UK US /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ noun [C or U] ECONOMICS ► a situation in which money or opportunities are not shared equally between different groups in society: »Several polls show that one of the biggest issues on people s minds is economic inequality …   Financial and business terms

  • inequality — I noun asymmetry, bias, contrast, deviation, difference, disaccord, disagreement, discrepance, discrepancy, disparity, disproportion, disproportionateness, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, dissimilitude), dissonance, distinction, divergence,… …   Law dictionary

  • inequality — (n.) early 15c., difference of rank or dignity, from O.Fr. inequalité (14c.) and directly from M.L. inaequalitas, from L. inaequalis unequal, from in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + aequalis equal (see EQUAL (Cf. equal)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • inequality — [n] prejudice; lack of balance asperity, bias, contrast, difference, discrimination, disparity, disproportion, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, diversity, imparity, incommensurateness, injustice, irregularity, one sidedness, partisanship,… …   New thesaurus

  • inequality — ► NOUN (pl. inequalities) ▪ lack of equality …   English terms dictionary

  • inequality — [in΄ē kwôl′ə tē, in΄ēkwäl′ə tē; in΄ikwâl′ə tē, in΄ikwäl′ə tē] n. pl. inequalities [ME inequalitie < MFr inequalité < L inaequalitas] 1. the quality of being unequal; lack of equality 2. an instance of lack of equality; specif., a) a… …   English World dictionary

  • Inequality — In mathematics, an inequality is a statement about the relative size or order of two objects, or about whether they are the same or not (See also: equality) *The notation a < b means that a is less than b . *The notation a > b means that a is… …   Wikipedia

  • inequality — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ great, gross, substantial ▪ the gross social inequalities of the past ▪ Inequalities of income would lead to even greater inequalities in access to health care. ▪ real …   Collocations dictionary

  • inequality */ — UK [ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlətɪ] / US [ˌɪnɪˈkwɑlətɪ] noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms inequality : singular inequality plural inequalities a situation in which people are not equal because some groups have more opportunities, power, money etc than others …   English dictionary

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