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modulus

Syllabification: (mod·u·lus)
Pronunciation: /ˈmäjələs/

Mathematics
Definition of modulus

noun (plural moduli /-ˌlī, -ˌlē/)

  • 1another term for absolute value.
  • the positive square root of the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts of a complex number.
  • 2a constant factor or ratio.
  • a constant indicating the relation between a physical effect and the force producing it.
  • 3a number used as a divisor for considering numbers in sets, numbers being considered congruent when giving the same remainder when divided by a particular modulus.

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting an architectural unit of length): from Latin, literally 'measure', diminutive of modus

modulus in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of modulus in the British & World English dictionary