Background for incommensurable

incommensurable

/ɪnkəˈmɛnsjʊəɹəbəl/

Illustration incommensurable - Image 1

noun

An incommensurable value or quantity; an irrational number.

Examples :

"Pi, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, is a famous example of an incommensurable. "

math number philosophy

Illustration incommensurable - Image 1

adjective

Of two real numbers, such that their ratio is not a fraction of two integers.

Examples :

"The length of the diagonal of a square and the length of its side are incommensurable, meaning you can't express their ratio as a simple fraction. "

math number science

Illustration incommensurable - Image 1

adjective

(arithmetics) Of two integers, having no common integer divisor except 1.

Examples :

"The numbers 7 and 15 are incommensurable because their only common divisor is 1. "

Illustration incommensurable - Image 1

adjective

Not able to be measured by the same standards as another term in the context.

Examples :

"The side and diagonal of a square are incommensurable with each other; the diameter and circumference of a circle are incommensurable."

philosophy math logic science theory