arithmetic

[ noun uh-rith-muh-tik; adjective ar-ith-met-ik ]

noun

1. the method or process of computation with figures: the most elementary branch of mathematics.
2. Also called higher arithmetic,. the theory of numbers; the study of the divisibility of whole numbers, the remainders after division, etc.
3. a book on this subject.

adjective

1. Also arithmetical. of or relating to arithmetic.

arithmetic

/ əˈrɪθmətɪk /

noun

1. the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
2. one or more calculations involving numerical operations
3. knowledge of or skill in using arithmetic

   his arithmetic is good

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using arithmetic

arithmetic

/ ə-rĭth′mĭ-tĭk /

1. The mathematics of integers, rational numbers, real numbers, or complex numbers under the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Derived Forms

• ˌarithˈmetically, adverb
• aˌrithmeˈtician, noun

Other Words From

• ar·ith·met·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·ar·ith·met·ic adjective
• non·ar·ith·met·i·cal adjective
• non·ar·ith·met·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·ar·ith·met·i·cal adjective
• un·ar·ith·met·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of arithmetic¹

1200–50; < Latin arithmētica, feminine singular of arithmēticus < Greek arithmētikḗ ( téchnē ) (art, skill) of numbers, equivalent to arithmé ( ein ) to reckon + -t ( o )- verbal adjective + -ikḗ -ic; replacing Middle English arsmet ( r ) ike < Old French arismetique < Medieval Latin arismētica, with s for Late Greek th

Word History and Origins

Origin of arithmetic¹

C13: from Latin arithmētica, from Greek arithmētikē, from arithmein to count, from arithmos number

Example Sentences

Apple’s AI researchers gave these AI systems a simple arithmetic problem that schoolkids can solve.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats need to take a long, hard look at that staggering arithmetic: Thirteen million Biden voters either switched to Trump or, in more cases than not, simply couldn’t be bothered.

From Salon

The arithmetic of doing so – recovering from the Conservatives’ worst ever election defeat and overturning a Himalayan Labour majority – looks a tall order, but so volatile is the electorate you never know.

From BBC

See if you can solve this arithmetic problem:

From Los Angeles Times

My colleague Julia Wick once did the arithmetic and calculated that these 14 acres represent less than one-thousandth of what the Valley possessed at its peak.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• calculation
• computation