extremal

[ ik-stree-muhl ]

adjective

, Mathematics.

1. of or relating to an extremum or the calculation of extrema:

   an extremal problem.

extremal

/ ɪkˈstriːməl /

noun

1. maths logic the clause in a recursive definition that specifies that no items other than those generated by the stated rules fall within the definition, as in 1 is an integer, if n is an integer so is n+1, and nothing else is

Word History and Origins

Origin of extremal¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English. extremum, -al ¹

Example Sentences

“It is quite difficult to have a common theorem to incorporate all the extremal cases,” said Kang.

From Quanta Magazine

He studies extremal combinatorics, meaning objects like very large graphs or networks.

From Quanta Magazine

In the context of extremal combinatorics, you can use probability to show that networks with certain properties actually exist, even if you might have a hard time coming up with an example of one yourself.

From Quanta Magazine

Third, the position of the quantum extremal surface was highly significant.

From Quanta Magazine

As the hole shrank, so did the quantum extremal surface and, with it, the entanglement entropy.

From Quanta Magazine