theorem

[ thee-er-uhm, theer-uhm ]

noun

1. Mathematics. a theoretical proposition, statement, or formula embodying something to be proved from other propositions or formulas.
2. a rule or law, especially one expressed by an equation or formula.
3. Logic. a proposition that can be deduced from the premises or assumptions of a system.
4. an idea, belief, method, or statement generally accepted as true or worthwhile without proof.

theorem

/ ˈθɪərəm; ˌθɪərəˈmætɪk; ˌθɪəˈrɛmɪk /

noun

1. maths logic a statement or formula that can be deduced from the axioms of a formal system by means of its rules of inference

theorem

/ thē′ər-əm,thîr′əm /

1. A mathematical statement whose truth can be proved on the basis of a given set of axioms or assumptions.

theorem

1. A statement in mathematics that is not a basic assumption, such as an axiom , but is deduced ( see deduction ) from basic assumptions.

Derived Forms

• ˌtheoreˈmatically, adverb
• theorematic, adjective

Other Words From

• the·o·re·mat·ic [thee-er-, uh, -, mat, -ik, theer-, uh, -], adjective
• theo·re·mati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of theorem¹

1545–55; < Late Latin theōrēma < Greek theṓrēma spectacle, hence, subject for contemplation, thesis (to be proved), equivalent to theōrē-, variant stem of theōreîn to view + -ma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of theorem¹

C16: from Late Latin theōrēma, from Greek: something to be viewed, from theōrein to view

Example Sentences

Thanks to Noether’s observation, mathematicians can now harness the power, structure and theorems of algebra to understand topology.

From Quanta Magazine

McKenzie and geophysicist Robert Parker used this theorem to calculate the dance of the lithospheric blocks — the plates.

From Science News

Mathematics searches for new theorems to build upon the old.

From Quanta Magazine

The new local friendliness theorem requires duplicating the Wigner’s-friend setup.

From Quanta Magazine

In the decade or so since he started learning about this approach, it has helped him prove a wide range of theorems.

From Quanta Magazine

Infinite Monkey Theorem has also landed praise in national publications including  Wine Spectator as recently as last year.

From The Daily Beast

A few years ago, I attended a party hosted by The Infinite Monkey Theorem.

From The Daily Beast

This, however, is not a question of the method of the social science, but a theorem of the science itself.

From Project Gutenberg

This was M. Comte's opinion; but it is by no means implied in his fundamental theorem.

From Project Gutenberg

A modern historian aptly remarks that the medicine of the present "embraces nothing but a theorem of investigation by the senses."

From Project Gutenberg

But as it seems not yet to have been stated clearly enough, I will here try to put my entire theorem into an unmistakable form.

From Project Gutenberg

But in the proof of this great theorem two influences were neglected, either of which is fatal to its validity.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• axiom