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

The Bell theorem refers to how entangled electrons are predicted by quantum mechanics, making them non-local — often referred to as “spooky action at a distance.”

From Salon

Known as the "infinite monkey theorem", the mathematical thought-experiment has long been used to explain the principles of probability and randomness.

From BBC

Participants worked through undergraduate-level mathematical theorems with the assistance of an LLM and were asked to rate each individual LLM response for correctness and helpfulness.

From Science Daily

He and Qin found, however, that this is not correct because the theorem does not take into account, mathematically, that photon electric fields can rotate.

From Science Daily

They are telling a story, not proving a theorem in geometry.

From Salon

Related Words

• axiom