modulus
n 1: an integer that can be divided without remainder into the
difference between two other integers; "2 is a modulus of 5
and 9"
2: the absolute value of a complex number
3: (physics) a coefficient that expresses how much of a
specified property is possessed by a specified substance
modulus noun (pluralmoduli)
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, small measure Date:
1753 1.a. the factor by which a logarithm of a number to one base is
multiplied to obtain the logarithm of the number to a new base b.absolute value 2 c.(1) the number (as a positive integer) or other mathematical
entity (as a polynomial) in a congruence that divides the difference
of the two congruent members without leaving a remainder — compare
residue b (2) the number of different numbers used in a system
of modular arithmetic
2. a constant or coefficient that expresses usually numerically
the degree to which a body or substance possesses a particular property
(as elasticity)
modulus n. (pl. moduli) Math. 1 a the magnitude of a real number without regard to its sign. b the positive square root of the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts of a complex
number. 2 a constant factor or ratio. 3 (in number theory) a number used as a divisor for considering numbers in sets giving the same remainder when divided by it. 4 a constant indicating the
relation between a physical effect and the force producing it. Etymology: L, = measure, dimin. of modus
modulus
ˈmɔdjuləs n. (pl. moduli) Math. 1 a the magnitude of a real
number without regard to its sign. b the positive square root of the sum
of the squares of the real and imaginary parts of a complex number. 2 a
constant factor or ratio. 3 (in number theory) a number used as a divisor
for considering numbers in sets giving the same remainder when divided by
it. 4 a constant indicating the relation between a physical effect and the
force producing it. [L, = measure, dimin. of modus]
Modulus \Mod"u*lus\, n.; pl. Moduli. [L., a small measure. See
Module, n.] (Math., Mech., & Physics)
A quantity or coefficient, or constant, which expresses the
measure of some specified force, property, or quality, as of
elasticity, strength, efficiency, etc.; a parameter.
Modulus of a machine, a formula expressing the work which a
given machine can perform under the conditions involved in
its construction; the relation between the work done upon
a machine by the moving power, and that yielded at the
working points, either constantly, if its motion be
uniform, or in the interval of time which it occupies in
passing from any given velocity to the same velocity
again, if its motion be variable; -- called also the
efficiency of the machine. --Mosley. --Rankine.
Modulus of a system of logarithms (Math.), a number by
which all the Napierian logarithms must be multiplied to
obtain the logarithms in another system.
Modulus of elasticity.
(a) The measure of the elastic force of any substance,
expressed by the ratio of a stress on a given unit of the
substance to the accompanying distortion, or strain.
(b) An expression of the force (usually in terms of the
height in feet or weight in pounds of a column of the
same body) which would be necessary to elongate a
prismatic body of a transverse section equal to a given
unit, as a square inch or foot, to double, or to compress
it to half, its original length, were that degree of
elongation or compression possible, or within the limits
of elasticity; -- called also Young's modulus.
Modulus of rupture, the measure of the force necessary to
break a given substance across, as a beam, expressed by
eighteen times the load which is required to break a bar
of one inch square, supported flatwise at two points one
foot apart, and loaded in the middle between the points of
support. --Rankine.
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