Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Theorem?

\The"o*rem\, n. [L. theorema, Gr. ? a sight, speculation, theory, theorem, fr. ? to look at, ? a spectator: cf. F. th['e]or[`e]me. See {Theory}.] 1. That which is considered and established as a principle; hence, sometimes, a rule. Not theories, but theorems (?), the intelligible products of contemplation, intellectual objects in the mind, and of and for the mind exclusively. --Coleridge. By the theorems, Which your polite and terser gallants practice, I re-refine the court, and civilize Their barbarous natures. --Massinger. 2. (Math.) A statement of a principle to be demonstrated. Note: A theorem is something to be proved, and is thus distinguished from a problem, which is something to be solved. In analysis, the term is sometimes applied to a rule, especially a rule or statement of relations expressed in a formula or by symbols; as, the binomial theorem; Taylor's theorem. See the Note under {Proposition}, n., 5. {Binomial theorem}. (Math.) See under {Binomial}. {Negative theorem}, a theorem which expresses the impossibility of any assertion. {Particular theorem} (Math.), a theorem which extends only to a particular quantity. {Theorem of Pappus}. (Math.) See {Centrobaric method}, under {Centrobaric}. {Universal theorem} (Math.), a theorem which extends to any quantity without restriction.
\The"o*rem\, v. t. To formulate into a theorem.