Diophantine equation

noun

Di·​o·​phan·​tine equation ˌdī-ə-ˈfan-ˌtīn- How to pronounce Diophantine equation (audio)
-ˈfan-tᵊn-
: an indeterminate polynomial equation which has integral coefficients and for which it is required to find all integral solutions

Word History

Etymology

Diophantus, 3rd century a.d. Greek. mathematician

First Known Use

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Diophantine equation was circa 1928

Dictionary Entries Near Diophantine equation

Cite this Entry

“Diophantine equation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Diophantine%20equation. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Diophantine equation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!