A word for an informed guess in mathematics, proved later to be the correct guess
I am looking for a single word, used in mathematics (but not exclusively), meaning to take a guess which will later be proved to be correct.
I believe it starts with an 'a', and I seem to remember it being something similar to alcantz, alcats, ancaltz, first hearing it used by a professor in a lecture.
Edit (to add an example sentence): An example sentence: "I solved the problem through the use of an (insert word)."
single-word-requests mathematics
New contributor
add a comment |
I am looking for a single word, used in mathematics (but not exclusively), meaning to take a guess which will later be proved to be correct.
I believe it starts with an 'a', and I seem to remember it being something similar to alcantz, alcats, ancaltz, first hearing it used by a professor in a lecture.
Edit (to add an example sentence): An example sentence: "I solved the problem through the use of an (insert word)."
single-word-requests mathematics
New contributor
1
Hi packetpacket, welcome to EL&U. You might not be aware that there are strict rules for single-word-requests: "To ensure your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. You must include a sample sentence demonstrating how the word would be used." You can add this using the edit link. For further guidance, see How to Ask, and make sure you also take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
3 hours ago
I believe you're describing a hypothesis. Or a conjecture. Or a theorem.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
add a comment |
I am looking for a single word, used in mathematics (but not exclusively), meaning to take a guess which will later be proved to be correct.
I believe it starts with an 'a', and I seem to remember it being something similar to alcantz, alcats, ancaltz, first hearing it used by a professor in a lecture.
Edit (to add an example sentence): An example sentence: "I solved the problem through the use of an (insert word)."
single-word-requests mathematics
New contributor
I am looking for a single word, used in mathematics (but not exclusively), meaning to take a guess which will later be proved to be correct.
I believe it starts with an 'a', and I seem to remember it being something similar to alcantz, alcats, ancaltz, first hearing it used by a professor in a lecture.
Edit (to add an example sentence): An example sentence: "I solved the problem through the use of an (insert word)."
single-word-requests mathematics
single-word-requests mathematics
New contributor
New contributor
edited 2 hours ago
packetpacket
New contributor
asked 4 hours ago
packetpacketpacketpacket
1084
1084
New contributor
New contributor
1
Hi packetpacket, welcome to EL&U. You might not be aware that there are strict rules for single-word-requests: "To ensure your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. You must include a sample sentence demonstrating how the word would be used." You can add this using the edit link. For further guidance, see How to Ask, and make sure you also take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
3 hours ago
I believe you're describing a hypothesis. Or a conjecture. Or a theorem.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Hi packetpacket, welcome to EL&U. You might not be aware that there are strict rules for single-word-requests: "To ensure your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. You must include a sample sentence demonstrating how the word would be used." You can add this using the edit link. For further guidance, see How to Ask, and make sure you also take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
3 hours ago
I believe you're describing a hypothesis. Or a conjecture. Or a theorem.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
1
1
Hi packetpacket, welcome to EL&U. You might not be aware that there are strict rules for single-word-requests: "To ensure your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. You must include a sample sentence demonstrating how the word would be used." You can add this using the edit link. For further guidance, see How to Ask, and make sure you also take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
3 hours ago
Hi packetpacket, welcome to EL&U. You might not be aware that there are strict rules for single-word-requests: "To ensure your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. You must include a sample sentence demonstrating how the word would be used." You can add this using the edit link. For further guidance, see How to Ask, and make sure you also take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
3 hours ago
I believe you're describing a hypothesis. Or a conjecture. Or a theorem.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
I believe you're describing a hypothesis. Or a conjecture. Or a theorem.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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The word you are looking for is ansatz, which is German (although used by English-speaking physicists and mathematicians).
Wikipedia: In physics and mathematics, an ansatz is an educated guess that is verified later by its results.)
Yes that's it, thank you!
– packetpacket
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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The word you are looking for is ansatz, which is German (although used by English-speaking physicists and mathematicians).
Wikipedia: In physics and mathematics, an ansatz is an educated guess that is verified later by its results.)
Yes that's it, thank you!
– packetpacket
2 hours ago
add a comment |
The word you are looking for is ansatz, which is German (although used by English-speaking physicists and mathematicians).
Wikipedia: In physics and mathematics, an ansatz is an educated guess that is verified later by its results.)
Yes that's it, thank you!
– packetpacket
2 hours ago
add a comment |
The word you are looking for is ansatz, which is German (although used by English-speaking physicists and mathematicians).
Wikipedia: In physics and mathematics, an ansatz is an educated guess that is verified later by its results.)
The word you are looking for is ansatz, which is German (although used by English-speaking physicists and mathematicians).
Wikipedia: In physics and mathematics, an ansatz is an educated guess that is verified later by its results.)
answered 3 hours ago
Peter Shor Peter Shor
62.4k5117225
62.4k5117225
Yes that's it, thank you!
– packetpacket
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Yes that's it, thank you!
– packetpacket
2 hours ago
Yes that's it, thank you!
– packetpacket
2 hours ago
Yes that's it, thank you!
– packetpacket
2 hours ago
add a comment |
packetpacket is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
packetpacket is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
packetpacket is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
packetpacket is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
Hi packetpacket, welcome to EL&U. You might not be aware that there are strict rules for single-word-requests: "To ensure your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. You must include a sample sentence demonstrating how the word would be used." You can add this using the edit link. For further guidance, see How to Ask, and make sure you also take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
3 hours ago
I believe you're describing a hypothesis. Or a conjecture. Or a theorem.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago