Common Difference Definition & Meaning

Definition

Etymology

Examples

common difference American

noun

Mathematics.

1. the difference between any two consecutive terms in an arithmetic progression.

Etymology

Origin of common difference

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Any sequence of squares x2, y2, z2 with common difference k has the property that k is 4 times the area of the right triangle with hypotenuse length y and leg lengths a and b, where a and b are determined by the two equations a+b=z and a-b=x.

From Scientific American

“I fully understood what Elaine was going through, but there is a relatively common difference between men and women when losing a spouse,” he said.

From New York Times

The most common difference was in pitch and in the opening notes and buzzy parts of their songs.

From New York Times

A common difference amongst real from fakes is usually on inside size tags of sneakers, as well as on the box labels.

From New York Times

The common difference between the men and the women is the women had fresh lipstick—their one attempt at sanitary glamour.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.