quaternion

qua·ter·ni·on  (kw-tûrn-n)

n.

1. A set of four persons or items.

2. Mathematics Any number of the form a + bi + cj + dk where a, b, c, and d are real numbers, ij = k, i² = j² = -1, and ij = -ji. Under addition and multiplication, quaternions have all the properties of a field, except multiplication is not commutative.

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[Middle English quaternioun, from Late Latin quaterni, quaternin-, from Latin quatern, by fours, from quater, four times; see k^wetwer- in Indo-European roots.]

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quaternion [kwəˈtɜːnɪən]

n

1. (Mathematics) Maths a generalized complex number consisting of four components, x = x₀ + x₁i + x₂j + x₃k, where x, x₀…x₃ are real numbers and i² = j² = k² = -1, ij = -ji = k, etc.

2. another word for quaternary [5]

[from Late Latin quaterniōn, from Latin quaternī four at a time]

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quaternion  (kw-tûrn-n)

Any number of the form a + bi + cj + dk where a, b, c, and d are real numbers, ij = k, i² = j² = -1, and ij = -ji. Under addition and multiplication, quaternions have all the properties of a field, except that multiplication is not commutative.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

quaternion - the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one IV, Little Joe, quadruplet, quartet, quatern, 4, four, quaternity, tetrad, foursome, quaternary digit, figure - one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration; "0 and 1 are digits"