(mathematical analysis) The slope of a secant as obtained by dividing the vertical difference between two intersections of the secant and a curve with their horizontal distance. When the horizontal distance approaches zero the slope of the secant approaches the derivative of the curve.

plural of quotient group

The degree to which someone or something reflects fact rather than fiction; the degree to which something reflects reality.

(topology) A surjective, continuous function from one topological space to another one, such that the latter one's topology has the property that if the inverse image (under the said function) of some subset of it is open in the function's domain, then the subset is open in the target space.

plural of quotient ring

(algebra, ring theory) For a given ring R and ideal I contained in R, another ring, denoted R / I, whose elements are the cosets of I in R.

(slang, film, historical) A typically low-cost, low-quality film commissioned to satisfy the quota requirements of the Cinematograph Films Act 1927.

plural of quota quickie

(mathematics) A formula used in the min-max theorem to find exact eigenvalues, and in eigenvalue algorithms to obtain an eigenvalue approximation from an eigenvector approximation; it has applications in quantum mechanics.

plural of Caleb Quotem