Etymology

Noun

1. A fundamental, generic term used when referring to the measurement (count, amount) of a scalar, vector, number of items or to some other way of denominating the value of a collection or group of items.

   You have to choose between quantity and quality.

2. An indefinite amount of something

   Some soap making oils are best as base oils, used in a larger quantity in the soap, while other oils are best added in a small quantity.

   Olive oil can be used practically in any quantity.

3. A specific measured amount

   This bag would normally costs $497.50 for a quantity of 250, at a price of $1.99 per piece.

   Generally it should not be used in a quantity larger than 15 percent.

4. A considerable measure or amount

   The Boeing P-26A was the first all-metal monoplane fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Army Air Corps.

5. Indicates that the entire preceding expression is henceforth considered a single object.

   x plus y quantity squared equals x squared plus 2xy plus y squared.

Usage notes

• In mathematics, used to unambiguously orate mathematical equations; it is extremely rare in print, since there is no need for it there.

Quotations

• 2006, Jerome E. Kaufmann and Karen Schwitters, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: A Combined Approach, p 89

  For problems 58-67, translate each word phrase into an algebraic expression.

  (...)

  65. x plus 9, the quantity squared

• 2005, R. Mark Sirkin, Statistics For The Social Sciences, p137

  The second, $(\backslash sum\; x)^2$, read "summation of x, quantity squared," tells us to first add up all the xs to get $\backslash sum\; x$ and then square $\backslash sum\; x$ to get $(\backslash sum\; x)^2$.

• 1985, Serge Lang, Math!: Encounters with High School Students, p54

  ANN. $ra$ quantity cubed.

  SERGE LANG. That's right, $(ra)^3$.

Related terms

• quantitative
• quantum
• quanta
• qualitas
• measure
• unit