How Do You Spell SECULAR EQUATION?

1. A secular equation is a mathematical equation involving a variable raised to a high power but devoid of any trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, or other special functions. It is typically a polynomial equation where the highest exponent of the variable is equal to the degree of the equation.

   In mathematics, a secular equation is used to find the roots or solutions for a given polynomial equation. These equations commonly arise in the study of various fields such as physics, engineering, and mathematics, where the behavior of systems or phenomena can be modeled by polynomials.

   The term "secular" in secular equation is used to indicate the absence of any special functions, as mentioned earlier, rather than having a religious or non-religious connotation. The word secular is derived from the Latin word "saeculum," meaning "age" or "century," which in this context refers to "ordinary" or "everyday" rather than "special" or "exotic" expressions.

   Solving secular equations is an essential task in many scientific and practical applications, as it allows for the determination of unknowns or variables that satisfy particular conditions expressed by the polynomial equations. Various mathematical methods can be employed to solve these equations, such as factoring, synthetic division, numerical approximation, and algebraic manipulations.

   Overall, a secular equation is a polynomial equation without any special functions, and its study plays a crucial role in numerous scientific disciplines for analyzing and predicting the behavior of various systems and phenomena.

2. In astron., the numerical expression of the magnitude and period of a secular inequality.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SECULAR EQUATION

The word "secular" originated from the Latin word "saecularis", which means "of a generation" or "of an age". It was derived from "saeculum", meaning "generation" or "age". In ancient times, "saeculum" referred to the period of time between the birth of one generation and the birth of their descendants.

The term "secular" gradually evolved to encompass the concept of non-religious or non-spiritual matters, separate from religious or sacred concerns. It came to describe something unrelated to religion or the clergy, pertaining to everyday life, the worldly realm, or the temporal sphere.

The word "equation" traces back to the Latin term "aequare", meaning "to make equal". In mathematics, an equation refers to a statement asserting the equality of two expressions or quantities, usually represented with an equals sign.