symbolic calculus
nounUK /sɪmˈbɒlɪk ˈkælkjʊləs/
US /sɪmˈbɑːlɪk ˈkælkjələs/
A way of doing math with letters and signs instead of just numbers.
In symbolic calculus, we use letters like x and y to stand for unknown numbers.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A method of solving problems by treating symbols as objects that follow set rules.
The software uses symbolic calculus to simplify long equations automatically.
3. The branch of mathematics that studies formal operations on symbols rather than numerical values.
Her research in symbolic calculus helped design better computer algebra systems.
4. A system of reasoning in which signs represent ideas and are combined by fixed rules.
Philosophers studied symbolic calculus to model how logical statements fit together.