Definition:Antecedent/Also defined as

Antecedent: Also defined as

Let $P = a \circ b$ be an expression.

The term $a$ is known as the antecedent of $P$.

The term is usually applied when the expression in question is a ratio.

For example, in $5 : 7$, the number $5$ is the antecedent.

Linguistic Note

The word antecedent is usually found in classical mathematical literature, notably Euclid's The Elements.

The word comes from the Greek, and literally means leading term, or the thing that comes first.

It is pronounced an-tee-see-dent.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): antecedent: 1.
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): antecedent: 1.