Greek Terms in Math
Greek Terms in Mathematics
Greek is the root language of most formal math. It describes structure, number, space, transformation — in a systematized lexicon still used today. Below is a dense breakdown.
Core Greek Roots in Math
arithmos — number
→ arithmetic, logarithm
logos — word, reason, ratio, study
→ logic, logarithm, analogy
metron — measure
→ symmetry, diameter, parameter
nomos — law
→ polynomial, autonomous
morphē — form, shape
→ isomorphism, homomorphism
graphō — write, draw
→ graph, autograph, cryptograph
krypto — hidden
→ cryptography, cryptanalysis
geō — earth
→ geometry, geodesy
topos — place
→ topology, isotope
taxis — order, arrangement
→ syntax, taxonomy
orthos — straight, correct
→ orthogonal, orthocenter
isos — equal
→ isometry, isosceles
polus — many
→ polygon, polynomial
monos — one
→ monomial, monotonic
dyo — two
→ dyad, dyadic
tri — three
→ triangle, trigonometry
tetra — four
→ tetrahedron
pente — five
→ pentagon, pentagram
hex — six
→ hexagon
hepta — seven
→ heptagon
okto — eight
→ octagon, octahedron
ennea — nine
→ enneagram
deka — ten
→ decimal, decagon
hekaton — hundred
→ hectare, hectometer
kilioi — thousand
→ kilobyte
ana — up, again
→ analysis, anagram
kata — down
→ category, cathode
hypo — under
→ hypotenuse, hypothesis
hyper — over
→ hyperbola, hypercube
para — beside, beyond
→ parabola, parallel, parameter
syn/sym — together
→ symmetry, synthesis, synapse
tele — distant
→ telegraph, telemetry
chrono — time
→ chronology, synchronous
phobos — fear, aversion
→ hydrophobia, technophobia
auto — self
→ automorphism, autonomous
hetero — different
→ heteromorphism, heterogeneous
homo — same
→ homomorphism, homogeneous
skopein — to observe
→ telescope, periscope
ballein — to throw
→ parabola, symbol, hyperbole
lysis — loosening, solving
→ analysis, dialysis
krinein — to judge, decide
→ criterion, critical
chōros — space
→ chora, choropleth
Compound Structures
All terms are constructed modularly. Examples:
geo + metron → geometry = measuring the earth
tri + gonia + metron → trigonometry = triangle measure
para + ballein → parabola = to throw beside
ana + lysis → analysis = to loosen upward
iso + morphē → isomorphism = same shape
homo + morphē → homomorphism = similar transformation
sym + metron → symmetry = same measure
hypo + tenonai (to stretch) → hypotenuse = under-stretched line
kata + agoreuein → category = speak downward/classify
Conceptual Mappings
Greek roots are not decorative — they’re explanatory. Understand them, and you understand the system:
| Term | Literal Greek Meaning | Interpreted Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| polygon | many + angles | shape with many angles |
| logarithm | word/rule of numbers | ratio-based exponent |
| analysis | breaking up | decomposition of problems |
| symmetry | same measure | invariance under transformation |
| topology | study of place | continuity and deformation |
| algorithm | NOT Greek (Arabic) | included here by usage |
| chaos | primordial gap | sensitive dynamical system |
| ellipse | falling short | conic that fails to close symmetrically |
| hyperbola | over-throw | conic with diverging branches |
| asymptote | not meeting | limit curve the function approaches |
Why It Matters
Greek roots give math its global grammar.
They compress meaning across domains: logic, geometry, computation.
A single root (e.g., meta, morph, nomos) recurs in many words.
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