Descartes's rule of signs

Des·​cartes's rule of signs

(ˈ)dā¦kärts-,

-kȧts-

: a rule of algebra: in an algebraic equation with real coefficients, F(x) = 0, arranged according to powers of x, the number of positive roots cannot exceed the number of variations in the signs of the coefficients of the various powers and the difference between the number of positive roots and the number of variations in the signs of the coefficients is even

Word History

Etymology

after René Descartes †1650 French philosopher and mathematician

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!