Is 'n-tuple' hyphenated?

Yes, it is standardly written with a hyphen: n-tuple.

What does the 'n' stand for?

The 'n' is a variable representing any natural number (1, 2, 3...). A 2-tuple is a pair, a 3-tuple is a triple, etc.

Can an n-tuple contain elements of different types?

Yes, in many contexts (e.g., computer science), an n-tuple can be heterogeneous, containing numbers, strings, or other objects.

Is an n-tuple the same as an array or list in programming?

Conceptually similar, but 'n-tuple' is a formal mathematical term implying a fixed length (n) and order, often used in theory. Programming lists/arrays are dynamic data structures.

n-tuple

Very low

UK/ˈɛn ˌtjuːp(ə)l/US/ˈɛn ˌtuːpəl/

Technical/Academic (Mathematics, Computer Science, Logic, Formal Linguistics)

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

An ordered list of a fixed number (n) of elements, most commonly numbers or other mathematical objects.

A generalisation of pairs, triples, quadruples, etc., to any finite length; a fundamental structure in mathematics, computer science, and logic for representing ordered collections.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The 'n' is a variable placeholder for a natural number (e.g., 2-tuple, 5-tuple). Primarily denotes order and position, not just a set. It is a single, composite entity.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation may vary slightly.

Connotations

Pure technical term with no regional connotations.

Frequency

Exclusively used in technical domains with equal rarity in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

ordered n-tuplen-tuple of numbersk-tuplen-tuple representation

medium

define an n-tupleform an n-tuplelength of an n-tuple

weak

finite n-tupleparticular n-tuplearbitrary n-tuple

Grammar

Valency Patterns

an n-tuple [of something]the n-tuple (a, b, ..., n)

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

tuple (when 'n' is understood from context)ordered n-tuple

Neutral

ordered listordered sequence

Weak

vector (in some contexts)finite sequence

Vocabulary

Antonyms

set (unordered collection)multiset (unordered, allows duplicates)

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“n-tuple point (rare, in geometry/thermodynamics)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Core term in mathematics (set theory, algebra), computer science (databases, programming), logic, and formal linguistics.

Everyday

Never used.

Technical

Essential term for describing data structures, coordinate systems, and relational database rows.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

The algorithm requires an n-tuple input.
We defined an n-tuple structure.

American English

The function takes an n-tuple argument.
An n-tuple representation was used.

Examples

By CEFR Level

In computer science, a database record can be viewed as an n-tuple.

The state of the system was completely described by a 6-tuple of real numbers.
Formally, a sentence can be modelled as an n-tuple of syntactic categories.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of an 'EN-tuple' as an 'EN-listed' group: 'n' elements in a numbered, specific order.

Conceptual Metaphor

A numbered row of seats in a theatre or cinema (seat 1, seat 2, ..., seat n).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid translating as just 'набор' or 'множество', which are unordered. Closer equivalents: 'упорядоченный набор', 'кортеж', 'n-ка'.
Do not confuse with a simple list; order is a defining property.

Common Mistakes

Pronouncing it as 'entuple' (should be 'en-tuple').
Using it to mean an unordered collection.
Omitting the hyphen (writing 'ntuple').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In a relational database, each row in a table is formally called an .

Multiple Choice

What is the defining characteristic of an n-tuple, as opposed to a set?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, it is standardly written with a hyphen: n-tuple.
: The 'n' is a variable representing any natural number (1, 2, 3...). A 2-tuple is a pair, a 3-tuple is a triple, etc.
: Yes, in many contexts (e.g., computer science), an n-tuple can be heterogeneous, containing numbers, strings, or other objects.
: Conceptually similar, but 'n-tuple' is a formal mathematical term implying a fixed length (n) and order, often used in theory. Programming lists/arrays are dynamic data structures.