online medical dictionary | definition of radix

<mathematics> The ratio, R, between the weights of adjacent digits in positional representation of numbers. The right-most digit has weight one, the digit to its left has weight R, the next R^2, R^3, etc. The radix also determines the set of digits which is zero to R-1. E.g. decimal (radix ten) uses 0-9 and each digit is worth ten times as much as you move left along the number.

(01 Nov 2006)

Origin: L. Radix, -icis, root. See Radish.

1. <philosophy> A primitive, from which spring other words; a radical; a root; an etymon.

2. <mathematics> A finite expression, from which a series is derived.

3. <botany> The root of a plant.

(01 Mar 1998)