Meaning & use
quotient
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Meanings
nouncountablemathematics
The number obtained when one number is divided by another.
Grammar: Countable; in division with a remainder, report both quotient and remainder: quotient 3, remainder 2.
Patterns
- divide something by something
- the quotient of two numbers
- a quotient and remainder
When 20 is divided by 4, the quotient is 5.
Seventeen divided by five has quotient three and remainder two.
Students checked the quotient by multiplying it back.
nouncountablefigurative
A measured level of a quality, as in intelligence or emotional quotient.
Grammar: Common in compounds; often abbreviated as IQ or EQ.
Patterns
- intelligence quotient
- emotional quotient
- a high/low quotient
The test reports an intelligence quotient, usually called IQ.
Managers discussed the emotional quotient needed for the job.
The article used “patience quotient” humorously to mean level of patience.
Word forms
| plural | quotients |
|---|
Common combinations
- intelligence quotient
- An intelligence quotient is only one measure of ability.
- quotient and remainder
- Write the quotient and remainder for 29 divided by 6.
- emotional quotient
- The course mentioned emotional quotient as useful for teamwork.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: quotient or equation?
quotient vs equation
An equation states that two expressions are equal; a quotient is the answer from division.
Practice
When 20 is divided by 4, the quotient is ___.
Choose one answer.
20 ÷ 4 = 5, so the quotient is 5. The other numbers come from wrong operations: 20 × 4 = 80, and 16 or 24 do not result from dividing 20 by 4.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “quotient”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.