unknown quantity

/ˈʌnˌnoʊn ˌkwɑntədi/
IPA guide

Other forms: unknown quantities

Definitions of unknown quantity
  1. noun
    a factor in a given situation whose bearing and importance is not apparent
    “he's still an unknown quantity”
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    type of:
    factor
    anything that contributes causally to a result
  2. noun
    a variable whose values are solutions of an equation
    synonyms: unknown
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    type of:
    variable
    a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
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