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An arithmetic combination of numbers is any combination that involves taking a sum, difference, product, or quotient

I'm wondering if there is a word that satisfies:

A(n) ________ combination of numbers is any combination that involves taking a sum or difference.

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13
  • I'm not sure if there is an exact word for this, and if there is, it's probably well known only to mathematicians. It's possible that factor is what you're looking for, but consider asking this on Math SE.
    – Mike Harris
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 15:17
  • I thought 'binary combination' was applied to any process involving a dual input. It could be as simple as 'output the larger' or 'output the first listed'. Or 'output the mean'.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 15:17
  • 3
    @MikeHarris "Factor" only refers to multiplication, not addition or subtraction.
    – Hank
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 15:21
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    @MikeHarris read it as looking for a word to describe the "2 + 3" combination in "2 + 3 = 6". I saw what you linked but just because that "factor" uses addition doesn't mean all are factors. Those are factors because they are multiplied together. If we look at "10 * cow = 10cow", cow is a factor, but not all cows can be called factors. Using factor for describe what the OP wants is no more accurate than using number to describe it, no offense.
    – Hank
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 15:33
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    @Hank correct, good point.
    – Mike Harris
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 15:36

1 Answer 1

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For your exact wording, "additive (combination)" fits most closely. This said, however, a "sum" would likely best describe what you are referring to, as differences are simply additions of negative terms.

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6
  • Yeah, it's a sum.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 16:29
  • Why not call it a "difference", since sums are simply subtractions of positive numbers?
    – Arm the good guys in America
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 17:53
  • It would be just as correct, but I don't think it sounds as good.
    – puzzleweaver
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 18:05
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    @Clare because the fundamental operation is adding; subtraction is the reverse operation.
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 19:10
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    @Clare - Plus, addition is commutative, subtraction isn't.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Oct 2, 2017 at 22:01

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