- catastrophe theory
- noun Date: 1971 mathematical theory and conjecture that uses topology to explain events (as an earthquake or a stock market crash) characterized by major abrupt changes
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
catastrophe theory
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Catastrophe theory — This article refers to the study of dynamical systems. For other meanings, see catastrophe. In mathematics, catastrophe theory is a branch of bifurcation theory in the study of dynamical systems; it is also a particular special case of more… … Wikipedia
catastrophe theory — Math. a theory, based on topology, for studying discontinuous processes and the mathematical models that describe them. [1970 75] * * * Branch of mathematics (considered a branch of geometry) that explores how gradual changes to a system produce… … Universalium
catastrophe theory — noun : mathematical theory and conjecture concerned with the use of topology to explain events (as an earthquake or a stock market crash) characterized by major abrupt changes * * * caˈtastrophe theory 7 [catastrophe theory] noun uncountable ( … Useful english dictionary
catastrophe theory — noun The branch of mathematics dealing with dynamical systems which can undergo abrupt irreversible qualitative changes due to a tiny change in parameters … Wiktionary
catastrophe theory — noun a branch of mathematics concerned with systems displaying abrupt discontinuous change … English new terms dictionary
Toba catastrophe theory — According to the Toba catastrophe theory, 70,000 to 75,000 years ago a supervolcanic event at Lake Toba, on Sumatra, reduced the world s human population to 10,000 or even a mere 1,000 breeding pairs, creating a bottleneck in human evolution. The … Wikipedia
Catastrophe modeling — This article refers to the use of computers to estimate losses caused by disasters. For other meanings of the word catastrophe, including catastrophe theory in mathematics, see catastrophe (disambiguation). Catastrophe modeling (also known as cat … Wikipedia
Catastrophe — A catastrophe is a disaster, a horrible event.It may also refer to:*Catastrophe (drama), the climax and resolution of a plot in ancient Greek drama and poems * Catastrophe (play), a 1982 short play by Samuel Beckett *Catastrophe modeling, in… … Wikipedia
Theory — The word theory has many distinct meanings in different fields of knowledge, depending on their methodologies and the context of discussion.In science a theory is a testable model of the manner of interaction of a set of natural phenomena,… … Wikipedia
catastrophe — catastrophic /kat euh strof ik/, catastrophical, catastrophal, adj. catastrophically, adv. /keuh tas treuh fee/, n. 1. a sudden and widespread disaster: the catastrophe of war. 2. any misfortune, mishap, or failure; fiasco: The play was so poor… … Universalium
