noun
Uncommon
theorem
THEE-uh-ruhm
Theorem (noun) means a mathematical statement that has been formally proven true. Example: “Every student learns the Pythagorean theorem in geometry class.”
noun
1
A mathematical statement that has been formally proven true.
"Fermat's Last Theorem was known thus long before it was proved in the 1990s."
"Every student learns the Pythagorean theorem in geometry class."
"The proof of the theorem took the mathematician years to complete."
"The teacher asked us to write out the proof of the theorem."
How to use theorem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA proven mathematical rule or fact, as opposed to a guess or unproven idea.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "theory", which can mean an unproven explanation — a theorem in maths is proven, not speculative.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
prove a theorem
Pythagorean theorem
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Word forms
- Plural
- theorems
- Third person singular
- theorems
- Past tense
- theoremed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Every student learns the Pythagorean _____ in geometry class.
Etymology
From Greek theorema ("proposition to be proved"), related to theoria ("theory") and theatre.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “theorem” mean?
The word “theorem” means a mathematical statement that has been formally proven true. In plain terms, a proven mathematical rule or fact, as opposed to a guess or unproven idea.
How do you pronounce “theorem”?
“Theorem” is pronounced THEE-uh-ruhm (/ˈθiərəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “theorem” in a sentence?
Here is “theorem” used in a sentence: “Every student learns the Pythagorean theorem in geometry class.”
What is another word for “theorem”?
Words with a similar meaning to “theorem” include proposition and statement.
What part of speech is “theorem”?
“Theorem” is a noun.
Where does the word “theorem” come from?
The word “theorem” comes from Greek. From Greek theorema ("proposition to be proved"), related to theoria ("theory") and theatre.
Is “theorem” a common word?
“Theorem” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a theorem and a law in mathematics or science?
A theorem is a mathematical statement that has been formally proven true through logical reasoning from accepted premises. A scientific law, by contrast, describes a pattern observed in nature and is supported by repeated evidence rather than mathematical proof.
What is the difference between a theorem and a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a proposed statement that has not yet been proven and may be tested or investigated further. A theorem has already been established as true through formal proof, so it no longer carries the uncertainty of a hypothesis.
What is the difference between a theorem and a corollary?
A theorem is a proven statement in its own right, while a corollary is a statement that follows almost directly from a theorem that has already been proven. Corollaries require little additional proof because they rely on the reasoning already established for the related theorem.
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