An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Of or relating to Carl Friedrich Gauss or his mathematical theories of magnetism, electricity, astronomy, or probability. → Gaussian distribution; → Gaussian profile.

→ gauss.

A theoretical frequency distribution for a set of variable data, usually represented by a bell-shaped curve with a mean at the center of the curve and tail widths proportional to the standard deviation of the data about the mean.

→ Gaussian; → distribution.

A method of solving a matrix equation of the form A x = b, where A is a matrix and x and b are vectors. The process consists of two steps, first reducing the elements below the diagonal to 0 and second, back substituting to find the solutions.

→ Gaussian; → elimination.

The function e^-x2, whose integral in the interval -∞ to +∞ gives the → square root of the → number pi: ∫e^-x2dx = √π. It is the function that describes the → normal distribution.

→ Gaussian; → function.

The constant, denoted k, defining the astronomical system of units of length (→ astronomical unit), mass (→ solar mass), and time (→ day), by means of → Kepler's third law. The dimensions of k² are those of Newton's constant of gravitation: L ³M ^-1T ^-2. Its value is: k = 0.01720209895.

→ Gaussian; → gravitational; → constant.

A → complex number whose → real and → imaginary parts are both integers.

→ Gaussian; → integer.

The shape of a curve representing a normal distribution.

→ Gaussian; → profile.

Math.: The condition of having → Gaussian distribution. The extent to which something is Gaussian.

→ Gaussian + → -ity.