The phrase "cancels out" is spelled with two "l's" in the verb form "cancels," but with only one "l" in the noun form "cancellation." The pronunciation of the word "cancel" can be phonetically transcribed as /ˈkæn·səl/. The double "l" in "cancels" reflects the past tense ending "-ed," whereas the single "l" in "cancellation" follows the commonly used spelling rule of doubling a consonant after a short vowel sound in a stressed syllable. Therefore, the correct spelling of "cancels out" reflects the tense of the verb used in the sentence.
The phrase "cancels out" refers to the act of neutralizing or eliminating the effect or impact of something, often resulting in a situation where the positive and negative factors offset each other. It is commonly used in various contexts, especially in mathematics, science, and everyday life, to describe the process of creating a balance or negating the consequences of an action or event.
In mathematics, when two quantities or values are opposite in sign and equal in magnitude, they cancel out when combined. For example, if a positive value of 5 is added to a negative value of -5, they cancel out, resulting in zero. This principle of canceling out applies to various operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Moreover, the term extends beyond mathematics and can be used to describe situations in other disciplines. For instance, in science, it can refer to the phenomenon where two or more competing factors counterbalance each other, leading to a null net effect. In everyday language, the phrase "cancels out" is often used to describe a scenario in which two opposing forces, ideas, or actions nullify each other, resulting in no significant consequence or impact.
Overall, "cancels out" denotes the process of nullifying the effect of something, thereby producing a state of equilibrium or nullity where the positive and negative factors are perfectly balanced, leaving no discernible outcome.
The phrase "cancels out" is derived from the verb "cancel", which comes from the Latin word "cancellare". In Latin, "cancellare" means "to cross out" or "to erase with bars". It is related to the Latin noun "cancelli", which refers to a latticed barrier or the bars used to separate prisoners. Over time, the verb "cancel" gained the meaning of nullifying or making something void or ineffective. The term "cancels out" specifically emerged from the idea of offsetting or balancing two opposing forces or quantities, resulting in their mutual nullification or cancellation.