The spelling of the word "indexes" can be confusing because of its multiple plural forms - "indexes" and "indices". In American English, "indexes" is the more common spelling, while in British English, "indices" is preferred. This word is pronounced as /ˈɪndeksɪz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It refers to a list of information or data, often found at the back of a book or in a database, and helps users to locate specific information quickly and easily.
Indexes, also commonly referred to as indices, are useful tools employed in a variety of disciplines to track, measure, and represent numerical data. They offer a way to summarize complex information and enable comparison across different data sets. In a general sense, indexes are a systematic arrangement of data points or variables, often presented in the form of a table or chart.
In financial markets, indexes play a crucial role in measuring the performance of specific stock markets or sectors. They represent a grouping of selected stocks that are chosen to reflect the overall performance of a specific market or industry. These indexes serve as benchmarks against which individual stocks or investment portfolios can be compared. Prominent examples include the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), S&P 500, and NASDAQ Composite.
Indexes are essential in the field of economics and statistics, where they provide a means to track changes in prices, production, employment, or any other relevant variables. Economists and policymakers utilize indexes to monitor the overall health of an economy and to assess trends and patterns. For instance, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is employed to measure changes in the cost of goods and services for consumers.
In computer science, indexes function as data structures that optimize the speed and efficiency of data retrieval in databases. They organize data points based on specific attributes, allowing quick access and search capabilities. These indexes enhance the overall performance of data processing systems and improve the response time for queries.
Overall, indexes serve as essential tools in various fields to simplify complex information, enable comparison, and enhance efficiency in data handling and analysis.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "indexes" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Old English.
The term "index" originates from the Latin word "index", which means "pointer" or "sign". In ancient Rome, an "index" was often used to refer to a finger or hand that pointed out something of note.
During the Middle Ages, the Latin term "index" was borrowed into Old English as "indeg", which retained the general meaning of a sign or pointer. Over time, this term evolved into "index" in Modern English.
The plural form of "index" was originally "indices" in Latin, but through the influences of various languages, including English, it gradually shifted to "indexes" as the more common plural form. Interestingly, both "indices" and "indexes" are currently accepted and considered correct in English, although "indexes" is more commonly used.