Parity is a noun that refers to the state of being equal or equivalent. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈpærɪti/. It is spelled with the letter "p" and the combination of letters "a-r-i-t-y," which represents the sound /ɛrɪti/. The pronunciation of this word involves stressing the first syllable, with the pronunciation of the second syllable sounding like the word "tea" without the /t/ sound. The spelling of parity reflects the complexity of English pronunciation, and it is important to spell it accurately to communicate clearly.
Parity is a term with multiple meanings and applications across different fields such as mathematics, economics, and computer science. In general, parity refers to a state of equality or equivalence between two or more elements or entities.
In mathematics, parity often refers to the property of a whole number being even or odd. If a number is divisible by 2 without a remainder, it is considered even, while if there is a remainder, it is considered odd. Parity is also used to describe the concept of equality or equivalence between two mathematical objects, such as matrices or permutations, based on specific criteria.
In economics, parity commonly refers to the state of equality or equivalence between the value of one currency and another. It represents the exchange rate between two currencies, where the value of one currency is equal to a specific amount of the other. Parity in this context is often used to analyze and evaluate the purchasing power and trade relationships between different countries or regions.
In computer science, parity often pertains to the concept of error detection and error correction. Parity bits are used in data transmission to detect errors by adding an extra bit to a set of bits. This extra bit is set to one or zero in a way that ensures the total number of ones or zeros in the set of bits, including the parity bit, is always even or odd. By comparing the parity bit with the received bits, errors can be detected or corrected.
In summary, parity refers to equality, equivalence, or balance in various contexts, encompassing concepts such as evenness/oddness of numbers, currency exchange rates, and error detection in computer science.
The state of a woman as regards the fact of having born children. Nulliparity is the condition of having had no children, primiparity of having borne one child, secundiparity of having borne two children, multiparity of having had several children, etc.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The condition of being equal or equivalent; equality; close resemblance; analogy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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The word "parity" is derived from the Latin word "paritas", which means equality or similarity. It is formed from the root word "par", meaning equal. The term "parity" entered the English language in the late 16th century, originally used in legal contexts to refer to equivalence in value or status. Over time, its usage expanded to encompass a broader range of meanings, including equality, similarity, and balance in various contexts.