Residual, as an adjective, refers to what remains after a process or event has occurred, or what is left over. It denotes the portion that has not been removed, used, or resolved completely. It implies something remaining behind despite efforts to eliminate or eradicate it. The term often appears in different contexts such as science, finance, statistics, and engineering.
In science, residual typically relates to the remaining quantity or effect of a substance or energy after a reaction or process. For example, residual chemicals may refer to the trace amounts of a substance that persist after cleaning or treatment.
In finance, residual refers to the income that remains after deducting expenses and obligations, indicating the net or leftover amount. It is often associated with residual income, which is the income generated by an individual or a company beyond their primary income sources.
In statistics, residual represents the difference between the observed value and the predicted value in a statistical model. It serves as a measure of how well the model fits the data, and residual analysis is commonly used to evaluate the model's accuracy.
In engineering, residual is used to describe the remaining stress, strain, or deformation in a material or structure after external forces or loads have been applied and then removed. It signifies the unresolved or latent effects that may have long-term consequences.
Overall, residual implies what persists or lingers after the main part or process has ended, highlighting the existence of something leftover or remaining to be accounted for.
