What does summand mean?
A summand is one of the quantities or expressions being added in a sum. For example, in 14 + 9 = 23, both 14 and 9 are summands, and 23 is the resulting sum. The term is used most often in mathematics, particularly when an expression contains several terms and it is useful to distinguish each term being combined from the total. It can also apply to abstract quantities, such as terms in an algebraic expression. Although addend is more familiar in many elementary arithmetic contexts, summand is especially precise when describing the individual components of a sum. The word is formal and technical rather than everyday, and it should not be confused with summary or summation, which refer to a brief account or the result of adding together.
nounIn arithmetic, a quantity or expression that is added to another. In an addition such as a + b, a and b are the two summands.
- A quantity or expression that is added to another in an addition.
"The expression 8 + 5 has 8 and 5 as its summands."
"We simplified the expression by combining like summands."
"In the calculation 12 + 7, 12 and 7 are the summands, while 19 is the sum."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The two summands produce a sum of 30."
In an equation such as x + y = z, x and y are summands: the individual pieces that come together to make the sum.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does summand come from?
Summand comes from Latin, where the participle summandus meant “to be added” or “that is to be added.” It was formed from sumere, a Latin verb meaning “to take,” especially in the sense of taking a number in an account. The English word entered mathematical usage in the 19th century. Its Latin relatives include assume, consume, and presume, all of which developed from forms of sumere, although their modern meanings have largely diverged.
Related word forms
How summand is actually used
Summand is primarily a mathematical term. In elementary arithmetic, addend is often used, while summand is especially useful when discussing the terms in a sum, an expression, or a more abstract addition.
Easily confused with summand
A summand is generally a term appearing in an addition or a sum, while an addend specifically refers to a number added to another number.
A summand is an individual term being added, whereas a summation is the result of adding terms or the process of combining them.