English Reference
Adjective

irreducible

adj.
C1 Advanced UK /ɪɹɪdjˈuːsəbəl/ ir·re·duc·ible Mathematics

adj.describing something that cannot be made smaller, simpler, or less in amount. In math, it means a fraction that cannot be simplified further.

adj.incapable of being reduced in size, amount, or complexity. In mathematical contexts, it specifically refers to a fraction where the numerator and denominator share no common factors other than one.


SIMPLE

The fraction 3/4 is irreducible because it cannot be simplified further.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor explained that the problem was irreducible to a simple formula and required a more complex approach.

COMPLEX

In logic, an irreducible argument is one that cannot be broken down into simpler premises without losing the essential structure of the original reasoning.


From ir- + reducible.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated