Quotient

In mathematics, a quotient is the result of a division. For example, when dividing 6 by 3, the quotient is 2, while 6 is called the dividend, and 3 the divisor. The quotient can also be expressed as the number of times the divisor divides into the dividend.

A quotient can also mean just the integer part of the result of dividing two integers. For example, the quotient of 13 ÷ 5 would be 2 while the remainder would be 3. For more, see the division algorithm.

In more abstract branches of mathematics, the word quotient is often used to describe sets, spaces, or algebraic structures whose elements are the equivalence classes of some equivalence relation on another set, space, or algebraic structure. See:

quotient set
quotient group
quotient ring
quotient space (linear algebra)
quotient space of a topological space
quotient object
right quotient and left quotient (operations on formal languages)

The quotient rule is a method for finding derivatives in calculus.

Quotients also come up in certain tests, like the IQ test, which stands for intelligence quotient. In this case, one's quotient is basically one's score. In recent decades, as more emphasis has been placed on full personal development, other similar quotients have appeared. These include moral quotient, emotional quotient, adversity quotient, social quotient, creativity quotient, etc.

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Quotient

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