Polish Notation (noun)
Definition: Polish Notation is a way of writing mathematical expressions where the operator (like +, -, **, or /) comes before the numbers (called operands) that the operator works with. This method does not use parentheses to show the order of operations, which makes it unique.
When using Polish Notation, you need to remember to put the operator first, followed by the operands. For example, if you want to add 2 and 3, instead of writing it as "2 + 3", in Polish Notation, you would write it as "+ 2 3".
Polish Notation can also handle more complex expressions. For instance, if you want to calculate (2 + 3) ** 4 in standard notation, it would be written in Polish Notation as: - * + 2 3 4
In general, "polish" as a verb means to make something smooth or shiny, but in the context of "Polish Notation," it refers specifically to the mathematical notation developed by the mathematician Jan Łukasiewicz.
There are no direct synonyms for "Polish Notation," but you might encounter "prefix notation" since it refers to the same method of writing where the operator precedes the operands.
While there aren't any idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to Polish Notation, understanding mathematical notation can help you in various "calculating" or "problem-solving" contexts, such as: - "To work out" (to solve or calculate something) - "To add up" (to perform addition)
Polish Notation is a unique way of writing mathematical expressions where the operator comes before the numbers.