Parity Meaning and Definition
Parity
Pronunciation
/ˈpærɪti/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A parity is a concept in mathematics and computer science referring to the state of having an even number of 1s in a binary digit or a number of items in a set, often used in error detection and correction, data storage, and cryptography.
Examples
1. “The parity check ensured that the data was transmitted accurately.”
2. “The parity of the binary number was used to detect errors in the transmission.”
Synonyms
1. Evenness
2. Symmetry
Antonyms
1. Oddness
2. Asymmetry
Etymology
The word “parity” comes from the Latin word “paritas,” meaning “equality” or “sameness.” It has been used in mathematics and computer science since the early 20th century to describe the concept of evenness or symmetry.
Additional Information
Parity is a fundamental concept in computer science and mathematics, used in various applications such as error detection and correction, data storage, and cryptography. It is also used in other fields such as physics and engineering to describe the symmetry of systems. In everyday language, parity is often used to describe a situation where something is balanced or even.
Parity is an important concept in computer architecture, particularly in the design of memory and storage systems. It is used to detect and correct errors that occur during data transmission or storage. In cryptography, parity is used to ensure the integrity of data and prevent tampering.
Parity is also used in physics to describe the symmetry of systems, such as the parity of a molecule or the parity of a quantum state. In engineering, parity is used to describe the balance and stability of systems, such as the parity of a bridge or the parity of a building.
In everyday language, parity is often used to describe a situation where something is balanced or even. For example, “The company’s financial parity with its competitors is a key factor in its success.” or “The parity of the two teams in the championship game made it a closely contested match.”
Usage Notes
Parity is often used in technical contexts, such as computer science and engineering, but it can also be used in everyday language to describe a situation where something is balanced or even.
When using the word “parity” in a sentence, it is often necessary to specify the context in which it is being used. For example, “The parity of the binary number was used to detect errors in the transmission” or “The company’s financial parity with its competitors is a key factor in its success.”
Cultural References
Parity has been referenced in popular culture in various forms of media, such as movies, books, and video games. For example, in the movie “The Matrix,” the concept of parity is used to describe the symmetry of the simulated reality.
In the book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” the concept of parity is used to describe the balance and stability of the universe.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
1. “On the same page” – This phrase is often used to describe a situation where two or more people have the same understanding or parity of view.
2. “In sync” – This phrase is often used to describe a situation where two or more things are in parity or balance with each other.
Collocations
1. Data parity – This collocation is often used to describe the parity of data in a computer system.
2. Financial parity – This collocation is often used to describe the parity of financial assets or liabilities.
Frequency of Use
Parity is a relatively common word in technical contexts, such as computer science and engineering, but it is less common in everyday language.
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the word “parity” is used in approximately 1.4% of all written texts.
Common Misspellings
1. Parity -> Paraty
2. Parity -> Parityy