Enumerable describes something that can be counted, specifically referring to a set or collection whose elements can be put into a one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers (1, 2, 3, ...). This means each element can be assigned a unique position in a sequence, regardless of whether the set is finite or infinite. The key characteristic is the possibility of being systematically listed, even if that listing theoretically continues indefinitely. This concept is fundamental in set theory and computer science, often involving sets of data or possibilities.
Enumerable meaning with examples
- The number of possible moves in a chess game, although vast, is enumerable; theoretically, you could list each potential sequence. Although impractical, due to time constraints, one could construct an indexed database containing every possible legal game. This demonstrates the underlying property of enumerability. The database may not be finite, but its possible entries are still definable.
- In a programming context, an enumerable data type (like a list or array) allows you to iterate over its elements. Consider a list of user IDs; this set is enumerable because each ID can be indexed and accessed sequentially. The act of stepping through each user ID provides a tangible example of the property of enumerability. The order makes the information useful.
- The set of all rational numbers (fractions) is, surprisingly, enumerable, even though there are infinitely many of them. We could devise a system to arrange them in a sequence without missing any number. This contrasts with real numbers that are non-enumerable. Even though there are an infinity of rational numbers, they can be indexed.
- A company's possible customer interactions are enumerable; one can theoretically assign each interaction a unique identifier or sequence, even if many interactions occur simultaneously. Because the possible actions have boundaries, they can be indexed and tracked. By design, this is a fundamental property for statistical analysis and business intelligence.
Enumerable Synonyms
catalogable countable listable orderable sequentialEnumerable Antonyms
infinite (in some contexts) non-enumerable uncountable unlistableEnumerable Crossword Answers
9 Letters
COUNTABLE NUMERABLE
11 Letters
DENUMERABLE