Topic: MATHS
 |
| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | summe, from Latin summa, from summus 'highest' |
| |||||||||
sum1 S3 W2
[countable]
[countable]2 the total produced when you add two or more numbers or amounts together : You will have to pay the sum of the two sets of costs.
the sum of something
HMYou will have to pay the sum of the two sets of costs.3 having a quality or effectiveness as a group that you would not expect from the quality of each member : The team is greater than the sum of its parts.
greater/more/better etc than the sum of its parts
The team is greater than the sum of its parts.4 a simple calculation by adding, multiplying, dividing etc, especially one done by children at school
calculation
HM5 to calculate whether you have enough money to do something : Do your sums first before you decide how much to spend.
do your sums
informal British EnglishDo your sums first before you decide how much to spend.6 used before a statement that gives the main information about something in a few simple words : In sum, soul music is important to the record industry.
in sum
formalIn sum, soul music is important to the record industry.