Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or expressed in terms of a parameter: "Parametric" describes something that uses, involves, or is defined by one or more parameters. A parameter is a quantity or constant whose value can vary, often used to define a system, model, or family of things.
   • In mathematics and statistics: It specifically refers to models, equations, or tests that assume the underlying data follows a specific probability distribution (e.g., a normal distribution) defined by a fixed set of parameters.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The engineer used a parametric model to simulate the bridge's behavior under different loads.
  • In statistics, a t-test is a parametric test that assumes the data is normally distributed.
  • The curve was defined by a simple parametric equation.

Advanced Usage

• "Parametric design": In engineering and architecture, a design process where elements are defined by parameters and rules, allowing for automatic adjustments.

  • Parametric design software allows architects to create complex, adaptable structures.

• "Parametric insurance": A type of insurance contract where the payout is triggered by the occurrence of a specific event (like an earthquake of a certain magnitude) rather than an assessment of actual losses.

  • The country purchased parametric insurance to provide immediate funds in case of a major hurricane.

• "Non-parametric": A term used to describe statistical methods or models that do not assume a specific underlying distribution for the data.

  • When the data is not normally distributed, researchers often use non-parametric tests.

Variants and Related Words

• Parameter (n): A numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

  • The key parameter in the experiment was temperature.

• Parametrically (adv): In a parametric manner.

  • The data was analyzed parametrically.

• Parametrization/Parameterization (n): The process of expressing something in terms of parameters.

  • The parametrization of the surface simplified the calculation.

Synonyms

• Quantitative (in a broad sense of being defined by measurable factors).
• Model-based (in contexts involving statistical or mathematical models).

Related Phrases

• Parametric equation: An equation that expresses the coordinates of a point as functions of one or more independent variables (parameters).

  • The path of the projectile was described using parametric equations.

• Parametric statistics: A branch of statistics that assumes sample data comes from a population that follows a probability distribution based on fixed parameters.

  • Parametric statistics, like ANOVA, are powerful when their assumptions are met.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or in terms of a parameter
   • parametric equation