Dictionary · Standards & Units
System of quantities
A set of quantities together with the non-contradictory equations relating them — the framework a system of units is built on.
Related terms
More from Standards & Units
Quantity calculus
The set of mathematical rules applied to quantities rather than bare numbers — the algebra by which units propagate through equations.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 1.21
Quantity dimension
The expression of a quantity's dependence on the base quantities as a product of powers of their dimensions — force has dimension L·M·T⁻².
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 1.7
Base unit
A measurement unit adopted by convention for a base quantity — in the SI: second, metre, kilogram, ampere, kelvin, mole, candela.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 1.10
Submultiple of a unit
A unit obtained by dividing a given unit by an integer greater than one — the millimetre from the metre.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 1.18
Ordinal quantity-value scale
A quantity-value scale for ordinal quantities, established by agreement on a procedure — comparisons of order are valid, arithmetic on the values is not.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 1.28
International measurement standard
A standard recognized by signatories to an international agreement and intended to serve worldwide.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 5.2