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Multiply vs Amplify - What's the difference?

multiply | amplify | Related terms |

In transitive terms the difference between multiply and amplify

is that multiply is to increase the amount, degree or number of (something) while amplify is to increase the amplitude of something, especially of an electric current.

As a noun multiply

is an act or instance of multiplying.

As an adverb multiply

is in many or multiple ways.

multiply

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) multiplier, from (etyl) . The noun presumably derives from the verb.

Verb

  • To increase the amount, degree or number of (something).
  • * Ames
  • Impunity will multiply motives to disobedience.
  • (arithmetic) To perform multiplication on (a number).
  • To grow in number.
  • To breed or propagate.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Welcome to the plastisphere , passage=[The researchers] noticed many of their pieces of [plastic marine] debris sported surface pits around two microns across.
  • (arithmetic) To perform multiplication.
  • (rare) To be a factor in a multiplication with (another factor).
  • * 1983 , Graham Flegg, Numbers , 2002 edition, ISBN 0486421651, page 154 [http://books.google.com/books?id=C0Wcb9c6c18C&pg=PA154&dq=multiplies]:
  • This follows a similar process, counters having to be removed and replaced at each stage of the remaining part of the calculation except the final one, where 2 multiplies 3 to give 6.
  • * 1993 , Edward T. Dowling, (w, Schaum's Outline) of Theory and Problems of Mathematical Methods for Business and Economics , ISBN 0070176744, page 14 [http://books.google.com/books?id=8PaQk7LodfoC&pg=PA14&dq=multiplies]:
  • Of all the possible combinations of factors above, only (2\cdot4)+(3\cdot5)=23. Carefully arranging the factors, therefore, to ensure that 2 multiplies' 4 and 3 ' multiplies 5, we have
  • *:: 6x^2+23x+20=(2x+5)(3x+4)
  • Synonyms
    * (l)

    Noun

    (multiplies)
  • (computer science) An act or instance of multiplying.
  • Etymology 2

    .

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In many or multiple ways.
  • English heteronyms

    amplify

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To render larger, more extended, or more intense, and the like;—used especially of loudspeakers, telescopes, microscopes, etc.
  • (rhetorical) To enlarge by addition or discussion; to treat copiously by adding particulars, illustrations, etc.; to expand; to make much of.
  • * Dryden
  • Troilus and Cressida was written by a Lombard author, but much amplified by our English translator.
  • To increase the amplitude of something, especially of an electric current.