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Alpha vs Proportional - What's the difference?

alpha | proportional |

As adjectives the difference between alpha and proportional

is that alpha is designates the first in an order of precedence while proportional is at a constant ratio (to). Two magnitudes (numbers) are said to be proportional if the second varies in a direct relation arithmetically to the first.

As a noun alpha

is the name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α,  α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A.

alpha

English

Noun

  • The name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet ('''), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to ' A .
  • Latin alpha
  • (science) The name of the symbols ?' and ' ? used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.
  • :: I will attempt to make an alpha particle ("?-particle") with the large hadron collider.
  • (finance) The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
  • An alpha male.
  • * 2008 , Faye Flam, The Score: How the Quest for Sex Has Shaped the Modern Man , Avery (2008), ISBN 9781436225786, unnumbered page:
    • Being a beta male in a species with alphas doesn't mean you have to sit out the mating game.
  • * 2008 , The New Black Lace Book of Women's Sexual Fantasies (ed. Mitzi Szereto), Black Lace (2008), ISBN 9780352341723, page 38:
    • I'm still turned on by alpha males. I think there are only a couple of other men that turn me on . . . ones that are clearly not alphas .
  • * 2009 , Martin G. Groder & Pat Webster, Winning at Love: The Alpha Male's Guide to Relationship Success , Bascom Hill Books (2009), ISBN 9781935456049, page ix:
    • This book is primarily for alpha males, or “top dogs.” We'll talk more about that later; but let's just say that if you are a man and successful in the world of trade, business, or profession, most likely you are an alpha', or you have been trained to ''act like'' an ' alpha .
  • (informal, abbreviation) Alphabet.
  • (computer graphics) The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel.

    • Derived terms

    * alpha and omega * alpha blending * alpha channel * alpha emitter * alpha helix * alphalike * alpha male * alpha particle * alpha ray * alpha wave * alpha ray * alpha testing * alpha version

    See also

    *

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Designates the first in an order of precedence.
    • I am the alpha male.
  • associated with the alpha male/female archetype.
  • (star) Designates the brightest star in a constellation.
    • When space travel becomes feasible, I plan to visit Alpha Centauri.

    Derived terms

    * alpha blogger * Alpha Centauri, * alpha female * alpha geek

    Related terms

    * alphabet * alphabet soup * alphabetical * alphabetical order * alphanumeric ----

    proportional

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • At a constant ratio (to). Two magnitudes (numbers) are said to be proportional if the second varies in a direct relation arithmetically to the first.
    • Quotation
  • :* The stopping distance is proportional to the square of the speed of the vehicle. — "How Far Will It Skid" at physicsclassroom.com.
  • In proportion (to), proportionate. More common in US than UK.
    • Quotation
  • :* ...how much of the Bush administration's immediate post-9/11 emphasis on Iraq was appropriate and proportional to the overall picture of terrorism — retrieved 24 Jan 2005.

    • Related terms

    * directly proportional * inversely proportional