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Quantity vs Capacity - What's the difference?

quantity | capacity |

As nouns the difference between quantity and capacity

is that quantity is a fundamental, generic term used when referring to the measurement (count, amount) of a scalar, vector, number of items or to some other way of denominating the value of a collection or group of items while capacity is the ability to hold, receive or absorb.

As an adjective capacity is

filling the allotted space.

quantity

Noun

(quantities)
  • A fundamental, generic term used when referring to the measurement (count, amount) of a scalar, vector, number of items or to some other way of denominating the value of a collection or group of items.
  • You have to choose between quantity and quality.
  • An indefinite amount of something.
  • Some soap making oils are best as base oils, used in a larger quantity''' in the soap, while other oils are best added in a small '''quantity .
    Olive oil can be used practically in any quantity .
  • A specific measured amount.
  • This bag would normally costs $497.50 for a quantity of 250, at a price of $1.99 per piece.
    Generally it should not be used in a quantity larger than 15 percent.
  • A considerable measure or amount.
  • The Boeing P-26A was the first all-metal monoplane fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Army Air Corps.
  • (metrology) Property of a phenomenon, body, or substance, where the property has a magnitude that can be expressed as number and a reference.
  • (mathematics) Indicates that the entire preceding expression is henceforth considered a single object.
  • x plus ''y'' quantity squared equals ''x'' squared plus ''2xy'' plus ''y'' squared .
  • * 2006 , Jerome E. Kaufmann and Karen Schwitters, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: A Combined Approach , p 89
  • For problems 58-67, translate each word phrase into an algebraic expression.
    (...)
    65. x plus 9, the quantity squared
  • * 2005 , R. Mark Sirkin, Statistics For The Social Sciences , p137
  • The second, (\sum x)^2, read "summation of x, quantity squared," tells us to first add up all the xs to get \sum x and then square \sum x to get (\sum x)^2.
  • * 1985 , Serge Lang, Math!: Encounters with High School Students , p54
  • ANN. ra quantity cubed.
    SERGE LANG. That's right, (ra)^3.

    Usage notes

    * In mathematics, used to unambiguously orate mathematical equations; it is extremely rare in print, since there is no need for it there.

    Synonyms

    * Qty

    See also

    * measure * unit

    capacity

    English

    Noun

    (capacities)
  • The ability to hold, receive or absorb
  • A measure of such ability; volume
  • The maximum amount that can be held
  • It was hauling a capacity load.
    The orchestra played to a capacity crowd.
  • Capability; the ability to perform some task
  • The maximum that can be produced.
  • Mental ability; the power to learn
  • A faculty; the potential for growth and development
  • A role; the position in which one functions
  • Legal authority (to make an arrest for example)
  • Electrical capacitance.
  • (operations) The maximum that can be produced on a machine or in a facility or group.
  • Its capacity''' rating was 150 tons per hour, but its actual maximum '''capacity was 200 tons per hour.

    Synonyms

    * throughput * See also

    Derived terms

    * capacitance * capacitation * capacitor

    Adjective

  • Filling the allotted space.
  • There will be a capacity crowd at Busch stadium for the sixth game.
  • * 2012 , August 1. Owen Gibson in Guardian Unlimited, London 2012: rowers Glover and Stanning win Team GB's first gold medal
  • At an overcast Eton Dorney, roared on by a capacity crowd including Prince Harry and Prince William, the volume rose as they entered the final stages.