convergent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   tending to come together, meet, or become more alike from different directions

   The researchers reached convergent conclusions from two independent experiments.

2. 2
   adj

   in mathematics, approaching a finite limit as more terms are taken or as an argument approaches a value

   The convergent sequence gets arbitrarily close to zero.

3. 3
   noun

   a rational approximation obtained by truncating a continued fraction after finitely many terms

   Each convergent of the continued fraction gives a closer rational approximation to the irrational number.

From converge + -ent, modeled on Latin convergens, the present participle of convergere ("to incline together"), from con- ("together") + vergere ("to bend, turn"). The mathematical sense preserves the image of values drawing toward one limit.

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