Formula - Definition

n 1: a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement [syn:
formula, expression]
2: directions for making something [syn: recipe, formula]
3: a conventionalized statement expressing some fundamental
principle
4: a representation of a substance using symbols for its
constituent elements [syn: formula, chemical formula]
5: something regarded as a normative example; "the convention of
not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the
exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors" [syn:
convention, normal, pattern, rule, formula]
6: a liquid food for infants
7: (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of
mathematical problems; "he determined the upper bound with
Descartes' rule of signs"; "he gave us a general formula for
attacking polynomials" [syn: rule, formula]