Indeterminate equation

Indeterminate \In`de*ter"mi*nate\, a. [L. indeterminatus.]
   Not determinate; not certain or fixed; indefinite; not
   precise; as, an indeterminate number of years. --Paley.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Indeterminate analysis} (Math.), that branch of analysis
      which has for its object the solution of indeterminate
      problems.

   {Indeterminate coefficients} (Math.), coefficients
      arbitrarily assumed for convenience of calculation, or to
      facilitate some artifice of analysis. Their values are
      subsequently determined.

   {Indeterminate equation} (Math.), an equation in which the
      unknown quantities admit of an infinite number of values,
      or sets of values. A group of equations is indeterminate
      when it contains more unknown quantities than there are
      equations.

   {Indeterminate inflorescence} (Bot.), a mode of inflorescence
      in which the flowers all arise from axillary buds, the
      terminal bud going on to grow and sometimes continuing the
      stem indefinitely; -- called also {acropetal
      inflorescence}, {botryose inflorescence}, {centripetal
      inflorescence}, and {indefinite inflorescence}. --Gray.

   {Indeterminate problem} (Math.), a problem which admits of an
      infinite number of solutions, or one in which there are
      fewer imposed conditions than there are unknown or
      required results.

   {Indeterminate quantity} (Math.), a quantity which has no
      fixed value, but which may be varied in accordance with
      any proposed condition.

   {Indeterminate series} (Math.), a series whose terms proceed
      by the powers of an indeterminate quantity, sometimes also
      with indeterminate exponents, or indeterminate
      coefficients. -- {In`de*ter"mi*nate*ly} adv. --
      {In`de*ter"mi*nate*ness}, n.
      [1913 Webster]