Divergence
/daɪˈvɜːrdʒəns/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of moving or extending in different directions from a common point; the process of separating.
/daɪˈvɜːrdʒəns/
The act of separating or moving apart.
The divergence of opinions made it difficult to reach a consensus.
💡 Simply: Imagine two friends starting at the same place. Divergence is when they take different paths and go their separate ways. Like when you and a friend decide to go to different stores in the mall.
👶 For kids: When things go in different directions like when your toys are spread all over your room.
More Examples
Geographical divergence led to the development of distinct cultures.
The divergence between theory and practice became increasingly apparent.
How It's Used
"The divergence of the two species was attributed to geographic isolation."
"The divergence in stock prices created an opportunity for arbitrage."
"The divergence of the vector field can be used to calculate the flow of a fluid."
A difference or discrepancy between two or more things.
/daɪˈvɜːrdʒəns/
The difference between things.
There is a wide divergence between the initial estimates and the final costs.
💡 Simply: Divergence is when things aren't the same, when they are different from each other. Like when you and your sibling have totally different ideas about what to have for dinner.
👶 For kids: When things are different from each other. Like when your shirt is blue and your friend's shirt is red.
More Examples
The divergence in their beliefs made a resolution unlikely.
Analysts noted a divergence in market trends.
How It's Used
"The divergence in economic growth rates between the two countries was significant."
"The political divergence between the two parties widened during the debate."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
divergence theorem
A theorem that relates the integral of the divergence of a vector field over a volume to the surface integral of the vector field over the boundary of the volume.
"The divergence theorem is a fundamental result in vector calculus."
divergence-free
Describes a vector field that has a divergence of zero at all points.
"The velocity field of an incompressible fluid is divergence-free."
From Latin *divergere* 'to turn aside, diverge', from *di-* 'apart' + *vergere* 'to incline'.
The term has been used since the 17th century, originally relating to lines or paths that spread apart.
Memory tip
Think of a fork in the road. Divergence is when the paths split.