Tuple names
In philosophy, mathematics, and computer science, a tuple is an ordered list of elements. The term tuple originates from the sequence of names for such ordered lists, beginning with single, double, triple, and so forth. The specific name of a tuple depends on the number of elements it contains, typically indicated by a prefix derived from Latin or Greek numbering.
A 1-tuple is commonly called a single, while a 2-tuple is referred to as a double. Beyond these, the names continue as follows: a 3-tuple is a triple, a 4-tuple is a quadruple, a 5-tuple is a quintuple, a 6-tuple is a sextuple, a 7-tuple is a septuple, and so on. The general form for naming these tuples involves adding the suffix "-tuple" to the appropriate numerical prefix.
While the names of tuples are straightforward up to a certain number, they become less commonly used and more complex for higher numbers. For instance, an 8-tuple is an octuple, a 9-tuple is a nonuple, and a 10-tuple is a decuple. Beyond these, terms are rarely used in practice, and the notation "n-tuple" is preferred, where n is the number of elements.
In computer science, tuples are used to group a fixed number of items, often implemented as product types in functional programming languages. Tuples are also utilized in relational databases to describe rows or records. In this context, each row in a table can be considered a tuple, with its elements corresponding to the fields of the row.
Tuples are usually denoted by listing the elements within parentheses "( )", separated by commas; for example, (3, 5, 8) represents a 3-tuple. In some contexts, other delimiters such as square brackets or angle brackets may be used.
The specific names of tuples not only facilitate communication in mathematics and computer science but also help in understanding the structure and properties of these ordered collections. Understanding these names and their origins can provide insight into the nature of sequences and their applications across various fields.
For further reading, see:
Here are some words for tuple names.
Names for tuples of specific lengths v2.56 updated
| Tuple length, [math]\displaystyle{ n }[/math] | Name | Alternative names |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | empty tuple | null tuple / empty sequence / unit
nothing zero |
| 1 | single | tuple/solo |
| 2 | double | duo |
| 3 | triple | trio |
| 4 | quadruple | quad / tetrad / quartet |
| 5 | quintuple | pentuple |
| 6 | sextuple | hextuple / hexad / half dozen |
| 7 | septuple | or heptuple |
| 8 | octuple | octa / octet / octad / octo |
| 9 | nonuple | nuleip |
| 10 | decuple | deka / cent |
| 11 | undecuple | hendecuple / hendecad |
| 12 | duodecuple | Dozen / dodeca |
| 13 | tredecuple | Baker's dozen |
| 14 | quattuordecuple | double septuple |
| 15 | quindecuple | triple quintuple |
| 16 | sexdecuple | quadruple quadruple |
| 17 | septendecuple | |
| 18 | octodecuple | double nonuple |
| 19 | novemdecuple | |
| 20 | vigintuple | quadruple quintuple |
| 21 | unvigintuple | |
| 22 | duovigintuple | duolius |
| 23 | trevigintuple | |
| 24 | quattuorvigintuple | |
| 25 | quinvigintuple | |
| 26 | sexvigintuple | |
| 27 | septenvigintuple | |
| 28 | octovigintuple | |
| 29 | novemvigintuple | |
| 30 | trigintuple | |
| 31 | untrigintuple | |
| 34 | quattuortrigintuple | |
| 40 | quadragintuple | |
| 50 | quinquagintuple | |
| 60 | sexagintuple | |
| 70 | septuagintuple | |
| 80 | octogintuple | |
| 90 | nonagintuple | |
| 100 | centuple | |
| 200 | ducentuple | |
| 300 | trecentuple | |
| 400 | quadringentuple | |
| 500 | quingentuple | |
| 600 | sescentuple | |
| 700 | septingentuple | |
| 800 | octingentuple | |
| 900 | nongentuple | |
| 1000 | milluple | chiliad |
- This chart does show every tuple.