infimum
/ɪnˈfʌɪməm
/noun Mathematics
The largest quantity that is less than or equal to each of a given set or subset of quantities. The opposite of supremum.Paman's explanation looks like our present definition of infimum and supremum, but whereas our infimum and supremum given a set (of real numbers) gives a real number, the Maximinus and Minimajus of a quantity is a quantity of the same kind....
- To ensure nondecreasing lower bounds, the hyper-rectangle to be bisected is chosen by selecting the region which contains the infimum of the minima of lower bounds.
- The infimum may or may not be a member of the subset.
Origin
1940s: from Latin, literally 'lowest part', neuter (used as a noun) of infimus 'lowest'.