table-maker's dilemma

proper noun

The problem of the unknown cost of rounding transcendental functions.

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Meanings

proper nounthe table-maker's dilemma
  1. mathematicsThe problem of the unknown cost of rounding transcendental functions.

Origin

Coined by William M. Kahan, in allusion to the construction of mathematical tables.

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Cite this entry
APA

table-maker's dilemma. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/table-maker's%20dilemma

MLA

“table-maker's dilemma.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/table-maker's%20dilemma. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “table-maker's dilemma,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/table-maker's%20dilemma.

Source: table-maker's dilemma on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.