Which one to use: maximum/maximal, minimum/minimal
Hello!
As far as I am an engineer, I often have to use these adjectives to characterize physical parameters: weight, speed, angles, areas and so on. And I'm still not sure about correct use above forms of these adjectives, I've seen both ways. But which one is the most appropriate?

Question

Answer

Maximum
Minimum

Answer

David harris: Very useful note about "As far as", I will remember that!

Answer

Thank you guys! )

Answer

Not too much difference. Most people probably use Maximum/minimum (which can be a noun as well as an adjective, whereas Maximal is just an adjective). Strictly "Maximal" is referring to a maximum, but effectively means the same.
(PS it should be "As/Since I am an engineer", not "As far as ". Crazy pernickety language!)

Answer

They are synonyms, so both are correct. Both "maximum" and "maximal" are used as noun AND adjective.

I generally use "maximum" as a noun and "maximal" as an adjective, because the ending -um usually suggests a noun and -al usually indicates an adjective, so I think this makes them more consistent with other English words. It just sounds more "correct" to me; "The maximal value was 0.7", "Maximal pressure was 1.2 bar". However, this is a personal preference, and you can also use "The maximum value was 0.7".

Não perca a oportunidade de aprender uma língua no conforto da sua casa. Navegue pela nossa seleção de professores de línguas experientes e inscreva-se na sua primeira aula agora mesmo!