Definition of «datum»

A datum is a piece of information or an observation that serves as a basis for reasoning, making decisions, or calculating. It can also refer to a fixed point used in navigation, surveying, or engineering measurements. In other words, it's something that provides a starting point or foundation for further analysis and action.

Usage examples

  1. Collecting geographical data: The datum used for this project is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84), which is commonly used for GPS coordinates.
  2. Conducting a survey: The surveyors utilized a specific datum, such as the North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83), to ensure accuracy in recording the locations of survey points.
  3. Analyzing financial data: Accountants should always consider the appropriate datum when comparing financial records across different time periods, such as using a specific year as the base datum for performance evaluation.
  4. Climate measurements: Climate scientists use a consistent datum, like the 1950 to 1980 average global temperature, to establish a baseline for analyzing current weather patterns and tracking long-term climate change.
  5. Historical research: When studying historical events, it is crucial to consider the relevant datum of the time period to understand the context and accurately interpret documents, artifacts, and other sources.
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