Fourth

Fourth is the ordinal form of the number four, used to indicate position in a sequence, such as the fourth item in a list or the fourth place in a competition. It can also refer to a quantity occupying one of four equal parts, i.e., one fourth or a quarter. The term derives from the word four plus the suffix -th.

In mathematics and geometry, fourths appear in several contexts. The fourth power of a number is the result of raising it to the exponent 4 (n^4). The concept of the fourth dimension is used in discussions of spacetime, where the three spatial dimensions are supplemented by time as a fourth dimension. In music, a fourth is an interval spanning four diatonic scale degrees; in equal temperament it measures five semitones and is called a perfect fourth when appropriate.

Culturally and linguistically, the phrase Fourth is used in various idioms and institutions. The Fourth of July refers to the United States Independence Day, celebrated on July 4. The Fourth Estate is a traditional term for the press and journalism as a social force. In sports and everyday usage, “fourth” can denote a position, a segment of play, or a classification within a ranking system.

Other uses include phrases such as “fourth down” in American football, indicating a team’s fourth attempt to advance the ball. In publishing and law, the word can appear in naming conventions or hierarchical orders. Overall, “fourth” serves as a versatile descriptor across mathematics, music, culture, and daily language.