Olettamaa

Olettamaa is a Finnish noun form used to denote an assumption or hypothetical premise in reasoning and analysis. It is commonly employed in mathematics, logic, statistics, and theoretical discussions to indicate a condition taken as true for the purpose of argument, without asserting it as a fact. In practice, an olettama frames a model or argument by providing a starting point from which further conclusions are drawn.

Etymology and usage notes: The term derives from the verb olettaa, meaning to suppose. The base noun olettama refers to an assumption, while the form olettamaa is used in contexts describing something that is assumed or hypothetical, such as olettamaa arvo (an assumed value) or olettamaa tilanne (an assumed/ hypothetical situation).

In academic and analytical work, an olettama is a premise that researchers or students accept temporarily to test a theory, build a model, or derive consequences. Conclusions stated in such contexts are understood to be conditional on the olettama; if the assumption changes, the results may change accordingly. The concept is closely related to, yet distinct from, a hypothesis or a verified fact, emphasizing its role as a starting point rather than an established truth.

See also: hypothesis, assumption, premise.