mapping
/ˈmæpɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmæpɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈma-piŋ/ (ame, mw)
mapping — noun
1. the work of creating a visual representation of land, showing its physical featu
the work of creating a visual representation of land, showing its physical features like roads, rivers, and hills
Élise spent two summers working on the mapping of the Sahara desert.
mapping + of + [geographical area]
Modern mapping relies on satellite images rather than ground surveys.
adjective + mapping for method type
Before building the new road, the team completed a detailed mapping of the valley.
The mapping data showed that the river had changed its course over time.
- cartography
a more formal term for the art and science of map-making; less common in everyday speech
- surveying
more specific — refers to measuring and recording land features, not necessarily producing a final map
- charting
typically used for sea or sky maps rather than land areas
文法句型
mapping + of + [geographical area]
用法筆記
Often used as a modifier before another noun, as in 'mapping data' or 'mapping project'.
2. the process of turning information or numbers into a visual form such as a chart
the process of turning information or numbers into a visual form such as a chart, diagram, or picture to make patterns easier to see
Iris used colour-coded mapping to show crime rates across different city districts.
adjective + mapping: colour-coded mapping
The mapping of customer complaints revealed that most issues came from late deliveries.
Data mapping helps companies find hidden connections between sales and weather patterns.
Through careful mapping, Kabir traced the spread of the disease across the region.
- charting
more specific — often refers to putting data into a graph format rather than any visual form
- visualisation
broader in scope — can include animations and interactive displays, not just static diagrams
- plotting
more technical — suggests placing precise points on a coordinate system
文法句型
mapping + of + [data/information]
常見錯誤
3. the scientific process of finding the exact positions of particular genes along
the scientific process of finding the exact positions of particular genes along a chromosome
Gene mapping helped scientists identify the DNA sequence responsible for cystic fibrosis.
compound noun: gene mapping
Ziad's research team published a comprehensive mapping of the genes on chromosome 12.
mapping + of + [chromosome]
The mapping of the human genome took more than a decade to complete.
Advances in gene mapping have made it possible to predict certain inherited diseases.
- genome mapping
broader — refers to mapping an entire genome rather than individual genes
- sequencing
different process — sequencing determines the order of DNA building blocks, not their chromosomal positions
文法句型
gene mapping
mapping + of + [chromosome/genome]
用法筆記
Frequently encountered in the compound form 'gene mapping'. Distinguished from sense 4 in that this sense refers to physical locations on a chromosome, not locations in the brain.
4. the scientific process of discovering which parts of the brain are responsible f
the scientific process of discovering which parts of the brain are responsible for particular abilities or actions
Brain mapping studies showed that the same region handles both speech and singing.
compound noun: brain mapping
Researchers used fMRI for the mapping of memory functions in older adults.
mapping + of + [cognitive function]
The mapping of the visual cortex has changed our understanding of how we see.
Tamar's PhD project focuses on the mapping of language areas in bilingual children.
- neural mapping
slightly broader — can refer to mapping nerve connections anywhere in the body, not just the brain
- cortical mapping
more specific — refers only to the cerebral cortex, not deeper brain structures
文法句型
brain mapping
mapping + of + [brain region]
用法筆記
Frequently encountered in the compound 'brain mapping'. The tool most commonly associated with this process is fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging).
5. in mathematics, a rule that pairs each element of one group with exactly one ele
in mathematics, a rule that pairs each element of one group with exactly one element of another group
In algebra, a linear mapping sends straight lines to straight lines.
adjective + mapping: linear mapping
The mapping f(x) = x² connects each real number to its square.
mapping expressed as f(x) notation
Liang showed that a one-to-one mapping pairs each student ID with a unique locker number.
A continuous mapping preserves the closeness of points between two sets.
- function
more common in school mathematics and basic calculations; 'mapping' is more common in advanced and abstract maths
- transformation
suggests the output set is the same as the input set (e.g., mapping a shape to a new position)
- operator
typically used when the mapping acts on functions rather than numbers
文法句型
[adjective] mapping
mapping + between + [set] + and + [set]
用法筆記
Also called a 'function'. In pure mathematics, 'mapping' and 'function' are often used interchangeably, though 'mapping' may emphasise the idea of linking one set to another.