What is "explanandum"

n. That which is to be explained

n. (logic) a statement of something (a fact or thing or expression) to be explained [syn: explicandum]

An explanandum (a Latin term) is a sentence describing a phenomenon that is to be explained, and the explanans is the sentences adduced as explanations of that phenomenon. For example, one person may pose an explanandum by asking "Why is there smoke?", and another may provide an explanans by responding "Because there is a fire". In this example, "smoke" is the explanandum, and "fire" is the explanans.