Why is five sometimes pent and sometimes quint?

Answer 1

The term "pent" typically derives from the Greek prefix "penta," while "quint" comes from the Latin prefix "quintus." Both prefixes mean "five" but are used in different contexts based on their linguistic origins. For example, "pentagon" uses the Greek root, while "quintet" uses the Latin root. This distinction reflects the influence of Greek and Latin on various fields, such as mathematics and music.