👉 In mathematics, a mathematical object is called "parasitical" if it has both a positive and negative effect on the system in which it is placed. This means that the object can either increase or decrease the overall outcome of the system. For example, a car's engine is parasitical because its exhaust gas emits pollutants into the atmosphere, while the car itself benefits from these emissions. Parasitical objects are important in various fields such as physics and engineering, where they play a crucial role in