BASIC ALGEBRA GLOSSARY

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Title	Description
Abscissa	The horizontal axis, or the first coordinate in an ordered pair.
Absolute Maximum	The highest point on a graph, especially over a specified domain. It is the greatest value of f(x) over a defined interval of x, provided y=f(x).
Absolute Minimum	The lowest point on a graph, especially over a specified domain. It is the least value of f(x) over a defined interval of x, provided y=f(x).
Absolute Value	The distance on the real number line between an value and zero. It applies best to things for which negative values have no meaning, such as mass or length.
Accuracy	The quality of approaching an exact value. Distinct from precision, accuracy means to approach correctness, to tend toward an established value.
Algebra	The branch of mathematics that allows manipulation of symbols and values to determine quantities that are not always fixed. Variables are essential to algebra.
Algorithm	A sequence of steps to accomplish a familiar task; a recipe.
Alpha	The first letter of the Greek alphabet.
Argument of a Function	The term or expression upon which a function operates. In y=f(x), the argument of the function is x.
Arithmetic Mean	What we generally consider to be the average. The sum of a set of values divided by the cardinal number of the set of values.
Arithmetic Progression	Also Arithmetic Sequence. A series of terms where successive terms are obtained by addition of a constant.
Arithmetic Sequence	Also Arithmetic Sequence. A series of terms where successive terms are obtained by addition of a constant.
Arithmetic Series	Akin to Arithmetic Progressions and Arithmetic Sequences, the series typically reflects an addition operator between terms, as a sum.
Average	Most commonly, average means the arithmetic mean; we sum the values and divide that sum by the number of numbers. The average between two real values is the midpoint between those values.
Average Rate of Change	The change in value divided by elapsed time.
Axes	Most simply, the plural of axis. More generally, the horizontal x-axis and the vertical y-axis that comprise the skeleton of Cartesian Coordinates.
Axiom	Accepted without proof (unlike a theorem), an axiom is readily understood and regarded as fact.
Axis	In physics, a line about which a body rotates. In mathematics, a line that divides a plane or space into two equal halves, typically demarcated in units.
Base, Exponential	The value being raised by powers as exponents; the number being raised to the power.
Beta	Beta is the second letter of the Greek alphabet.
Biconditional	A biconditional statement has literally two conditions. The classic If-Then statement is the biconditional with a hypothesis and conclusion.
Binomial	A binomial has two terms. Terms are usually separated by plus signs or minus signs.
Binomial Coefficients	Binomial coefficients are found in Pascal's Triangle. We use these coefficients to raise binomials to successive powers as well as to determine the number of combinations or ways we can take a number of objects from a set of objects.
Box-and-Whisker Plot	In statistical data, a box-and-whisker plot is sometimes used to graphically represent quartiles. Quartiles are the extremes of the body of data, as well as the 25th, 50th and 75 percentiles.
Braces	Braces act just like parentheses. Always (almost) used in pairs, braces look like this: { }.
Brackets	Brackets act just like parentheses, coming in pairs to group data or terms.
Cardinal Number	The number of objects or elements within a set is the Cardinal Number of the set.
Cartesian Coordinates	The familiar x-y coordinate plane is called the plane of Cartesian Coordinates; it is named for Rene Descartes.
Cartesian Plane	The Cartesian Plane contains the familiar x-axis and y-axis in which we plot ordered pairs. It is the familiar Rectangular Coordinate system.
Change-of-Base Formula	There is an easy way to change the bases between logarithms. A simple formula, the Change-of-Base formula is an acquired taste.
Chi	The twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet.
Closed Interval	A segment of the real number line including the endpoints.
Coefficient	A number that indicates the multiple of an algebraic term.
Cofactor	Typically the result of taking a determinant, it is a number associated with an element in a matrix.
Common Logarithm	The base-ten logarithm is often called the Common Logarithm.
Common Ratio	In a geometric progression, subsequent terms are obtained by multiplication of terms by a constant called the Common Ratio.
Composite Number	Composite Numbers relate to positive integers that are not prime. If a positive integer has factors other than itself and one, it is a Composite Number.
Compound Interest	When the Time Value of Money generates interest and that interest is added to the principal to increase the amount of money to which subsequent interest is added, this is Compound Interest.
Computation	Computation is the act of taking values and logical mathematical steps to make a calculation.
Conclusion	When mathematical conclusions are valid the laws of math and science have been adhered to, and a logical approach has been taken. Sometimes conclusions are invalid because scientific or mathematic rigor has not been adhered to. Reason and judgment are often important to reaching sound or valid conclusions.
Conjugates	Conjugates multiply to simpler entities based on changing the operator between terms of each conjugate from positive to negative, or vice versa.
Consistent System of Equations	When a system of equations has at least one solution (and most often a unique solution) the equations are said to be Consistent.
Constant	A mathematical value that never changes is said to be constant. Real numbers are constants because their value never changes. In a polynomial, a term with a variable (or variables) raised to the zero power is constant.
Continuous	A function is considered Continuous if its graph has no gaps, no holes, no steps, and no cusps or discontinuities.
Coordinate	A value associated with the location of a point is a Coordinate. In one dimension a Coordinate is a single value. In two dimensions, a point is defined by two Coordinates as an ordered pair.
Coordinate Plane	Two-dimensional entities are graphed or plotted in a plane, such as the rectangular plane or Cartesian Plane. Two-dimensional polar coordinates are also plotted in a plane. It requires an ordered pair to specify a location in a plane.
Correlation	When two variables have a strong linear relationship, either increasing proportionally or one variable decreasing as the other increases, we say there is (strong) Correlation between the variables.
Countable	In common language, countable just means reasonably enumerated or countable, as in there are not too many objects to physically count. In human terms, the grains of sand in the Sahara Desert are not countable. But mathematically they actually are. So Countable means something a little different to the mathematicians.
Cube Root	The Cube Root of a real value is the number that when raised to the third power equates to the original real value.
Cubic	A Cubic is a third-order polynomial.
Decreasing	Decreasing means to lessen in extent or scope, to be reduced. A function is considered to be Decreasing if the values in the range decrease as the values from the domain increase.
Degree, Polynomial	The Degree of a polynomial is the order, or highest power (term) of the polynomial.
Delta	Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. Upper-case Delta looks like a triangle and is used to mean "the change in..."
Denominator	The Denominator of a fraction is the number on the bottom; it is the divisor of the numerator.
Dependent Variable	If y = f(x), then y is a function of x and y is the Dependent Variable. Think of it this way: whatever we get for output "y" depends on the input "x" we grab from the domain of the function.
Direct Proportion	When variables are in Direct Proportion to one another they have the relation that as one variable grows the other either increases or decreases by a constant multiplication factor. When y = kx, we say the variables are in Direct Proportion.
Direct Variation	Also direct proportion, Direct Variation describes the relation y = kx.
Discriminant	In the Quadratic Formula, the radicand (the business inside the square-root sign) is the Discriminant. In general, a Discriminant provides algebraic information about the roots of polynomials.
Distance Formula	The familiar Distance Formula in Cartesian (rectangular) coordinates is a version of the Pythagorean Theorem, where the sum of the squares of the legs of a right triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.
Distributive Property	The familiar Distance Formula in Cartesian (rectangular) coordinates is a version of the Pythagorean Theorem, where the sum of the squares of the legs of a right triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.
Domain	The values that are "legal" and "legitimate" to put into a function are the elements of the Domain of that function. When y = f(x), the legitimate values of x are the Domain of the function.
Doubling Time	The time it takes an exponential or geometric growth to double in size (grow by 100 percent of the original value) is its doubling time.
Equality	A statement where two or more values are deemed to have an equal or identical value is a statement of Equality.
Equation	A statement of equality, or equal value, is termed an Equation. When we solve an Equation we solve for some entity or value that makes the statement true.
Evaluate	When we Evaluate an expression we determine its value or the value of some entity within it to (typically) make the statement true.
Even Function	Even Functions are symmetrical about the y-axis, provided they are expressed as y = f(x). Even Functions adhere to the following: f(-x) = f(x).
Exact	When a value is an Exact value it is either precise or equal to a given value or standard value.
Explicit	Ideas or notions directly expressed or understandable are considered Explicit.
Exponent	Usually written as a superscript, an Exponent is a number or entity to which some other value is raised, as a power.
Expression	A mathematical statement of almost any kind is considered an Expression.
Factor (Noun)	The noun Factor is a value that is multiplied with another Factor (or factors) to result in a product. That product of two or more factors is the result of the operation of multiplication.
Factor (Verb)	The verb Factor is the act of dividing some entity into components or pieces that, when multiplied together, produce the given entity. We "break apart" some real value or quantity into its multiplicative factors when we Factor.
Factor Tree	A Factor Tree is a written mechanism to see the factors or prime factors of some value (usually an integer, but not necessarily).
Factorial	A Factorial results from the multiplication of successive positive integers. The term Factorial is either a function or a number, depending on its specific use.
Fibonacci Numbers	This set of numbers itself grows without bound, but the ratio of successive terms in the series converges to the golden ratio.
First Order Polynomial	This type of equation has no variables raised to integer powers greater than one.
Fixed	Fixed terms or values are constant, never changing value.
Foil (Fiol)	A mnemonic for remembering "first-outside-inside-last" for multiplication of two binomials. It is equivalent the FIOL, as we take the sum of products.
Formula	A recipe or algorithm for calculation, evaluation, simplification, or just about anything we do in mathematics can be called a Formula.
Fractional Exponents	Real values can be raised to powers that are integers or fractions. Fractional Exponents can be thought of as having a denominator that is the root of the value being raised to the power, with a numerator akin to an integer power.
Function	Function takes on several meanings in the language of mathematics. A typical connotation is a relation between variables where for any input (an independent variable or element from the domain) we have a unique output (element in the range, or dependent variable result).
Gamma	Gamma is the third letter of the Greek alphabet.
General Form for Equation of a Line	Such a form has integer coefficients for both x and y when describing a line in Cartesian (rectangular) coordinates.
Geometric Mean	The Geometric Mean of two real values is the square root of the product of the two values. More generally, the Geometric Mean of n values is the nth root of the product of the n values.
Geometric Progression	This term is used for geometric series, geometric sums, or geometric sequences when subsequent terms result from multiplication by a constant that is most often called the common ratio.
Geometric Series	A Geometric Series is a form of geometric progression.
Googol	Ten raised to the power of one hundred equals one Googol.
Googolplex	Ten raised to the power of a googol is a Googolplex; it is a huge number.
Greatest Common Factor	The GCF of two integers (usually) is the largest integer that divides evenly into both integers. We sometimes use GCF for non-integral values.
Greek	Anyone interested in learning mathematics should embrace the Greek alphabet with 24 letters from alpha to omega.
Half-Life	When some entity experiences exponential decay (reduction or diminution) the times it takes to lose half of its size (or strength) is its Half-Life.
Height	Altitude. How tall something is, measured in some perpendicular fashion to the "bottom" is its height.
Hexahedron	A six-faced polyhedron is termed a Hexahedron.
High Quartile	The 75th percentile. Also upper quartile.
High Quintile	The 80th percentile; upper quintile.
Horizontal	Horizontal comes from orientation like the horizon; parallel to the "flat" surface of the earth; perpendicular to vertical.
Hypotenuse	The longest side of a right triangle is the Hypotenuse; it is always opposite the 90-degree angle (or right vertex).
Hypothesis	In a biconditional statement the hypothesis is followed by a conclusion. In the scientific method, the hypothesis is the conjecture to be proved or disproved.
i, Square Root of -1	The small-case i is reserved for the square-root of a negative one; the square of i is -1.
Identity	As opposed to a conditional statement that is sometimes true, an Identity will always be true. The multiplicative identity is 1; the additive identity is zero.
Identity Property of Addition	The Identity Property of Addition says that adding zero to (or subtracting zero from) any real value will not change the value.
Identity Property of Multiplication	The Identity Property of Multiplication says that multiplication of a real value by one (or division by one) will not change the value.
If-and-Only-If (Iff)	A statement that shows a condition both necessary and sufficient for the assertion.
If-Then Statement	The classic biconditional statement is often phrased as an If-Then proposition.
Impossibility	Despite what some "possibility thinkers" espouse, some things are mathematically impossible. For example, an exact real number cannot be simultaneously irrational and rational.
Incircle	A circle inscribed within a regular polygon (or any triangle) is an Incircle. In a regular polygon, the radius of the Incircle is the apothem.
Inconsistent	Inconsistent equations have no simultaneous solution.
Increasing	If the values in the range of a function increase as the values of the domain increase, the function is said to be Increasing.
Independent Variable	The set of values from the domain of a function comprise the values for the Independent Variable, the input variable into the function.
Inductive Logic	Inductive Logic is the logic of after-the-fact, or a posteriori. It results from observation of transpired events.
Inequality	Generally of one of the following four forms: less than, less-than-or-equal-to, greater than, or greater-than-or-equal-to.
Infinite	In common language, not countable in any practical manner. In math, having no bounds or boundary.
Infinite Geometric Progression	When a geometric progression has a common ratio less than one (technically, a common ratio whose absolute value is less than one), then the Infinite Geometric Progression will converge to a limit.
Infinitesimal	Infinitely small is Infinitesimal, so tiny that it occupies no space. While in human terms anything really small (a molecule) is Infinitesimal, in math the term means approaching zero in size.
Infinity	That without bound; limitless.
Inscribed Circle	This term is the same as Incircle, a circle inscribed within a polygon.
Integer	An Integer is a whole number or its negative. When expressed as a decimal, an Integer has nothing to the right of the decimal point (in American style).
Interest	Given the time-value-of-money, Interest is generated on a sum of capital as time passes.
Interior	Interior means within or "in-between."
Interquartile Range	The Interquartile Range is the half of overall data between the 25th and 75th percentiles.
Intersection	Where geometric entities cross, or where sets have common elements, is termed an Intersection.
Interval	The space or region between two defined values is an Interval.
Interval Notation	With brackets or parentheses, depending on whether endpoints are included in the set, Interval Notation expresses the solution set for an inequality.
Invariant	Constant. Not changing. Static. That which does not vary.
Inverse	Inverse carries a lot of meanings within the language of mathematics.
Inverse Variation	Variables or factors that multiply to a constant value are said to be in a relation of Inverse Variation.
Inverse, Conditional	Given an initial if-then statement, the negative of both the hypothesis and conclusion provides the Inverse to the original statement.
Inversely Proportional	When the product of two variables is a constant the variables are said to be Inversely Proportional to one another.
Iota	The ninth letter of the Greek alphabet, Iota means a very small amount.
Irrational Number	An Irrational Number cannot be expressed exactly as the ratio of two integers. Irrational Numbers, when expressed as decimals, never repeat or terminate.
Iteration	A procedure that repeats, typically by adding some value to a variable in the process with each new calculation is called an iterative process, and each cycle of the calculation is an Iteration. A computational procedure in which a cycle of operations is repeated, often to approximate the solution to a problem.
Joint Variation	Joint Variation is identical to direct variation; as one variable increases so, too, does the other variable increase proportionally.
Jump	A step within a function is sometimes termed a Jump.
Lambda	Lambda is the eleventh letter of the Greek alphabet and is used for wavelength in physics.
Leading Coefficient	Most typically we write polynomials with the first term having the highest order, or power. The coefficient of this leading term is literally the Leading Coefficient.
Leading Term	The first term in a polynomial, most typically the highest-order term, is the Leading Term of the polynomial.
Least Common Denominator	When two or more fractions are being summed we want the LCD to facilitate the operation of addition.
Least Common Multiple	The LCM is most typically applied to integers. It is the smallest value evenly divisible by each number for which we seek the LCM.
Leg, Triangle	Most generally the legs of a triangle refer to the perpendicular sides of a right triangle only.
Like Terms	Like Terms have the same variables raised to identical powers.
Line	A collection of points that comprise the shortest path between two points in Euclidean geometry is a Line; all points in a Line are collinear and, of course, coplanar.
Line Segment	A section of a line, with endpoints on both ends, is a Line Segment.
Linear	As the first four letters imply, Linear means "of a line" or "lined up" in a collinear fashion.
Local Maximum	A Local Maximum is a high spot on the graph of a function. Also termed a relative maximum, it is the greatest value within a defined neighborhood.
Local Minimum	A Local Minimum is a low spot on the graph of a function. Also termed a relative minimum, it is the least value within a defined neighborhood.
Loci	The points that comprise a function (or graph thereof) are its Loci.
Locus	A single point on a function or on its graph is a Locus.
Logarithm	A Logarithm is a number associated with a power and a base; the function is the inverse of an exponential function.
Logic	Logic takes many forms and is instrumental in understanding the language of mathematics.
Lower Quartile	Also first quartile, it is the 25th percentile, where 75 percent of the data is greater than this value.
Lower Quintile	The 20th percentile; also first quintile.
Magnitude, Powers of Ten	Often when we compare the multiplication by various powers of ten we speak of the magnitude of the effect of the multiplication.
Matrix	A rectangular array of numbers is often called a Matrix.
Matrix Addition	Matrix Addition applies to matrices of like order, the same size.
Maxima	The plural of maximum. Maxima are "high spots" on the graph of a function.
Maximize	A process to establish the greatest extent, value, or size possible.
Maximum	A highest value. A local Maximum is the highest value of a function within some defined neighborhood.
Measure	A noun or verb, Measure implies comparison to an established standard.
Measurement	The result from comparison to an established standard, Measurement may be exact only to an agreed-to precision.
Median, Data	The Median of a set of data is the value in the middle of an ordered or sorted list, with just as many values higher than the Median as lower than the Median.
Midpoint	Every line segment (or side of a polygon) contains a point equidistant from the endpoints (or vertices), the Midpoint.
Midpoint Formula	A simple recipe for finding the Midpoint of a line segment in Cartesian or rectangular coordinates. Add the x-coordinates of the endpoints of the line segment and divide by two for the x-coordinate of the midpoint. The y-value follows similarly.
Minima	The plural of minimum. Minima are low points on the graph of a function.
Minimize	A process to establish the least extent, value, or size possible.
Minimum	A low point or least value in the neighborhood of the graph of a function is a Minimum, the singular of minima.
Minute, Time	One-sixtieth of an hour comprises one Minute of time.
Mixed Number	We may write an "improper" fraction as a whole number followed immediately with a "proper" fraction. Such a form is termed a Mixed Fraction.
Mode	While Mode can take on several meanings in mathematics, it generally is used for the value of data with the greatest frequency of occurrence in a list of values.
Monomial	A single term.
Mu	The twelfth letter of the Greek alphabet, Mu is used for both the mean and median in a normal distribution.
Multiplication	You know, times. The operation to simplify addition of identical values. You should learn your Times Tables, the basic facts of Multiplication.
Multiplicative Inverse	Another name for Multiplicative Inverse is reciprocal. Reciprocals multiply to one.
Natural	The set of Natural Numbers is also the set of counting numbers, the same numbers we learn to count when we're little kids: 1, 2, 3, 4.... Precisely in the language of math these are the positive integers.
Natural Logarithm	The base of the Natural Logarithms is e, approximately 2.718. At 100 percent annual interest with continuous compounding over a year, the multiplication factor of principal is precisely e.
Natural Numbers	The set of Natural Numbers is also the set of counting numbers, the same numbers we learn to count when we're little kids: 1, 2, 3, 4.... More precisely in the language of math these are the positive integers.
Negative	Real values less than zero are Negative. We also consider the Negative of a real value to have the opposite sign, as the opposite (or Negative) of a Negative value is positive.
Negative Number	A real value less than zero is a Negative Number.
Negative Reciprocal	The product of two Negative Reciprocals is -1. When lines in Cartesian or rectangular coordinates meet at right angles they have Negative Reciprocal slopes, unless they are precisely horizontal and vertical.
Non-collinear	Not linear, not aligned, not part of the same line. Not collinear.
Nonagon	A nine-sided polygon.
Nonnegative	We have occasions to refer to all positive values as well as to zero. These are all the real values that are Nonnegative. Literally, not negative.
Nonzero	Literally, not zero. Typically used to mean either positive or negative values.
Nth Degree	Simply raised to the degree of integer (usually) n, or N. In common, everyday language, to pursue something excessively, as parents giving the suitor of their teenage daughter an interrogation "to the nth degree."
Nth Root	Given some integer N and a real value, the Nth Root of the real value is the number that when raised to the N power returns the real value.
Nu	Nu is the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet.
Null Set	The Null Set is the empty set. Mathematically there is but one empty set, the unique Null Set, the set with nothing in it.
Number Line	The real Number Line is a depiction of the set of all real numbers from negative infinity to positive infinity. All real numbers lie on the Real Number Line.
Numerator	The top number in a fraction, above the fraction bar, is the Numerator. It is the dividend to be divided by the divisor, which is the denominator.
Octagon	An eight-sided polygon.
Octant	As we have four quadrants in the rectangular plane, we have eight Octants in rectangular space. In three dimensions the three axes divide space into eight sections, each termed an Octant.
Odd	In common language: strange or unusual. For integers, numbers ending with any of these digits: 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.
Odds	The likelihood or probability of an event or specific outcome is termed the Odds of the event occurring. Odds, or probabilities, are always represented with values between 0 and 1, or between zero and 100 percent (inclusively).
Omega	The last, or 24th, letter of the Greek alphabet is Omega. Upper-case Omega is used for ohms, a unit of electrical resistance. Lower-case Omega is used for angular velocity, a speed of rotation.
Omicron	The 15th letter of the Greek alphabet. We don't use it in math because it looks just like an "o" or a zero.
One-Dimensional	Linear, or along one line of direction. Informally, constrained to stay along a narrow line.
Open Interval	A section of a line whose set does not include the endpoints is considered an Open Interval.
Operation	The processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are each termed an Operation. So, too, is raising a value to a exponent.
Opposite	Many meanings are found for Opposite, including having direction 180 degrees from an original direction, or having the negative sign of a previous sign. Opposite real values have identical absolute values.
Order of Operations	We have a hierarchy of Order to Operations in the language of mathematics. We do multiplication before we do addition, and we also work left-to-right. We work first inside of expressions within parentheses, then outward.
Order, Polynomial	The Order of a Polynomial relates to the highest power of variables in a term, typically the Order of the leading term of the Polynomial.
Ordered Pair	Two coordinates are required to label a point in a plane, typically (x, y).
Ordered Triple	Three coordinates are required to label a point in space, typically (x, y, z).
Ordinal Number	Ordinal Numbers are ordinary numbers, or the sequential references of order as first, second, third, and so on.
Ordinate	In Cartesian or rectangular coordinates, the y-axis, or the coordinate from the y-axis; the second coordinate in an ordered pair.
Origin	In one dimension: (0). In two dimensions: (0,0). In three dimensions: (0, 0, 0).
Orthogonal	Most generally Orthogonal means perpendicular to a plane.
Outcome	A specific event is often termed an Outcome.
Outlier	When plotting data points, as in a scatterplot, if a single data point is far removed from the neighborhood of the other data points, such a far-removed data point is called an Outlier.
Parabola	The graph of a quadratic function is a Parabola, a conic section.
Parallel Lines	Coplanar Lines that never meet or cross are Parallel. If lines simply never cross, they may be skew (non-coplanar).
Parametric Equation	In a general sense, we have a Parametric Equation when we define something in specific terms of something else.
Parentheses	Symbols ( ) serve to isolate or group written entities.
Pascal's Triangle	Pascal's Triangle is an important device for understanding binomial expansion and combinatorics.
Pentagon	A five-sided polygon.
Percent	Literally, per hundred.
Percentage	Any reference to percent is a Percentage; the fraction of 100 a value represents.
Percentile	Certain types of data lend themselves to description by what percent of the values exceed (or fall below) a specific data value. A Percentile states what percent of the data is less than the specific data value.
Perfect Square	Most generally a Perfect Square is an integer that is the product of another integer times itself.
Perimeter	The distance around the outside of a planar object or a plane figure is its perimeter.
Permutation	A specific order to the grouping of objects in a combination is termed a Permutation.
Perpendicular	At right angles.
Phi	The twenty-first letter of the Greek alphabet.
Pi	The constant ratio of circumference to diameter is represented by the 16th letter of the Greek alphabet; it is approximately 3.14159.
Plane	An infinite expanse of points in two dimensions.
Plus	A symbol for addition, or the operation itself.
Point	A location of infinitesimal size, that is, no size. A mathematical idea.
Point-Slope Equation	A handy algebraic relation to obtain an equation of a line from a given point and slope.
Polygon	A closed plane figure with straight sides.
Polynomial	A series of terms (or a single term, a monomial), usually with at least one variable; terms are separated by plus signs or minus signs.
Population	Statistically when we sample a Population we generally seek a representative sample. A Population is the group from which we take a sample.
Positive	Real values are Positive when they are greater than zero.
Postulate	A far-reaching conjecture or sense of reasoning for which an obvious and substantive base appears most reasonable.
Power	Power most often means the value of an exponent.
Precision	The quality of finer measurement or estimation is termed Precision.
Prime Factorization	The process of finding the prime factors of a composite number is called Prime Factorization.
Prime Number	A positive integer evenly divisible by itself and one but no other integers is considered a Prime Number.
Principal	An amount, typically money, upon which the time value of money (accumulation of an added percentage over a defined time) generates interest is termed Principal.
Probability	The likelihood of an event or particular outcome is its Probability. All Probabilities are between 0 and 1 (between zero percent and 100 percent).
Product	The result of the operation of multiplication is called a Product.
Proper Subset	A set that is a subset of a given set and not identical to the given set is a Proper Subset of the given set.
Proportional	In a (constant) ratio.
Psi	The 23rd letter (next-to-last) of the Greek alphabet.
Pyramid	A geometric solid with a base of a polygon and planar lateral sides that meet at a point called an apex is termed a Pyramid.
Pythagorean Triple	A series of three integers for whom the Pythagorean relation holds, as 3-4-5 or 5-12-13, because 3² + 4² = 5² and 5² + 12² = 13².
Quadrangle	Another name for a quadrilateral, a four-sided polygon.
Quadrant	One of the four areas of the rectangular or Cartesian plane that is divided into fourths by the two axes.
Quadratic	A second-order polynomial of the form ax² + bx = c = 0 is considered a Quadratic; it graphs to a parabola.
Quadratic Equation	Any second-order polynomial in one variable set equal to a constant is termed a Quadratic Equation.
Quadruple	A verb or noun; to multiply by four or the fourth integral multiple, respectively.
Quartiles	Most generally, the 25th and 75th percentiles are termed the Low Quartile and High Quartile, respectively.
Quintiles	Most generally, the 20th and 80th percentiles are termed the Low Quintile and High Quintile, respectively.
Quintuple	A verb or noun; to multiply by five or the fifth integral multiple, respectively.
Quotient	The result of the operation of division, the Quotient results from dividing a dividend by a divisor; also the value of a fraction that is always numerator divided by denominator.
Radical	A root symbol or the root itself is sometimes termed a Radical.
Radicand	A number taken to a root is a Radicand; the number under a root sign.
Radius	One-half the diameter of a circle is the Radius. It is the distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle.
Range	We may speak of a Range of values as simply the difference between high and low values of a data set. More specifically, the values generated by the input of domain values into a function map into the Range of values of the function.
Ratio	Sometimes Ratio is meant to state a constant proportion. More generally, the Ratio of two real values is the quotient of one number divided by the other.
Rational	A Rational number can be expressed as the ratio of two integers. When expressed as a decimal, a Rational number will either repeat or terminate (with repeating zeros).
Rational Expression	Mathematical statements written as fractions with a numerator and a denominator are often termed Rational Expressions.
Ray	A set of collinear points, a Ray has an endpoint and proceeds infinitely far in a single direction.
Real Number	Depicted on the Real Number line, such a value is either less than, equal to, or greater than every other real value.
Reciprocal	Every nonzero real value has a Reciprocal. A number and its Reciprocal multiply to one. We may find a Reciprocal of a number by dividing it into 1.
Rectangle	A quadrilateral with many special properties, including all those of a parallelogram, and then some.
Rectangular Coordinates	The familiar x-y coordinate plane; Cartesian Coordinates.
Reflexive	Literally "in relation to itself." When we say A = A, we employ a Reflexive property.
Regular Polygon	A Regular Polygon is both equilateral (all sides congruent) and equiangular (all angles congruent).
Regular Prism	A Prism with bases of Regular polygons.
Regular Pyramid	A Pyramid with a base of a Regular polygon.
Relative Maximum	Also a local Maximum, a high spot on the graph of a function. It is the greatest value within a defined neighborhood.
Relative Minimum	Also a local Minimum, a low spot on the graph of a function. It is the least value within a defined neighborhood.
Relatively Prime	Two integers with no common factors other than one are said to be Relatively Prime.
Remainder	When a divisor does not divide evenly into the dividend, we have a Remainder.
Revolutions Per Minute	Abbreviated "rpm" it conveys the number of complete circular rotations that occur every 60 seconds at some constant rate of revolution.
Rho	Lower-case Rho, the 17th letter of the Greek alphabet, is often used for density (mass per unit volume) in physics.
Right Angle	An angle of 90 degrees or pi/2 radians. Perpendicular lines meet at Right Angles.
Right Triangle	A triangle with a right angle.
Root Mean Square	Abbreviated RMS it is the square root of the arithmetic mean of the squares of some real values, as from a data set.
Root, Number	The Root of a given Number is the value that raised to the power of the root returns the given number.
Rotation	Movement in a circulation or circular fashion, often around a point or an axis, is termed Rotation.
Rounding	Not exactly truncating, rounding involves reduction in the precision of a value to approximate that value to some exact value with less precision.
Sample	When we Sample a population we typically seek a representative Sample.
Sample Space	We often use Sample Space to designate all the possibilities of potential outcomes for an event or process.
Scalar	A value with unit of size (magnitude) and no direction is termed a Scalar. Contrast with a vector that has both magnitude and direction; a Scalar has magnitude but no direction.
Scalene	A triangle is considered Scalene if no two sides have the same length.
Scatterplot	A planar plot of points from two variables with each point representative of a datum from both variables, most often with some relation or correlation.
Scientific Notation	Scientific Notation is a way to easily represent values far from zero, in terms of powers of ten, either very large numbers or very small numbers; they are usually representative of physical quantities or values.
Second, Degree	While "second degree" applies to a polynomial, a single Second with respect to Degree measure is one-sixtieth of one minute, or one sixtieth of one sixtieth of one degree, or 1/1,296,000 of a revolution.
Second, Time	One sixtieth of a minute, or 1/3600 of an hour, is one Second of Time.
Second-Order Polynomial	A polynomial in which the highest-order term is of order two.
Segment, Circle	A portion of a circle bounded by a chord and the circle itself.
Segment, Line	A Line Segment is a set of collinear points bounded on both ends with, literally, endpoints.
Semicircle	Half a circle; the portion of a circle on one side of a diameter.
Series	Most often a sequence of terms to be summed. Informally, any sequence of terms may be a Series.
Set	Any collection of objects or values is considered a Set, whose cardinal number is the number of objects in the Set.
Set Intersection	The Intersection of two (or more) Sets is the subset common to both (or all) Sets. Logically, the Intersection of two Sets A and B is literally the Set of "A and B."
Set Union	The Union of two (or more) Sets is the Set that contains both (or all) Sets. Logically, the Union of two Sets A and B is the Set of elements contained in either Set A or B, literally "A or B."
Sigma	The 18th letter of the Greek alphabet, upper-case sigma is used for summation notation, lower-case Sigma often denotes a standard deviation in statistics.
Significant Digits	Informally, Digits that are not zero. Slightly more formally, nonzero Digits as well as zeros between nonzero Digits. Strictly, the number of Digits required to express a calculated value to within the reasonable tolerance or uncertainty of calculation.
Simple Closed Curve	A planar figure that neither crosses itself or contains a gap is a Simple Closed Curve; note that a curve can be "straight" according to the mathematicians.
Simple Harmonic Motion	Periodic Motion with constant length of cycle time (a fixed period) is termed Simple Harmonic Motion.
Simplify	When we Simplify mathematical expressions we restate them (or rewrite them) in more concise terms.
Simultaneous Equations	Equations with common solutions are Simultaneous Equations. Also, equivalent equalities (statements with equal signs) may be termed Simultaneous Equations.
Skew	Lines neither intersecting nor parallel (non-coplanar lines) are termed Skew lines.
Slope	A number associated with a line graphed in a plane, Slope is the ratio of rise over run, an indication of the steepness of the line. We may write a line as y = mx + b and use the value of m for Slope.
Slope-Intercept Equation of a Line	The familiar y = mx + b, where m represents Slope and b is the y-Intercept.
Solid	A three-dimensional geometric figure or body that includes the interior region.
Solution	Too often in math class, "the answer." More directly, a Solution is a value (or set of values) that makes a mathematical statement true.
Solution Set	Strictly, any Solution is a Solution Set, the value(s) that make a mathematical statement true.
Speed	A (typically fixed) ratio of length or distance to a unit of time; Speed is a scalar value, as in miles per hour (mph) or feet per second (fps).
Sphere	A three-dimensional figure comprised of points equidistant from a center point; a Sphere has a fixed radius.
Square	One noun: the regular quadrilateral, equilateral and equiangular. Another noun: the result of multiplying a number times itself. Or, the verb: the operation of multiplying a number times itself, equivalently raising it to power two.
Square Matrix	A Square Matrix has the same number of rows as columns.
Square Root	Given a real value, the number that times itself (squared) produces the given value is its Square Root
SSS Congruence	Two triangles whose corresponding sides are congruent are themselves congruent.
Standard Equation of a Line	When expressing the Equation of a Line with integral coefficients we may have the Standard Equation of a Line.
Standard Position	An angle in Standard Position has been rotated counterclockwise (for positive rotation) from an initial ray on the positive x-axis.
Stem-and-Leaf Plot	A graphical device to group statistical data, typically by leading digits.
Step Function	A discontinuous Function where the range jumps in increments (usually fixed) may be a Step Function.
Straight Angle	An angle of 180 degrees or pi radians.
Strict Inequality	A Strict Inequality does not include an "or equal to..."
Subset	Every set is a Subset of itself. A Subset has elements all contained in a "parent" set.
Subtraction	The operation we begin thinking of as "take away" or "minus" is a way to find the difference between values.
Sum	The result of addition.
Symmetry	Having a like but reversed profile or image (a mirror image) about a line is having the quality of Symmetry about the axis (of Symmetry).
System of Equations	Most generally simultaneous Equations, or a set of Equations with identical variables.
Tangent Line	A Line is said to be Tangent to a function when it touches the graph of the function at a single point.
Tau	Tau is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet.
Term	In most mathematical expressions a single Term is isolated from other Terms by plus or minus signs. A monomial is a Term.
Tessellate	A planar pattern of repeating geometric shapes is a Tessellation; to produce these shapes is to Tessellate.
Third Quartile	For certain types of data, it is the 75th percentile. Also high quartile or upper quartile.
Three Dimensions	The Dimensions of space or volume are Three Dimensions, typically labeled with rectangular, spherical, or cylindrical coordinates.
Transitive Property	The Transitive Property is exhibited when three values are related in the following manner: If A = B and B = C, then A = C. The relation need not be equality.
Transversal	A line that crosses two or more parallel lines is often termed a Transversal.
Triangle	A three-sided polygon. Triangles are either acute, right, or obtuse.
Trinomial	A polynomial with three terms.
Triple	As a verb, Triple means to multiply by three. As a noun, the result from multiplication by three.
Truncation	Replace the lesser digits of some number with zeros with no regard for rounding; this is Truncation.
Two Dimensions	A plane has Two Dimensions. Planar figures are Two Dimensional.
Uncountable	In human terms, Uncountable means too many to practically count or enumerate. In math, an infinite function without a one-to-one correspondence to natural numbers.
Uniform	Constant and unchanging; fixed.
Union	The Union of two or more sets is the set of elements from all the sets. The Union of sets A and B is literally the set "A and B."
Upper Quartile	Also the high quartile, the 75th percentile.
Upper Quintile	Also high quintile, the 80th percentile.
Upsilon	Upsilon is the 20th letter of the Greek alphabet.
Variable	A Variable is a symbol, most often a letter, to represent a quantity that may change value, that is literally to vary in its value.
Velocity	Formally a vector in physics, Velocity has both magnitude (speed) and direction.
Venn Diagram	Most often graphics of overlapping circles and ovals, a Venn Diagram depicts sets, subsets, and their intersections and unions.
Verify	To confirm is to Verify. When we Verify, we prove or establish some assertion to a dependable conclusion independent from bias. There is wisdom in these words: "Trust, but Verify."
Vertex	A "corner" of a polygon is a Vertex; an extremum of a conic section is a Vertex; the endpoint(s) of rays that form an angle is a Vertex.
Vertical	Straight up, perpendicular to horizontal, is Vertical. Vertical lines have an indeterminate or infinite slope.
Vertical Angles	When two lines cross (intersect) they form two pairs of Vertical Angles; the Angles within each pair of Vertical Angles are congruent.
Vertical Line Test	Given a relation between x and y expressed as y = f(x), the relation is a function if the graph passes the Vertical Line Test; no vertical line may cross the graph more than once. No single element from the domain of x may generate more than a single value of y mapped into the range, to be considered a function.
Volume	The extent to which an object fills units of three-dimensional space is its Volume.
Weighted Average	When several factors comprise a score or calculation and the factors have different amounts of importance to the overall result, a Weighted Average may be calculated by assigning more importance (or "weight") to one factor over another.
x-Intercept	Where a graph crosses (intersects) the x-axis in rectangular or Cartesian coordinates is termed an X-Intercept.
x-y Plane	The familiar coordinate plane. The x-axis is almost universally horizontal; the y-axis is subsequently vertical. Or, the Plane of X-Y in three-dimensional space with ordered triples (x, y, z).
x-z Plane	In three dimensions, the plane orthogonal to the y-axis.
Xi	The 14th letter of the Greek alphabet.
y-Intercept	The point where a function graph crosses (intersects) the y-axis is termed the Y-Intercept. In the familiar linear equation form (Slope-Intercept form) of y = mx + b, the value of b is the Y-Intercept.
y-z Plane	In three dimensions, the plane orthogonal to the x-axis.
Zero	The only real value that is neither negative nor positive. It is an integer value.
Zero Slope	When the calculation of Slope is Zero there is a rise of Zero over any value of run. Most generally, a horizontal line has Zero Slope.
Zero, Function	The Zero of a Function is the x value for which the output, y, of the function is zero; provided, of course, that y = f(x).
Zeta	The sixth letter of the Greek alphabet.

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