The “Math-abet” The “Math-abet” BookBook

The “Math-abet” The “Math-abet” BookBook

By Terrence BomarBy Terrence Bomar

A• Asymptotea straight line or curve A to

which another curve B (the one being studied) approaches closer and closer as one moves along it.

B• Base The bottom of a plane figure or three-dimensional

figure.

C• Constant A term that has only one number and no variables

because it doesn’t vary

In the expression: 2a+3b+6 6 is the constant

D• Decimal A linear array of digits that represents a real number, every

decimal place indicating a multiple of a negative power of 10.

“ . “

For example, the decimal 0.1 = 1/10, 0.12 =

12/100, 0.003 = 3/1000. Also called decimal fraction.

E• Expression An expression is a mathematical statement that may

use numbers, variables, or both.

• 2 • x • 3 + 7 • 2 × y + 5 • 2 + 6 × (4 - 2)

F• Fractions a number, such as 2/3 or

3/8, that is not a whole number but that is formed by dividing one quantity by another. The top number of a fraction is called the numerator, while the bottom number is called the denominator.

G• Googol the large number 10 to the 100th power, that is, the

digit 1 followed by one hundred zeros (in decimal representation).

10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

H• Histogram A bar graph of a frequency distribution in which the

widths of the bars are proportional to the classes into which the variable has been divided and the heights of the bars are proportional to the class frequencies.

I• Infinity the idea of "without end" or

"bigger than the biggest thing you can think of, unboundedness

J• Joint Variation a variation in which y varies jointly as x or powers of x (x^n)

and y or powers of z (z^n), if there is some nonzero constant

k such that y = kx^nz^n , where x ≠ 0, z ≠ 0, and n > 0. For example:

• y = 7xz, here y varies jointly as x and z. • y = 11x^2z^3, here y varies jointly as

x^2 and z^3 .

K• Kappa (K, k) The 10th letter of Greek alphabet Αα-alpha Νn-nu Ββ-beta Ξξ-xi Γgamma

Οο-omicron Δδ-delta Ππ-pi Εε-epsilon Κκ-kappa Ρρ-rho Ζζ-zeta Σ-sigma Ηη-eta Ττ-tau Θθ-theta Υυ-upsilon Ιi-iota Φφ-phi Χχ-chi Λλ-lambda Ψψ-psi Μμ-mu Ωω-omega 

L• Line Segment Two points on a line, and all the points between those

two points.

M• Mean The mean of a set of numbers is their average. You find

the average of a set of numbers by adding them up and

dividing by the number of numbers you have. 3 + 4 + 6 + 9 + 3 25 ----------------- = -- = 5 5 5

N• Numerator the top part of a fraction

O• Obtuse Angle an angle greater than 90 degrees

P• Polynomials a mathematical expression consisting of the sum of a number

of terms, each of which contains a constant and variables raised to a positive integral power

• (a+b) 2 = a 2 + 2ab + b 2 • (a+b)(c+d) = ac + ad + bc + bd

Q• Quadratic

Formula a conic section generated

by the intersection of a right circular conical surface and a plane parallel to a generating straight line of that surface.

R• Real Numbers the numbers we use to measure real-world quantities

such as temperature, volume, or length.

The number line is a model of a set of real numbers

S• Slope the measurement of the

steepness, incline, gradient, or grade of a straight line.

T• Trapezoid a quadrilateral with at least

2 opposite sides parallel

U• Union The union of two sets is everything in both sets. The

symbol for union is a capital U.

U {3,4,5} {5,6,7} = {3,4,5,6,7}

V• Variable A letter that stands for a number in a mathematical

expression because its value can vary

In the expression 4n+7, n is the variable

W• Whole Numbers The set of numbers that includes zero and all of the

natural numbers.

X• X-intercept The value of x at the point

where a line or curve crosses the x-axis.

Y• Y-axis The vertical axis in a

Cartesian coordinate system.

Z• Zero The additive identity; the number that, when added to

another number n, gives n.

0