A usually in the vertical or

"up" direction.
Absolute Value - always Angle - an angle is the
a positive number refers figure formed by two rays,
to the distance of a called the sides of the
number from 0, the angle, sharing a common
distances are positive. endpoint, called the
Acute Angle - an angle vertex of the angle.
that has measure less Arc - A connected section
than 90°. of the circumference of a
Adjacent Angles - two circle.
angles in a plane which Axis - a fixed reference
shares a common vertex line for the measurement
and a common side but do of coordinates.
not overlap. Angles 1 and
Axes - Plural of axis.
2 below are adjacent
angles.
B
Algebra - a problem in
which one or more Base - in plane geometry
number is unknown. or solid geometry, the
bottom of a figure. If the
Algebraic Equation - an
top is parallel to the
equation of the form f (x)
bottom (as in a trapezoid
= 0 where f is a
or prism), both the top
polynomial.
and bottom are called
Altitude - altitude is a bases.
distance measurement,
Beta (β) - the second Chord - a line segment on
letter of the Greek the interior of a circle. A
alphabet. chord has both endpoints
on the circle.
Binomial - a polynomial
with two terms which are Circle - a round plane
not like terms. The figure whose boundary
following are all binomials: (the circumference)
consists of points
2x – 3, 3x5 +8x4, and 2ab equidistant from a fixed
– 6a2b5. point (the center).
Bisector - a line segment, Circumference - a
line, or plane that divides complete circular arc.
a geometric figure into Circumference also means
two congruent halves. the distance around the
Bracket - The symbols the outside of a circle.
[ and ]. Clockwise - the direction
that the hands of a clock
C move.
Cartesian plane - the Coefficient - the number
plane formed by a multiplied times a product
horizontal axis and a of variables or powers of
vertical axis, often labeled variables in a term.
the x-axis and y-axis,
Coordinates - on the
respectively.
coordinate plane, the pair
Center - the point inside a of numbers giving the
circle from which all points location of a point
on the circle are equally (ordered pair).
distant.
Congruent - Exactly Counter-Clockwise -
equal in size and shape. moving in the opposite
Congruent sides or direction of the arms on a
segments have the exact clock.
same length. Congruent
angles have the exact D
same measure. For any
set of congruent Decagon - a polygon with
geometric figures, ten sides.
corresponding sides, Degree - a unit of angle
angles, faces, etc. are measure equal to of a
congruent. complete revolution.
Cosecant - the There are 360 degrees in
trigonometric function a circle. Degrees are
cosecant, written csc θ. indicated by the ° symbol,
so 35° means 35 degrees.
Cosine - the trigonometric
Delta - the fourth letter of
function cosine, which is
the Greek alphabet
written cos θ.
( Δ, δ ), transliterated as
Cotangent - the ‘d.’
trigonometric function
Diameter - a line
cotangent, written cot θ.
segment between two
Coterminal Angles - points on the circle or
angles which, drawn in sphere which passes
standard position, share a through the center. The
terminal side. For word diameter is also
example, 60°, -300°, and refers to the length of this
780° are all coterminal. line segment.
Difference - the result of Equidistant - equally
subtracting two numbers distant. For example, any
or expressions. For two points on a circle are
example, the difference equidistant from the
between 7 and 12 is 12 – center.
7, which equals 5.
Evaluate - to figure out or
Divisor - in the compute. For example,
expression “a divided by "evaluate " means to
b”, a is the dividend and b figure out that the
is the divisor. expression simplifies to
17.
Domain - the set of
values of the independent Even Number - an
variable(s) for which a integer that is a multiple
function or relation is of 2. The even numbers
defined. Typically, this is are { . . . , –4, –2, 0, 2, 4,
the set of x-values that 6, . . . }.
give rise to real y-values.
Exponent - x in the

E expression ax. For

example, 3 is the
Endpoints - the points at exponent in 23.
which a line segment Expression - any
ends. mathematical calculation
Equation - a or formula combining
mathematical sentence numbers and/or variables
built from expressions using sums, differences,
using one or more equal products, quotients
signs (=). (including fractions),
exponents, roots,
logarithms, trig functions, Fraction - a ratio of
parentheses, brackets, numbers or variables.
functions, or other Fractions may not have
mathematical operations. denominator 0.
Expressions may not
Function - a relation for
contain the equal sign (=)
which each element of the
or any type of inequality.
domain corresponds to

F exactly one element of the

range. For example, is a
Factor - an exact divisor function because each
of a number. This 4 is a number x in the domain
factor of 12; any of the has only one possible
numbers or symbols in square root. On the other
mathematics that when hand, is not a function
multiplied together form a because there are two
product. possible values for any
positive value of x.
Fixed - constant. Not
changing or moving. G
Formula - an expression
Geometric Figure - any
used to calculate a
point, line, segment, ray,
desired result, such as a
angle, polygon, curve,
formula to find volume or
region, plane, surface,
a formula to count
solid, etc. Formally, a
combinations. Formulas
geometric figure is any set
can also be equations
of points on a plane or in
involving numbers and/or
space.
variables, such as Euler's
formula.
Geometric Mean - a kind Greater Than - having a
of average. To find the larger value than.
geometric mean of a set
Greatest Common
of n numbers, multiply the
Divisor - the greatest
numbers and then take
common divisor of a
the nth root of the
sequence of integers, is
product.
the largest integer that
Geometry - the study of divides each of them
geometric figures in two exactly.
dimensions (plane
geometry) and three H
dimensions (solid
geometry). It includes the Heptagon - a polygon
study of points, lines, with seven sides. Some
triangles, quadrilaterals, authors also use the name
other polygons, circles, septagon instead of
spheres, prisms, heptagon.
pyramids, cones, Hexagon - a polygon with
cylinders, and polyhedra. six sides.
Geometry typically
includes the study of Horizontal - perfectly flat
axioms, theorems, and and level. For example,
two-column proofs. the horizon is horizontal.
So is the floor.
Graph - a visual
representation of data Horizontal Line Test - a
that displays the function is one-to-one if
relationship among and only if every
variables, usually cast horizontal line intersects
along x and y axes. its graph at most once.
Hypotenuse - the side of Interior Angle - an angle
a right triangle opposite on the interior of a plane
the right angle. Note: The figure.
hypotenuse is the longest
Interval - the set of all
side of a right triangle.
real numbers between two

I given numbers. The two

numbers on the ends are
Imaginary Number - a the endpoints. The
complex number of the endpoints might or might
form xi where x is real and not be included in the
I = sqrt (-1). interval depending
whether the interval is
Improper Fraction - a open, closed, or half-open
fraction which has a larger (same as half-closed).
numerator than
denominator. For example, Irrational Number - a
is an improper fraction. number which cannot be
expressed as a quotient of
Integers - all positive and two integers.
negative whole numbers
(including zero). That is, K
the set {... , –3, –2, –1, 0,
1, 2, 3, ...}. Kite - a quadrilateral with
two pairs of adjacent sides
Intersect - two figures
that are congruent. Note
are said to intersect if
that the diagonals of a
they meet or cross each
kite are perpendicular.
other.
Intersection - the point
where two lines cross.
 L sides together form the
right angle in the right
Leading Coefficient - the triangle.
coefficient of a Like Terms - terms which
polynomial's leading term. have the same variables
For example, 5 is the and corresponding powers
leading coefficient of 5x4 – and/or roots. Like terms
6x3 + 4x – 12. can be combined using
Leading Term - the term addition and subtraction.
in a polynomial which Terms that are not like
contains the highest cannot be combined using
power of the variable. For addition or subtraction.
example, 5x4 is the Length - the straight line
leading term of 5x4 – 6x3 distance between two
+ 4x – 12. points.
Least Common Less Than - having the
Denominator - the smaller value than.
smallest whole number
Line - the geometric
that can be used as a
figure formed by two
denominator for two or
points. A line is the
more fractions. The least
straight path connecting
common denominator is
two points and extending
the least common multiple
beyond the points in both
of the original
directions.
denominators.
Linear - an equation or
Leg of a Triangle - either
graph is linear if the graph
of the two shorter sides of
of an equation is a straight
a right triangle. These two
line.
Linear Equation - An number to a physical
equation that can be property. Examples of
written in the form "linear measurement include
polynomial = linear length, size of an angle,
polynomial" or "linear area, volume, mass, time,
polynomial = constant". etc.
The following are
Median - the midpoint of
examples of linear
a set of data.
equations: 2x – 3 = 5, 4a
+ 9 = 8 – 9a, and 2x + 5y Midpoint - the point
= 1. halfway between two
given points.
Logarithm - the exponent
of the power to which a Mixed Number - a
base number must be number written as the
raised to equal a given sum of an integer and a
number. proper fraction.
Monomial - a polynomial
M with one term. The
following are all
Mean - another word for
monomials: 5x3, 8, and
average. Mean almost
4xy.
always refers to arithmetic
mean. In certain contexts, Multiple - a number that
however, it could refer to is the product of a given
the geometric mean, number and some other
harmonic mean, or root number.
mean square.
Multiplication - the basic
Measurement - he arithmetical operation of
process of assigning a repeated addition.
 N obtuse angle as one of its
interior angles.
Negative Number - a Octagon - a polygon with
real number less than eight sides.
zero. Zero itself is neither
Odd Number - an integer
negative nor positive.
that is not a multiple of 2.
Nonagon - a polygon with The odd numbers are
nine sides. { . . . , –3, –1, 1, 3,
Number - represents the 5, . . . }.
value or quantity of Opposite Reciprocal -
something. the result of taking the
Numerator - the number reciprocal of a number
above the fraction bar and then changing the
that indicates the number sign.
of parts of the whole that Ordered Pair - on the
are in a rational number, coordinate plane, the pair
the number in the top half of numbers giving the
of the fraction. location of a point
(ordered pair).
O Ordinate - the y-
Obtuse Angle - an angle coordinate of a point in
that has measure more the plane.
than 90° and less than Origin - the point at
180°. which the horizontal and
Obtuse Triangle - a vertical axes intersect, at
triangle which has an zero (0, 0).
 Pi π - the ratio of the
circumference of a circle
to its diameter. Pi is
P written π and is a
transcendental number.
Parallel Lines - two
distinct coplanar lines that Plane - a flat surface
do not intersect. extending in all directions.
Any three non collinear
Parallelogram - a points lie on one and only
quadrilateral with two one plane. So do any two
pairs of parallel sides. distinct intersecting lines.
Parentheses - the A plane is a two-
symbols ( and ). Singular: dimensional figure.
parenthesis. Point - the geometric
Pentagon - a polygon figure formed at the
with five sides. intersection of two distinct
lines.
Perfect Square - any
number that is the square Polygon - a closed plane
of a rational number. For figure for which all sides
example, 0, 1, 4, 9, 16, are line segments. The
25, etc. are all perfect name of a polygon
squares. describes the number of
sides. A polygon which
Perimeter - the distance
has all sides mutually
around the outside of a
congruent and all angles
plane figure. For a
mutually congruent is
polygon, the perimeter is
called a regular polygon.
the sum of the lengths of
the sides.
Polynomial - an algebraic
expression where the
exponents of the variables
are all nonnegative Q
integers.
Quadrantal Angle - an
Positive Number - a real angle with terminal side
number greater than zero. on the x-axis or y-axis.
Zero itself is not positive. That is, the angles 0°, 90°,
Power - either the 180°, 270°, 360°, 450°, ...
number itself, or the as well as –90°, –180°, –
product arising from using 270°, –360°, ...
the number a certain Quadrants - the four
number of times as a sections into which the x-y
factor. plane is divided by the x-
Product - the result of and y-axes.
multiplying a set of Quadratic Equation - an
numbers or expressions. equation includes only
Proper Fraction - a second degree
fraction with a smaller polynomials. Some
numerator than examples are y = 3x2 –
denominator. 5x2 + 1, x2 + 5xy + y2 =
1, and 1.6a2 +5.9a – 3.14
Pythagorean Theorem - = 0.
the sum of the squares of
the lengths of the legs of a Quadratic Function - a
right triangle is equal to function of the form f(x) =
the square of the length of ax2 + bx + c where a is
the hypotenuse. not equal to zero (in which
case the function turns circular arc described by
into a linear function). that angle.
Quadrilateral - a polygon Radical - The symbol,
with four sides. which is used to indicate
square roots or nth roots.
Quadratic - an equation,
graph, or data that can be Range - The set of y-
modeled by a degree 2 values of a function or
polynomial. relation. More generally,
the range is the set of
Quartic Polynomial - a
values assumed by a
polynomial of degree 4.
function or relation over
Quintic Polynomial - a all permitted values of the
polynomial of degree 5. independent variable(s).
Quotient - the result of Ray - A part of a line
dividing two numbers or starting at a particular
expressions. For example, point and extending
the 40 divided by 5 has a infinitely in one direction.
quotient of 8.
Real Numbers - All

R numbers on the number

line. This includes (but is
Radian - A unit for not limited to) positives
measuring angles. 180° = and negatives, integers
π radians, and 360° = 2π and rational numbers,
radians. The number of square roots, cube roots ,
radians in an angle equals π (pi), etc.
the number of radii it Reciprocal - The
takes to measure a reciprocal of x is 1/x. In
other words, a reciprocal
is a fraction flipped upside Right Triangle - A
down. Multiplicative triangle which has a right
inverse means the same (90°) interior angle.
thing as reciprocal.
Rectangle - A box shape
S
on a plane. Formally, a Secant - The trig function
rectangle is a quadrilateral secant, written sec θ.
with four congruent angles
(all 90°). Segment - all points
between two given points
Reference Angle - For (including the given points
any given angle, its themselves).
reference angle is an
acute version of that Semicircle - half a circle.
angle. In standard That is, a 180° arc.
position, the reference Set - a group of numbers,
angle is the smallest angle variables, geometric
between the terminal side figures, or just about
and the x-axis. The values anything. Sets are written
of the trig functions of using set braces {}. For
angle θ are the same as example, {1,2,3} is the
the trig values of the set containing the
reference angle for θ, give elements 1, 2, and 3.
or take a minus sign.
Similar - identical in
Remainder - The part left shape, although not
over after long division. necessarily the same size.
Right Angle - A 90° Sine - the trig function
angle. sine, written sin θ. For
acute angles, sin θ can be
found by the SOHCAHTOA itself to equal a given
definition as shown below number.
on the left. The circle
Subtraction - is a
definition, a generalization
mathematical operation
of SOHCAHTOA, is shown
that represents the
below on the right. Finally,
operation of removing
f(x) = sin x is a periodic
objects from a collection.
function with period 2π.
Sum - the result of adding
Solution Set - any and all
a set of numbers or
value(s) of the variable(s)
algebraic expressions.
that satisfies an equation,
inequality, system of Symmetric - describes a
equations, or system of geometric figure or a
inequalities. graph consisting of two
parts that are congruent
Solve - find all solutions
to each other.
to an equation, inequality,
or a system of equations Synthetic Division - a
and/or inequalities. shortcut for polynomial
long division that can be
Square - a rectangle with
used when dividing by an
all four sides of equal
expression of the form x –
length. Formally, a square
c or x + c. Note: This
is a quadrilateral with four
allows an improper
congruent sides and four
rational expression to be
congruent angles (all 90°).
written as a sum of a
Square Root - a polynomial and a proper
nonnegative number that rational expression.
must be multiplied times
T
Tangent - the trig the six functions sine,
function tangent, written cosine, tangent, cosecant,
tan θ. secant, and cotangent.
Trig also includes studies
Term - parts of an
of the properties of these
expression or series
functions and their
separated by + or – signs,
graphs.
or the parts of a sequence
separated by commas. Trigonometric
Functions - the six
Theorem - an assertion
functions sine, cosine,
that can be proved true
tangent, cosecant, secant,
using the rules of logic. A
and cotangent. These
theorem is proven from
functions can be defined
axioms, postulates, or
several different ways.
other theorems already
These include
known to be true.
SOHCAHTOA definitions,
Theta θ - the eighth letter circle definitions (below),
of the Greek alphabet ( Θ, and unit circle definitions.
θ ), transliterated as ‘th.’
Trinomial - a polynomial
Triangle - a polygon with with three terms which are
three sides. not like terms. The
following are all
Trigonometry - the study
trinomials: x2 + 2x - 3,
of triangles, with
3x5 - 8x4 + x3, and a2b +
emphasis on calculations
13x + c.
involving the lengths of
sides and the measures of Triple Root - a root of a
angles. Trigonometry is polynomial equation with
also known as trig. multiplicity 3. Also refers
Trigonometry is based on to a zero of a polynomial
function with multiplicity representing such a
3. quantity.

U Vertex - a corner point of

a geometric figure. For a
Undefined Slope - the polygon, vertices are
"slope" of a vertical line. A where adjacent sides
vertical line has undefined meet. For an angle, the
slope because all points vertex is where the two
on the line have the same rays making up the angle
x-coordinate. meet.

Uniform - all the same or Vertical - straight up and

all in the same manner; down. For example, a wall
constant. is vertical.

Unit - a single thing used Vertical Line Test - a test

as a standard or measure. use to determine if a
relation is a function. A
Unit Circle - the circle relation is a function if
with radius 1 which is there are no vertical lines
centered at the origin on that intersect the graph at
the x-y plane. more than one point.

V W
Variable - a quantity that Whole Numbers - the
can change or that may numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
take on different values. etc.
Variable also refers to a
letter or symbol X
x-intercept - a point at
which a graph intersects
the x-axis. The x-
intercepts of a function Z
must be real numbers,
unlike roots and zeros. Zero - the number which
indicates no quantity, size,
Y or magnitude. Zero is
neither negative nor
y-intercept - point at positive.
which a graph intersects
the y-axis.