1. Fundamental Math Terms Flashcards
Absolute Value
- The distance a number is from 0 on the number line
Algebraic Expression
- A combination of mathematical symbols that might include numbers, variables, and operation symbols
Bisection Method
- A way of approximating square roots by finding the perfect square larger than the number, then the perfect square smaller than the number, and finally finding the term in the middle of that number to come close to finding the actual square root
Borrow
- When subtracting numbers, if the number in the top position of a column is smaller than the number below (the one being subtracted), you subtract 1 from the number to the left of the top number, and add 10 to the number from which you are currently subtracting. Because the number to the left has a place value that is 10 times the number to the right, you are “borrowing” 10 from that number.
Canceling
- Taking a common factor out of the numerator of 1 fraction and the denominator of the same fraction or another fraction. This can only be done in multiplication and division - never in addition and subtraction
Carry
- When adding numbers, if the answer in a column is more than 1 digit in size, then the digit in the tens place of the answer is “carried” to the column to the left to be added.
Cartesian Plane
- Also called the Cartesian coordinate system, it is another name for the xy-plane.
Center of the Circle
- A point that is not actually part of the circle, but is in the middle of the circle, and each point on the circle is the same distance away from it
Circle
- A set of points in the plane that are equidistant (the same distance away) from a fixed point, which we call the center of the circle
Circumference
The distance around a circle
Compound Fraction
- A fraction in which the numerator and/or denominator is also a fraction
Coordinate
- The number value assigned to a point on the x- or y- axis. Each point on the coordinate plane is identified by 2 coordinates
Coordinate Plane
- The 2-dimensional plane, or the xy- plane. A 2 dimensional object formed by 2 number lines - 1 horizontal and 1 vertical (so that they intersect at right angles)
Cross Multiplying
- A way to determine if 2 ratios are equivalent
Decagon
- A polygon with 10 sides
Decimal Number
- A number written in our usual base-10 number system. Often, such a number will contain a decimal point
Decimal Point
- The dot or period that comes after the ones place and before the tenths place in a decimal number
Denominator
- The bottom number in a fraction. It tells us how many parts are in the whole
Diameter
- The length of any line segment that connects 2 points on a circle and also goes through the center of the circle. The diameter is always twice the radius distance
Digit
- An individual number from 0 to 9 that can be used to make up a larger number. For example, 786 has 3 digits, and 76,566 has 5 digits
Dividend
- The number that is being divided into groups. It is the number on the inside of the division bar or the top number if a division problem is written as a fraction
Divisor
- A number that divides another number. In number theory, it is a number that divides another number evenly. It is the number on the outside of the division bar - or the bottom number if a division problem is written as a fraction.
Equiangular
- When all the angles in a polygon have the same measurements
Equiangular Triangle
A triangle that has 3 equal angles. Each of these angles measures 60 degrees
Equilateral
- When all the sides of a polygon have the same length
Equilateral Triangle
- A triangle whose 3 sides are all equal in length
Equivalent Fractions
- Any 2 fractions that have different numerators and denominators but represent the same amount. If a/b and c/d are 2 equivalent fractions, then a x b = b x c.
Even Number
- A number that is divisible by 2
Exponent
- The small number written high and to the right of a number that tells how many times the number should be multiplied by itself
Exponentiation
- Raising a number to a power. In other words, writing the number times itself as many times as the exponent shows. For example, 8 to the 4th is 8 x 8 x 8 x 8. You could also think of it as repeated multiplication.
Factor
- A number that divides another number evenly, leaving no remainder. It is the same as a divisor
Fraction
A part of a whole number. It is usually written as a ratio of 2 whole numbers with 1 number written, a division bar drawn underneath it, and the second number written below
Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)
- The largest divisor that divides both the numbers with no remainder. It is also known as the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
Heptagon
- A polygon with 7 sides
Hexagon
- A polygon with 6 sides
Hundredths Place
- The digit second to the right from the decimal point is in the hundredths place.
Improper Fraction
- A fraction whose numerator is larger than the denominator. For example, 54/23 and 18/15 are both improper fractions
Integers
The set of signed numbers. All the positive whole numbers (1,2,3, …), 0, and all the negative whole numbers (-1,-2,-3, …)
Isosceles Triangle
- A triangle that has 2 sides, or legs, of equal length
Least Common Denominator (LCD)
- The smallest number that 2 unlike denominators will divide, or the smallest number for which the 2 given denominators are factors. For example, if the denominators were 3 and 4, the least common denominator would be 12
Least Common Multiple (LCM)
- The smallest number for which 2 given numbers are factors
Like Denominators
- Having the same denominator in 2 or more fractions