AlgebraSurvivalGuide - Glossary Flashcards
Absolute Value
the distance between a number and zero on the number line. Absolute Value is always positive because distance is always a positive number. Distance can never be a negative number in nature.
Additive Identity property
property that says when you add zero to any number or term, you get back the number or term you started with.
Associative property
property that says in addition and multiplication, the way ther terms are grouped makes no difference. In other words, a+(b+c)= (a+b) + c, and a(bc)=(ab)c.
Base
the bottom number in an exponential term. Example: in the exponential term X^7, the base is X, while the exponent is 7.
Binomial
a polynomial made up of two monomials.
Cancelling
the act of tidying up mathematical expressions.
Coefficient
the number that stands in front of the variable or variable string in a monomial. A coeffient may be position of negative. Example: in the monopial 5X^2Y, the coefficient is +5 in the monomial 5X^2Y, the coefficient is 5.
Commutative property:
property that says that in addtion and multiplication, the order of the terms makes no difference. In other words, a + b is the same as b + a, and ab is the same as ba.
Consecutive Integers
Integers that are one apart from one another. Example: 4,5 and 6 are consecutive integers.
Coordinate
a number which, by acting as a directional tool, helps you locate a point on the coordinate plane. Each pint on the coordinate plane has both an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate.
Coordinate plane
the x-y plane, used for graphing points, lines, and more.
Denominator:
the quality below a fraction bar is the denominator. (Compare with numberator)
Decending order:
a way of writing a polynomial so that its exponents decrease from left to right.
Distance:
the measure of the length of a line between two distinct points.
distributive property:
a property that says this: If you have a parenthesis containing a bunch of terms linked by addition or subtraction signs, any number or term that multiplies the parenthesis multiplies every term inside the parenthesis. That is: a(b+c)=ab+ac, and a(b-c)=ab-ac.
Equation
any mathematical expression that has an equal sign and quantities on both the left and right sides of the equal sign. An equaiton tells you that these tow quantities are equal.
Even numbers
the set of all numbers: {-∞…-6,-4,-2,0,2,4,6…+∞} (Compare with odd numbers.)
Exponent
a little number or term that sits on the right shoulder of another number or term called the base. The exponent tells you how many times the base is mulitplying itself. For example: int eh exponential term c^7, the exponent 7 tells you that X is multiplying itself 7 times.
Exponential term:
the base and the exponent, viewed as a whole.
Factor:
one of two or more terms which, multiplied together, give you some product. Examples: 3 and 5 are factors of 15 because 3×5=15; and x and x^3 are factors of x^4 because x times x^3 = x^4.
Facoring:
the act of splitting a methematical expression into its basic parts.
Fraction:
a term made up of a numberator and a denominator. When yo see a fraction, it mens that the numerator is eing divided b the denominator.
Greatest common factor:
the largest number or term that divides evenly into two or more numbers or terms.
Infinity:
a way of expressing that which is the ultimate in largeness or smallness. Positive infinity means that which is large beyong our ability to count it; neative infinity means that which is small beyond our ability to couont it. The symbol for infinity is this: ∞
integers:
the set of all whole numbers plus the negtive of the natural numbers: {-∞…-6,-4,-2,0,2,4,6…+∞}