Intermediate Algebra Vocabulary |
| Click on the vocabulary word to see a longer explaination of the meaning. |
| Algebraic | Algebraic: Having do with algebra. |
| Arithmetic mean | Arithmetic mean: The average of a set of numbers. |
| Associative property of addition | The associative property of addition states A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C. |
| Average | Average - arithmetic mean, or the sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers in the set. |
| Base | Base: for exponents and logarithms, the number or variable being raised to a power. |
| Circle | All points in a plane that are equidistant from a point. |
| Closure Property of addition and multiplication | Closure Property: For real numbers, a+b is real and a· is real. |
| Common Difference | Common Difference: the constant difference (subtraction) between a term and the term before it. |
| Common Ratio | Common Ratio: in geometric sequences, the constant ratio between a term and the term before it. |
| Commutative property of addition | The commutative property of addition is A + B = B + A. |
| Commutative property of multiplication | The commutative property of multiplication is A * B = B * A. |
| Complex number | A complex number is a number with a real part and an imaginary part. |
| Constant of variation | The constant of variation is the ratio by which the input and output vary in direct variation. |
| Convention | Convention: The way something is usually done. |
| Criterion | A test or standard for judgment. |
| Dependent Variable | Dependent Variable - A variable whose value depends on another variable or variables. |
| Directly Proportional | Directly proportional: Having a constant ratio. |
| Direct Variation | Direct variation means the output varies from the input by a ratio. |
| Distributive property of multiplication | Distributive property of multiplication over addition and subtraction: a(b + c)= ab + ac. |
| Equal | Equal: Has the same value as. |
| Equation | An equation is a statement that two things are equal to each other. |
| Experiment | Experiment - Making an event happen and recording the outcome. |
| Exponent | An exponent is used to indicate repeated multiplication. |
| Expression | Any mathematical formula without equals. |
| Function | Function: a set of ordered pairs where the independent variable (input) generates only one output. |
| Independent Variable | Independent Variable - A variable whose value varies independently, input variable of a function. |
| Integer | Integer: A whole number having no decimal part. |
| Inversely Proportional | Inversely proportional: Having a constant ratio with a reciprocal. |
| Inverse of a Function | Inverse of a Function: A relation which, for every output of the function, returns the input of the function. |
| Irrational number | An irrational number is a real number that can not be expressed as the ration of two integers. |
| Least Squares Line | A line generated from discrete data points that minimizes the distance between the points and the line. |
| Like Terms | Terms are like terms if they have the same variables with the same exponents. |
| Linear | Linear means having to do with lines. |
| Mathemagically | Mathemagically means doing something according to the principles of mathematics that seems like magic. |
| Math model | Mathmatical model - a function, table or graph that approximates a real world situation. |
| Outcome | Outcome - the results of an experiment in probability. |
| Parametric Equation | A parametric equation is a set of equations with more than one dependent variable. |
| Parenthesis | Parenthesis: () A set of marks used to reorder operations in an expression. |
| Point slope form | Point slope form [y = y1 + m(x - x1)] is a way to write a linear equation from a point and a slope. |
| Probability | The likelihood, chance, or odds of an event happening. |
| Property of multiplying by 0 | Property of multiplying by 0: 0 x a = a. |
| Property of multiplying by 1 | Property of multiplying by 1: 1 x a = a. |
| Proportional | Proportional: Having a constant ratio. |
| Rational | A rational number is a real number that can be expressed as the ratio of two integers. |
| Real number | A real number is a number that can be found on the real number line. |
| Represent | Represent: used in place of, to stand for. |
| Set | Set: A collection of objects about which membership can be established. |
| Simplify | Simplify means to convert an expression to a simpler form. |
| Simulation | In a simulation, random events are generated to study a real-life situation. |
| Slope | The slope of the line is the rate of change, or (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1). |
| Term | A term is one or more values multiplied together that may be separated from other terms by addition or subtraction. |
| Transform | To transform is to change from one form to another, usually by a rule. |
| Vector | Vector: a value having both magnitude and direction. |
| Vertical line test | Vertical line test: A criterion for determining if a graph shows a function. |