Glossary

A series whose consecutive terms have a common difference A straight line that a curve approaches more and more closely but never reaches A straight line connecting two points on a curve A numerical factor multiplying a term in an algebraic equation In an arithmetic series, the difference between any term and the preceding term A quantity whose value is fixed The term in an expression which has no variable component, e.g. 3 in x3 2x + 3 A set of numbers that determine the location of a point in a given reference system The values of a variable in an inequality at which the inequality becomes true/false A polynomial in which the highest power of the unknown is the third power, e.g. x3 + 2x 7 An integral with finite upper and lower limits The number below the line in a fraction, showing the number of equal parts in the whole The rate of change of a function with respect to the independent variable The process of obtaining the derivative of a function The value of b2 4ac for the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 A mathematical relationship between two values called the input and the output, such that for each input there is precisely one output

Arithmetic series Asymptote

Chord Coefficient Common difference

Constant Constant term

Coordinate

Critical values

Cubic equation

Definite integral Denominator

Derivative

Differentiation Discriminant (of a quadratic equation) Function

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General term Gradient Indefinite integral Index (pl. Indices)

The nth term of a sequence The rate of change of a function An integral without limits Superscript numbers used to indicate powers; the number of times a number is multiplied by itself A relationship between two quantities indicating that one is strictly less than (<), strictly greater than (>), less than or equal to () or greater than or equal to () the other A positive or negative whole number or zero The process of finding integrals The point at which a line intersects a coordinate axis A number that cannot be expressed as an exact fraction Left-hand side, for example, of an equation A line which is perpendicular to a curve at the given point The number above the line in a fraction, showing the number of parts being referred to An algebraic expression that can be factored as the square of some other expression, e.g. a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2 or a2 2ab + b2 = (a b)2 When two lines or line segments intersect and form right angles The point at which a tangent touches a curve An algebraic expression consisting of one or more summed terms A product formed by multiplying a number by itself a certain number of times, e.g. 34 is 3 to the power of 4 A positive integer which is only divisible by itself and 1 An equation in which the highest power of an unknown quantity is a square (second power), e.g. x2 + 5

Inequality

Integer Integration Intercept Irrational number LHS Normal at a point Numerator

Perfect square Perpendicular Point of contact Polynomial Power

Prime number Quadratic equation

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Rational number Real numbers Reciprocal RHS Root (of an equation) Root (of a number) Scale factor Sequence Series Sigma () Simultaneous equations Solution

A number which can be expressed as an exact fraction with the denominator and numerator being integers The set of all rational and irrational numbers The reciprocal of a number is 1 divided by that number Right-hand side, for example, of an equation A solution of an equation
n

a is the nth root of a; if the nth root of a is b then bn = a

A number which scales, or multiplies, some quantity An ordered list of numbers or terms The sum of a sequence of terms Symbol indicating summation A set of equations containing multiple variables A value that gives a true statement when substituted into an equation

Surd Tangent (at a point) Term (expression)

An irrational root, e.g.

2 or

A straight line that touches a curve at a point, but does not cut it A value (variable or constant) or expression separated from another term by an operating sign (+, , , ) in an overall expression A variable quantity whose actual value isn't known A quantity that can assume any of a set of values

Unknown Variable

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