Glossary of mathematical concepts

Open, set: A set is open when its limit values (boundary) are not elements of the
set itself.

Open, interval: The interval includes all points on the number line between a and
b, but excluding these two values.

A priori: Statements or assertions that are given without evidence to support their
veracity.

Abacus: Calculator used for counting. The abacus has bars of tokens arranged
that are used to form numbers with them. Each tile of different bars is assigned
units, tens, hundreds, etc., and in this way they can be used to easily perform
calculations.

Abscissa: To indicate a point on the plane, two coordinates are required: P ( x, y ).

The first coordinate ( x ) is known as the abscissa. The second coordinate ( y ) is
known as the ordinate.

Acre: Unit of area equal to 4,047 m2 (unit similar to PI π).

Algebra: It is the branch of mathematics that studies the properties of real

numbers through their abstraction in the form of polynomials and functions.

Algorithm: Defined procedure for solving a problem, step by step, in a finite

number of steps.

Mathematical analysis: Branch of mathematics that is responsible for the study of

functions, limits and their properties.

Angle: Plane figure formed by two line segments that intersect at a point. Where
the point is better known as a vertex, depending on the figure various amounts of
angles can be observed.

Amplitude: In a sine wave, the amplitude is the distance from the axis of the wave
to any of its peaks. It deals most commonly with sound waves.

Acute angle: Angle whose measure is less than that of a right angle.
Adjacent angles: Two angles are adjacent when they have the same vertex and
share a common side located between them.

Alternate angles: When a pair of parallel lines are cut by a secant, 8 angles are
formed.

Central angle: In a circle, the central angle is the one whose vertex is in the center
of the circle and whose sides are two radii.

Complementary angles: Two angles are complementary if the sum of their

measures is equal to the measure of a right angle.

Angle of depression: Angle formed by the horizontal and the line that joins an
observer with an object located below the level of observation.

Angle of elevation: Angle formed by the horizontal and the line that joins an
observer with an object located above the observation level.

Rotation angle: Angle at which a figure is rotated or that changes its orientation
with respect to a fixed axis.

Ellipse: closed geometric figure that has the property that the sum of the distances
from any of its points to two fixed points called foci is a constant.

Exponent: It is the number that indicates how many times the base will be
multiplied.

Algebraic expression: An algebraic expression is a combination of mathematical

symbols (literals, numbers, operations, etc.) that makes sense.

Factor: Number or algebraic expression that is being multiplied.

Prime factor: A prime number p is a prime factor of, if N is divisible by p. For

example, 5 is a prime factor of 30, because 30 is divisible by 5.

Factorial: The factorial of the natural number n, denoted as n , is defined as the

product of all natural numbers from 1 to n .
Factoring: Process of writing a number or an algebraic expression in the form of a
product of factors.

Focal, radius: Directed segment that has its initial point at the focus of a conic and
its final point at any point on it.

Formula: Equality used to calculate a value from other known values.

Focus: In a conic, the focus is the point that is taken as a reference to make
measurements.

General form: The equation of a chronicle in its ordinary form refers to the
equation of the form.

General formula: The general formula is for solving second degree equations.

Fraction: Representation of a division ( a, b and r) . Where a is the dividend, called

the numerator in the fraction, b is the divisor, called the denominator in the fraction,
and r is the quotient.

Algebraic fraction: Fraction in which at least one of the elements of the fraction
(numerator or denominator) is an algebraic expression.

Equivalent fraction: Two fractions are said to be equivalent if they have exactly
the same value.

Mixed fraction: Number that is written with an integer part and a fractional part.

Frequency ( Analysis ): Number of times that a periodic function repeats a

sequence of values for a given interval.

Algebraic function: It is a function that is expressed based on algebraic

operations (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication) of polynomials.

Quadratic function: A function of the form: y=ax 2 +bx + c , where a ≠0.The graph
of a quadratic equation is a vertical parabola.

Cubic function: A function of the form: y=ax 3 +bx 2 +cx + d, where a ≠0.
Generalize: Derivation of a statement from a particular case to all cases that are
applicable.

Geometry: Branch of mathematics that is responsible for the study of the

properties of points, lines, angles, surfaces and solids.

Analytical Geometry: Geometry that uses a Cartesian coordinate system to

uniquely identify points in the space studied.

Plane geometry: Geometry that studies objects in the plane: points, lines,
triangles, quadrilaterals, etc.

Solid geometry: Geometry that studies objects in three dimensions, such as

polyhedra.

Degree of an equation: The degree of a polynomial equation is the highest

exponent to which its unknown appears elevated.

Degree of a polynomial: Exponent of highest value that the polynomial variable

has.

Graph: The graph of an equation or a function is the set of all points on the plane
that satisfy it.

Degree Centigrade: Unit of temperature equal to one hundredth of the

temperature difference between the solidification and fusion of water at a pressure
of 1 atm.

Degree Fahrenheit: Unit of temperature in which 32◦corresponds to the

temperature at which water freezes and 212◦water becomes steam at a pressure
of 1 atm. The degree Celsius is denoted by Fº.

Pie chart: Synonym of pie chart.

Gram: Unit of mass of the International System of Units.

Greek alphabet: The Greek alphabet is as follows:

Hectare: Unit of area equivalent to a square of one hundred meters on each side.

Hexa-: Prefix that means six. For example, a hexagon has six sides.

Hecto-: Prefix that indicates one hundred. It is abbreviated with the letter h
(lowercase).

Hepta-: Prefix that means seven.

Hyperbola: Set of points on the plane that satisfy that the difference in their
distances to two fixed points on the plane called foci is a constant 2a less than the
distance between the foci.

Hypotenuse: In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is the side opposite the right
angle.

Equal: ( Algebra ) We say that two numbers or two algebraic expressions are
equal when they have the same value. For example, 5=2+3.

(Geometry) Two geometric figures are equal if one can be superimposed on

the other so that both coincide in all their points.

( Set Theory ) Two sets are equal if they have exactly the same elements.

Equality: A relationship defined for two numbers that indicates that they both have
the same value.

Unknown: Literal symbol whose value is unknown.

Inertia: Tendency of a body to maintain its state of motion.

Infinity: Expression that indicates that something has no end. It is denoted by the
symbol ∞. It can also indicate that it has no boundaries.

Integral: In Calculus, an integral is the result of the integration of a function.

Isosceles: A triangle is isosceles if two of its sides measure the same.

Algebraic language: Language used to describe the relationships between

quantities expressed in an algebraic expression.

Law of cosines: For every triangle that is in the plane, the following holds:C 2 =A 2

+B 2 −2AB cos α.

Law of sines: For every triangle that is in the plane, the following holds:
sin ⍺ sinβ sinγ
= =
A B C
Kepler's Laws: Kepler's laws refer to the laws of motion of the planets prior
to the law of universal gravitation proposed by Isaac Newton.

Newton's Laws: The three laws of motion proposed by Sir. Isaac Newton
are those that have allowed an advance in science and technology (law of
inertia, law of force and law of action and reaction).

Limit: ( Algebra ) In an interval, the limits are the extreme values of it. The
limit of the function f when the independent variable tends to a constant
value k is denoted by:lim f ( x )=M
x →k

Logarithm: Exponent to which the base must be raised to obtain a given

number as a result.

Logic: Branch of philosophy that is responsible for the study of the methods
and principles used in validating arguments in reasoning.

Mathematics: It is the science that studies quantities, structures, spaces

and change. Mathematics irrefutably deduces each accepted conjecture
based on already proven axioms and theorems. Mathematics has many
branches. Some of them are : ( set theory , Arithmetic , Algebra , Geometry
, Mathematical analysis and Topology).

Applied Mathematics: The study of the techniques and methods of

mathematics for solving problems that arise in the systems created by society and
in the study of nature (economic, industrial, ecological, etc.)

Greatest common factor: The greatest common factor of several numbers is the
largest integer by which all numbers are divisible.

Greater than: We say that a is greater than b if the difference a−b is positive and
we denote it by a>b.

Median: The median of a triangle is the line that passes through the midpoint of
one side and the opposite vertex.
Pascal's Triangle: Triangle used to calculate the coefficients of the nth power of a
binomial. Different mathematical branch that has its function of greater knowledge.