WORDS AND DIFINITIONS

IN GENERAL MATHEMATICS.
A.
alternating series: A series with terms (an) which strictly alternates between positive and negative
values.

alternate angles: Angles which are essentially vertically opposite angles, while not sharing the same
vertex

additive function: A function whose value on the sum of two arguments is the same as the sum on
the values of the arguments, regardless of the choice of the arguments

algebraic curve: A collection of points, of one-dimension, which represents the solutions of a

collection of polynomials.

algebraic number: An algebraic number is a number which is the root of a polynomial of integer
coefficients

algorithm: A set of constructive instructions designed to solve a specific problem. In order to be

considered an algorithm

alternate segment theorem: A circle theorem identifying the angle between a chord of 2 points
and the tangent of one of the points, and the angle formed by the two points on the circumference in
the "alternate segment", as the same

B.

bimodal distribution: A distribution with exactly 2 modes. That is, the distribution has exactly 2
values of the highest frequency (for discrete distributions) or frequency density (for continuous
distributions).

binary number: A number expressed in base 2, so that each digit represents a power of 2.

binary operation: An operation, such as addition or multiplication, performed on two elements of a

set to derive a third element

binary system: A base 2 positional system representing numbers with only the digits 0 and 1.

binary variable: A random variable with only 2 possible outcomes.

C.
circular functions: Another class="d-title" name for the trigonometric functions. Trigonometric
functions are based on parametrization of a circle just as hyperbolic functions are based on
parametrization of hyperbolae

circular helix: A helix with constant radius (from an axis)

circular measure: Also known as angular measure.

circular motion: The motion of an object whose path forms a circle.

circumcentre: The centre of a circle which goes through all vertices of a polygon

circumcircle: A circle whose circumference contains all points of the polygon.

circumference: The length of the closed curve of a circle.

circumscribed: The act of enclosing a geometric figure with a (minimal) circle or sphere

D.

decreasing function: A function where x < y implies and is implied by f(x) > f(y). Depending on the
author, the second inequality may be ≥ so that a decreasing function is allowed to "level" as well as
decrease.

decreasing sequence: A sequence a1 a2 a3… an such that an >an+1. Similar to the definition of
decreasing functions, some author allow an ≥an+1 and refer to the first type as strictly decreasing
sequences.

deduction: A method of inference which attempts to "justify" conclusions by applying rules of

inference on the premises of the argument and other such conclusions.

deficient number: A number which is greater than the sum of its proper divisors, also known as a
defective number.

definite integral: An operation on functions which approximates the sum of the values (of the
function)

E.
ellipse: A conic section with eccentricity strictly between 0 and 1. Equivalently, an stretched (or
squashed) circle. Also equivalent to the cross section of a cone with a plane where the angle between
the plane

ellipsoid: A stretched or squashed sphere.

ellipsoidal: With the properties of or related to an ellipsoid

elliptical: With the properties of or related to an ellipse

elliptic curve: A smooth curve of the form,

F.
fraction: A form of representation of a quantity as the result of division (quotient) of one quantity by
another, where the dividend is placed on top (known as the numerator) and the divisor at the bottom
(known as the denominator) with a horizontal line placed between the two

fractional expression: An algebraic expression of a polynomial divided by another - also known as a

rational expression.

frequency: The number of cycles or occurrences within a given interval (number) of a continuous
(discrete) quantity..

frequency curve: A graphical representation of frequency information of observations through the

use of a smooth curve.

frequency distribution: A function showing the number of instances in which a variable takes each
of its possible values.frequency function: The probability mass function of a discrete random variable or
the probability density function of a continuous random vairable, with probability viewed as a long term
relative frequency.

frequency polygon: A graphical representation of frequency information of observations through

the use of a continuous piecewise-linear curve.

frequency table: An array of quantites representing frequency information (absolute or relative).

Fresnel integrals: The collective class="d-title" name of two transcendental functions defined by the
integral of trigonometric functions, used in the study of optics.

G.
great circle: The largest possible circle on a sphere. For 2 points on a sphere not anti-podal to each
other, the paths (along the surface) shortest and longest (without changing directions) form a great
circle.

greatest common divisor: Usually abbreviated as GCD, it is also known as the highest common
factor.

greatest integer function: Also known informally as the floor function.

greatest lower bound of a set, GLB: Also known as the infimum.

gross: A value before deductions allowed.

group: An algebraic structure where a set of elements is given an associative binary operation exists.

grouped data: A representation of data by mapping each data point to exactly one of the non-
intersecting categories

H.
helix: A smooth curve in 3-dimensions where the tangent makes a constant angle to a line (the axis),
while the angle between the projection of the tangent

Henry: The SI derived unit of inductance - the ability of an inductor to store energy.

Heptagon:A polygon with seven sides.

Heptahedron:(plural heptahedra) A polyhedron with seven faces

Hermitian conjugate: Also known as the Hermitian transpose

Hermitian matrix: A matrix which is its own Hermitian conjugate.

I.
integer: The set of all counting numbers (natural numbers), their additive inverses (i.e. the
negative equivalents), and 0. Usually denited by a bold (or blackboard-bold) Z.
integer lattice: A subset of the Euclidean space Rn considered as a group consisting of points
whose coordinates are all integers.
Integrability: The property where an expression can be integrated.
Integrable:An integrable function is a function that can be integrated.:
integral: 1. The resulting expression of an integration.
J.
jump discontinuity: A discontinuity where the two one-sided limits of the function at the
point of discontinuity exist and differ.

K.
kilo-: A prefix that denotes "a thousand".

kinematics: The study of position, displacement, distance, speed, velocity and acceleration
without taking other.
kinetics: The study of forces and motion (of which force is a cause).

kite: A convex quadrilateral (non-equiangular and non-equilateral) that has exactly one line of
symmetry that runs through 2 of its vertices.

L.
Laws of motion: Usually referring to Newton's 3 laws of motion.

LCD: A shorthand for the Lowest/least common denominator of a set of denominators.

LCM: A shorthand for the Lowest/least common multiple.

leading coefficient: The coefficient of of the leading term, that is the term of the highest-
order within a polynomial
leading diagonal: Also known as the main diagonal, it is the elements of a matrix whose
indices are all the same
leading term: The term of the highest-order within a polynomial - it is the leading term in the
conventional order of arranging terms of one variable (from highest to lowet degree).
least common denominator: The lowest/least common multiple of a set of denominators of
fractions.
least common multiple: The smallest of the set of numbers which are multiples of all the
numbers within a given set of positive numbers.

M.
magnitude: A numerical quantity or value.

main diagonal: Also known as the leading diagonal of a matrix.

major axis: The longer axis of an ellipse, passing through its focus.

map: Also known as a mapping.

mapping: The generalised form of a function - with arguments (inputs) and values (outputs)
where an argument may have more than one value
mass: See inertial mass.
mass centre: More commonly known as the centre of mass.
mass-energy equation: A well known equation, even amongst non-specialists, expressing
energy-matter equivalence.

REFFERENCE:
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B: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/b.htm
C: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/c.htm
D: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/d.htm
E: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/e.htm
F: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/f.htm
G: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/g.htm
H: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/h.htm
I: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/i.htm
J: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/j.htm
K: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/k.htm
L: https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/l.htm
M:https://dev.itseducation.asia/mathematics/m.htm#major_axis