Appendix F - Glossary
(F-J)

face

The plane surface of a polyhedron.

factor theorem

For a given polynomial in x, x - a  is a factor if the value of the polynomial is zero when - a  replaces x  throughout.

factor(s)

Numbers multiplied to produce a specific product. For example: 2 x 3 x 3 = 18: factors are 2 and 3; (x - 2) and (x + 1) are factors of x² + x - 2

first-hand data

Data collected by an individual directly from observations or measurements.

flip

A term used in motion geometry to describe the result of a reflection.

fractals

A geometric shape that is self-similar and has fractal dimensions

frequency diagram

A diagram used to record the number of times an event occurs.

function

y = f(x) the set of all ordered pairs (x,y) with x belonging to the domain X and y belonging to the range Y. No two pairs have the same x-value.

fundamental counting principle

A general rule that states that if a choice can be made in x  different ways and for each of these choices a second choice can me made in y  different ways, then the choices can be made in xy  different ways.

general form

The general equation of the nth degree is the polynomial equation. a₀xⁿ + a₁x^n-1 + a₂x^n-2 + . . . + a_n-1x + a = 0

geometric sequence

A sequence in which the ratio of each term (except the first) to the preceding term is a constant; the common ratio.

t_n= ar^n-1 = general term
a = first term
r = common ratio
n= number of terms

geometric series

The sum of the first n term of a series.

greatest common factor (GCF)

The largest factor that two or more numbers have in common. For example: 12 and 18: GCF = 6

Heron's formula

Area of a triangle:

where a,b, and c are the sides of the triangle and s is half of the sum of the lengths of the sides of the traingle.

histogram

A bar graph showing the frequency in each class using class intervals of the same length.

hyperbola

A curve with two branches formed from the intersection of a plane and a circular conical surface.

hypotenuse

The side opposite the right angle in a right triangle.

hypothesis

A statement that may be true, but for which a proof (or disproof) has not been found.

identity

A statement that two mathematical expressions are equal for all values of their variables.

improper fraction

A fraction whose numerator is greater than its denominator.

inequality

A mathematical statement that one expression is greater than or less than the other. For example:

x >y means that x is greater than y; and x < y means that x is less than y

infinite geometric series

inscribed angle

An angle formed by two chords that intersect on the curve, each with an endpoint at the vertex of the angle.

integer

The positive and negative whole numbers

interior angles on the same side of the transversal

The transversal of two parallel lines forms interior supplementary angles.

interpolate

To calculate or estimate values between two known values in a set of data.

intersection

The point at which two lines cross each other.

interval

A set of numbers containing all real numbers between two given numbers.

inverse operations

Operations that counteract each other. For example, addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

irrational number

A number that cannot be expressed either as a quotient of two integers or as a repeating or terminating decimal, for example, are irrational numbers.

irregular

Lacking in perfect symmetry or evenness.

isosceles triangle

A triangle that has two sides equal (and unequal to the third); the angles opposite the equal sides are also equal.

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