# The BIG List of Math Terms and Definitions

This list will be updated by Jesse as new math terms make their way into Matter of Math’s lessons.

ABCDEF
GHIJKL
MNOPQR
STUVWX
YZ

## A

#### Algebra

A branch of math that uses letters to show numbers that may change, depending on the situation.

## B

#### Bisect

To divide a shape, line, or angle into two exactly equal parts.

#### Brackets (Parentheses)

There are 3 types of brackets that are used in math.

• () – Parentheses or “round brackets”
• [] – Brackets, “box brackets” or “square brackets”
• {} – Braces or “curly brackets”

## C

#### Coordinates

A set of one, two, or three values that show you the exact position of an object.

#### Cube (Shape)

A 3-dimensional shape, with 6 square sides.

#### Cube (Number)

The result of multiplying a number by itself 3 times. The first 10 cube numbers are

13 = 1
23 = 8
33 = 27
43 = 64
53 = 125
63 = 216
73 = 343
83 = 512
93 = 729
103 = 1000

#### Cube (Root)

A number that would be multiplied by itself 3 times (cubed) to make the number in question.

## D

#### Decimal Expansion

A number shown in base 10. This often involves numbers after the decimal point, separating whole numbers (units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.) on the left from decimals (tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc.) on the right.

#### Displacement (Vector)

Both the magnitude and direction of an object’s change in position.

#### Distance (Scalar)

The measurement of an object’s movement, without direction.

#### Divisibility test

Simple mental math tricks that tell you if a number is divisible by another. Download the divisibility rules from 1 to 15 here.

## F

#### Factor

The number that divides another exactly – without leaving a remainder. 2 divides 10 exactly, so 2 is a factor of 10.

#### Factor Pair

The two factors that multiply together to give the target number, shown in brackets separated by a comma. 10 and 11 multiply to make 110, so (10, 11) is one of 110’s factor pairs.

#### Fractional exponent

A power, or index, that is a fraction with a numerator on the top (multiplier) and a denominator on the bottom (divisor).

## H

#### Hypotenuse

The longest side of a right-angle triangle. The side that is always opposite the right-angle.

## M

#### Magnitude

Another term for size.

## N

#### Negative number

A number that is less than zero.

## O

#### Oscillation

A regular, rhythmic movement back and forth around a central point (the rest, or equilibrium).

## P

See Brackets

#### Prime factorization/decomposition

The unique combination of prime numbers that multiply together to make a number. Every number has its own prime factorization.

## R

For measuring angles, like degrees. 1 radian ≈ 57.3°.

An arc with an angle of 1 radian will have a radius (side length) that is the same as the arc length. A full circle has 2π radians, so 2π=360°.

When using π, the word radians isn’t needed.

Refers to a number that uses the radical symbol, , to show a fractional exponent or root.

The number or function inside the radical symbol, .

#### Reciprocal

The result of dividing 1 by the number or function. The reciprocal of 5 is 1/5, and the reciprocal of 1/5 is 5.

#### Remainder

Any left-over after dividing one whole number by another. This is given as a whole number and not a decimal or fraction. So, for 14÷4, the answer would be 2 remainder 2, because 4 goes into 12 three times and there is 2 left-over.

## S

#### Scalar

A measurement that only includes magnitude (size). See Vector.

#### Sequence

A list or arrangement of numbers in a special order. The order can be shown with an equation. For example

$$\left[1+2k\right]_{k=1}^6=3,5,7,9,11,13$$

OR

$$\left[2k\right]_{k=1}^\infty=2,4,6,8,10,\dots$$

For each term, replace the k in the square brackets with k=0, k=1, k=2, etc, up to k=6 for the first set and keep going infinitely for the second.

#### Square Root

The number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the number in question. For example, 5 is the square root of 25 because 5 × 5 = 25.

## V

#### Vector

A measurement that had both size and direction. See Scalar.

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