COSINE

In a right angled triangle, the cosine of an angle is:

The length of the adjacent side divided by the length of
the hypotenuse. The abbreviation is cos
cos = adjacent / hypotenuse.
COTANGENT
In a right angled triangle, the cotangent of an angle is:
The length of the adjacent side divided by the length of the
opposite side. The abbreviation is cot.It is not commonly
used, and is equal to 1/tangent.
cot = adjacent / opposite.

D
DECAHEDRON
A solid shape with ten flat faces.
DECIMAL
Decimal number is often used to mean a number that uses
a decimal point followed by digits that show a value
smaller than one.
DEGREE (ANGLES)
A measure for angles. There are 360 degrees in a full rotation.
DEGREE (TEMPERATURE)
A measure of temperature (how hot or cold it is).
DEPENDENT VARIABLE
The output value of a function.
Example: y = x2
x is an Independent Variable
y is the Dependent Variable
DILATION
To resize something. In general English it means to make larger.
But in Mathematics it means to make larger or smaller.
DUODECIMAL
Numbers based on 12 digits.

E
e (EULERS NUMBER)
The number "e" is one of the most important numbers in mathematics.
The first few digits are: 2.7182818284590452353602874713527 (and
more ...)
ECCENTRICITY
How much a conic section (a circle, ellipse, parabola or hyperbola) varies from being circular. A
circle has an eccentricity of zero.

ELEMENT
A member of a set.

ENGINEERING NOTATION
Engineering Notation is a type of Scientific Notation that only uses powers of ten that
are multiples of 3.
So 103, 106, 109 etc.
And 100, 10-3, 10-6 etc.
Examples:
2,700 = 2.7 103
EQUIVALENT FRACTION
Fractions which have the same value, even though they may look different .

EXTRANEOUS ROOT
A solution to an equation that SEEMS to be right, but when we check it (by substituting it into the original
equation) turns out NOT to be right

EXTREMA
The smallest and largest values:

The plural of Minimum is Minima

The plural of Maximum is Maxima
Together they are called Extrema
 F
FACTOR
Factors are numbers we can multiply together to get another number
FACTORING
Finding what to multiply to get an expression. (Called Factorizing in British
English.)
FIBONNACI SEQUENCE
Each number equals the sum of the two numbers before it.
FINITE
Not infinite. Has an end. Could be measured, or given a value.
FOIL METHOD
A handy way to remember how to multiply two binomials.. It stands for "First, Outer,
Inner, Last
FRACTION BAR
The line that separates the numerator and the denominator.
Also called a Vinculum.

FUNCTION
A function is a special relationship where each input has a single output.It is
often written as "f(x)" where x is the input value.
 G
GEOMETRIC MEAN
A special type of average where we multiply the numbers together and
then take a square root for two numbers, cube root for three numbers etc.
GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
A sequence made by multiplying by some value each time.
GEOMETRY
The area of mathematics that deals with points, lines, shapes and space.
GOOGOL
Is the number written as 1 followed by 100 zeros.
GRADIENT
How steep a straight line is. Also called "slope".
GREATEST COMMON FACTOR
The highest number that divides exactly into two or more numbers.
GROSS WEIGHT
The total weight, including contents, packaging, etc.
 H
HEMISPHERE
In geometry it is an exact half of a sphere.
HENDECAGON
An 11-sided polygon (a flat shape with straight sides). Sometimes
incorrectly called an Undecagon.
HEXADECIMAL
Numbers based on 16 digits.
HEXAHEDRON
Another name for a cube. It has this name because it is a polyhedron with
6 (Hexa-) sides.
HYPERBOLA
A special arch-shaped curve.
HYPOTENUS
The side opposite the right angle in a right-angled triangle. It is also the
longest side of the right-angled triangle.
HYPOTHESIS
A statement that might be true, which can then be tested.
 I
i (UNIT IMAGINARY NUMBER)
The square root of minus 1. The symbol is "i
ICOSAHEDRON
A polyhedron (a flat-sided solid object) with 20 Faces.When it is "regular"
(faces and angles equal) it is one of the Platonic Solids.
IMAGINARY NUMBER
A number that when squared gives a negative result.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
An input value of a function.
INDEX (POWER)
The index of a number says how many times to use the number in a
multiplication. It is written as a small number to the right and above the
base number.
INFINITE
Without an end. Not finite.
INTEGER
A number with no fractional part.
 J
JOINT VARIATION
When we say z is jointly proportional to a set of variables, it means
that z is directly proportional to each variable taken one at a time.
If z varies jointly with respect to x and y, the equation will be of the
form z = kxy (where k is a constant).
JUMP DISCONTINUITY
A discontinuity for which the graph steps or jumps from one connected
piece of the graph to another.
JUMP STRATEGY
Jumping by parts of a number to solve a calculation.

K
KILOGRAM
A Metric measure of mass. The abbreviation is kg.
KILOLITRE/KILOLITER
KILOMETRE/KILOMETER
A Metric measure of distance.
KITE
A 4-sided flat shape with straight sides that has two pairs of sides. Each
pair is made of two adjacent sides (they meet) that are equal in length.
Also, the angles are equal where the pairs meet. The dashed lines are
diagonals, which meet at a right angle. And one of the diagonals bisects
(cuts equally in half) the other.

L
LEAST COMMON DENOMINATOR
The smallest number that can be used for all denominators of 2 or more
fractions.
LEAST COMMON MULTIPLE
The smallest positive number that is a multiple of two or more numbers.
LENGTH
Distance. How far from end to end. Or from one point to another.
LINEAR EQUATION
An equation that makes a straight line when it is graphed.
LINEAR SCALE
A scale with equal divisions for equal values.
LITRE/LITER
A Metric unit of volume.
LOGARITHM
A logarithm answers the question "How many of one number do we
multiply to get another number?

M
MATHEMATICS
The study of numbers, patterns, space, and change.
MEAN
The mean is the average of the numbers: a calculated "central" value of a
set of numbers.
MEDIAN
The middle number (in a sorted list of numbers).
MILLENIUM
A period of time of a thousand years.
MINOR ARC
The shorter arc joining two points on the circumference of a circle. The
larger arc is called the Major Arc.
MINOR AXIS
The shortest diameter of an ellipse. It goes from one side of the ellipse to
the other, through the center.
MINUEND
The first number in a subtraction. The number from which another number
(the Subtrahend) is to be subtracted.
MINUS
Subtract. Take away. Decrease by.
MINUTE
A unit of time equal to 60 seconds.
MIXED FRACTION
A mixed fraction is a whole number and a fraction combined into one
"mixed" number.
MIXED NUMBER
A whole number and a fraction combined into one "mixed" number.
MODE
The number which appears most often in a set of numbers.
MONOMIAL
A polynomial with just one term.
MULTIPLE
The result of multiplying a number by an integer (not by a fraction).
MULTIPLICATIE INVERSE
Another name for Reciprocal.

N
NATURAL NUMBERS
The whole numbers from 1 upwards: 1, 2, 3, and so on ...
NEGATIVE
A negative number is written with a minus sign in front.
NET
A pattern that you can cut and fold to make a model of a solid shape.
NET WEIGHT
The weight of the contents, not including any packaging, etc.
NOMINAL NUMBER
A number used only as a name, or to identify something
(not as an actual value or position).
NONAGON
A 9-sided polygon. Also called Enneagon.
NONARY
A Nonary Number uses only these 9 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
NORMAL
For a surface: at right angles to, going directly away from. If the surface is
not flat then imagine a plane sitting on the surface, and draw a Normal to
that plane.
NORMAL DISTRIBUTION
Data can be distributed.
NOTATION
A system of symbols used to represent special things.
NOUGHT
Another name for Zero.
NUMBER
A number is a count or measurement.
NUMBER LINE
A line with numbers placed in their correct position.
NUMBER PATTERN
A list of numbers that follow a certain sequence or pattern.
NUMERAL
A symbol or name that stands for a number.

O
OBELUS
The name of the division symbol
OBLIQUE
Slanting. Not up-down or left-right. Angles that are not 0, 90, 180 or
270.
OBTUSE ANGLE
An obtuse angle is one which is more than 90 but less than 180
OCTAGON
An 8-sided polygon
OCTAHEDRON
A polyhedron (a flat-sided solid object) with 8 Faces. When it is "regular"
(all faces are the same) it is one of the Platonic Solids.
OCTAL
An Octal Number uses only these 8 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
ODD NUMBER
Any integer (not a fraction) that cannot be divided exactly by 2.
ODDS
A ratio of the number of ways something can occur to the number of ways
it cannot occur.
ODOMETER
An instrument (usually on the instrument panel of a car) that records distance
traveled.
OPEN CURVE
A curve with end points.
OPEN SENTENCE
A mathematical statement that can be either true or false depending what
values are used.
OPERATION
A mathematical process.
OPERATOR
An Operator is a symbol (such as +, , , etc) that shows an operation
(i.e. you want to do something with the values).
ORDER OF OPERATIONS
The rules that say which calculation comes first in an expressio.
ORDERED PAIR
Two numbers written in a certain order. Usually written in parentheses like
this: (4,5)
ORDERING
Putting things into their correct place following some rule.
ORDINAL NUMBER
A number that tells the position of something in a list.
ORDINATE
The vertical ("y") value in a pair of coordinates. How far up or down the
point is.
ORIGIN
The starting point.
ORTHOCENTER
The point where the three "altitudes" of a triangle meet. An "altitude" is a
line that goes through a vertex (corner point) and is at right angles to the
opposite side. The orthocenter can be inside or outside of the triangle.
 P
PAIR
Two together. Often with something in common.
PARABOLA
Two together. Often with something in common.
PARALLEL
Always the same distance apart and never touching.
PARALLELOGRAM
A 4-sided flat shape with straight sides where opposite sides are parallel.
PARAMETER
A value that is already built in to a function.
PARENTHESES
Parentheses or round brackets are the familiar ( ) symbols used in pairs to
group things together.
PATTERN
Things that are arranged following a rule or rules.
PENTAGON
A 5-sided polygon.
PENTAGRAM
A 5-pointed star.
PENTAHEDRON
A polyhedron (a flat-sided solid object) with 5 Faces.
PENTOMINO
A shape made by joining five squares together side-to-side. There are 12 of them.
PERCENT
Percent means parts per 100.
PERCENTILE RANK
The percent of cases that are at or below a score.
PERFECT SQUARE
A number made by squaring a whole number.
PERIMETER
The distance around a two-dimensional shape.
PERMUTATION
All possible arrangements of a collection of things, where the order is important.
PERPENDICULAR
At right angles (90) to.
PHASE SHIFT
How far a periodic function is horizontally to the right of the usual position.
PI
The ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
PICTOGRAPH
A pictograph uses pictures or symbols to show the value of the data.
PINT
A measure of volume in the US and Imperial systems of measurement.
PLACE VALUE
The value of where the digit is in the number.
PLANE
A plane is a flat surface with no thickness. It extends forever. We often draw a plane with edges,
but it really has no edges.
PLANE SHAPE
A 2 dimensional shape. Has width and breadth, but no thickness.
PLOT
To draw on a graph or map.
PLUS
Another word for add.
POINT
An exact location. It has no size, only position.
PRIME FACTOR
A factor that is a prime number.
PYTHAGORAS THEOREM
In a right angled triangle the square of the long side is equal to the sum of the squares of the
other two sides.
 Q
QUADRANGLE
Another name for Quadrilateral (a flat shape with four straight sides).
QUADRANT (CIRCLE)
A quarter of a circle (made by two radiuses at right angles and the connecting arc).
QUADRANT (GRAPH)
Any of the 4 areas made when we divide up a plane by an x and y axis (as shown). They are usually numbered I, II, III
and IV.
QUADRATIC EQUATION
An equation where the highest exponent of the variable (usually "x") is a square (2).
QUADRILATERAL
A flat shape with four straight sides.
QUADRILLION
Usually means a thousand million millions.
QUALITATIVE DATA
Qualitative data is information that describes something.
QUANTITY
How much there is of something.
QUARTER
One of four equal parts. Written as .
QUARTILES
The values that divide a list of numbers into quarters.
QUATERNARY
A Quaternary Number uses only these 4 digits: 0, 1, 2 and 3
QUINARY
A Quinary Number uses only these 5 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4
QUOTIENT
The answer after you divide one number by another.

R
RADIAN
The angle made by taking the radius and wrapping it round the circle. One Radian is (180/)
degrees, or about 57.296
RADICAL
An expression that has a square root, cube root, etc. The symbol is
RADICAND
The value inside the radical symbol. The value you want to take the root of.