The Facts On File Algebra Handbook

equations, and each equation has three solutions, the matrix is called a 4×3 matrix (four by three matrix). collinearTwo or more ...

completing the squareChanging a QUADRATIC EQUATIONfrom one form to another to solve the EQUATION. The standard form is y=ax^2 +b ...

consequentThe second TERMof the two terms in a RATIO. For example, in the ratio 3:5, the second term, 5, is the consequent. See ...

decagonA 10-sided POLYGON. decibel AUNITthat expresses the intensity of sound as a FRACTIONof the intensity of a BEL. One decibe ...

alternative method of listing elements of a set is the list, or ROSTER METHODof SPECIFICATION. diagonalAny straight LINE SEGMENT ...

distance GLOSSARY distance GLOSSARY O y x Discrete graph O y x Discontinuous graph ...

Distributive PropertyFor any REAL NUMBERsa, b,and c,the SUMof two numbers times a third is equal to the sum of each number times ...

ellipses A series of three dots, ... , used to indicate that a series of numbers continues on in the same pattern. For example, ...

power” or “five cubed” is written as 5^3 , and means 5 × 5 ×5. “Five to the nth power” is written as 5n, and means that 5 is mul ...

first-degree inequalityAny statement of INEQUALITYwith only one VARIABLEthat is not multiplied by itself, is not part of a DENOM ...

hexahedron ASOLIDthree-dimensional HEXAGON, with six equal SQUARE sides; a CUBE. highest common factorThe largest number that ca ...

icosahedronA 20-sided POLYHEDRON, in which all 20 faces are EQUILATERAL TRIANGLEs. See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES. identit ...

improper fractionAny FRACTIONin which the NUMERATORis greater than or equal to the DENOMINATOR. For example, –^32 ,– 37 ,– 45 ,– ...

intersectionA solution SETthat includes only the elements that are common to each individual set. For example, if A= {all EVEN N ...

isosceles trapezoidAQUADRILATERALwith two nonparallel sides that are equal in length. See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES. isos ...

equation in two variables. For example, x–y= 3, x+ 2y= 14, 4 x–9=– 5 y, etc. This is often written as ax+by+c= 0. If the equatio ...

set of 26, 34, 38, 45, the median is 36, which is the average of the middle two values: (34 + 38) ÷ 2 = 36. members (elements)Th ...

Multiplicative Property of EqualityIf two REAL NUMBERs are equal in value, for example, if a=b,then when they are multiplied by ...

oblique-angled triangleATRIANGLEthat has no RIGHT ANGLEs. See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES. oblique linesAny two lines that ...

INVERSE OPERATIONS, and in some instances the order in which these operations are performed is important in solving EQUATIONs an ...