The Facts On File Algebra Handbook

Cartesian coordinate systemAGRAPHconsisting of a two-dimensional
PLANEdivided into quarters by the PERPENDICULAR AXES, the x-axis
and y-axis, for the purpose of charting COORDINATES.

chord AnyLINE SEGMENTthat joins two points of a CIRCLEwithout passing
through the center.

circle A closed PLANEfigure that is made of a curved line that is at all
points EQUIDISTANTfrom the center.

circulating decimalSeeREPEATING DECIMAL.

circumferenceThe DISTANCEaround the curved line of a CIRCLE. The
formula for calculating the circumference of a circle is C= 2πr.
See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES.

coefficientThe quantity in a TERMother than an EXPONENTor a VARIABLE. For
example, in the following terms, the variables are xand y,and the
numbers 3, 5, 7, and 9 are the coefficients of each term: 3x, 5 y, 7 xy,
9 πx^2.

coefficient matrixAMATRIX(rectangular system of rows and columns) used
to show the VALUEs of the COEFFICIENTs of multiple EQUATIONs.
Each row shows the SOLUTIONs for each equation. If there are four

Cartesian coordinate system – coefficient matrix GLOSSARY

Cartesian coordinate system – coefficient matrix GLOSSARY

O

x

y

Quadrant

II

Quadrant

I

Quadrant

III

Quadrant

IV

Cartesian coordinate

system

B

A

Chord

Circle