completing the squareChanging a QUADRATIC EQUATIONfrom one form to
another to solve the EQUATION. The standard form is y=ax^2 +bx+c,
and the VERTEXform is y–k=a(x – h)^2. To complete the square on a
POLYNOMIALof the form x^2 +bx,where the COEFFICIENTof x^2 is 1,
the THEOREMis to add (–^12 b)^2.
complex fraction (compound fraction)Any FRACTIONthat has a fraction
in the NUMERATORand/or the DENOMINATOR.
See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES.
complex numberThe resulting number from the EXPRESSIONa+bi.The
VARIABLEsaand brepresent REAL NUMBERs, and the variable iis the
IMAGINARY NUMBERthat is the SQUARE ROOTof –1.
composite numberAny integer that can be divided exactlyby any POSITIVE
NUMBERother than itself or 1. For example, the number 12 can be
divided exactly by 4, 3, 2, or 6. Other composite numbers include 4,
6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, and so on.
See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES.
compound fractionSeeCOMPLEX FRACTION.
compound numberAny quantity expressed in different units. For example,
6 feet 2 inches, 8 pounds 1 ounce, 5 hours 15 minutes, and so on.
compound quantityAny quantity consisting of two or more TERMs
connected by a + or – sign. For example, 3a+ 4b–y,or a–bc.
compound statement (compound sentence)Two sentences combined
with one of the following words: or, and.In combining SETs, the
word orindicates a UNIONbetween the sets; the word andindicates
an INTERSECTIONbetween the sets.
concaveA rounded surface that curves inward.
conditional equationAny EQUATIONin which the VARIABLEhas only certain
specific VALUEs that will make the equation true.
conditional statementAny statement that requires one matter to be true
for the subsequent matter to be true. Also called an “If, then”
statement, and often used in BOOLEAN ALGEBRAas “if p,then q,”
written as p→q.
conjectureTo hypothesize about a conclusion without enough evidence to
prove it.
consecutive integersCounting by one, resulting in INTEGERs that are exactly
one number larger than the number immediately preceding.
completing the square – consecutive integers GLOSSARY
completing the square –consecutive integers GLOSSARY
3
4
7Complex fractionConcave