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 multiplied
times itself an undetermined, or nth,number of times. If an exponent
follows a term of more than one VARIABLE, it only raises the power
of the variable immediately before it. For example, 3ab^2 only raises
bto the second power, xy^3 only raises yto the third power, and so on.
exponentiation (involution)The process of raising any quantity to a POWER,
or of finding the power of a number.
expression (algebraic expression)A grouping of one or more TERMs, which
contains at least one number or VARIABLE, and includes addition,
subtraction, MULTIPLICATION, or division. Each of the following is an
expression: 3x,2 + 5y, 7 xy– 3x+y^2. The first expression, 3x,contains
one term and is also called a MONOMIAL. The second expression, 2 +
5 y,contains two terms and is also called a BINOMIAL. The third
expression, 7xy– 3x+y^2 , contains three terms and is also called a
TRINOMIAL. Any expression with four or more terms is simply called a
POLYNOMIAL. Binomials and trinomials are specific kinds of
polynomials. Expressions do not contain an equals sign.
See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES.
Extended Distributive PropertyThe property that dictates how to multiply
two POLYNOMIALs, in which each TERMin the first polynomial is
multiplied by each term in the second polynomial.
f(x) SeeEULER’Sf(x)NOTATION.
factor Any number or quantity that divides another number without leaving
aREMAINDER.
factoringDividing a number by its factors.
Fibonacci sequenceASEQUENCEof numbers beginning with 1, 1, in which
each following number is the SUMof the two numbers immediately
preceding it. The sequence starts 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, etc... ,
and can be calculated using a RECURSIVE FORMULA. The Fibonacci
sequence is named for Italian mathematician LEONARDO FIBONACCI.
See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES.
finite set ASETin which all of the elements or MEMBERSof the set can be
listed, including the first and last elements. For example A= {x|x=
all EVEN NUMBERs between 0 and 10}. Since all of the elements can
be listed, because A= {2, 4, 6, 8}, this is a finite set.
first-degree equationAny EQUATIONwith only one VARIABLEthat is not
multiplied by itself, is not part of a DENOMINATOR, and is involved
with addition, subtraction, MULTIPLICATION, and/or division.GLOSSARY exponentiation – first-degree equation
GLOSSARY exponentiation – first-degree equation
1 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 13 , 21 , 34 ...
Fibonacci sequence