SAT Math: The Terms You Need to Know
Vocabulary is not just for the Reading section of the SAT. Math problems, too, require knowing
some key terms. Here are the most important terms you will see in math questions on the SAT
as well as other standardized tests.
ABSOLUTE VALUE the distance from zero on the number line, represented by the symbol | |
Example: The absolute value of |−40| is 40.ARC any segment of a circle’s circumference
AREA the amount of space within the boundaries of a shape
BISECT to cut in half
CENTRAL ANGLE an angle formed by two radii in a circle
CHORD any line segment connecting two points on the edge of a circle CIRCLE a round figure
equaling 360 degrees
CIRCUMFERENCE the perimeter of (distance around) a circle
CIRCUMSCRIBED surrounded by another shape that is as small as necessary COEFFICIENT
a number multiplied by a variable or other algebraic term Example: In 3x^2 , 3 is the coefficient.
COLLINEAR referring to points that lie on the same line
COMPLEX NUMBER a numerical expression that includes an imaginary component (such as i)
COMPOUND INTEREST In finance, compound interest ensures that the amount of interest
earned will increase over time.
Example: Sara invests $1,000 in a money market account earning 1% annual interest.
The first year she will earn $10 in interest, but the second year she will earn 1% of
$1,010. Her interest compounds over time.