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Mathway Glossary

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abscissa
The first element in a coordinate pair. When graphed in the coordinate plane, it is the distance from the y-axis. Frequently called the x coordinate.

absolute value
The distance of a number from zero; the positive value of a number.

acid
Traditionally considered any chemical compound that, when dissolved in water, gives a solution with a hydrogen ion activity greater than in pure water $(i.e.$ a pH less than $\color{#16387C}{7.0} $$). acute angle A positive angle measuring less than \color{#16387C}{90} degrees. acute triangle A triangle with all angles measuring less than \color{#16387C}{90} degrees. addend A number which is involved in addition. Numbers being added are considered to be the addends. addition Calculating a sum by adding two or more numbers. additive inverse The additive inverse of any number \color{#16387C}{x} is the number that gives zero when added to \color{#16387C}{x} . Example: the additive inverse of \color{#16387C}{5} is \color{#16387C}{-5} . adjacent angles Two angles that share both a side and a vertex. algebra A branch of mathematics in which variables are substituted for unknown values to solve a particular problem. algorithm A step-by-step procedure for carrying out computation. alternate angles Two angles that are in opposite locations when lines are cut by a transversal. altitude Length from the uppermost point of a triangle to the line opposite. angle The union of two rays with a common endpoint, called the vertex. anion An ion with more electrons than protons, giving it a net negative charge. annulus The portion of a plane bounded by two concentric circles in the plane. antiderivative An antiderivative of a function \color{#16387C}{f} is a function \color{#16387C}{F} whose derivative is equal to \color{#16387C}{f}$$.$ Example: $\color{#16387C}{F'=f}$$.$

approximate
Estimate.

arc
A portion of the circumference of a circle.

area
The number of square units covering a shape or figure.

arithmetic
Method of computing using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

arithmetic sequence
A sequence with the difference between two consecutive terms constant. The difference is called the common difference.

array
A set of numbers that will follow a specific pattern. An orderly arrangement often in rows, columns or a matrix.

associative property
When performing an operation on three or more numbers, the result is unchanged by the way the numbers are grouped.

$\color{#16387C}{(a+b)+c=a+(b+c)}$

associative property of multiplication
$\color{#16387C}{(a \cdot b) \cdot c=a \cdot (b \cdot c)}$

asymptote
On a graph, a line which is approached by a curve but never reached.

atom
A basic unit of matter consisting of a dense, central nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons.

atomic mass
The mass of an atom, most often expressed in unified atomic mass units.

atomic number
The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom and therefore identical to the charge number of the nucleus.

attribute
A characteristic to describe an object usually within a pattern. The attribute usually refers to the shape, size, or color.

average
A number that represents the characteristics of a data set, calculated by adding a group of numbers then dividing by the number of elements in that group.

axiom
A basic assumption about a mathematical system from which theorems can be deduced. For example, the system could be the points and lines in the plane. Then an axiom would be that given any two distinct points in the plane, there is a unique line through them.

axis
The horizontal and vertical lines that form the quadrants of the coordinate plane. The horizontal axis is usually called the x-axis, the vertical axis is usually called the y-axis.

axis of symmetry
A line that passes through a figure in such a way that the part of the figure on one side of the line is a mirror reflection of the part on the other side of the line.