F

FactorialThe product of a given integer and all

smaller positive integers. The factorial of n is
written n! and is read aloud "n factorial".

Fibonacci SequenceThe sequence of numbers 1,

1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, . . . for which the next
term is found by adding the previous two terms.
This sequence is encountered in many settings,
from population models to botany.

First DerivativeSame as the derivative. We say

first derivative instead of just derivativewhenever
there may be confusion between the first
derivative and the second derivative (or the nth
derivative).

First Quartile(Low/er Quartile) For a set of data,

a number for which 25% of the data is less than
that number. The first quartile is the same as the
median of the data which are less than the overall
median. Same as the 25th percentile

FlipA transformation in which a geometric figure

is reflected across a line, creating a mirror image.
That line is called the axis of reflection.

FOIL MethodA technique for distributing two

binomials. The letters FOIL stand for First, Outer,
Inner, Last. First means multiply the terms which
occur first in each binomial. Then Outer means
multiply the outermost terms in the product. Inner
means multiply the innermost two terms. Last
means multiply the terms which occur last in each
binomial. Then simplify the products and combine
any like terms which may occur.
FormulaAn expression used to calculate a desired
result, such as a formula to find volume or a
formula to count combinations.

FractalA figure that is self-similar. That is, no

matter how far you zoom in on the figure, the
portion you look at is similar to the original figure.
The Koch edge, below, is a
fractal.

FunctionA relation for which each element of the

domain corresponds to exactly one element of the
range.

Fundamental Theory of AlgebraThetheorem

that establishes that, using complex numbers, all
polynomials can be factored. A generalization of
the theorem asserts that any polynomial of
degreen has exactly nzeros, counting multiplicity.

G
GammaThe letters of ancient Greece, which are
frequently used in math and science.[ ]
Geometric FigureAny point, line, segment, ray,
angle, polygon, curve, region, plane, surface,
solid, etc. Formally, a geometric figure is any set
of points on a plane or in space.

Geometry The study of geometric figures in two

dimensions (plane geometry) and three
dimensions (solid geometry). It includes the study
of points, lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, other
polygons, circles, spheres, prisms, pyramids,
cones, cylinders, and polyhedra. Geometry
typically includes the study of axioms, theorems,
and two-column proofs.

Glide (shift) A transformation in which a graph or

geometric figure is picked up and moved to
another location without any change in size or
orientation.

Googol The number 10100. This number can be

written as a 1 followed by 100 zeros.

Graph of an Equation or Inequality The picture

obtained by plotting all the points of an equation
or inequality.

Graphic Methods The use of graphs and/or

pictures as the main technique for solving a math
problem. When a problem is solved graphically, it
is common to use a graphing calculator.
Great CircleA circle on the surface of the sphere
that shares its center with the center of the
sphere. An arc of such a circle is often called a
great circle, even though it is not a full circle.

GCF The largest integer that

divides evenly into each of a
given set of numbers.Often
abbreviated GCF or gcf. For example,
6 is the gcf of 30 and 18. Sometimes GCF is
written using parentheses: (30, 18) = 6.

Greatest Integer FunctionA step function of x

which is the greatest integer less than or equal to
x. The floor function is written a number of
different ways: with special brackets or , or
by using either boldface brackets [x] or plain
brackets [x].

H
Half-LifeFor a substance decaying exponentially,
the amount of time it takes for the amount of the
substance to diminish by half.

Harmonic MeanA kind of average. To find the

harmonic mean of a set of n numbers, add the
reciprocals of the numbers in the set, divide the
sum by n, then take the reciprocal of the result.
The harmonic mean of {a1, a2, a3, a4, . . .,an} is
given below.
Helix A curve shaped like a spring. A helix can be
made by coiling a wire around the outside of a
right circular cylinder.

Heptagon A polygon with seven sides. Some

authors also use the name septagon instead of
heptagon.

Regular
Heptagon

Hexagon A polygon with six sides.

Regular
Hexagon
Third QuartileFor a set of data, a number for
which 75% of the data is less than that number.
The third quartile is the same as the median of the
part of the data which is greater than the median.
Same as 75th percentile.

Homogeneous System of EquationsA system,

usually a linear system, in which every constant
term is zero.

HorizontalPerfectly flat and level. For example,

the horizon is horizontal. So is the floor.

HypotenuseThe side of a right triangle opposite

the right angle. Note: The hypotenuse is the
longest side of a right triangle.

HypothesisThe part of a conditional after If and

before then. In the conditional "If a line is
horizontal, then the line has slope 0" the
hypothesis is "a line is horizontal".

I
Imaginary NumbersComplex numbers with no
real part, such as 5i.

Impossible EventAn event which has

zeroprobability of occurring.

Improper FractionA fraction which has a larger

numerator than denominator. For example, is an

improper fraction.

Improper IntegralA definite integral for which

the integrand has a discontinuity between the
bounds of integration, or which has and/or as
a bound. Improper integrals are evaluated using
limits as shown below.

Independent VariableA variable in an equation

that may have its value freely chosen without
considering values of any other variable. For
equations such as y = 3x 2, the independent
variable is x.
InductionA method for proving a proposition that
is valid for infinitely many different values of a
variable. For example, it can be used to prove the

formula 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + . . . + n= .

InfiniteDescribes a set which is not finite.

Formally, a set is infinite if it can be placed in one-
to-one correspondence with a proper subset of
itself.

Inscribed Angle in a CircleAnangle in a circle

with vertex on the circle itself.

IntegersAll positive and negativewhole numbers

(including zero). That is, the set {... , 3, 2, 1, 0,
1, 2, 3, ...}. Integers are indicated by either or J.

IntegralAs a noun, it means the integral of a

function.

As an adjective, it means "in the form of an

integer." For example, saying a polynomial has
integral coefficients means the coefficients of the
polynomial are all integers.

Interior AngleAnangle on the interior of a plane

figure.

J
Joint VariationWhen we say z is jointly
proportional to a set of variables, it means that z is
directly proportional to each variable taken one at
a time.

If z varies jointly with respect to x and y, the

equation will be of the form z = kxy (where k is a
constant).

K
KiteA quadrilateral with two pairs of adjacentsides
that are congruent. Note that the diagonals of a
kite are perpendicular.

L
Least Common MultipleThe smallest
positiveinteger into which two or more integers
divide evenly. For example, 24 is the LCM of 8 and
12. Sometimes the LCM is written using brackets:
[8, 12] = 24.
Leading CoefficientThe coefficient of a
polynomial'sleading term. For example, 5 is the
leading coefficient of 5x4 6x3 + 4x 12.

Leading TermThe term in a polynomial which

contains the highest power of the variable. For
example, 5x4 is the leading term of 5x4 6x3 + 4x
12.

Least Common DenominatorThe smallest whole

number that can be used as a denominator for two
or more fractions. The least common denominator
is the least common multiple of the original
denominators.

Like TermsTerms which have the same variables

and correspondingpowers and/or roots. Like terms
can be combined using addition an subtraction.
Terms that are not like cannot be combined using
addition or subtraction.

LineThe geometric figure formed by two points. A

line is the straight path connecting two points and
extending beyond the points in both directions.

Line SegmentAll pointsbetween two given points

(including the given points themselves).

LinearLike a line. A description of any graph or

data that can be modeled by a linear polynomial.

Linear EquationAn equation that can be written

in the form "linear polynomial = linear polynomial"
or "linear polynomial = constant".
Linear FactorizationA factored form of a
polynomial in which each factor is a linear
polynomial.

M
Magnitude The amount of a quantity. Magnitude
is never negative.

Major Arc The longer of the two arcs between two

points on a circle.

Mean Another word for average. Mean almost

always refers to arithmetic mean. In certain
contexts, however, it could refer to the geometric
mean, harmonic mean, or root mean square.

Measure of an Angle The size of an angle.

Angles are measured in degrees or radians.

Measurement The process of assigning a number

to a physical property. Examples of measurement
include length, size of an angle, area, volume,
mass, time, etc.

Midpoint The point halfway between two given

points.

Minimize To find the smallest possible value.

Minor Arc The shorter of the two arcs between

two points on a circle.
Minute A unit of angle measure equal to of a
degree. There are 60 minutes in one degree.
Minutes are indicated using
the ' symbol, so 1245' means 12 degrees and 45
minutes, or 12.75 degrees.

Mode The number that occurs the most often in a

list.