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calculate
To compute or simplify.
calculator
A machine used for computation.
calculus
The branch of mathematics involving derivatives
and integrals. The study of motion in which
changing values are studied.
capacity
The amount a container holds.
cardinal number
A whole number, used to answer the question
"how many?"
Cartesian coordinates
A system in which points on a plane are identified
by an ordered pair of numbers, representing
the distances to two or three perpendicular
axes.
Celsius
A temperature scale in which water freezes
at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees.
census
Information gathered from all people in a
population.
centi-
In the metric system, a prefix meaning hundredth.
central angle
An angle that has its vertex at the center
of a circle.
center of rotation
The point around which an object is rotated.
chord
A line segment that connects two points on
a curve.
circle
The set of points in a plane that are a fixed
distance from a given point, called the center.
circle graph
A pictorial way of displaying how an entire
thing, represented by the circle's interior,
is distributed.
circumference
The distance around a circle.
closed curve
A string of connected points in which the
beginning of the string joins the end of the
string.
coefficient
A constant that multiplies a variable.
collinear
Points are collinear if they lie on the same
line.
combination
A selection in which order has no importance.
combine
To join, or bring together.
commission
Earnings based on the amount of total sales.
common denominator
A denominator shared by two or more fractions.
common factor
A factor of two or more numbers.
common multiple
A multiple of two or more numbers.
commutative property
The order of numbers in a calculation does
not affect the result.
commutative property of addition
a+b=b+a
commutative property of multiplication
a*b=b*a
compass
An instrument used for drawing circles, describing
circles, or measuring distances. Consists
of two hinged, movable legs.
compatible numbers
Numbers that are easy to manipulate mentally.
Example: 25*4, 8+2
compensation
Adjusting an estimated answer up or down to
more closely approximate the value.
complementary angles
Two angles whose sum is 90 degrees.
complement set
A set whose elements do not belong to a given
set.
complex numbers
Numbers that have the form a+bi
where a and b
are real numbers and i satisfies
the equation i2=-1.
composite
A natural number that is not prime.
compound bar graph
A bar graph that compares two or more quantities
simultaneously.
compound event
The outcome of a probability experiment that
involves more than one object. Example: when
you roll two dice and the result is a 5 on
one and a 2 on the other, this is a compound
event.
compound inequality
Two or more inequalities that may have a common
solution.
concave polygon
A polygon with at least one interior angle
with measure greater than 180 degrees.
concentric
With reference to circles, having the same
center.
cone
A three-dimensional figure with a circular
base and one vertex.
congruent
Angles or figures that have the same size
and shape.
conic section
The section formed by the intersection of
a plane and a cone.
conjecture
An educated guess.
consistent system
A system of equations that has at least one
solution.
constant
A fixed value that does not change.
convex polygon
A polygon with each interior angle measuring
less than 180 degrees.
coordinate
A number in an ordered pair that names the
location of a point on the coordinate plane.
The first number in the ordered pair is called
the abscissa and the second number is the
ordinate.
coordinate plane
The plane determined by a horizontal number
line, called the x-axis, and a vertical number
line, called the y-axis, intersecting at a
point called the origin. Each point in the
coordinate plane can be specified by an ordered
pair of numbers.
coplanar
Points that lie within the same plane.
correlation
A type of relationship between two variables.
Two variables may be related as a positive
correlation, a negative correlation, or illustrate
no correlation.
corresponding angles
Angles that have the same relative positions.
cosecant
In a right triangle, the ratio of the length
of the hypotenuse to the length of the opposite
side; the reciprocal of the sine.
cosine
In a right triangle, the ratio of the length
of the adjacent side to the length of the
hypotenuse.
cotangent
In a right triangle, the ratio of the length
of the adjacent side to the length of the
opposite side; the reciprocal of the tangent.
counting numbers
The natural numbers, or the numbers used to
count.
counting principle
If a first event has n outcomes and a second
event has m outcomes, then the first event
followed by the second event has n times m
outcomes.
cross multiply
In a proportion, to rewrite the equation so
that the product of the means equals the product
of the extremes.
cross product
A product found by multiplying the numerator
of one fraction by the denominator of another
fraction and the denominator of the first
fraction by the numerator of the second.
cube
A solid figure with six square faces.
cube root
A number that when cubed (taken to the power
of 3) gives the original number.
cubic
Having the shape of a cube. When referring
to volume, describing in terms of the volume
of a cube with the indicated length edge.
curve
The graphic representation of an algebraic
equation; a connected set of points.
cylinder
A three-dimensional figure having two parallel
bases that are congruent circles.
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