function
[noun]
(mathematics) a quantity whose value changes according to another quantity's varying value
Ex:
ACT Math and Assessment - Math
Here you will learn some English words related to math, such as "histogram", "theorem", "matrix", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.
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to model
[verb]
to make a representation of something, especially one based on mathematics
Ex:
They
modeled
the
chemical reaction
to
determine
the
best
conditions
for
the
experiment
.
constant
[noun]
a quantity or value that remains the same and does not change in a specific mathematical context
Ex:
Mathematicians
often
use
constants
to
simplify
complex
equations
and
ensure
consistency
.
expression
[noun]
a combination of numbers, variables, operations, and grouping symbols that collectively represent a numerical value or relationship
Ex:
The
quadratic
formula
is
derived from
the
standard
form
of
a
quadratic
expression
.
equivalent
[adjective]
(of mathematical expressions or quantities) having the same value or function, even if they appear in different forms
Ex:
In
probability
,
two
events
are
equivalent
if
they
have
the
same
probability
of
occurring
.
variable
[noun]
(mathematics) a quantity that is capable of assuming different values in a calculation
Ex:
Scientists
use
variables
to
model
complex
systems
and
analyze
how
different
factors
affect
outcomes
.
scale
[noun]
a system of numerical values used to quantify and compare levels, degrees, or values
Ex:
The
pain
scale
helps
doctors
assess
the
severity
of
a
patient
's
discomfort
.
figure
[noun]
a symbol that represents any number between 0 and 9
Ex:
She
wrote down
the
figures
for
the
monthly
expenses
.
domain
[noun]
the set of all possible input values for which a given function is defined
Ex:
The
domain
of
a
polynomial
function
is
all
real numbers
.
diagram
[noun]
a graphic design intended to explain something
Ex:
The
presenter
handed out
a
diagram
to
the
audience
to
help
explain
the
data
trends
.
histogram
[noun]
a diagram consisting of bars with different heights that represent the amount of a variable
scatter plot
[noun]
a type of graph used in statistics and data analysis to display and compare two sets of numerical data
Ex:
The
scatter plot
indicated
a
cluster
of
data points
in
the
upper
right
corner
,
suggesting
a
trend
.
intercept
[noun]
the point where a line, curve, or surface crosses an axis on a graph
Ex:
The
teacher
explained
how
to
calculate
the
intercepts
of
a
quadratic equation
.
plane
[noun]
a flat, two-dimensional surface that extends infinitely in all directions
Ex:
Points
and
lines
are
often
studied
within
the
context
of
a
plane
in
Euclidean geometry
.
line of best fit
[noun]
a straight line drawn through the center of a group of data points on a scatter plot representing the best approximation of the relationship between the variables being studied
Ex:
The
scatter plot
with
the
line of best fit
helped
us
understand
the
relationship
between
temperature
and
energy
consumption
.
interval
[noun]
a set of real numbers that includes all the numbers between any two specified numbers within the set
Ex:
A
half-open
interval
(
e
,
f
]
,
where
e
and
f
are
real numbers
,
includes
all
numbers
greater
than
e
and
less
than
or
equal to
f.
linear function
[noun]
a mathematical function that creates a straight line when graphed
Ex:
The
teacher
explained
that
any
equation
of
the
form
y = mx+b
represents
a
linear function
.
rational function
[noun]
a function that can be expressed as the ratio of two polynomials, where the denominator is not zero
Ex:
To
find
the
vertical
asymptotes
of
a
rational function
,
set
the
denominator
equal to
zero
and
solve
for
x.
integer constant
[noun]
a fixed numerical value that is a whole number, either positive, negative, or zero
Ex:
Integer constants
are
used
in
mathematical
expressions
to
represent
fixed
numerical values
.
nonlinear
[adjective]
not following a straight or predictable line, sequence, or pattern
Ex:
Nonlinear
equations
are
more
complex
and
may
have
multiple
solutions
.
to correspond
[verb]
to have a direct relationship or alignment with something else, such as paired values or elements
Ex:
In
a
one-to-one
function
,
each
input
value
corresponds
to
exactly
one
output
value
.
term
[noun]
a single number, variable, or the product of numbers and variables in an expression or equation, separated by addition or subtraction operators
Ex:
axis
[noun]
a reference line used in coordinate systems to provide a framework for locating points
Ex:
polynominal function
[noun]
a mathematical function that can be expressed as a sum of terms, where each term is a constant multiplied by a variable raised to a non-negative integer power
Ex:
to satisfy
[verb]
to fulfill the conditions or requirements of a mathematical statement, equation, or inequality
Ex:
A
number
that
satisfies
both
the
equation
2x−5=7
and
the
inequality
x>4
is
x=6
.
coefficient
[noun]
a numerical or constant factor that multiplies a variable in an algebraic term
Ex:
In
the
system
of
equations
,
the
coefficients
of
the
variables
must
be
aligned
to
use
matrix
methods
.
quadratic
[noun]
an equation where the highest power of the variable is squared
Ex:
A
quadratic
can
have
zero
,
one
,
or
two
real
solutions
depending on
the
discriminant
.
regression
[noun]
a statistical method used to model and analyze the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables
Ex:
equidistant
[adjective]
having equal distances from two or more points
Ex:
The
new
park
is
equidistant
from
all
the
major
residential areas
in
the
town
.
collinear
[adjective]
having points that lie on the same straight line
Ex:
In
geometry
,
proving
that
points
are
collinear
can
simplify
many
problems
.
theorem
[noun]
a statement or proposition that has been proven to be true based on previously established axioms, definitions, and other theorems within a particular mathematical or logical system
Ex:
The
Pythagorean
theorem
is
a
well-known
principle
in
geometry
.
period
[noun]
a recurring interval or length associated with a mathematical function or pattern
Ex:
When
graphing
a
periodic
function
,
understanding
its
period
is
crucial
for
accurately
representing
its
behavior
.
to evaluate
[verb]
to find the numerical value of an expression, equation, or function by substituting specific values for the variables
Ex:
Before
graphing
the
function
,
it
's
essential
to
evaluate
it
at
a few
key
points
to
understand
its
behavior
.
expanded notation
[noun]
a way of representing numbers as the sum of each digit multiplied by its place value
Ex:
When
writing
numbers
in
expanded notation
,
each
digit
is
represented
according to
its
place
value
.
scientific notation
[noun]
a method of writing numbers as the product of a coefficient and a power of 10
Ex:
Scientists
use
scientific notation
to
express
the
extremely
small
sizes
of
subatomic particles
,
such as
quarks
and
neutrinos
.
matrix
[noun]
a rectangular array of numbers or symbols organized in rows and columns, commonly used in linear algebra for representing equations, transformations, and vector operations
Ex:
Multiplying
a
matrix
by
a
vector
is
a
common
operation
in
linear algebra
,
used
in
applications
like
computer programming
and
physics
.
determinant
[noun]
a single number calculated from the elements of a square matrix that indicates important properties, like whether the matrix can be inverted
Ex:
Understanding
determinants
is
essential
for
advanced
studies
in
eigenvalues
and
eigenvectors
.
factorial
[noun]
the product of all positive whole numbers from 1 to a given number
Ex:
To
solve
the
problem
,
you
need
to
find
the
factorial
of
7
.
vector
[noun]
an ordered set of numbers that describes both magnitude and direction, commonly used to represent quantities like displacement, velocity, or force in physics and engineering
Ex:
Acceleration
,
a
vector
in
kinematics
,
represents
the
rate
of
change
of
velocity
over time
.
standard coordinate plane
[noun]
a two-dimensional system used to represent points in space
Ex:
Students
learn
to
identify
quadrants
on
the
standard coordinate plane
and
locate
points
using
ordered
pairs
(
x
,
y
)
.
trigonometric function
[noun]
a mathematical function that relates the angles of a triangle to the lengths of its sides, commonly including sine, cosine, and tangent
Ex:
The
graphs
of
trigonometric functions
,
such as
sine
and
cosine
,
exhibit
periodic
behavior
.
augmented matrix
[noun]
a way of representing a system of linear equations in matrix form
Ex:
In
linear algebra
,
students
learn
to
manipulate
augmented matrices
to
solve
systems
of
equations
and
perform
other
operations
.
unit vector
[noun]
a vector that has a magnitude of 1 and represents direction without regard to scale
Ex:
The
electric field
at
a
point
due to
a
charged
particle
can
be
expressed
as
a
vector
quantity
using
a
unit vector
to
represent
direction
.