Math & Science glossary
Clear definitions, formulas, and visual explanations for every term you need to master.
The simple difference between a final value and an initial value, indicating the total amount of change without regard to the relative scale.
The difference between an initial and final value divided by the initial value. It expresses change as a proportion or percentage of the starting amount.
An algebraic equation of the second degree, often expressed in the standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a is not equal to zero.
The part of the quadratic formula under the radical (b² - 4ac) that determines the number and type of roots an equation has.
A number that describes both the direction and the steepness of a line. It is calculated as the ratio of the change in y over the change in x.
The total area that the surface of a three-dimensional object occupies.
The amount of 3D space a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container.
The product of an integer and all the integers below it down to 1 (denoted by n!).
A positional numeral system that uses a radix (base) of 16. It uses the symbols 0–9 to represent values 0 to 9, and A–F to represent values 10 to 15.
The perimeter of a circle or ellipse. It is the linear distance around the outside of a curved shape.
Any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints lie on the circle. It is twice the length of the radius.
A straight line from the center to the circumference of a circle or sphere. It is half the length of the diameter.
A symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to its side. It is the graph of a quadratic function.
A quantity representing the power to which a given number or expression is to be raised, usually expressed as a raised symbol beside the number or expression.
The quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.
A part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole.
A whole number (not a fractional number) that can be positive, negative, or zero.
A measure used in statistics indicating the value below which a given percentage of observations in a group of observations falls.