Explanation of basic mathematical terminology,
Coefficients,
Any factor of a number may be considered a multiplier of the other factors. Thus in the number, 6AB, 6 may be called the coefficient of AB or A may be the coefficient of 6B. When there is no numerical coefficient in front of the variable(s) the coefficient is understood to be 1. For example 1XY is the same as XY.
Equations (or Formulas),
An equation is a statement that indicates the mathematical relationship among several different values and includes an equal sign. In an equation, the values that may change are called variables. Equations are used to find a particular number based on the value of other numbers. For example; the equation for a straight line is Y = A + BX.
Exponents,
When working with numbers it is sometimes easier to use powers to describe them. Large numbers such as 1,000,000 can be written as 106 which would be 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10. In this case the 6 is called an exponent of the base number 10 and in English one would say “10 to the 6th.” The base doesn‟t have to be 10; for example: 32 is 3 x 3 which is 9. When the exponent is 2 we say the base has been squared so 32 is “3 squared” and G2 is “G squared.” When the exponent is 3 we say the base has been cubed. So A3 is “A cubed.”
Factors,
When two or more numbers or variables are multiplied together they form a product. Thus, 3 and 4 are factors of 12 because 3 x 4 = 12 and 6 and Z are factors of 6Z because 6 x Z = 6Z.
Square roots,
The opposite of an exponent, the square root of a number is the number that when multiplied by itself yields the original number. For example; the square root of 9 is 3 because 3 x 3 = 9. The square root of a squared number yields the base of the squared number. For example; the square root of 52 is 5 and the square root of A2 is A. The symbol for square roots is √.
Summation,
A summation is a mathematical term for the sum of a set of values. The symbol for summation is Σ.
Variables,
A variable is the technical term for a letter which is used in place of a number. The numbers being represented by the letter may be known or unknown.
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