Introductory Algebra Glossary

1. Introductory AlgebraGlossary Chapter Two

2. linear equation in one variable • A linear equation in one variable can be written in the form ax = b, where a and b are real numbers, with a  0.

3. solution set • The set of all solutions of a particular equation.

4. equivalent equations • Equations that have the same solution set.

5. empty set (null set) • The set containing no elements, denoted by { } or Ø.

6. degree • A degree is a basic unit of measure for angles in which one degree (1°) is 1/360 of a complete revolution.

7. complementary angles (complements) • Complementary angles are angles whose measures have a sum of 90°.

8. supplementary angles (supplements) • Supplementary angles are angles whose measures have a sum of 180°.

9. consecutive integers • Two integers that differ by one.

10. perimeter • The measure of the distance around the outside edges of a two-dimensional figure, the sum of the lengths of its sides.

11. circumference • The distance around a circle.

12. area • A measure of the surface covered by a two-dimensional figure.

13. vertical angles • The angles that lie opposite each other when two lines intersect.

14. straight angle • A straight angle measures 180°.

15. ratio • A comparison of two quantities with the same units: • 3 to 4, 3:4 and 3/4 are all equivalent expressions of the same ratio.

16. proportion • A statement that two ratios are equal: • 1:2 = 2:4

17. cross products • In the proportion a/b = c/d, the cross products are ad and bc.

18. vary directly as (is proportional to) • y varies directly as x if there exists a nonzero number k such that y = kx.

19. interval notation • A simplified notation which uses parentheses, ( ), and/or brackets, [ ], to describe an intervalon a number line.

20. three-part inequality • An inequality that says that one number is between two other numbers.

21. Return toIntroductory Algebra • Created by • James Q. Jacobs • Superstition Mountain Campus • Central Arizona College