Algebra 2 Defintions

Compression

A force that pushes on or squeezes a material.

Binomial Theorem

A way in which to write binomials in expanded form

Function Rule

An algebraic expression that defines a function

Confidence Interval

The range of values within which a population parameter is estimated to lie.

Coterminal Angles

Two angles in standard position that have the same terminal side

Even Function

graph is symmetrical with respect to the y-axis; f(x) = f(-x)

Constraint

limitation or restriction

Complex Conjugate

(a+bi) and (a-bi)

Decay Factor

1 minus the percent rate of change, expressed as a decimal, for an exponential decay situation.

Conjugate Axis

2b

Census

A complete enumeration of a population.

Explicit Formula

A formula that allows direct computation of any term for a sequence a1, a2, a3, . . . , an, . . . .

Complex Fraction

A fraction that contains one or more fractions in its numerator or denominator.

Continuous Function

A function whose graph is unbroken

Absolute-Value Function

A function whose rule contains absolute-value expressions

Asymptote

A line that a graph approaches

Axis of Symmetry

A line that divides a figure in half so that each half is the mirror image of the other

Common Logarithm

A logarithm with base 10

Augmented Matrix

A matrix that consists of the coefficients and the constant terms in a system of linear equations.

Complex Plane

A plane with a real axis and an imaginary axis.

Binomial

A polynomial with two terms

Geometric Probability

A probability that involves a geometric measure such as length or area.

Completing the Square

A process used to form a perfect square trinomial.

Fundamental Counting Principle

A quick way to show the total number of possible outcomes of compound events

Biased Sample

A sample drawn in such a way that one or more parts of the population are favored over others.

Arithmetic Sequence

A sequence whose successive terms differ by the same nonzero number d, called the common difference

Finite Sequence

A sequence with a last term

Empty Set

A set with no elements

Exponential Regression

A statistical method used to fit an exponential model to a given data set.

Independent System

A system of equations that has exactly one solution.

Dependent System

A system of equations that has infinitely many solutions.

Elimination

Act of removal of materials from the body

Complement of an Event

All possible outcomes that are not in the event

Angle of Rotation

An angle formed by a rotating ray, called the terminal side, and a stationary reference ray, called the initial side.

Extraneous Solution

An apparent solution that must be rejected because it does not satisfy the original equation.

Exponential Equation

An equation that contains one or more exponential expressions.

Compound Event

An event made up of two or more simple events.

Coefficient Matrix

An organization of numbers or variables in columns and rows

Common Ratio

Another name for the multiplier or generator of a geometric sequence

Conic Section

Any figure that can be obtained by slicing a double cone

Categorical Data

Data that consists of names, labels, or other nonnumerical values

End Behavior

Describes what happens to the value of f(x) as x increases or decreases without bound.

First Differences

Differences between consecutive y-values in tables of values with evenly spaced x-values.

Exponential Growth

Growth pattern in which the individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate

Combination

Mixture

Composition of Function

One (or more) functions substituted into another function.

Growth Rate

Rate of increase or decrease of a population

Gaussian Elimination

Row-reduce until you get an x = number and substitute until you get an actual number.

Average Rate of Change

Slope of secant line between two points, use to estimate instantanous rate of change at a point.

Absolute value of a complex number

The absolute value of a+bi is the distance from the origin to the point of (a,b) in the complex plane and is denoted.

absolute value of real number

The absolute value of x is the distance from zero to x on a number line, denoted |x|

Amplitude

The amplitude of a Periodic Function is half the difference of the maximum and minimum values (always positive)

Angle of Elevation

The angle formed by a horizontal line and a line of sight to a point below

Angle of Depression

The angle formed by horizontal line and a line of sight to a point below

Distribution

The arrangement of something across Earth's surface.

end behavior

The behavior of the graph as x approaches positive infinity or negative infinity.

Factor Theorem

The binomial x-r is a factor of the polynomial P(x) if and only if P(r)=0

Common Difference

The difference between consecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence or the generator of the sequence.

Decreasing

The graph of a function goes down on a portion of its domain when viewed from left to right.

Degree of a Polynomial

The greatest degree of any term in the polynomial

Expected Value

The mean of a probability distribution.

Dependent Events

The outcome of one event does affect the outcome of the second event

Binomial Probability

The probability of getting one of two outcomes (like heads or tails)

Cumulative Probability

The probability that a random variable takes on a value less than or equal to stated value.

Geometric Series

The sum of n terms of a geometric sequence

Degree of a Monomial

The sum of the exponents of the variables in the monomial.

Contradiction

a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.

Correlation

a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things

Complex Number

a number of the form a+bi where a and b are real numbers and i is the square root of -1

Difference of Two Squares

a polynomial that can be factored as the product of the sum and difference of two terms

Discontinuous

a process in which new ways of understanding and responding to the world emerge at specific times

Geometric Sequence

a sequence in which each term is found by multiplying the previous term by the same number

Arithmetic Series

a series whose terms form an arithmetic sequence

Correlation Coefficient

a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)

Discriminant

b^2-4ac

interval

distance between two pitches

Cubic Function

f(x)=x^3

Imaginary Unit

i, or the principal square root of -1

Compound Interest

interest calculated on both the principal and the accrued interest

Hypothesis Testing

make and test an educated guess about a problem/solution

Growth Factor

one of a group of external regulatory proteins that stimulate the growth and division of cells

Decay Rate

rate at which atoms of the parent decay to form atoms of their stable daughter product.

Geometric Mean

the mean of n numbers expressed as the n-th root of their product

Increasing

the portion of the graph that is going up

Conditional Probability

the probability of an event ( A ), given that another ( B ) has already occurred.

Factorial

the product of the natural numbers less than or equal to the number

Imaginary Number

the square root of a negative number

Finite Geometric Series

the sum of the first "n" terms of a geometric sequence

Closure

the tendency to complete figures that are incomplete

Cotangent

x/y

Exponential Decay

y=a(1-r)^t

Directrix

y=k-p

Heron's Formula

√s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)