Mathematics key terms

The symbol $\approx$, meaning “is approximately equal to”. It is used when two values are close but not necessarily identical.

A numerical value sufficiently close to an exact solution for a stated degree of accuracy.

A value used in place of another value because it is sufficiently close for the purpose.

A part of a circle's circumference between two points.

The amount of surface covered by a two-dimensional region, measured in square units such as cm² or m².

The area enclosed by a circle, calculated using $A=\pi r^2$.

The multiplier that changes corresponding areas, including surface areas, from one similar figure to another.

The region between a graph and the horizontal axis over a stated interval. Its units are the vertical-axis units multiplied by the horizontal-axis units.

The angle used as the input of a trigonometric function; in this topic it is measured in degrees.

A sequence in which the difference between consecutive terms is constant.

A sequence in which the difference between each pair of consecutive terms is constant.

Arranging values from smallest to largest.

A line that a curve approaches increasingly closely without reaching.

The constant rate that represents the overall change between two points on a graph; it is the gradient of the chord joining them.

The total distance travelled divided by the total time taken.

The bearing for travelling back along the same straight line in the opposite direction.

The amount in an account after its credits and debits have been taken into account.

A chart in which separate, equal-width bars represent categories and each bar's height shows its frequency.

The number being repeatedly multiplied in a power; in $4^3$, the base is 4.

The area of the face chosen as the base of a cone or pyramid, often represented by $B$.

The starting value from which the height or length of a bar is measured.

A three-figure angle measured clockwise from north that describes a direction.

A systematic effect that makes the collected data unrepresentative of the population.

A memory aid for Brackets, Indices, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. BODMAS uses Orders instead of Indices.

An algebraic expression consisting of exactly two unlike terms joined by addition or subtraction, such as $x+3$ or $2x-5$.

To divide a length or angle into two equal parts.

Data in which each observation has two related values, such as two test scores for the same pupil.

The line or edges forming the outside of a shape.

A line separating the points that satisfy an inequality from those that do not.

The value separating solutions from non-solutions; it is found by replacing the inequality sign with an equals sign.