Mathematics Glossary
Key terms from the Mathematics course, linked to the lesson that introduces each one.
5,095 terms.
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- -3i
- Real part is 0, imaginary part is -3 (this is 0 + (-3)i)
- Lesson 1190 — Standard Form of Complex NumbersLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the Plane
- (±a, 0)
- Lesson 1158 — Graphing Ellipses Centered at the OriginLesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin
- (0, ±a)
- Lesson 1158 — Graphing Ellipses Centered at the OriginLesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin
- (a - b)
- it matches the sign between the cubes
- Lesson 339 — Sum and Difference of CubesLesson 387 — Difference of Cubes PatternLesson 2730 — Introduction to Congruence Notation
- (a + b)
- or **(a - b)** — it matches the sign between the cubes
- Lesson 339 — Sum and Difference of CubesLesson 388 — Sum of Cubes Pattern
- (A ᵀ)⁻¹ = (A ⁻¹)ᵀ
- Lesson 1306 — Properties of Inverse MatricesLesson 2145 — Inverses of Products and Transposes
- (a, b)
- means "all numbers between a and b, *excluding both endpoints*"
- Lesson 222 — Interval Notation for SolutionsLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct SubstitutionLesson 1819 — Properties and Composition of Continuous FunctionsLesson 1836 — Linear Approximation in Two VariablesLesson 2826 — The Range of a Continuous Random Variable
- (a, b]
- means "exclude a, but *include* b"
- Lesson 222 — Interval Notation for SolutionsLesson 2826 — The Range of a Continuous Random Variable
- (AB) ⁻¹ = B ⁻¹A ⁻¹
- Lesson 1306 — Properties of Inverse MatricesLesson 2145 — Inverses of Products and Transposes
- (AB)C = A(BC)
- Lesson 1286 — Matrix Multiplication is AssociativeLesson 2101 — Properties of Matrix Multiplication
- (cos θ, sin θ)
- .
- Lesson 992 — Coordinates on the Unit CircleLesson 1000 — Using the Unit Circle to Find Exact ValuesLesson 1004 — Trigonometric Functions in Each QuadrantLesson 1010 — Using the Unit Circle to Evaluate Trig FunctionsLesson 1062 — Proof and Geometric Interpretation of Sum Formulas
- (f g)(x)
- , which reads as "f composed with g at x" or simply "f of g of x.
- Lesson 558 — Function Composition BasicsLesson 1408 — Composition of Functions Review
- (h, k)
- are the **exact coordinates of the vertex**—no calculation needed once you're in this form!
- Lesson 407 — Finding the Vertex by Completing the SquareLesson 423 — Vertex Form of a Quadratic FunctionLesson 424 — Finding the Vertex from Vertex FormLesson 916 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 917 — Finding Center and Radius from Circle EquationsLesson 1136 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 1137 — Graphing Circles from Standard FormLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical Axis (+3 more)
- (n+1)st derivative
- of your function evaluated at some mystery point *c*
- Lesson 1785 — The Lagrange Form of the RemainderLesson 1786 — Using the Lagrange Remainder to Bound Error
- (x - a)
- is how far you've moved from *a*
- Lesson 1469 — Linear Approximation FormulaLesson 1836 — Linear Approximation in Two Variables
- (x - h)
- and **(y - k)**, so if you see **(x + 1)**, that means **h = -1** (because x - (-1) = x + 1).
- Lesson 916 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 917 — Finding Center and Radius from Circle Equations
- (x + 1)
- , that means **h = -1** (because x - (-1) = x + 1).
- Lesson 916 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 1668 — Revolving Around Vertical Lines (x = k)
- (x, y)
- = any other point on the line (the variable)
- Lesson 257 — Point-Slope Form: y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)Lesson 912 — Point-Slope Form and Writing Line EquationsLesson 916 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 1002 — Extending Trig Functions to All AnglesLesson 1136 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct SubstitutionLesson 1836 — Linear Approximation in Two Variables
- (x₁, y₁)
- and **(x₂, y₂)**, the slope **m** is:
- Lesson 245 — Calculating Slope from Two PointsLesson 257 — Point-Slope Form: y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)Lesson 779 — Right Triangles on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 912 — Point-Slope Form and Writing Line Equations
- (x₂, y₂)
- , the slope **m** is:
- Lesson 245 — Calculating Slope from Two PointsLesson 779 — Right Triangles on the Coordinate Plane
- (y - k)
- , so if you see **(x + 1)**, that means **h = -1** (because x - (-1) = x + 1).
- Lesson 916 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 917 — Finding Center and Radius from Circle Equations
- [a, b)
- means "include a, but *not* b"
- Lesson 222 — Interval Notation for SolutionsLesson 2826 — The Range of a Continuous Random Variable
- [a, b]
- means "all numbers from a to b, *including both endpoints*"
- Lesson 222 — Interval Notation for SolutionsLesson 1356 — The Intermediate Value TheoremLesson 1666 — Revolving Around the y-axisLesson 2826 — The Range of a Continuous Random VariableLesson 2894 — Introduction to Continuous Uniform Distribution
- {v₁, v₂, ..., v }
- is linearly dependent if you can find scalars c₁, c₂, .
- Lesson 2066 — Linear Dependence and Redundant VectorsLesson 2211 — Orthogonal Bases
- ∂f/∂x
- This emphasizes "the rate of change of *f* with respect to *x*.
- Lesson 1823 — Notation for Partial DerivativesLesson 1828 — Partial Derivatives of Functions with Three or More Variables
- +ab
- (sign is *opposite* the original)
- Lesson 339 — Sum and Difference of CubesLesson 387 — Difference of Cubes Pattern
- |A|
- (the absolute value of A)
- Lesson 1015 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretching with y = A·sin(x)Lesson 1033 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretch and CompressionLesson 1034 — Finding Amplitude from Equations and GraphsLesson 1290 — What is a Determinant?
- |det(A)|
- gives the scaling factor
- Lesson 1290 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 2149 — Determinant of a 2×2 Matrix
- −2ab·cos(C)
- adjusts for the angle between the sides, accounting for how "spread out" or "squeezed together" the triangle is.
- Lesson 1102 — Introduction to the Law of CosinesLesson 1110 — The Law of Cosines and the Pythagorean Theorem
- √(x²) = |x|
- , not just x.
- Lesson 160 — Radical Expressions with VariablesLesson 503 — Absolute Value Considerations in Simplifying Radicals
- 0.5v
- = 〈 1.
- Lesson 1246 — Scalar Multiplication of VectorsLesson 2049 — Scalar Multiplication of Vectors
- 1 person
- works, it takes **12 hours**.
- Lesson 125 — Inverse VariationLesson 2819 — False Positives and Base Rate Fallacy
- 12 cm
- , which indeed satisfy 5² + 12² = 13².
- Lesson 437 — Geometry: Pythagorean ApplicationsLesson 856 — Perimeter of Polygons
- 2×2 matrix
- Lesson 1297 — Using Determinants to Test InvertibilityLesson 2164 — Determinant of Scalar Multiples
- 2v
- = 2〈 3, 4〉 = 〈 2·3, 2·4〉 = 〈 6, 8〉
- Lesson 1246 — Scalar Multiplication of VectorsLesson 2049 — Scalar Multiplication of Vectors
- 2π radians
- .
- Lesson 988 — Sector Area Using RadiansLesson 990 — Coterminal Angles in RadiansLesson 998 — Coterminal Angles on the Unit CircleLesson 1014 — Period of Sine and Cosine Functions
- 2π/|B|
- instead of 2π.
- Lesson 1029 — Transformations of SecantLesson 1036 — Calculating Period from the B Coefficient
- 3 + 4i
- Real part is 3, imaginary part is 4
- Lesson 1190 — Standard Form of Complex NumbersLesson 1199 — Complex ConjugatesLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1208 — The Argand Diagram
- 3 units right
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope GeometricallyLesson 248 — Finding Slope from a Graph
- 30-60-90 triangle
- have side lengths that follow predictable, fixed ratios every single time.
- Lesson 791 — Introduction to Special Right TrianglesLesson 794 — The 30-60-90 Triangle: Side RatiosLesson 796 — Recognizing Special Triangles from Angles
- 360° = 2π radians
- , which means **180° = π radians**.
- Lesson 983 — What is a Radian?Lesson 986 — Common Angle Conversions
- 3x = 12
- .
- Lesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix EquationsLesson 1316 — Solving with Matrix Inverses
- 3x²
- means 3 × x × x (three times x-squared)
- Lesson 176 — Exponents in Variable ExpressionsLesson 312 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 332 — Simplifying Products by Combining Like Terms
- 45-45-90 triangle
- and the **30-60-90 triangle**—have side lengths that follow predictable, fixed ratios every single time.
- Lesson 791 — Introduction to Special Right TrianglesLesson 792 — The 45-45-90 Triangle: Side RatiosLesson 796 — Recognizing Special Triangles from Angles
- 5 units
- Lesson 702 — Distance and the Ruler PostulateLesson 775 — Finding the HypotenuseLesson 779 — Right Triangles on the Coordinate Plane
- 5x
- .
- Lesson 285 — Eliminating a Variable by Subtracting EquationsLesson 312 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 332 — Simplifying Products by Combining Like Terms
- Δx
- (the actual measurement error).
- Lesson 1473 — Applications of Differentials in MeasurementLesson 1552 — Sigma Notation for Riemann Sums
- λ̂ = 1/X̄
- Lesson 3002 — Method of Moments for One ParameterLesson 3006 — MLE for Common Distributions
- π radians = 180°
- Lesson 984 — Converting Degrees to RadiansLesson 985 — Converting Radians to Degrees
- ρ(x, y, z)
- , then the total mass *M* is:
- Lesson 1932 — Applications: Density and Total MassLesson 1956 — Computing Total Mass with Triple Integrals
- φ(n)
- (read "phi of n"), counts the number of integers between 1 and *n* (inclusive) that are **relatively prime** to *n* — meaning they share no divisors with *n* except 1.
- Lesson 2746 — Euler's Totient Function φ(n)Lesson 2763 — Computing φ(n) for RSA
A
- A_i
- is the matrix **A** with its *i*-th column replaced by the vector **b**.
- Lesson 1317 — Cramer's Rule
- AA (Angle-Angle) Similarity Criterion
- states that **if two angles of one triangle are congruent to two angles of another triangle, then the triangles are similar.
- Lesson 753 — AA Similarity Criterion
- AA ⁻¹ = I
- and **A ¹A = I**
- Lesson 1300 — Definition of an Inverse MatrixLesson 2139 — Properties of Invertible Matrices
- AA similarity
- with the original triangle—and therefore with each other!
- Lesson 800 — The Altitude to the Hypotenuse
- AA^T
- are both symmetric matrices whose eigenvalues and eigenvectors directly reveal the SVD components.
- Lesson 2284 — Computing SVD via Eigenvalue Decomposition
- AAS
- stands for **Angle-Angle-Side**.
- Lesson 1094 — Solving AAS TrianglesLesson 1102 — Introduction to the Law of CosinesLesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
- AB
- exists only if **n = p**
- Lesson 1281 — Matrix Multiplication Definition and CompatibilityLesson 1283 — Multiplying 2×2 MatricesLesson 1303 — Verifying an Inverse by MultiplicationLesson 2100 — Matrix Multiplication: DefinitionLesson 2159 — Determinant of a Product
- AB ≠ BA
- .
- Lesson 1285 — Matrix Multiplication is Not CommutativeLesson 2101 — Properties of Matrix Multiplication
- AB = I
- (the identity matrix)
- Lesson 1303 — Verifying an Inverse by MultiplicationLesson 2139 — Properties of Invertible Matrices
- About the x-axis (I_x)
- Measures resistance to rotation around the x-axis.
- Lesson 1960 — Moments of Inertia
- About the z-axis (I_z)
- Uses the distance from the z-axis: r² = x² + y².
- Lesson 1960 — Moments of Inertia
- Absolute convergence
- asks a simple but powerful question: *What happens if we ignore all the signs and just look at the magnitudes?
- Lesson 1755 — Absolute Convergence
- Absolute Convergence Test
- is a theorem that gives you a strategic advantage:
- Lesson 1757 — The Absolute Convergence Test
- absolute maximum
- is the single highest point on the entire function (within a given domain)—the tallest mountain peak across the whole range.
- Lesson 573 — Extrema: Local and Absolute Maxima and MinimaLesson 1358 — The Extreme Value TheoremLesson 1508 — The Closed Interval MethodLesson 1871 — Global Extrema: Finding Absolute Maximum and Minimum
- absolute minimum
- is the single lowest point on the entire function—the deepest valley across everything.
- Lesson 573 — Extrema: Local and Absolute Maxima and MinimaLesson 1358 — The Extreme Value TheoremLesson 1508 — The Closed Interval MethodLesson 1871 — Global Extrema: Finding Absolute Maximum and Minimum
- Absolute value
- is exactly this distance measurement.
- Lesson 42 — Absolute ValueLesson 249 — Comparing Steepness Using SlopeLesson 426 — Effects of Parameter a on Parabola WidthLesson 1203 — Absolute Value (Modulus) of Complex NumbersLesson 1643 — Area Between a Curve and the x-axis
- Absolute value check
- Since we have an even root and even powers, the answer is technically 5|x|²|y|², which simplifies to 5x²y²
- Lesson 504 — Combining Simplification Techniques
- Absolute Value Family
- The parent function is `f(x) = |x|`, forming a V-shape at the origin.
- Lesson 588 — Transformations and Function Families
- AC Method
- Multiply a·c = 2·3 = 6.
- Lesson 364 — Factoring by Grouping After Splitting the Middle TermLesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial Factoring
- Acceleration
- a(t) = v'(t) = s''(t) = -Aω² sin(ωt) or a(t) = -Aω² cos(ωt)
- Lesson 1428 — Applications: Rates of Change in Oscillatory MotionLesson 1545 — Applications: Position from Velocity, Velocity from AccelerationLesson 2426 — The One-Dimensional Wave Equation
- Acoustics
- Modeling sound propagation in rooms or open space
- Lesson 2434 — The Three-Dimensional Wave Equation
- Actual course
- **v** + **w** = ⟨0, 200 ⟩ + ⟨30, 0⟩ = ⟨30, 200 ⟩
- Lesson 1266 — Navigation Problems: Heading and Course
- Acute
- 0° < angle < 90° (sharp and small)
- Lesson 704 — Classifying Angles by MeasureLesson 731 — Classifying Triangles by AnglesLesson 789 — Acute and Obtuse Triangle TestsLesson 1122 — The Ambiguous Case with Acute Angles
- acute angle
- is less than 90°
- Lesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle NotationLesson 704 — Classifying Angles by Measure
- Acute Triangle
- Lesson 731 — Classifying Triangles by AnglesLesson 788 — Using the Converse to Identify Right Triangles
- Acute Triangle Test
- Lesson 789 — Acute and Obtuse Triangle Tests
- Add
- when things are being combined, joined together, or increased
- Lesson 18 — Word Problems with Addition and SubtractionLesson 199 — Solving One-Step Addition/Subtraction EquationsLesson 350 — Performing Synthetic DivisionLesson 362 — Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficient 1Lesson 1053 — Sum and Difference Formulas for CosineLesson 1074 — Deriving Product-to-Sum FormulasLesson 1199 — Complex ConjugatesLesson 2509 — Common Mistakes in Induction Proofs (+2 more)
- Add an edge
- to your growing forest *if and only if* it doesn't form a cycle with edges already chosen
- Lesson 2675 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Kruskal's Algorithm
- Add back
- the triple intersection (restores those wrongly-removed elements)
- Lesson 2618 — Inclusion-Exclusion for Three Sets
- Add or subtract
- depending on whether parts are added on or cut out
- Lesson 871 — Composite Figures with Circles and SemicirclesLesson 1074 — Deriving Product-to-Sum Formulas
- Add solutions together
- The sum satisfies the original PDE and all boundary conditions simultaneously
- Lesson 2440 — Superposition and Non-Homogeneous Boundaries
- Add the absolute values
- (or just add the areas, ensuring each integral has positive result)
- Lesson 1647 — Area with Multiple RegionsLesson 1650 — Area Enclosed by Intersecting Curves
- Add the edge
- (*v*, *u*) to your spanning tree
- Lesson 2673 — Finding Spanning Trees: Depth-First Search
- add the exponents
- .
- Lesson 142 — Product Rule for ExponentsLesson 165 — Multiplying Numbers in Scientific Notation
- Add the numerators
- – Combine the top numbers
- Lesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 463 — Adding Rationals with Unlike Denominators
- Add the probabilities
- The probability that Y equals y is the sum of all probabilities P(X = x) where g(x) = y
- Lesson 2868 — Functions of Random Variables: Discrete Case
- Add them all together
- Lesson 893 — Nets and Surface Area
- Add them up
- Lesson 670 — Evaluating Finite Sums with Sigma NotationLesson 872 — Irregular Composite Figures on GridsLesson 1573 — Area and Signed Area
- Adding
- 2 ⅓ + 1 ½
- Lesson 74 — Adding and Subtracting Mixed NumbersLesson 608 — Comparing Exponential and Linear GrowthLesson 1053 — Sum and Difference Formulas for CosineLesson 2058 — Geometric Interpretation of Linear CombinationsLesson 2618 — Inclusion-Exclusion for Three Sets
- Adding back
- the three-way intersection (+|A ∩B∩C|), since we subtracted it too many times
- Lesson 2618 — Inclusion-Exclusion for Three Sets
- Adding inside shifts LEFT
- `f(x + 2)` moves the graph 2 units to the left
- Lesson 579 — Horizontal Shifts of Functions
- Adding like radicals
- Lesson 158 — Adding and Subtracting Radicals
- Adding parallel lines
- Drawing a line parallel to an existing side through a key point can create corresponding angles or proportional segments.
- Lesson 769 — Auxiliary Lines and Constructions
- Adding vertically
- means writing one polynomial above the other, lining up terms with the same degree in neat columns—just like you learned to add multi-digit numbers in elementary school.
- Lesson 321 — Adding Polynomials Vertically
- Adding/Subtracting and Rearranging
- Lesson 2315 — Separable Equations with Algebraic Manipulation
- Addition
- "Maria has 15 apples.
- Lesson 18 — Word Problems with Addition and SubtractionLesson 36 — The Commutative PropertyLesson 37 — The Associative PropertyLesson 172 — Writing Expressions from Word ProblemsLesson 183 — Order of Operations in EvaluationLesson 285 — Eliminating a Variable by Subtracting EquationsLesson 1197 — Adding and Subtracting Complex NumbersLesson 2640 — Operations on Generating Functions: Addition and Scalar Multiplication (+2 more)
- Addition and Subtraction
- – Work left to right, applying sign rules
- Lesson 47 — Mixed Operations with Negative NumbersLesson 81 — Operations with Multiple FractionsLesson 513 — Mixed Operations with Radicals
- Addition clues
- altogether, total, combined, in all, more than (adding)
- Lesson 18 — Word Problems with Addition and Subtraction
- Addition phrases
- Lesson 188 — Translating Words into Mathematical Expressions
- Addition Property of Equality
- If you add the same number to both sides of an equation, the sides remain equal.
- Lesson 198 — Addition and Subtraction Properties of Equality
- Addition/Subtraction
- Combining or comparing parts of the same whole (like pieces of pie, portions of a task, or parts of a distance)
- Lesson 82 — Word Problems Involving Fraction Operations
- Addition/subtraction at the end
- `+ 5` means a vertical shift up 5 units
- Lesson 586 — Identifying Transformations from Equations
- Addition/subtraction with x
- `x - 3` means a horizontal shift right 3 units (opposite of the sign!
- Lesson 586 — Identifying Transformations from Equations
- Additional pitfalls to avoid
- Lesson 2358 — Common Mistakes and Problem-Solving Strategies
- additive identity
- because it leaves a number's identity unchanged in addition.
- Lesson 39 — Identity and Inverse PropertiesLesson 2047 — Vector Equality and Zero VectorLesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and Zero
- additive inverse
- a number that adds with it to give zero:
- Lesson 39 — Identity and Inverse PropertiesLesson 1275 — Properties of Matrix Addition
- Additivity
- `T(u + v) = T(u) + T(v)`
- Lesson 2259 — Definition of Linear TransformationsLesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi- Squared
- Adjacent
- The two angles share a common side (ray) and a common vertex
- Lesson 708 — Linear PairsLesson 948 — Identifying Opposite, Adjacent, and HypotenuseLesson 951 — The Tangent Ratio (TOA)Lesson 953 — Finding Side Lengths Using CosineLesson 954 — Finding Side Lengths Using TangentLesson 956 — Choosing the Appropriate Trig RatioLesson 962 — Solving When Given One Leg and One Acute AngleLesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression Angles (+4 more)
- Adjacent leg
- tan(35°) = 12/adjacent, so adjacent = 12/tan(35°) ≈ 17.
- Lesson 962 — Solving When Given One Leg and One Acute Angle
- adjacent side
- to the **hypotenuse**.
- Lesson 950 — The Cosine Ratio (CAH)Lesson 953 — Finding Side Lengths Using CosineLesson 969 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Elevation AnglesLesson 977 — Finding Heights Using Angles of Elevation
- Adjust your aim
- and repeat until you hit the target
- Lesson 2406 — Solving Boundary Value Problems: Shooting Method Concept
- Adjusted R²
- penalizes you for adding predictors that don't pull their weight.
- Lesson 3076 — R² and Adjusted R² in Multiple Regression
- After analysis
- If ANOVA shows significance, use post-hoc tests to identify *which* groups differ
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- After rationalizing, check for
- Lesson 520 — Simplifying After Rationalizing
- After we sample
- , we flip the perspective: our observed mean is fixed, so we build an interval around it using that same margin (X̄ ± 1.
- Lesson 3010 — The Logic Behind Confidence Intervals
- Agriculture
- Testing three fertilizer types across multiple plots
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- AI = A
- and **IA = A**
- Lesson 1288 — Multiplying by the Identity MatrixLesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and Zero
- Algebraic comparison
- Determine where *f(x) - g(x) > 0*.
- Lesson 1645 — Identifying Top and Bottom FunctionsLesson 1753 — Verifying Conditions for the Alternating Series Test
- Algebraic multiplicity
- is how many times an eigenvalue appears as a root of the characteristic polynomial.
- Lesson 2173 — Algebraic vs Geometric MultiplicityLesson 2184 — Algebraic Multiplicity of EigenvaluesLesson 2195 — When Diagonalization FailsLesson 2196 — Geometric and Algebraic MultiplicityLesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric Matrices
- Algebraically intensive
- Requires careful manipulation and simplification
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- Algorithm analysis
- Determining which algorithm scales better
- Lesson 1535 — Applications to Growth Rates and Asymptotic Behavior
- Align indices
- so every sum runs over the same power of x (often xⁿ)
- Lesson 2400 — Finding Power Series Solutions Near Ordinary Points
- Align with given measurements
- If dimensions are already provided that match certain shape boundaries, use those natural divisions rather than creating new ones.
- Lesson 874 — Optimizing Composite Figure Problems
- Alignment matters
- Always line up terms by their degree (x³ with x³, x² with x², etc.
- Lesson 346 — Dividing by Binomials Using Long Division
- all
- mathematical expressions, whether they contain numbers only or include variables.
- Lesson 177 — Order of Operations with VariablesLesson 301 — Systems of Linear InequalitiesLesson 460 — Subtracting Rationals with Like DenominatorsLesson 550 — Domain Restrictions from Square RootsLesson 1085 — Factoring Trigonometric EquationsLesson 1110 — The Law of Cosines and the Pythagorean TheoremLesson 1367 — Common Techniques and Restrictions on δLesson 1570 — The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Part 2 (+10 more)
- All negative terms
- If every term is negative, like ∑(-1/n²), you have a **negative series**.
- Lesson 1719 — Series with Positive and Negative Terms
- all of R³
- Lesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³Lesson 2080 — Subspaces of R^2 and R^3
- All positive terms
- When every term in a series is positive (or non-negative), like ∑(1/n²), we call it a **positive series** or series with positive terms.
- Lesson 1719 — Series with Positive and Negative Terms
- all real numbers
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction EquationsLesson 222 — Interval Notation for SolutionsLesson 223 — Special Cases: All Reals and No Solution
- All solutions
- You've written something that's always true (like "a number equals itself")
- Lesson 229 — Absolute Value Equations with No Solution or All Solutions
- all three
- conditions:
- Lesson 737 — Triangle Inequality TheoremLesson 2116 — Row Echelon Form: Definition and PropertiesLesson 2810 — Applications: Reliability and Success ProbabilitiesLesson 3031 — Choosing Between z-Tests and Other Tests
- all values of x
- .
- Lesson 1624 — Solving for Coefficients: Substitution MethodLesson 2072 — Linear Independence in General Vector Spaces
- All variables cancel out
- Lesson 212 — Equations with No Solution
- Almost sure convergence
- (Strong Law) says: With probability 1, the *entire sequence* itself converges to the limit.
- Lesson 2974 — Almost Sure Convergence vs. Convergence in Probability
- Alphabetical order
- Write `abc`, not `bca` (when variables multiply)
- Lesson 178 — Reading and Interpreting Algebraic Notation
- Already normal
- If the population itself is approximately normal, the CLT works perfectly even for small n (like n = 5)
- Lesson 2986 — Rule of Thumb for CLT Applicability
- Alternate exterior angles
- are pairs of angles that lie:
- Lesson 716 — Alternate Exterior AnglesLesson 718 — Using Angle Relationships to Find Measures
- alternate interior angles
- .
- Lesson 715 — Alternate Interior AnglesLesson 718 — Using Angle Relationships to Find MeasuresLesson 721 — Applications of Parallel Line PropertiesLesson 732 — Triangle Angle Sum TheoremLesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression AnglesLesson 971 — Alternate Interior Angles in Elevation/Depression
- alternating harmonic series
- Lesson 1752 — The Alternating Series Test (Leibniz Test)Lesson 1756 — Conditional Convergence
- alternating series
- .
- Lesson 1719 — Series with Positive and Negative TermsLesson 1751 — Introduction to Alternating SeriesLesson 1752 — The Alternating Series Test (Leibniz Test)
- Alternating Series Test
- (also called the **Leibniz Test**) states:
- Lesson 1752 — The Alternating Series Test (Leibniz Test)
- alternating signs
- +, -, +.
- Lesson 1292 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Expansion by MinorsLesson 1719 — Series with Positive and Negative Terms
- Altitude formula
- altitude = √(segment₁ × segment₂)
- Lesson 804 — Finding Missing Lengths with Geometric Means
- always
- the middle letter.
- Lesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle NotationLesson 711 — Perpendicular Lines and Right AnglesLesson 2754 — Existence and Uniqueness in CRT
- Always check
- After separating variables by dividing by *h(y)*, find where *h(y) = 0*.
- Lesson 2314 — Losing Solutions Through Division
- always exists
- .
- Lesson 2244 — Uniqueness and Existence of QR DecompositionLesson 2967 — Characteristic Functions (Optional)
- Always positive
- By definition, gcd(*a*, *b*) > 0
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): DefinitionLesson 2926 — Properties and Applications of the F-DistributionLesson 3042 — Chi-Squared Distribution Basics
- Always round up
- to the next whole number, since you can't survey a fraction of a person!
- Lesson 3013 — Choosing Sample Size for Desired Margin of Error
- Always start here
- If lim(n→ ∞) a ≠ 0, the series diverges immediately.
- Lesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence Test
- Always use parentheses
- when substituting a negative number.
- Lesson 184 — Evaluating with Negative Numbers
- always verify
- your solutions don't create undefined expressions or extraneous roots.
- Lesson 639 — Mixed Exponential-Logarithmic EquationsLesson 1107 — Law of Cosines with Obtuse Angles
- amplitude
- of the wave.
- Lesson 1015 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretching with y = A·sin(x)Lesson 1018 — Vertical Shift: y = sin(x) + D and the MidlineLesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + DLesson 1033 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretch and CompressionLesson 1034 — Finding Amplitude from Equations and GraphsLesson 2369 — Free Undamped Harmonic Motion
- Amplitude (A)
- How far the phenomenon varies from its average (e.
- Lesson 1022 — Applications: Modeling Periodic PhenomenaLesson 1042 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- Amplitude = |A|
- The wave oscillates A units above and below the midline
- Lesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + D
- Analogy
- If you slice a pizza into 8 pieces and take 5, you have `5/8` of a pizza—less than one complete pizza.
- Lesson 62 — Proper, Improper, and Mixed NumbersLesson 84 — Reading and Writing DecimalsLesson 230 — Introduction to Compound InequalitiesLesson 307 — Solving Linear Programming Problems GraphicallyLesson 621 — The Product Rule for LogarithmsLesson 666 — Growth and Decay ApplicationsLesson 685 — Properties of Series: Linearity and SplittingLesson 698 — Collinear and Coplanar Points (+96 more)
- Ancient problems
- The Chinese Remainder Theorem (which you'll learn next) was developed to solve counting problems involving different-sized groups
- Lesson 2752 — Systems of Linear Congruences
- angle
- Lesson 943 — Rotational SymmetryLesson 968 — Drawing Diagrams for Angle ProblemsLesson 977 — Finding Heights Using Angles of ElevationLesson 1129 — What Are Conic Sections?
- angle bisector
- is a ray that divides an angle into two angles of equal measure.
- Lesson 710 — Angle BisectorsLesson 738 — Medians, Altitudes, and Angle BisectorsLesson 819 — Rhombuses: Properties and Characteristics
- angle of depression
- is the angle formed between a horizontal line and your line of sight when you look *downward* at something.
- Lesson 966 — Defining Angles of Elevation and DepressionLesson 967 — Identifying Angles in Real-World ScenariosLesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression AnglesLesson 976 — Angles of Depression: Definition and Setup
- angle of elevation
- is the angle formed between a horizontal line and your line of sight when you look *upward* at something.
- Lesson 966 — Defining Angles of Elevation and DepressionLesson 967 — Identifying Angles in Real-World ScenariosLesson 969 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Elevation AnglesLesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression AnglesLesson 975 — Angles of Elevation: Definition and SetupLesson 977 — Finding Heights Using Angles of Elevation
- Angle of rotation
- How far to turn (measured in degrees)
- Lesson 930 — Introduction to Rotations in the Coordinate Plane
- Angle Sum Property
- If you know one acute angle, subtract it from 90° to find the other
- Lesson 960 — Finding Missing Angles in Right Triangles
- Angle Sum Violations
- Lesson 1128 — Common Errors and Verification in SSA
- Angles
- at corresponding vertices are corresponding angles
- Lesson 725 — Corresponding Parts of Congruent Figures
- Angular equation
- Lesson 2441 — Laplace's Equation in Polar Coordinates
- Angular frequency
- $\omega_0 = \sqrt{k/m}$ (radians per second)
- Lesson 2369 — Free Undamped Harmonic Motion
- annulus
- (plural: annuli).
- Lesson 831 — Concentric Circles and AnnuliLesson 1916 — Integrating over Circular Regions
- Another example
- Lesson 32 — Parentheses and Grouping SymbolsLesson 154 — The Product Property of RadicalsLesson 314 — Standard Form of a PolynomialLesson 517 — Conjugates and Binomial DenominatorsLesson 543 — Function Notation with Multiple VariablesLesson 670 — Evaluating Finite Sums with Sigma NotationLesson 1066 — Using Double Angle Formulas to Simplify ExpressionsLesson 1436 — Combining Product, Quotient, and Exponential Rules (+3 more)
- Another trap
- `|x - 2| + 4 = 1`
- Lesson 229 — Absolute Value Equations with No Solution or All Solutions
- ANOVA
- (Analysis of Variance), which tests whether multiple group means differ significantly.
- Lesson 2926 — Properties and Applications of the F-Distribution
- Answer
- 59
- Lesson 14 — Adding and Subtracting with Larger NumbersLesson 15 — Addition with Regrouping (Carrying)Lesson 16 — Subtraction with Regrouping (Borrowing)Lesson 17 — Adding and Subtracting Three or More NumbersLesson 68 — Ordering Multiple FractionsLesson 85 — Comparing and Ordering DecimalsLesson 99 — Finding What Percent One Number Is of AnotherLesson 117 — Unit Rates in Proportions (+3 more)
- Answer: 18
- Lesson 31 — Introduction to Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS)Lesson 35 — Addition and Subtraction (Left to Right)
- antisymmetric
- relation allows one-way pairs freely, but restricts two-way pairs to identical elements only.
- Lesson 2544 — Antisymmetric RelationsLesson 2546 — Combining Properties: Partial OrdersLesson 2549 — Inverse Relations
- any
- quadratic equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 using completing the square.
- Lesson 405 — Solving General Quadratics by Completing the SquareLesson 502 — Simplifying nth Roots with VariablesLesson 1110 — The Law of Cosines and the Pythagorean TheoremLesson 1570 — The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Part 2Lesson 1775 — Maclaurin Series for e^xLesson 1930 — Volume as a Triple IntegralLesson 2150 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Cofactor ExpansionLesson 2207 — Pythagorean Theorem in Inner Product Spaces (+3 more)
- Appears inside another function
- (like the argument of a power, trig function, exponential, etc.
- Lesson 1580 — Identifying the Inner Function u
- Applications
- This property helps prove uniqueness of solutions, estimate function values, and understand why harmonic functions describe equilibrium states in physics (electrostatics, fluid flow, temperature).
- Lesson 2444 — Mean Value Property and Applications
- Applications include
- Lesson 1178 — Applications of Hyperbolas: LORAN and Reflective Properties
- Apply
- the shortcut formula
- Lesson 342 — Using Special Products to Simplify ExpressionsLesson 849 — Tangent-Radius Perpendicularity TheoremLesson 1114 — Choosing the Correct Angle in SAS Area FormulaLesson 1730 — Mixed Examples: Known SeriesLesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric MatricesLesson 2909 — Finding Probabilities with Normal Distributions
- Apply angle relationships
- Use corresponding angles, alternate interior angles, or same-side interior angles
- Lesson 771 — Proving Properties of Parallel Lines
- Apply chain rule again
- when differentiating `∂f/∂u` or `∂g/∂x`, since these may depend on `x` indirectly
- Lesson 1859 — Second-Order Derivatives via the Chain Rule
- Apply continuity correction
- Since you're approximating a discrete distribution with a continuous one, adjust boundaries by ±0.
- Lesson 2985 — Approximating Binomial Distributions
- Apply CPCTC
- State that since the triangles are congruent, the corresponding parts you care about must also be congruent
- Lesson 747 — CPCTC: Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles
- Apply De Moivre's Theorem
- z^n = r^n(cos nθ + i sin nθ)
- Lesson 1226 — Using De Moivre's Theorem to Compute Powers
- Apply elementary row operations
- to convert it to row echelon form
- Lesson 2127 — Computing Rank via Row Reduction
- Apply equilibrium conditions
- Lesson 1269 — Tension in Cables and Ropes
- Apply grouping when needed
- – Especially after using the AC method on trinomials
- Lesson 381 — Applications and Mixed Practice
- Apply inclusion-exclusion
- to count items with *none* of the bad properties
- Lesson 2623 — The Sieve Method in Practice
- Apply initial conditions
- Use Fourier sine series to determine coefficients A_n and B_n from u(x,0) and u_t(x,0)
- Lesson 2431 — Fourier Series Solutions for Bounded Domains
- Apply integration by parts
- once (or twice), choosing u and dv strategically
- Lesson 1597 — Cyclic Integration by Parts
- Apply known special limits
- Lesson 1419 — Derivative of sin(x) from First Principles
- Apply Limit Comparison
- to compare growth rates with p-series or geometric series
- Lesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is Inconclusive
- Apply order of operations
- (parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division left-to-right, addition/subtraction left-to-right)
- Lesson 185 — Evaluating Expressions with Fractions
- Apply product rule
- where necessary (because terms like `(∂f/∂u)·(∂g/∂x)` require it)
- Lesson 1859 — Second-Order Derivatives via the Chain Rule
- Apply Pythagorean identities
- to replace `sin²θ + cos²θ` with 1
- Lesson 1051 — Verifying Trigonometric Identities
- Apply row operations
- Use Gaussian elimination to convert the left side to reduced row echelon form (RREF)
- Lesson 2142 — The Gauss-Jordan Method for Finding Inverses
- Apply that second method
- (integration by parts, u-sub, trig identities, etc.
- Lesson 1619 — Combining Trig Substitution with Other Techniques
- Apply the appropriate formula
- expand using the sum/difference formula
- Lesson 1056 — Verifying Identities with Sum and Difference Formulas
- Apply the appropriate method
- from previous lessons
- Lesson 2335 — Applications of Exact and Bernoulli Equations
- Apply the chain rule
- derivative of outside × derivative of inside
- Lesson 1412 — Chain Rule with RadicalsLesson 1449 — The Basic Technique of Implicit DifferentiationLesson 1856 — Implicit Differentiation in Multiple Variables
- Apply the continuity correction
- Since the binomial is discrete but the normal is continuous, adjust boundaries by ±0.
- Lesson 2913 — Normal Approximation to the Binomial
- Apply the definition
- `√[(x - c)² + y²] = e · |x - a²/c|`
- Lesson 1183 — Deriving Conic Equations from Eccentricity
- Apply the difference formula
- sin(A − B) = sin(A)cos(B) − cos(A)sin(B)
- Lesson 1055 — Evaluating Non-Standard Angles Using Sum Formulas
- Apply the Distributive Property
- to eliminate parentheses
- Lesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear Equations
- Apply the formula
- directly instead of multiplying term-by-term
- Lesson 343 — Special Products in Word ProblemsLesson 1599 — Definite Integrals and Integration by PartsLesson 1627 — Integrating Partial Fractions with Linear TermsLesson 2794 — Conditional Probability with Venn DiagramsLesson 2870 — The Jacobian Method for TransformationsLesson 3109 — Spearman's Rank Correlation
- Apply the initial condition
- by substituting *x = x₀* and *y = y₀* into your general solution
- Lesson 2324 — Initial Value Problems for Linear ODEs
- Apply the modification rule
- if your guess overlaps with $y_c$
- Lesson 2357 — Higher-Order ODEs and Undetermined CoefficientsLesson 2358 — Common Mistakes and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Apply the power rule
- to each variable term
- Lesson 1393 — Combining Basic Rules for PolynomialsLesson 1542 — Antiderivatives of Polynomial Functions
- Apply the product property
- to separate perfect squares (or perfect nth powers)
- Lesson 504 — Combining Simplification Techniques
- Apply the Pythagorean Theorem
- Lesson 779 — Right Triangles on the Coordinate Plane
- Apply the rule
- Lesson 86 — Rounding Decimals
- Apply the sign convention
- for quadrant II: negate the x-coordinate, keep the y-coordinate positive
- Lesson 995 — Second Quadrant Points
- Apply the sign pattern
- In Quadrant IV, cosine is positive (x > 0) and sine is negative (y < 0).
- Lesson 997 — Fourth Quadrant PointsLesson 2150 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Cofactor Expansion
- Apply the theorem
- a^n = a^(q(p-1) + r) = (a^(p-1))^q · a^r ≡ 1^q · a^r ≡ a^r (mod p)
- Lesson 2744 — Computing Large Powers Using Fermat's Little Theorem
- Apply trig substitution
- to eliminate the radical
- Lesson 1619 — Combining Trig Substitution with Other Techniques
- Apply well-ordering
- Since *S* is nonempty (by assumption), it has a smallest element, call it *m*
- Lesson 2518 — Proofs Using Well-Ordering
- Apply Zero Product Property
- Either x + 4 = 0 or x - 4 = 0
- Lesson 398 — Solving Special Forms: Difference of Squares
- Applying Lagrange
- Since *a* is relatively prime to *n*, it belongs to U(*n*), which has order φ(*n*).
- Lesson 2749 — Proof of Euler's Theorem
- arc
- on the circle between where the two radii touch the edge
- Lesson 833 — Central Angles and Their MeasuresLesson 836 — Central Angles and Intercepted ArcsLesson 864 — Area of Sectors and Arc Length
- Arc Addition
- means if you have two adjacent arcs (arcs that share an endpoint), you can find the total arc by simply adding their measures together.
- Lesson 844 — Arc Addition and Subtraction
- arc length
- is the actual distance you travel along that curve—not the straight-line distance, but the path itself.
- Lesson 837 — Arc Length FormulaLesson 864 — Area of Sectors and Arc LengthLesson 983 — What is a Radian?Lesson 987 — Arc Length Using RadiansLesson 1914 — The Polar Area Element dA = r dr dθLesson 1935 — Volume Elements in Cylindrical Coordinates
- Arc Subtraction
- works when you know the total arc and need to find one part—you subtract the known arc from the whole.
- Lesson 844 — Arc Addition and Subtraction
- Architecture
- Calculating the area of a triangular gable end when you know all three dimensions of the roof support beams?
- Lesson 1120 — Real-World Area ApplicationsLesson 1682 — Applications: Arc Length in Physics and Geometry
- Area
- is the space inside a shape.
- Lesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 760 — Perimeter and Area Ratios of Similar TrianglesLesson 829 — Area of a CircleLesson 857 — Area of Rectangles and SquaresLesson 862 — Area of CirclesLesson 1477 — Geometric Related Rates: Expanding CirclesLesson 1930 — Volume as a Triple Integral
- Area formula
- `A = (1/2) × base × height`
- Lesson 1479 — Related Rates with TrianglesLesson 2003 — Applications and Extensions of Green's Theorem
- area of a rectangle
- .
- Lesson 126 — Joint VariationLesson 1478 — Related Rates with Rectangles and Squares
- Area problems
- Finding dimensions when given total area expressions
- Lesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial FactoringLesson 420 — Applications: Projectile Motion and Area Problems
- arg(z)
- or sometimes **θ**, is the angle measured **counterclockwise** from the positive real axis to the line connecting the origin to that point.
- Lesson 1210 — Argument of a Complex NumberLesson 1218 — Principal Argument and Angle Conventions
- Argand diagram
- (also called the complex plane) is a visual way to represent complex numbers.
- Lesson 1208 — The Argand Diagram
- argument
- of *z*, written as **arg(z)** or sometimes **θ**, is the angle measured **counterclockwise** from the positive real axis to the line connecting the origin to that point.
- Lesson 1210 — Argument of a Complex NumberLesson 1215 — Converting from Rectangular to Polar FormLesson 1217 — Finding the Argument (Angle)
- Argument of trig/exponential
- e^(3x) → u = 3x or cos(x²) → u = x²
- Lesson 1580 — Identifying the Inner Function u
- Arithmetic (linear)
- Use when the change is independent of current population size.
- Lesson 690 — Population Growth and Decay Models
- Arithmetic errors in summation/integration
- Double-check your calculations
- Lesson 2842 — Verifying Valid PMFs and PDFs
- Arithmetic progression
- a(n) = a(n-1) + d (constant difference)
- Lesson 2627 — What is a Recurrence Relation?
- arithmetic sequence
- is a list of numbers where each term after the first is created by adding the same fixed value to the previous term.
- Lesson 651 — Definition of Arithmetic SequencesLesson 691 — Depreciation and Asset Value
- Arithmetic sequences
- model populations that grow or shrink by a *fixed amount* each time period.
- Lesson 690 — Population Growth and Decay Models
- Around the x-axis
- If you rotate a curve from the xy-plane (say y = g(x)) around the x-axis:
- Lesson 1801 — Surfaces of Revolution
- Around the z-axis
- If you have a curve defined by z = f(r) where r is the distance from the z-axis, rotating it around the z-axis gives:
- Lesson 1801 — Surfaces of Revolution
- Arrow direction
- Points toward steepest increase of f at that location
- Lesson 1850 — Gradient Fields and Visualization
- Arrow length
- Magnitude indicates how rapidly f is changing (longer = steeper)
- Lesson 1850 — Gradient Fields and Visualization
- Arrow patterns
- Reveal the function's landscape at a glance
- Lesson 1850 — Gradient Fields and Visualization
- As a fraction
- Lesson 105 — What is a Ratio?
- As a geometric sequence
- You record snapshots at hour 1, hour 2, hour 3.
- Lesson 668 — Geometric Sequences vs Exponential Functions
- As an exponential function
- You model the population at *any* moment in time, including fractional hours like 2.
- Lesson 668 — Geometric Sequences vs Exponential Functions
- As k → ∞
- The distribution approaches normality (thanks to the Central Limit Theorem)
- Lesson 3042 — Chi-Squared Distribution Basics
- As Type I
- For x from 0 to 2, y goes from the bottom edge (y = 0) to the slanted edge.
- Lesson 1904 — Setting Up Integrals for Triangular Regions
- As Type II
- For y from 0 to 4, x goes from the left slanted edge to the right edge (x = 2).
- Lesson 1904 — Setting Up Integrals for Triangular Regions
- As x → -∞
- F(x) → 0 (no probability accumulated before all outcomes)
- Lesson 2844 — Properties of Cumulative Distribution Functions
- As x → +∞
- F(x) → 1 (all probability eventually included)
- Lesson 2844 — Properties of Cumulative Distribution Functions
- ASA
- stands for **Angle-Side-Angle**.
- Lesson 1095 — Solving ASA TrianglesLesson 1102 — Introduction to the Law of CosinesLesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
- Assemble the series
- using these coefficients
- Lesson 2459 — Computing Fourier Series for Simple Functions
- Assign parameters
- to them (commonly *t*, *s*, *r*, etc.
- Lesson 1315 — Systems with Infinitely Many Solutions
- Association between variables
- Spearman's Rank Correlation or Kendall's Tau
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- associative
- , **identity**, and **additive inverse** properties—just like regular number addition.
- Lesson 1275 — Properties of Matrix AdditionLesson 2048 — Vector AdditionLesson 2098 — Matrix Addition and SubtractionLesson 2524 — Union of Sets
- associative property
- .
- Lesson 22 — The Commutative and Associative Properties of MultiplicationLesson 37 — The Associative Property
- Assume
- the angles are *not* congruent
- Lesson 767 — Proof by ContradictionLesson 2491 — Direct Proof: Basic StructureLesson 2722 — Infinitude of Primes: Euclid's Proof
- Assume negation
- Suppose the statement you want to prove is false
- Lesson 2518 — Proofs Using Well-Ordering
- Assume the form
- y = Σ(n=0 to ∞) a xⁿ
- Lesson 2400 — Finding Power Series Solutions Near Ordinary Points
- Assume the opposite
- of what you want to prove
- Lesson 767 — Proof by ContradictionLesson 2497 — Proof by Contradiction: Basic IdeaLesson 3024 — The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
- Asymmetric
- Unlike the normal or t-distribution
- Lesson 2926 — Properties and Applications of the F-Distribution
- Asymptotic approximations
- Simplifying complex expressions for large values
- Lesson 1535 — Applications to Growth Rates and Asymptotic Behavior
- Asymptotic Behavior
- Lesson 612 — Properties of e^x: Growth and Behavior
- At 30° (π/6)
- The longer leg (adjacent) is √3/2, shorter leg (opposite) is 1/2
- Lesson 994 — Reference Angles and the First Quadrant
- At 60° (π/3)
- The roles flip—shorter leg is adjacent, longer is opposite
- Lesson 994 — Reference Angles and the First Quadrant
- At boundaries
- Lesson 1347 — Exponential and Logarithmic Limits
- at least one
- of the propositions is true.
- Lesson 2471 — Disjunction (OR)Lesson 2484 — Negating Quantified StatementsLesson 2620 — Counting with At Least One PropertyLesson 2622 — Derangements and the Derangement FormulaLesson 2810 — Applications: Reliability and Success Probabilities
- at most
- $50 on groceries"
- Lesson 225 — Applications of Linear InequalitiesLesson 2876 — Computing Binomial Probabilities
- Augment
- the flow by adding the bottleneck amount to each edge on the path
- Lesson 2706 — The Ford-Fulkerson Algorithm
- augmented matrix
- by placing the identity matrix **I** right next to it: **[A | I]**
- Lesson 1304 — The Augmented Matrix MethodLesson 1309 — Writing Systems as Augmented MatricesLesson 1313 — Gaussian Elimination ProcessLesson 2105 — Introduction to Gaussian EliminationLesson 2107 — Augmented MatricesLesson 2252 — Computing Transition Matrices
- augmented matrix method
- gives you a systematic, mechanical process.
- Lesson 1304 — The Augmented Matrix MethodLesson 1305 — Row Reduction to Find Inverses of 3×3 Matrices
- augmenting paths
- (paths that start and end at unmatched vertices, alternating between edges not in the matching and edges in the matching).
- Lesson 2702 — The Hungarian Algorithm for Maximum Bipartite MatchingLesson 2706 — The Ford- Fulkerson Algorithm
- Auxiliary lines and constructions
- are extra elements you deliberately draw into a diagram to reveal hidden congruences, similarities, or angle relationships.
- Lesson 769 — Auxiliary Lines and Constructions
- Av
- = λ**v**, **Aw** = μ**w**, then **v** · **w** = 0.
- Lesson 2272 — The Spectral Theorem for Symmetric Matrices
- Av = λv
- and discover what makes a vector "eigen" (special) for a given matrix.
- Lesson 2168 — Definition of Eigenvectors and EigenvaluesLesson 2169 — Finding Eigenvalues by Hand for 2×2 MatricesLesson 2172 — Eigenspaces and Their DimensionLesson 2183 — Roots of the Characteristic Polynomial as Eigenvalues
- average
- of the two angles, `(A + B)/2`, and the **half-difference**, `(A - B)/2`.
- Lesson 1076 — Sum-to-Product FormulasLesson 3079 — Confidence and Prediction Intervals
- average cost
- if a company spends $500 on setup plus $3 per item, the average cost per item is `C(x) = (500 + 3x)/x`.
- Lesson 494 — Applications of Rational FunctionsLesson 1513 — Cost and Revenue Optimization
- Average Power/Current
- If power consumption `P(t)` varies throughout the day, find average power over 24 hours.
- Lesson 1698 — Applications of Average Value
- average rate
- at which events occur in the given interval.
- Lesson 2889 — Introduction to the Poisson DistributionLesson 2893 — Applications of the Poisson Distribution
- average rate of change
- essentially the slope between two chosen points, but with the understanding that the rate might be different elsewhere.
- Lesson 251 — Average Rate of Change vs Constant RateLesson 574 — Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1369 — Understanding Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1370 — Average Rate of Change FormulaLesson 1372 — The Concept of Instantaneous Rate of ChangeLesson 1377 — Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1378 — Instantaneous Rate of ChangeLesson 1486 — Statement and Geometric Interpretation of the MVT
- average speed
- is 60 mph—that's your average rate of change of distance with respect to time.
- Lesson 1369 — Understanding Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1486 — Statement and Geometric Interpretation of the MVT
- Average Temperature
- If `T(t)` gives temperature at time `t`, find the average temperature over a day by integrating `T(t)` from `t = 0` to `t = 24` and dividing by 24.
- Lesson 1698 — Applications of Average ValueLesson 1931 — Average Value of a Function in Three Dimensions
- average value
- of a function *f* on the interval [*a*, *b*] is given by:
- Lesson 1564 — Average Value of a FunctionLesson 1565 — The Mean Value Theorem for IntegralsLesson 1575 — Average Value of a FunctionLesson 1697 — Average Value of a Function
- average velocity
- .
- Lesson 1371 — Interpreting Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1493 — Real-World Interpretation: Speed and DistanceLesson 1698 — Applications of Average Value
- Avoiding approximation
- Keeping radicals exact preserves precision until the final calculation
- Lesson 514 — Why Rationalize Denominators?
- Avoiding impossible integrals
- Sometimes one order produces an integral with no elementary antiderivative (like `e^(x²)`), while the other order works fine
- Lesson 1900 — Choosing Integration Order Strategically
- Ax
- term (for the "slope") and the **B** term (for the "shift") to capture the full behavior.
- Lesson 1628 — Irreducible Quadratic Factors: DistinctLesson 2095 — Rank-Nullity TheoremLesson 2104 — Matrix Equations and SystemsLesson 2131 — The Left Null SpaceLesson 2134 — Orthogonality of Fundamental SubspacesLesson 2143 — Testing InvertibilityLesson 2234 — The Least Squares ProblemLesson 2236 — Least Squares via Orthogonal Projection (+2 more)
- Ax̂
- in Col(A) that is *closest* to **b**.
- Lesson 2234 — The Least Squares ProblemLesson 2236 — Least Squares via Orthogonal Projection
- Ax = 0
- .
- Lesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear IndependenceLesson 2081 — Column Space and Null SpaceLesson 2092 — Dimension of SubspacesLesson 2130 — The Null SpaceLesson 2131 — The Left Null SpaceLesson 2216 — Properties of Orthogonal Complements
- AX = B
- by using the inverse of matrix A, transforming the problem into simple matrix multiplication.
- Lesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix EquationsLesson 1308 — Applications of Inverse MatricesLesson 1316 — Solving with Matrix InversesLesson 1317 — Cramer's RuleLesson 1318 — Applications: Real-World Matrix SystemsLesson 2074 — Applications to Solutions of Linear SystemsLesson 2081 — Column Space and Null SpaceLesson 2104 — Matrix Equations and Systems (+10 more)
- Ax = b₁
- and **Ax = b₂**, instead of working with [A | b₁] and then [A | b₂], you work with:
- Lesson 2114 — Gaussian Elimination with Multiple Right-Hand Sides
- Ax = b₂
- , instead of working with [A | b₁] and then [A | b₂], you work with:
- Lesson 2114 — Gaussian Elimination with Multiple Right-Hand Sides
- axis of symmetry
- .
- Lesson 425 — The Axis of SymmetryLesson 433 — Key Features Summary and Complete GraphingLesson 824 — Kites: Properties and Diagonal RelationshipsLesson 1146 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Horizontal AxisLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1149 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Horizontal Axis
- Azimuthal direction (θ)
- At radius ρ and angle φ, moving through angle `dθ` traces an arc of length `ρ sin φ dθ` (since you're on a circle of radius `ρ sin φ`)
- Lesson 1940 — Volume Elements in Spherical Coordinates
B
- b
- } is a basis for a vector space *V*, then any vector **v** in *V* can be written as:
- Lesson 2094 — Coordinates Relative to a BasisLesson 2249 — Coordinates Relative to a BasisLesson 2250 — The Change of Basis ProblemLesson 2252 — Computing Transition MatricesLesson 2422 — Determining Coefficients from Initial Conditions
- B (inside the parentheses)
- changes the **period** — how often the pattern repeats
- Lesson 1024 — Transformations of Tangent: Period and Vertical Stretch
- B (Period Change)
- The period becomes **2π/|B|** instead of 2π.
- Lesson 1029 — Transformations of Secant
- B = P ⁻¹AP
- Lesson 2177 — Similar Matrices and Eigenvalue InvarianceLesson 2187 — Similar Matrices Have the Same Characteristic PolynomialLesson 2255 — Change of Basis for Linear Transformations
- B > A
- , the major axis is vertical with length `2√B`, and the minor axis is horizontal with length `2√A`
- Lesson 1163 — The Major and Minor Axes
- b^(log_b(x)) = x
- Lesson 618 — Definition of Logarithm as Inverse of ExponentialLesson 627 — Inverse Relationship: b^(log_b(x)) and log_b(b^x)
- b₀
- (the intercept): where the line crosses the y-axis
- Lesson 3063 — Calculating the Regression CoefficientsLesson 3067 — Making Predictions with the Regression Line
- B₁
- Lesson 1099 — Two Solutions Case in SSALesson 2094 — Coordinates Relative to a BasisLesson 2114 — Gaussian Elimination with Multiple Right-Hand SidesLesson 2249 — Coordinates Relative to a BasisLesson 2250 — The Change of Basis ProblemLesson 3063 — Calculating the Regression CoefficientsLesson 3067 — Making Predictions with the Regression Line
- b₂
- , .
- Lesson 2094 — Coordinates Relative to a BasisLesson 2114 — Gaussian Elimination with Multiple Right- Hand SidesLesson 2249 — Coordinates Relative to a BasisLesson 2250 — The Change of Basis Problem
- b² - 4ac
- that appears under the square root is called the **discriminant**.
- Lesson 416 — The Discriminant: b² - 4acLesson 417 — Interpreting Discriminant ValuesLesson 418 — Complex Solutions from the Quadratic FormulaLesson 1132 — Using the Discriminant to Classify Conics
- BA
- does not, or they may both exist but produce different-sized results!
- Lesson 1281 — Matrix Multiplication Definition and CompatibilityLesson 1303 — Verifying an Inverse by Multiplication
- back substitution
- possible: you can solve for the last variable immediately, then work backward.
- Lesson 2108 — Forward Elimination ProcessLesson 2110 — Back SubstitutionLesson 2121 — Converting REF to RREFLesson 2246 — Solving Linear Systems Using QR
- Back-substitute
- to find the third variable using any original equation
- Lesson 294 — Solving Three-Variable Systems by EliminationLesson 638 — Exponential and Logarithmic Equations with Quadratic FormLesson 1619 — Combining Trig Substitution with Other Techniques
- back-substitution
- .
- Lesson 296 — Back-Substitution in Three VariablesLesson 2105 — Introduction to Gaussian Elimination
- Backtrack
- when a vertex has no unvisited neighbors
- Lesson 2673 — Finding Spanning Trees: Depth-First Search
- Backward (Extended)
- Lesson 2715 — Extended Euclidean Algorithm
- Bad (dependence)
- Lesson 3090 — Checking for Independence: Residual Sequence Plots
- Balance
- Equal sample sizes across groups maximize statistical power
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- bar charts
- when comparing counts across many categories.
- Lesson 2995 — Categorical Data: Bar Charts and Pie ChartsLesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- base
- is `5` (the number being multiplied)
- Lesson 132 — What is an Exponent?Lesson 137 — Working with Fractional BasesLesson 140 — Integer Exponents in ContextLesson 600 — What is an Exponential Function?Lesson 603 — Growth vs. Decay: The Role of the BaseLesson 734 — Base Angles of Isosceles TrianglesLesson 1112 — Area Formula Using Base and HeightLesson 2504 — Proving Divisibility Properties (+3 more)
- Base (b)
- Any side of the parallelogram can be the base
- Lesson 858 — Area of ParallelogramsLesson 859 — Area of Triangles
- Base area
- = 6 × 6 = 36 cm²
- Lesson 889 — Surface Area of PyramidsLesson 890 — Surface Area of ConesLesson 899 — Cavalieri's Principle with Cylinders
- Base case
- When *n* = 1, left side = 1, right side = 1(2)/2 = 1.
- Lesson 2501 — The Principle of Mathematical InductionLesson 2504 — Proving Divisibility PropertiesLesson 2505 — Proving Inequalities by InductionLesson 2508 — Induction Starting at Arbitrary IndicesLesson 2510 — Induction on Recursively Defined SequencesLesson 2669 — Counting Vertices and Edges in Trees
- Base case(s)
- Prove `P(n₀)` (and possibly a few more initial cases if needed)
- Lesson 2513 — The Strong Induction PrincipleLesson 2514 — Proving Divisibility Results with Strong InductionLesson 2515 — Strong Induction for Sequences and RecurrencesLesson 2516 — Structural Induction on Trees and Graphs
- bases
- of the trapezoid.
- Lesson 821 — Trapezoids: Definitions and Basic PropertiesLesson 860 — Area of TrapezoidsLesson 2063 — Spanning Sets and Redundancy
- basis
- is a set of vectors that is both **linearly independent** and **spans** the entire vector space.
- Lesson 2086 — What is a Basis?Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning SetLesson 2093 — The Basis TheoremLesson 2094 — Coordinates Relative to a Basis
- Basis transformations preserve structure
- When changing between orthonormal bases, the transformation matrix is orthogonal (or unitary in ℂⁿ), meaning it preserves lengths and angles.
- Lesson 2212 — Orthonormal Bases
- Be precise
- Use proper notation ( ≅ for congruence, proper triangle names)
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence Proofs
- bearing
- describes a direction relative to north.
- Lesson 979 — Navigation and Bearing ProblemsLesson 1101 — Law of Sines with Bearing and Direction
- Before calculators existed
- , division was *much* harder than multiplication.
- Lesson 514 — Why Rationalize Denominators?
- Before data collection
- Determine how many groups, sample sizes needed (power analysis), and whether blocking factors exist
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- Before we sample
- , the sample mean is random and will fall within a predictable range around μ about 95% of the time (say, μ ± 1.
- Lesson 3010 — The Logic Behind Confidence Intervals
- Bell-shaped and symmetric
- around zero, just like the standard normal
- Lesson 2923 — The Student's t-Distribution: DefinitionLesson 3033 — The t-Distribution: Properties and Degrees of Freedom
- Berge's Theorem
- makes this precise:
- Lesson 2701 — Augmenting Paths and Berge's TheoremLesson 2702 — The Hungarian Algorithm for Maximum Bipartite Matching
- Bernoulli distribution
- describes a random variable *X* that takes value 1 with probability *p* and value 0 with probability *1 - p*.
- Lesson 2872 — The Bernoulli Trial and Bernoulli Distribution
- Bernoulli equation
- is a first-order differential equation with a specific structure:
- Lesson 2332 — Bernoulli Equations: Form and RecognitionLesson 2334 — Special Cases: n=0 and n=1 in Bernoulli Equations
- Bernoulli random variable
- ) is the simplest type of random variable you can define.
- Lesson 2830 — Indicator Random VariablesLesson 2873 — Bernoulli Distribution: PMF, Expectation, and Variance
- Bernoulli trial
- is any experiment or random process that has exactly two possible outcomes.
- Lesson 2872 — The Bernoulli Trial and Bernoulli DistributionLesson 2874 — Introduction to the Binomial Distribution
- Bernoulli(p)
- For a single success/failure trial, the MGF is:
- Lesson 2962 — MGFs of Common Distributions
- Bessel functions
- special functions that appear naturally in circular geometry
- Lesson 2433 — The Two-Dimensional Wave Equation
- Bessel modes
- with fascinating nodal patterns—circles and radial lines where the membrane doesn't move.
- Lesson 2433 — The Two-Dimensional Wave Equation
- Best for
- Series with exponential terms, factorials in denominators, or repeated multiplication
- Lesson 1735 — Choosing Comparison Series Effectively
- beta distribution
- is a continuous probability distribution defined on the interval **[0, 1]**, making it perfect for modeling proportions, probabilities, and percentages.
- Lesson 2919 — The Beta Function and Beta DistributionLesson 2920 — Properties and Applications of the Beta DistributionLesson 3114 — Conjugate Priors: Beta-Binomial Model
- Better for certain calculations
- Useful in systems of equations and advanced applications
- Lesson 260 — Standard Form: Ax + By = C
- between
- the two lines being cut by the transversal
- Lesson 717 — Same-Side Interior AnglesLesson 742 — SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Congruence PostulateLesson 1114 — Choosing the Correct Angle in SAS Area Formula
- between 0 and 1
- causes a **horizontal stretch** (the graph gets wider)
- Lesson 581 — Horizontal Stretches and CompressionsLesson 603 — Growth vs. Decay: The Role of the Base
- Between two parabolas
- Region between `y = x²` and `y = 2 - x²` requires finding intersection points, then integrating with those curves as bounds.
- Lesson 1906 — Regions Bounded by Curves
- Between-group variation
- How much do the group means differ from each other?
- Lesson 3049 — One-Way ANOVA F Test IntroductionLesson 3093 — Introduction to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- Between-group variation (SSB)
- How much do the *group means* differ from each other?
- Lesson 3095 — Between-Group and Within-Group Variation
- BFS tree
- or **breadth-first spanning tree**.
- Lesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First Search
- bijection
- ) is a function that is both **injective** (one-to-one) and **surjective** (onto).
- Lesson 2564 — Bijective Functions (One-to-One Correspondence)Lesson 2569 — Applications to Infinite Sets
- bijective
- if it's both injective *and* surjective—a perfect pairing between domain and codomain elements.
- Lesson 2559 — Introduction to Function TypesLesson 2568 — Examples with Finite Sets
- bijective function
- (or **bijection**) is a function that is both **injective** (one-to-one) and **surjective** (onto).
- Lesson 2564 — Bijective Functions (One-to-One Correspondence)Lesson 2565 — Inverse Functions and Bijections
- binomial coefficient
- is simply a standardized way to write "the number of ways to choose *k* objects from *n* objects without regard to order.
- Lesson 2599 — Binomial Coefficients: Definition and NotationLesson 2600 — The Binomial Theorem: Statement and Expansion
- binomial distribution
- models exactly this situation.
- Lesson 2874 — Introduction to the Binomial DistributionLesson 2875 — Binomial Probability Mass FunctionLesson 3104 — Sign Test for Median
- Binomial Theorem
- is one of the most elegant results in combinatorics.
- Lesson 2600 — The Binomial Theorem: Statement and ExpansionLesson 2610 — The Multinomial Theorem
- Binomial(n, p)
- Since it's the sum of *n* independent Bernoulli trials, the MGF is the *product* of *n* identical Bernoulli MGFs:
- Lesson 2962 — MGFs of Common Distributions
- bipartite graph
- is a graph whose vertices can be divided into two disjoint sets—let's call them *U* and *V*—such that every edge connects a vertex in *U* to a vertex in *V*.
- Lesson 2653 — Bipartite GraphsLesson 2696 — Coloring Special GraphsLesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage Theorem
- Birthdays in a room
- If 13 people are in a room, at least two share a birth month.
- Lesson 2570 — The Pigeonhole Principle: Statement and Intuition
- Block diagonal
- (when the space decomposes into invariant subspaces)
- Lesson 2257 — Finding Convenient Bases
- Boolean algebra
- a complete system for manipulating logical expressions.
- Lesson 2477 — Other Logical Equivalences and Laws
- Borrow from the tens
- The 5 tens becomes 4 tens, and the 2 ones becomes 12 ones (because we borrowed 10)
- Lesson 16 — Subtraction with Regrouping (Borrowing)
- both
- the original denominator and the expression you're dividing by (which becomes a denominator after flipping).
- Lesson 454 — Dividing Rational Expressions: Multiply by ReciprocalLesson 515 — Rationalizing with Square RootsLesson 560 — Domain of Composite FunctionsLesson 564 — Verifying Inverse FunctionsLesson 639 — Mixed Exponential-Logarithmic EquationsLesson 752 — Definition of Similar TrianglesLesson 1273 — Matrix EqualityLesson 1407 — Common Errors and Problem-Solving Strategies (+4 more)
- Both powers even
- Use power-reducing formulas (half-angle identities)
- Lesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- both sides
- of an equation by the LCD of all fractions present, you use the **multiplication property of equality** to transform the equation into an equivalent one without fractions.
- Lesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing DenominatorsLesson 1321 — Estimating Limits from Tables of Values
- bound
- it.
- Lesson 1366 — ε-δ Proofs for Quadratic FunctionsLesson 1785 — The Lagrange Form of the RemainderLesson 2487 — Binding Variables and Scope
- Boundary conditions
- describe what's happening at the spatial boundaries of your domain for all time.
- Lesson 2411 — Initial and Boundary ConditionsLesson 2417 — Initial and Boundary ConditionsLesson 2418 — Steady-State SolutionsLesson 2423 — Heat Equation on a Finite Rod
- boundary value problem
- specifies conditions at two distinct points, say `x = a` and `x = b`:
- Lesson 2345 — Boundary Value Problems: IntroductionLesson 2420 — Eigenvalue Problems from Boundary Conditions
- Boundary value problems (BVPs)
- flip this idea: you're given information at *two different locations* (the "boundaries"), and you must find the function that connects them while satisfying the differential equation everywhere in between.
- Lesson 2345 — Boundary Value Problems: IntroductionLesson 2404 — Boundary Value Problems: Introduction and Types
- bounded
- .
- Lesson 303 — Bounded vs Unbounded Feasible RegionsLesson 572 — Bounded FunctionsLesson 1710 — Monotonic Sequences and Boundedness
- bounded above
- if there's a ceiling: all outputs are less than or equal to some number *M*.
- Lesson 572 — Bounded FunctionsLesson 1710 — Monotonic Sequences and Boundedness
- bounded below
- if there's a floor: all outputs are greater than or equal to some number *m*.
- Lesson 572 — Bounded FunctionsLesson 1710 — Monotonic Sequences and Boundedness
- box plots
- (box-and-whisker diagrams), which visualize these five values graphically.
- Lesson 2990 — Percentiles and QuartilesLesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- Break down composite shapes
- into familiar pieces (rectangles + semicircles, trapezoids minus triangles)
- Lesson 866 — Perimeter and Area Problem Solving
- Break it down
- into shapes you already know (rectangles, triangles, circles, trapezoids, etc.
- Lesson 868 — Finding Area of Composite Figures by AdditionLesson 873 — Composite Figures in Real- World Contexts
- Breaking into Steps
- Tackle complicated problems one piece at a time rather than all at once.
- Lesson 195 — Checking Solutions and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Bridges and structures
- use parabolic arches because they distribute weight evenly along the curve.
- Lesson 1187 — Real-World Conic Applications Review
- Bring Down
- Bring down the next digit from the dividend and repeat the process.
- Lesson 29 — Long Division AlgorithmLesson 350 — Performing Synthetic Division
- Build equivalent expressions
- by multiplying each rational by the appropriate form of 1
- Lesson 464 — Subtracting Rationals with Unlike Denominators
- Build equivalent rationals
- rewrite each expression with the LCD as its new denominator
- Lesson 463 — Adding Rationals with Unlike Denominators
- Build intuition
- Seeing how different rules produce different outputs deepens your understanding
- Lesson 542 — Working with Multiple Functions
- Build number sense
- See how numbers relate to each other
- Lesson 13 — The Relationship Between Addition and SubtractionLesson 24 — The Relationship Between Multiplication and Division
- Build strategic complements
- sometimes counting what you *don't* want is easier than direct counting
- Lesson 2626 — Complex Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Build the general solution
- u(x,t) = Σ [A_n cos(ω t) + B_n sin(ω t)]sin(nπx/L)
- Lesson 2431 — Fourier Series Solutions for Bounded Domains
- Build the transition matrix
- P = [v₁ | v₂ | .
- Lesson 2258 — Applications: Diagonalization via Change of Basis
- Build truth tables
- for both propositions, listing all possible combinations of truth values for the atomic propositions involved
- Lesson 2475 — Logical Equivalence
- Build your design matrix
- $A$ where each row contains powers of an $x_i$ value: $[1, x_i, x_i^2, \ldots, x_i^n]$
- Lesson 2239 — Applications: Data Fitting and Approximation
- Bundle
- the objects that must be adjacent into one "block"
- Lesson 2583 — Permutations with Restrictions: Adjacent Objects
- Business Applications
- If `R(x)` is revenue and `C(x)` is cost, the area between them over an interval represents total profit:
- Lesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between Curves
- Business Revenue
- If R(x) represents revenue from selling x units:
- Lesson 1504 — Applications: Real-World Monotonicity and Concavity
C
- c
- , then the column space consists of every vector you can build by taking:
- Lesson 2128 — The Column SpaceLesson 2250 — The Change of Basis ProblemLesson 2252 — Computing Transition MatricesLesson 2421 — The General Series SolutionLesson 2463 — Complex Exponential Form of Fourier Series
- C (Phase Shift)
- Shifts the graph horizontally C units to the right (or left if C is negative).
- Lesson 1029 — Transformations of Secant
- C < 0
- shift **left** by |C| units
- Lesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical Shift
- C = 2πr
- (using the radius)
- Lesson 861 — Circumference of CirclesLesson 1477 — Geometric Related Rates: Expanding Circles
- C = EM
- (encoded message), you recover the original with **M = E ¹C**.
- Lesson 1308 — Applications of Inverse Matrices
- C > 0
- shift **right** by C units
- Lesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical Shift
- C value
- in `sin(B(x - C))` slides the entire sine (or cosine) graph horizontally left or right.
- Lesson 1037 — Phase Shift: Horizontal Translation
- C(K, k)
- Ways to choose k successes from K available successes
- Lesson 2885 — Hypergeometric Probability Formula
- C(n,0) – Choosing Nothing
- Lesson 2592 — Combinations with All or None: C(n,0) and C(n,n)
- C(n,k)
- where k is the term's index
- Lesson 2602 — Finding Specific Terms in Binomial ExpansionsLesson 2875 — Binomial Probability Mass Function
- C(n,n) – Choosing Everything
- Lesson 2592 — Combinations with All or None: C(n,0) and C(n,n)
- C(n,r) = C(n,n-r)
- Lesson 2591 — Symmetry Property: C(n,r) = C(n,n-r)
- c₁
- , **c₂**, .
- Lesson 2128 — The Column SpaceLesson 2250 — The Change of Basis ProblemLesson 2343 — The Principle of Superposition
- c₂
- , .
- Lesson 2128 — The Column SpaceLesson 2250 — The Change of Basis ProblemLesson 2343 — The Principle of Superposition
- calculate
- their values.
- Lesson 133 — Evaluating Positive Integer ExponentsLesson 136 — Evaluating Negative ExponentsLesson 248 — Finding Slope from a GraphLesson 873 — Composite Figures in Real-World ContextsLesson 883 — Volume of Composite SolidsLesson 1965 — Evaluating Vector Fields at Points
- Calculate average rates
- for each interval using the formula you know:
- Lesson 1374 — Estimating Instantaneous Rates Numerically
- Calculate differences
- For each pair (subject), compute d = measurement₁ - measurement₂
- Lesson 3039 — Paired t-Test: Comparing Dependent Samples
- Calculate each area
- Lesson 868 — Finding Area of Composite Figures by Addition
- Calculate each area separately
- using formulas you know (rectangle: *lw*, circle: *πr²*, semicircle: *½πr²*)
- Lesson 871 — Composite Figures with Circles and Semicircles
- Calculate expected counts
- assuming all populations share the same distribution
- Lesson 3045 — Chi-Squared Test for Homogeneity
- Calculate expected frequencies
- from your theoretical model
- Lesson 3043 — Chi-Squared Goodness-of-Fit Test
- Calculate standard deviation
- of differences: sᴅ
- Lesson 3039 — Paired t-Test: Comparing Dependent Samples
- Calculate the 2×2 determinant
- of that minor.
- Lesson 2150 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Cofactor Expansion
- Calculate the area
- of each individual face (using formulas you already know: rectangles, triangles, circles, etc.
- Lesson 893 — Nets and Surface AreaLesson 1548 — Right Riemann Sums
- Calculate the imaginary part
- Multiply r by sin θ
- Lesson 1219 — Converting from Polar to Rectangular Form
- Calculate the perpendicular slope
- by taking the negative reciprocal
- Lesson 268 — Writing Equations of Perpendicular Lines
- Calculate the ratio
- Horizontal asymptote is y = 3/5
- Lesson 489 — Finding Horizontal Asymptotes by Leading Coefficients
- Calculate the surface area
- of each solid separately (using formulas you've learned)
- Lesson 892 — Surface Area of Composite Solids
- Calculate the t-statistic
- `t = (x̄ - μ₀) / (s/√n)` where x̄ is the sample mean, s is the sample standard deviation, and n is the sample size
- Lesson 3034 — One-Sample t-Test: Testing a Population Mean
- Calculate the test statistic
- You compute the **z-statistic**:
- Lesson 3025 — One-Sample z-Test for MeansLesson 3048 — F Test for Equality of Variances
- Calculator-based contexts
- – Engineering, physics labs, and applied sciences often work directly with decimal values.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- Can get messy
- Complicated equations with fractions or decimals require extra steps
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- Can I avoid fractions
- If one path requires multiplying by 7 and another by 2, choose the simpler one.
- Lesson 295 — Choosing Strategic Pairs for Elimination
- Can I integrate easily
- Lesson 1741 — Mixed Practice: Integral and Comparison Tests
- Can I use u-substitution
- Look for a function and its derivative present together (or with a constant multiple).
- Lesson 1632 — Applications and Strategy Selection
- Cancel
- those common factors (divide them out)
- Lesson 445 — Simplifying by Canceling Common FactorsLesson 452 — Simplifying Before MultiplyingLesson 455 — Dividing and Simplifying in One StepLesson 487 — Holes in Rational FunctionsLesson 2437 — Basic Solutions in Cartesian Coordinates
- Cancel common factors
- across numerators and denominators
- Lesson 456 — Mixed Operations: Multiplication and Division Together
- cancel out
- , giving you an incorrect answer.
- Lesson 1647 — Area with Multiple RegionsLesson 2032 — Stokes' Theorem on Piecewise Smooth Surfaces
- Cancel the common factors
- (remembering they equal 1 when divided)
- Lesson 448 — Simplifying with Trinomial Factors
- Cancelation works
- If a·c ≡ b·c (mod n) and GCD(c, n) = 1, you can safely cancel c from both sides.
- Lesson 2718 — Relatively Prime Integers
- cannot
- be parallel to a vertical line
- Lesson 270 — Special Cases: Horizontal and Vertical LinesLesson 392 — Zero Product PropertyLesson 549 — Finding Domain from EquationsLesson 870 — Perimeter of Composite FiguresLesson 892 — Surface Area of Composite SolidsLesson 1399 — The Product Rule FormulaLesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct SubstitutionLesson 2098 — Matrix Addition and Subtraction (+1 more)
- Cannot combine (unlike radicals)
- Lesson 158 — Adding and Subtracting Radicals
- Capacity c(u,v)
- The maximum amount of flow that can travel along edge (u,v)
- Lesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- Capacity comparisons
- "Which holds more: a sphere with radius 5cm or a cube with side 8cm?
- Lesson 884 — Volume Word Problems and Applications
- Capacity constraint
- For every edge (u,v), we must have 0 ≤ f(u,v) ≤ c(u,v).
- Lesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- cardinality
- of a set is the number of elements it contains, denoted |A|.
- Lesson 2521 — Sets: Definition and NotationLesson 2566 — Cardinality and Bijections
- Cardioids
- (like r = 1 + cos θ): Heart-shaped curves.
- Lesson 1919 — Computing Areas Using Polar Integrals
- carrying capacity
- (denoted *L* or *K*).
- Lesson 645 — Logistic Growth ModelsLesson 2375 — Logistic Growth Model
- Case 1
- If *f(n)* grows **slower** than *n^(log_b a)*, then **T(n) = Θ(n^(log_b a))**
- Lesson 2636 — Divide-and-Conquer RecurrencesLesson 2722 — Infinitude of Primes: Euclid's Proof
- Case 1: No Solution
- Lesson 1125 — The Ambiguous Case with Obtuse Angles
- Case 2
- If *f(n)* grows at **exactly the same rate** as *n^(log_b a)*, then **T(n) = Θ(n^(log_b a) · log n)**
- Lesson 2636 — Divide-and-Conquer RecurrencesLesson 2722 — Infinitude of Primes: Euclid's Proof
- Case 2: One Solution
- Lesson 1125 — The Ambiguous Case with Obtuse Angles
- Case 3
- If *f(n)* grows **faster** than *n^(log_b a)*, then **T(n) = Θ(f(n))**
- Lesson 2636 — Divide-and-Conquer Recurrences
- Case-by-case addition
- Count each valid scenario separately and add them
- Lesson 2595 — Combinations with Restrictions
- Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality
- states that for any two vectors **u** and **v** in an inner product space:
- Lesson 2204 — The Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality
- Cavalieri's Principle
- if two solids have the same height and their cross-sections at every level have equal areas, they have equal volumes.
- Lesson 886 — Volume of Oblique SolidsLesson 897 — Introduction to Cavalieri's PrincipleLesson 899 — Cavalieri's Principle with Cylinders
- Cavalieri's Principle states
- If two solids have equal heights, and every horizontal cross-section taken at the same height has equal area, then the two solids have equal volumes.
- Lesson 900 — Cavalieri's Principle for Pyramids and Cones
- center
- is the fixed point in the middle of the circle.
- Lesson 827 — Parts of a Circle: Center, Radius, Diameter, and ChordLesson 991 — Defining the Unit CircleLesson 1141 — Finding Circle Properties from General FormLesson 1156 — Parts of an Ellipse: Vertices, Co- vertices, and FociLesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and FociLesson 1174 — Hyperbolas Centered at (h, k)Lesson 1793 — Equations of SpheresLesson 2905 — Parameters: Mean and Standard Deviation
- Center at the origin
- The conic is centered at the point (0, 0)
- Lesson 1133 — Standard Position and Orientation
- center of mass
- is the point where an object would perfectly balance—it's the "average position" of all the mass.
- Lesson 1700 — Center of Mass for One-Dimensional SystemsLesson 1921 — Applications: Mass and Center of Mass in PolarLesson 1957 — Moments and First MomentsLesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two Dimensions
- Center the data
- Subtract the mean from each column to get **X̃**
- Lesson 2289 — Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and SVD
- central angle
- is an angle whose vertex sits at the center of a circle.
- Lesson 833 — Central Angles and Their MeasuresLesson 838 — Inscribed AnglesLesson 845 — Congruent Arcs and Central AnglesLesson 864 — Area of Sectors and Arc Length
- Central Limit Theorem
- , we know the sample mean follows approximately a normal distribution centered at the true population mean μ, with standard error σ/√n.
- Lesson 3010 — The Logic Behind Confidence Intervals
- Central Limit Theorem (CLT)
- is one of the most powerful results in probability theory.
- Lesson 2977 — Introduction to the Central Limit Theorem
- centroid
- is where the three **medians** meet (remember: medians connect vertices to midpoints of opposite sides).
- Lesson 739 — Centroid, Orthocenter, Incenter, and CircumcenterLesson 1701 — Moments and Centroids of Planar Regions
- chain rule
- tells us:
- Lesson 1410 — Chain Rule with Power FunctionsLesson 1412 — Chain Rule with RadicalsLesson 1413 — Chain Rule with Rational FunctionsLesson 1433 — Chain Rule with Exponential FunctionsLesson 1444 — Chain Rule with Inverse Trigonometric FunctionsLesson 1847 — The Gradient is Perpendicular to Level Curves and Surfaces
- Chain rule needed
- Lesson 1417 — Recognizing When to Use the Chain Rule
- Chain rule NOT needed
- Lesson 1417 — Recognizing When to Use the Chain Rule
- Change
- subtraction to addition AND flip the sign of the second number (find its opposite)
- Lesson 44 — Subtracting Positive and Negative Numbers
- Change coordinates
- Let **y** = P^T**x** (rotating to align with eigenvectors)
- Lesson 2277 — Principal Axes and Quadratic Forms
- change of basis problem
- given a vector's description in one coordinate system (basis), find its description in another coordinate system (basis).
- Lesson 2250 — The Change of Basis ProblemLesson 2258 — Applications: Diagonalization via Change of Basis
- Change variables
- by setting `x = Py`, where `y` is a new coordinate system
- Lesson 2296 — Diagonalization of Quadratic Forms
- changes
- from trial to trial
- Lesson 2887 — Hypergeometric vs. Binomial: When to Use EachLesson 3082 — Categorical Predictors and Interaction Terms
- Changes shape
- based on degrees of freedom
- Lesson 3033 — The t-Distribution: Properties and Degrees of Freedom
- changes sign
- .
- Lesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of ConcavityLesson 2162 — Effect of Row Operations on Determinants
- characteristic equation
- **det(A - λI) = 0**
- Lesson 2169 — Finding Eigenvalues by Hand for 2×2 MatricesLesson 2338 — The Characteristic Equation for Constant CoefficientsLesson 2339 — Real Distinct Roots: General SolutionLesson 2629 — Linear Homogeneous Recurrence RelationsLesson 2630 — Solving Second-Order Linear Homogeneous Recurrences
- Characteristic functions
- solve this problem elegantly.
- Lesson 2967 — Characteristic Functions (Optional)
- Charge distribution
- For electric charge density on a surface
- Lesson 2018 — Surface Integrals of Scalar Functions
- Check
- that your answer's units make sense
- Lesson 113 — Solving Rate ProblemsLesson 123 — Real-World Proportion ProblemsLesson 192 — Age Problems and Consecutive Integer ProblemsLesson 202 — Combining Addition/Subtraction with Multiplication/DivisionLesson 299 — Applications of Three-Variable SystemsLesson 403 — Solving Quadratics by Completing the Square (a = 1)Lesson 443 — Evaluating Rational ExpressionsLesson 475 — Applications and Word Problems with Complex Fractions (+7 more)
- Check all quadrants
- where the trig function takes that value
- Lesson 1082 — Finding All Solutions in an Interval
- Check all solutions
- in the original equation — this step is critical!
- Lesson 526 — Equations with Radicals on Both SidesLesson 527 — Equations Requiring Multiple Squaring StepsLesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational Equations
- Check both solutions
- against the restricted values to eliminate extraneous solutions
- Lesson 482 — Rational Equations Leading to Quadratics
- Check boundaries
- – If the domain is closed and bounded, evaluate f on the boundary using techniques like parametrization or Lagrange multipliers (coming later).
- Lesson 1872 — Applications: Optimization Problems in Two Variables
- Check boundary points
- where pieces meet — these often create special range values
- Lesson 556 — Domain and Range of Piecewise Functions
- Check conditions
- The approximation works well when both *np* ≥ 10 and *n*(1−*p*) ≥ 10
- Lesson 2985 — Approximating Binomial Distributions
- Check dimensions
- After differentiation, every term should have the same "order" — if you started with x³, your derivative terms shouldn't mix x² with x⁴.
- Lesson 1407 — Common Errors and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Check each solution
- by substituting it back into the original equation
- Lesson 481 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 486 — Vertical Asymptotes
- Check endpoints
- if the domain is restricted
- Lesson 1510 — Geometric Optimization: Minimizing PerimeterLesson 1513 — Cost and Revenue OptimizationLesson 1878 — Solving Two-Variable Constrained Problems
- Check for additional restrictions
- within each piece (like square roots or denominators)
- Lesson 556 — Domain and Range of Piecewise Functions
- Check for extraneous solutions
- Always verify your answers satisfy domain restrictions (logs need positive arguments, etc.
- Lesson 638 — Exponential and Logarithmic Equations with Quadratic Form
- Check for overlap
- – Does any part of your proposed trial appear in `y_c`?
- Lesson 2358 — Common Mistakes and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Check for restricted values
- – note any values that make denominators zero
- Lesson 478 — Solving by Cross-Multiplication
- Check for sign change
- If f(a) and f(b) have opposite signs (one positive, one negative), then by the IVT, there must be some c in [a, b] where f(c) = 0
- Lesson 1357 — Using the IVT to Show Roots Exist
- Check for special solutions
- (identity or contradiction)
- Lesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear Equations
- Check it
- Use histograms, normal probability plots (Q-Q plots), or formal tests like Shapiro-Wilk.
- Lesson 3040 — Assumptions and Diagnostics for t-Tests
- Check linear dependence
- See if one constraint's gradient is a scalar multiple of another's
- Lesson 1889 — Dealing with Redundant Constraints
- Check mutual independence
- Lesson 2944 — Pairwise vs Mutual Independence
- Check pairwise independence
- Lesson 2944 — Pairwise vs Mutual Independence
- Check the degrees
- Both numerator and denominator have degree 2
- Lesson 489 — Finding Horizontal Asymptotes by Leading Coefficients
- Check the denominators
- – Make sure they're identical
- Lesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like Denominators
- Check the pattern
- Lesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
- Check the result
- If the left side becomes I, the right side is now A ¹.
- Lesson 2142 — The Gauss-Jordan Method for Finding Inverses
- Check the right side
- If it's negative, you'll use imaginary numbers.
- Lesson 409 — Complex Solutions via Completing the Square
- Check the solution
- Lesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear Independence
- Check the support region
- The region where f(x,y) > 0 must be a *rectangle* in the xy-plane (or the entire plane)
- Lesson 2941 — Checking Independence for Continuous Random Variables
- Check where you land
- (does your solution satisfy the boundary condition?
- Lesson 2406 — Solving Boundary Value Problems: Shooting Method Concept
- Check x = 5
- log(5) + log(2) = log(10) = 1 (and both arguments are positive)
- Lesson 637 — Checking for Extraneous Solutions
- Check your answer
- by substituting into both original equations
- Lesson 274 — Solving Systems by Graphing: Basic TechniqueLesson 282 — Application Problems Using Systems and SubstitutionLesson 299 — Applications of Three-Variable SystemsLesson 400 — Applications and Word Problems
- Check your solution
- by substituting back
- Lesson 211 — Multi-Step Equations Requiring Multiple OperationsLesson 478 — Solving by Cross- MultiplicationLesson 524 — Solving Simple Radical EquationsLesson 528 — Radical Equations with Higher Index RootsLesson 537 — Solving Equations with Fractional Exponents
- Check your solutions
- in the original equation (critical!
- Lesson 636 — Solving Logarithmic Equations with Multiple Logs
- Check your work
- If 6 + 3 = 9, then 9 - 3 must equal 6
- Lesson 13 — The Relationship Between Addition and SubtractionLesson 24 — The Relationship Between Multiplication and DivisionLesson 381 — Applications and Mixed PracticeLesson 421 — Verifying Solutions by SubstitutionLesson 712 — Solving Multi-Step Angle Problems
- Checking the Range
- Lesson 2563 — Testing for Surjectivity
- Chemical reactions
- How fast is a reactant being consumed at this instant?
- Lesson 1376 — Applications: Velocity and Other Rates
- chi-squared distribution
- (written as χ²) is not a completely new distribution—it's actually a specific version of the gamma distribution you just learned.
- Lesson 2921 — The Chi-Squared Distribution: DefinitionLesson 3042 — Chi-Squared Distribution Basics
- Chi-squared goodness-of-fit test
- Tests whether observed categorical data follows an expected distribution
- Lesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi-SquaredLesson 3043 — Chi-Squared Goodness-of-Fit Test
- Chi-Squared independence test
- "We reject the null hypothesis (p = 0.
- Lesson 3050 — Interpreting Chi-Squared and F Test Results
- chi-squared test for independence
- helps you decide whether observed patterns in your data represent real associations or just random chance.
- Lesson 3044 — Chi-Squared Test for IndependenceLesson 3046 — Expected Frequencies and Assumptions
- Chi-squared test of independence
- Determines if two categorical variables are independent in contingency tables
- Lesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi-Squared
- Chi-squared tests
- excel when you're analyzing categorical data—like testing whether customer preferences differ across regions (independence test) or whether observed survey responses match theoretical predictions (goodness-of-fit).
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- Cholesky decomposition
- is a specialized factorization available only for positive definite matrices.
- Lesson 2295 — The Cholesky DecompositionLesson 2298 — Applications to Optimization and Hessian Matrices
- Choose
- the right formula (explicit: a = a₁ + (n-1)d)
- Lesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic Sequences
- Choose a coordinate system
- with the origin at the fluid surface, y-axis pointing downward
- Lesson 1699 — Fluid Pressure and Force on Submerged Surfaces
- Choose a grid
- Select evenly-spaced points (like a 5×5 grid) that cover the region of interest
- Lesson 1968 — Sketching Vector Fields by Hand
- Choose a projection plane
- (xy, xz, or yz) that simplifies the shadow region
- Lesson 1929 — Triple Integrals over General 3D Regions
- Choose a side
- for your variable terms (usually the side with the larger coefficient)
- Lesson 221 — Inequalities with Variables on Both Sides
- Choose a variable
- pick a letter (like *x*, *n*, or *t*) to represent it
- Lesson 189 — Writing Equations from Word Problems
- Choose contrapositive proof when
- Lesson 2495 — Proof by Contrapositive: Method and Strategy
- Choose coordinates
- with y measuring vertical height
- Lesson 1695 — Pumping Liquids from TanksLesson 1956 — Computing Total Mass with Triple Integrals
- Choose familiar formulas
- If you can decompose using rectangles and triangles rather than trapezoids, you might save time (fewer variables in the formulas).
- Lesson 874 — Optimizing Composite Figure Problems
- Choose Geometric Mean when
- Lesson 805 — Comparing Pythagorean Theorem and Geometric Mean Methods
- Choose intervals
- around that point: [a, a + h] where h gets smaller
- Lesson 1374 — Estimating Instantaneous Rates Numerically
- Choose minimum
- Select the edge with the smallest weight among those crossing the boundary.
- Lesson 2676 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Prim's Algorithm
- Choose Path 1
- Often try approaching along a simple line like $y = 0$ (the x-axis) or $x = 0$ (the y-axis)
- Lesson 1812 — Path-Dependent Limits and Nonexistence
- Choose Path 2
- Try a different line like $y = x$, or a curve like $y = x^2$
- Lesson 1812 — Path-Dependent Limits and Nonexistence
- Choose Pythagorean Theorem when
- Lesson 805 — Comparing Pythagorean Theorem and Geometric Mean Methods
- Choose sample points
- in the xy-plane (the "floor" of your 3D space)
- Lesson 1806 — Graphing Surfaces in 3D
- Choose slicing direction
- Which makes the setup simpler?
- Lesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between Curves
- Choose strategically
- Sometimes simplifying means making an expression shorter.
- Lesson 1079 — Simplifying Expressions with Product and Sum Formulas
- Choose the appropriate bounds
- based on which segment you're rotating
- Lesson 1656 — Finding Limits of Integration for Disk Method
- Choose the appropriate formula
- Use the surface area formula that matches your axis of rotation.
- Lesson 1691 — Applications: Real-World Surfaces
- Choose the maximum
- The corner point giving the highest value is your answer
- Lesson 308 — Applications: Maximization Problems
- Choose the new basis
- Let B = {v₁, v₂, .
- Lesson 2258 — Applications: Diagonalization via Change of Basis
- Choose the right formula
- – Perimeter or area?
- Lesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 804 — Finding Missing Lengths with Geometric Means
- Choose the right properties
- identify which overlapping conditions to track (the "bad" events you want to exclude)
- Lesson 2626 — Complex Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Choose u and dv
- using LIATE (just like before)
- Lesson 1599 — Definite Integrals and Integration by Parts
- Choose your expansion
- Pick a row or column for cofactor expansion (choose one with zeros if possible!
- Lesson 2182 — Computing Characteristic Polynomials for 3×3 Matrices
- Choose Your Method
- Lesson 1673 — Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Choose your weapon
- cofactor expansion or row reduction
- Lesson 2158 — Practice: Mixed Determinant Computation
- chord
- is any line segment connecting two points on the circle.
- Lesson 827 — Parts of a Circle: Center, Radius, Diameter, and ChordLesson 845 — Congruent Arcs and Central AnglesLesson 850 — Chord Properties and Definitions
- Chords and the Center
- A perpendicular line from the center of a circle to a chord bisects (cuts in half) that chord.
- Lesson 850 — Chord Properties and Definitions
- circle
- has an equation like **(x - h)² + (y - k)² = r²**, while a **line** has an equation like **y = mx + b** or **Ax + By = C**.
- Lesson 920 — Intersection of Lines and CirclesLesson 942 — Line Symmetry (Reflectional Symmetry)Lesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of ConicsLesson 1131 — The General Second-Degree EquationLesson 1132 — Using the Discriminant to Classify ConicsLesson 1133 — Standard Position and OrientationLesson 1136 — Standard Form of a CircleLesson 1179 — Eccentricity: Measuring the Shape of Conics (+1 more)
- Circles
- appear in wheels, gears, and any rotating machinery.
- Lesson 1135 — Overview of Conic Applications
- Circuit (Closed Walk)
- Lesson 2658 — Circuits and Cycles
- Circuit design
- Minimize power loss with voltage and current restrictions
- Lesson 1890 — Application: Optimization in Physics and Engineering
- circular segment
- is the region between a chord and the arc it cuts off.
- Lesson 843 — Segment AreaLesson 865 — Area of Segments
- circulation
- patterns where vectors curve around a point
- Lesson 1968 — Sketching Vector Fields by HandLesson 1981 — Applications: Work and CirculationLesson 2034 — Physical Interpretations: Circulation and Rotation
- Circulation ≠ 0
- indicates rotational behavior (like vortices in fluid flow)
- Lesson 1981 — Applications: Work and Circulation
- Circulation Density
- Lesson 2009 — Interpreting Curl Physically
- circumcenter
- is where the **perpendicular bisectors** of the three sides intersect.
- Lesson 739 — Centroid, Orthocenter, Incenter, and CircumcenterLesson 832 — Inscribed and Circumscribed Circles
- circumference
- is the distance around a circle—like measuring the perimeter of a polygon, but for a curved shape.
- Lesson 828 — Circumference of a CircleLesson 830 — Circles and Pi (π)Lesson 861 — Circumference of CirclesLesson 1477 — Geometric Related Rates: Expanding CirclesLesson 1664 — Introduction to the Shell Method
- circumscribed circle
- (circumcircle)—the circle passing through all three vertices.
- Lesson 739 — Centroid, Orthocenter, Incenter, and CircumcenterLesson 832 — Inscribed and Circumscribed Circles
- Circumscribed circles
- wrap *around* a polygon and pass through all its vertices (corners).
- Lesson 832 — Inscribed and Circumscribed Circles
- Claim
- Vertical angles are congruent.
- Lesson 770 — Proving Theorems About Lines and AnglesLesson 2497 — Proof by Contradiction: Basic IdeaLesson 2503 — Proving Summation FormulasLesson 2504 — Proving Divisibility PropertiesLesson 2514 — Proving Divisibility Results with Strong InductionLesson 2573 — Pigeonhole Principle in Number TheoryLesson 2743 — Proof of Fermat's Little Theorem
- Clairaut's Theorem
- states that if the mixed partial derivatives are **continuous** in a neighborhood of a point, then they are equal at that point:
- Lesson 1827 — Mixed Partial Derivatives and Clairaut's Theorem
- Classic example
- Proving the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic (every integer > 1 has a unique prime factorization).
- Lesson 2512 — Review: Ordinary vs. Strong Induction
- Classify
- using the test conditions
- Lesson 1867 — Applying the Second Derivative TestLesson 2335 — Applications of Exact and Bernoulli Equations
- Classify critical points
- – Use the Second Derivative Test (discriminant D) to identify local maxima, minima, or saddle points.
- Lesson 1872 — Applications: Optimization Problems in Two Variables
- Classify each interval
- Lesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of Concavity
- Classify the Given Information
- Lesson 982 — Mixed Application Problems and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Cleaner pattern recognition
- – Rationalized forms reveal mathematical structure better.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- Cleaner patterns
- Many common functions have elegant Maclaurin series
- Lesson 1774 — Maclaurin Series: Taylor Series at Zero
- Clear denominators
- by multiplying both sides by the LCD
- Lesson 482 — Rational Equations Leading to QuadraticsLesson 1623 — Linear Factors: Distinct Denominators
- Clear fractions
- Multiply everything by 4: `6(x - 4) + 20 = x + 6 - 4`
- Lesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear EquationsLesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational Equations
- Clear fractions or decimals
- if needed (multiply both sides by LCD or power of 10)
- Lesson 211 — Multi-Step Equations Requiring Multiple OperationsLesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear Equations
- Clear the fraction
- Multiply both sides by $x$: $x\sqrt{x} = 6$
- Lesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational Equations
- Clearer integer relationships
- Some real-world problems naturally produce integer coefficients
- Lesson 260 — Standard Form: Ax + By = C
- closed
- (includes both endpoints with brackets: [*a*, *b*])
- Lesson 1506 — The Extreme Value TheoremLesson 1981 — Applications: Work and Circulation
- closed and bounded region
- , the Second Derivative Test helps you classify critical points *inside* the region (the interior).
- Lesson 1869 — Boundary Considerations for OptimizationLesson 1870 — Optimization on Closed and Bounded Regions
- Closed circle (●)
- Use when the endpoint *is* included (≤ or ≥)
- Lesson 217 — Inequality Notation and the Number Line
- Closed endpoint
- (≤ or ≥): Use a **solid dot** • to show the point is included
- Lesson 592 — Graphing Piecewise Functions
- Closed Intervals [a, b]
- Lesson 1353 — Continuity on an Interval
- Closed under addition
- If **u** and **v** are in H, then **u + v** is also in H
- Lesson 2078 — Subspaces: Definition and Subspace TestLesson 2083 — Intersection of SubspacesLesson 2084 — Sum of SubspacesLesson 2215 — Orthogonal Complements
- Closed under scalar multiplication
- If **u** is in H and *c* is any scalar, then *c***u** is in H
- Lesson 2078 — Subspaces: Definition and Subspace TestLesson 2083 — Intersection of SubspacesLesson 2084 — Sum of SubspacesLesson 2215 — Orthogonal Complements
- Closely spaced curves
- indicate steep terrain (rapid change in z)
- Lesson 1800 — Level Curves and Contour Maps
- Clusters or groupings
- May suggest missing categorical variables or interaction effects.
- Lesson 3084 — Residual Plots: Fitted Values vs. Residuals
- co-vertices
- are the endpoints of the minor axis—the closest points from the center.
- Lesson 1156 — Parts of an Ellipse: Vertices, Co-vertices, and FociLesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and Foci
- Cobb-Douglas production function
- models how inputs create output:
- Lesson 1810 — Applications: Modeling with Multivariable Functions
- Codomain
- The entire set B that the relation maps *into*.
- Lesson 2540 — Domain, Codomain, and Range of Relations
- Codomain of R
- = {a, b, c, d, e} — the entire set B by definition
- Lesson 2540 — Domain, Codomain, and Range of Relations
- coefficient
- is the number multiplied by a variable within a term.
- Lesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 310 — What is a Polynomial?Lesson 312 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 2055 — What is a Linear Combination?
- Coefficient before f
- `−2` means a vertical stretch by factor 2 AND a reflection across the x-axis (negative sign)
- Lesson 586 — Identifying Transformations from Equations
- Coefficient matrix determinant D
- Lesson 1299 — Cramer's Rule for Solving Systems
- Coefficient with x
- If you saw `f(2x)`, that's a horizontal compression by factor ½
- Lesson 586 — Identifying Transformations from Equations
- coefficients
- (the numbers in front) while keeping the radical part unchanged.
- Lesson 158 — Adding and Subtracting RadicalsLesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 288 — Choosing the Easier Variable to EliminateLesson 508 — Multiplying Radicals with the Same Index
- cofactor expansion
- (or expansion by minors).
- Lesson 1292 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Expansion by MinorsLesson 2150 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Cofactor Expansion
- Cohen's d
- measures effect size by expressing the difference between two means in standard deviation units:
- Lesson 3041 — Effect Size and Practical Significance in t-Tests
- Coincident
- Same slope, same intercept (or equivalent equations) → Infinite solutions
- Lesson 276 — Graphing Systems with Parallel and Coincident Lines
- Collect all distinct values
- (removing duplicates)
- Lesson 2824 — The Range of a Discrete Random Variable
- Collect evidence
- and see what happens under that assumption
- Lesson 3024 — The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
- Collecting a large sample
- of observations
- Lesson 2975 — Applications: Estimating Probabilities and Means
- Collinear
- All points on the *same line* (1-dimensional constraint)
- Lesson 698 — Collinear and Coplanar Points
- Collinear points
- are points that all lie on the same straight line.
- Lesson 698 — Collinear and Coplanar Points
- Colon notation (3:4)
- is compact and clear—it literally means "3 compared to 4.
- Lesson 106 — Writing Ratios in Different Forms
- column space
- (also called the *range* or *image*) of a matrix **A** is the set of all possible linear combinations of its column vectors.
- Lesson 2081 — Column Space and Null SpaceLesson 2096 — Bases for Important SubspacesLesson 2128 — The Column SpaceLesson 2134 — Orthogonality of Fundamental SubspacesLesson 2262 — The Range (Image) of a Linear TransformationLesson 2283 — Left and Right Singular Vectors
- Column space view
- The rank equals the dimension of the span of the matrix's columns.
- Lesson 2126 — Definition of Matrix Rank
- Column Space, C(A)
- Lesson 2132 — The Four Fundamental Subspaces
- column vector
- (or column matrix) has exactly **one column** but can have multiple rows.
- Lesson 1272 — Types of Matrices: Square, Row, Column, and ZeroLesson 2097 — Matrix Notation and Dimensions
- columns
- (like tiny boxes) stacked from the xy-plane up to the surface.
- Lesson 1892 — Introduction to Double IntegralsLesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear Independence
- combination
- a selection of objects where *order doesn't matter*.
- Lesson 2588 — Introduction to CombinationsLesson 3100 — Two-Way ANOVA With Interaction
- Combinations
- Use when the **order doesn't matter**.
- Lesson 2594 — Distinguishing When to Use Combinations vs PermutationsLesson 2599 — Binomial Coefficients: Definition and NotationLesson 2615 — Relationship to Combinations and Stars-and-Bars
- Combinations (order doesn't matter)
- {A,B}, {A,C}, {B,C} → 3 selections
- Lesson 2588 — Introduction to Combinations
- Combinations of continuous functions
- (sums, products, compositions)
- Lesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct Substitution
- combine
- separate radicals into one: √a / √b = √(a/b).
- Lesson 500 — Quotient Property of RadicalsLesson 507 — Simplifying Before Adding or SubtractingLesson 883 — Volume of Composite SolidsLesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric MatricesLesson 2400 — Finding Power Series Solutions Near Ordinary Points
- Combine all allowed x-values
- the domain is typically the union of all conditions *unless* there are gaps
- Lesson 556 — Domain and Range of Piecewise Functions
- Combine all possible y-values
- , watching for overlaps or gaps
- Lesson 556 — Domain and Range of Piecewise Functions
- Combine both samples
- and rank all values together (smallest = 1)
- Lesson 3106 — Mann-Whitney U Test (Wilcoxon Rank-Sum)
- Combine each group separately
- Lesson 1197 — Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
- Combine everything
- and add your constant of integration
- Lesson 1542 — Antiderivatives of Polynomial Functions
- combine like terms
- .
- Lesson 181 — Simplifying Expressions with Multiple StepsLesson 203 — Equations with Variables on One SideLesson 208 — Equations with Parentheses and the Distributive PropertyLesson 211 — Multi-Step Equations Requiring Multiple OperationsLesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear EquationsLesson 328 — Multiplying a Binomial by a TrinomialLesson 329 — Multiplying Two TrinomialsLesson 1202 — Simplifying Complex Expressions
- Combine numerators
- using addition and subtraction from left to right
- Lesson 467 — Adding and Subtracting Three or More Rationals
- Combine them
- The general solution is **y = y_h + y_p**
- Lesson 2356 — Second-Order Examples with Undetermined Coefficients
- Combine using the formula
- Add up the contributions from each pathway
- Lesson 1854 — Chain Rule for Independent Variables
- Combined
- `1/√(1 - (3x)²) · 3 = 3/√(1 - 9x²)`
- Lesson 1444 — Chain Rule with Inverse Trigonometric FunctionsLesson 1559 — Properties of Definite Integrals: LinearityLesson 2859 — Properties of Variance: Scaling and Translation
- Combined variation
- happens when a relationship involves *both* direct and inverse variation together.
- Lesson 127 — Combined VariationLesson 128 — Finding the Constant of Variation
- combining
- groups of objects.
- Lesson 10 — Addition Facts to 10Lesson 497 — Product Property of Radicals
- Combining logs
- If you see `log₂(x) + log₂(5) = 3`, use the product rule to combine:
- Lesson 629 — Applying Logarithm Properties to Solve Equations
- Common applications
- Lesson 1359 — Applications of Continuity Theorems
- Common conversion tools
- Lesson 1090 — Equations Involving Multiple Functions
- Common denominator method
- Combine fractions over a common denominator
- Lesson 1532 — Indeterminate Differences: ∞ - ∞
- common difference
- , usually denoted by *d*.
- Lesson 651 — Definition of Arithmetic SequencesLesson 652 — Finding Terms Using the Common DifferenceLesson 653 — The Explicit Formula for Arithmetic SequencesLesson 654 — Finding the Common Difference from Two TermsLesson 656 — Determining if a Sequence is ArithmeticLesson 657 — Finding the Number of Terms in a Finite SequenceLesson 693 — Stacking and Construction Problems
- common divisors
- 1, 2, 3, and 6.
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): DefinitionLesson 2712 — Finding GCD by Listing Divisors
- common factor
- is a number that divides evenly into two or more numbers without leaving a remainder.
- Lesson 51 — Common FactorsLesson 487 — Holes in Rational Functions
- Common forms
- Lesson 3022 — Test Statistics and P-values
- Common labeling patterns
- Lesson 1114 — Choosing the Correct Angle in SAS Area Formula
- Common mistake
- Don't do addition first just because you "like" it better!
- Lesson 35 — Addition and Subtraction (Left to Right)
- Common modulus attack
- Never encrypt the same message to multiple recipients using the same `n`.
- Lesson 2770 — Security and Practical Considerations
- common ratio
- , often denoted by *r*.
- Lesson 660 — Introduction to Geometric SequencesLesson 662 — Finding the Common RatioLesson 663 — Writing Formulas for Geometric SequencesLesson 666 — Growth and Decay ApplicationsLesson 667 — Convergence and Divergence of Geometric SequencesLesson 1722 — Geometric Series: Definition and FormulaLesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-Series
- Common scenario types
- Lesson 973 — Combined Problems with Distance and Height
- Common vulnerabilities
- Lesson 2770 — Security and Practical Considerations
- Communication
- A central server (cut vertex) whose failure splits a network into isolated clusters.
- Lesson 2661 — Cut Vertices and Cut Edges
- commutative
- .
- Lesson 929 — Composition of Translations and ReflectionsLesson 1275 — Properties of Matrix AdditionLesson 2048 — Vector AdditionLesson 2098 — Matrix Addition and SubtractionLesson 2524 — Union of Sets
- commutative property
- .
- Lesson 22 — The Commutative and Associative Properties of MultiplicationLesson 36 — The Commutative Property
- Compare
- If both paths head toward the same y-value, that's your limit!
- Lesson 1322 — Estimating Limits from GraphsLesson 1507 — Critical Points in OptimizationLesson 1515 — Optimization on Open IntervalsLesson 1812 — Path-Dependent Limits and NonexistenceLesson 3034 — One-Sample t-Test: Testing a Population MeanLesson 3043 — Chi-Squared Goodness-of-Fit TestLesson 3045 — Chi-Squared Test for Homogeneity
- Compare all function values
- from steps 1 and 2
- Lesson 1871 — Global Extrema: Finding Absolute Maximum and Minimum
- Compare all these values
- Lesson 1508 — The Closed Interval Method
- Compare apples to oranges
- Compare values from different normal distributions on a common scale
- Lesson 2907 — Standardization and Z-Scores
- Compare candidates
- Evaluate the objective function at all critical points (including boundary points if applicable).
- Lesson 1891 — Verifying and Interpreting Solutions
- Compare denominators
- Determine what factor you need to multiply the current denominator by to get the desired denominator
- Lesson 462 — Building Equivalent Rationals
- Compare hundreds first
- (if both numbers have hundreds)
- Lesson 6 — Comparing and Ordering Whole Numbers
- Compare the result columns
- if they're identical in every row, the propositions are logically equivalent
- Lesson 2475 — Logical Equivalence
- Compare to chi-squared distribution
- Under the null hypothesis (all groups come from identical distributions), H approximately follows a chi-squared distribution with *k* − 1 degrees of freedom (*k* = number of groups).
- Lesson 3107 — Kruskal-Wallis Test
- Compare to t-distribution
- with (n-1) degrees of freedom
- Lesson 3039 — Paired t-Test: Comparing Dependent Samples
- Compare to the original
- Divide the change by the original value
- Lesson 101 — Percent Increase and Decrease
- Compare values
- – The global extremum is the best value among all critical points and boundary values.
- Lesson 1872 — Applications: Optimization Problems in Two Variables
- Comparing rates
- helps you make smart decisions by putting everything on equal footing.
- Lesson 111 — Comparing Rates to Make Decisions
- Comparing Two Variances
- To test if σ₁² = σ₂² from independent samples, compute F = s₁²/s₂².
- Lesson 2926 — Properties and Applications of the F-Distribution
- Comparison Property
- works the same way: If one function stays at or above another function throughout an interval, then its integral (the "accumulated total") must be at least as large.
- Lesson 1563 — Comparison Properties of Definite Integrals
- Comparison Test
- lets you determine convergence without finding the exact value.
- Lesson 1640 — Comparison Test for Improper Integrals
- Comparison Tests
- (compare to p-series).
- Lesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence TestLesson 1759 — Choosing the Right Test for Alternating Series
- Compass bearings
- Measured from north or south toward east or west (e.
- Lesson 979 — Navigation and Bearing Problems
- Compatible numbers
- shine in division when you want clean, easy calculations
- Lesson 30 — Estimating Products and Quotients
- complement
- of the other
- Lesson 706 — Complementary AnglesLesson 2526 — Set Difference and ComplementLesson 2778 — Complement of an Event
- Complementary angles
- are two angles that together form a right angle.
- Lesson 706 — Complementary AnglesLesson 1049 — Cofunction Identities
- Complementary approach
- Lesson 2597 — Complementary Counting with Combinations
- complementary counting
- Lesson 2583 — Permutations with Restrictions: Adjacent ObjectsLesson 2595 — Combinations with RestrictionsLesson 2614 — Distribution Problems with Constraints
- Complete bipartite graph K₃,₃
- Three vertices in each set, all connected across sets.
- Lesson 2689 — Planar Graphs and the Definition of Planarity
- Complete graph K₄
- Four vertices where every vertex connects to every other.
- Lesson 2689 — Planar Graphs and the Definition of Planarity
- Complete graph K₅
- Five vertices all connected to each other.
- Lesson 2689 — Planar Graphs and the Definition of Planarity
- Complete orthonormal basis
- Using the Gram-Schmidt process within each eigenspace (for repeated eigenvalues), we can construct an orthonormal basis of eigenvectors for ℝⁿ.
- Lesson 2272 — The Spectral Theorem for Symmetric Matrices
- Complete the parallelogram
- using the two vectors as adjacent sides
- Lesson 1243 — Adding Vectors Geometrically
- Complete the square
- as usual (factor out leading coefficient if needed, move constant, add (b/2)² to both sides).
- Lesson 409 — Complex Solutions via Completing the SquareLesson 1174 — Hyperbolas Centered at (h, k)Lesson 1175 — Converting General Form to Standard FormLesson 1793 — Equations of Spheres
- Completing the square
- reverses this process.
- Lesson 402 — Completing the Square with Leading Coefficient 1Lesson 406 — Converting to Vertex FormLesson 428 — Converting Standard Form to Vertex FormLesson 1140 — Converting Between Circle FormsLesson 1150 — Converting to Standard Form by Completing the SquareLesson 1680 — Simplifying Arc Length Integrals
- complex conjugate
- of a complex number is formed by changing the sign of its imaginary part while keeping the real part the same.
- Lesson 1196 — Complex ConjugatesLesson 1199 — Complex Conjugates
- Complex domains
- (pentagons, domains with holes)
- Lesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- Complex eigenvalues
- oscillatory behavior with frequency determined by imaginary part
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- Complex exponentials
- For \(\sum \frac{n^n}{(n+1)^n}\), the nth root yields \(\frac{n}{n+1} \to 1\) (inconclusive, need another test).
- Lesson 1746 — Applying the Root Test
- complex fraction
- is simply a fraction where the numerator, the denominator, or both contain fractions themselves.
- Lesson 80 — Complex FractionsLesson 469 — What is a Complex Fraction?Lesson 471 — Simplifying Complex Fractions by Simplifying Numerator and DenominatorLesson 1384 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Rational Functions
- complex numbers
- they have a real part (–3) and an imaginary part (±4i).
- Lesson 409 — Complex Solutions via Completing the SquareLesson 418 — Complex Solutions from the Quadratic FormulaLesson 1189 — The Imaginary Unit i
- complex plane
- (or Argand diagram).
- Lesson 1192 — Plotting Complex Numbers on the Complex PlaneLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the Plane
- Complicated Products
- Lesson 1458 — When to Use Logarithmic Differentiation
- Complicated Quotients
- Lesson 1458 — When to Use Logarithmic Differentiation
- component form
- .
- Lesson 1237 — Component Form of Vectors in 2DLesson 1252 — Resolving Vectors into Components
- Component form in 3D
- uses an **ordered triple** to represent a vector:
- Lesson 1238 — Component Form of Vectors in 3D
- component functions
- .
- Lesson 1963 — Introduction to Vector FieldsLesson 1964 — Component Functions of Vector Fields
- composite number
- is any whole number greater than 1 that has *more than two factors*.
- Lesson 56 — Composite NumbersLesson 2720 — Prime Numbers: Definition and Basic Properties
- composition
- .
- Lesson 940 — Composition of Rigid MotionsLesson 1355 — Continuity of Combinations of FunctionsLesson 1410 — Chain Rule with Power FunctionsLesson 2548 — Composition of Relations
- composition of transformations
- means applying one transformation after another.
- Lesson 929 — Composition of Translations and ReflectionsLesson 938 — Combining Rotations and Dilations with Other Transformations
- Compound events
- Lesson 2775 — Simple Events vs Compound EventsLesson 2834 — Computing Probabilities from PMFs
- compound interest
- means you earn interest not just on your initial amount, but also on the interest you've already earned.
- Lesson 642 — Compound Interest and Continuous CompoundingLesson 687 — Compound Interest and Financial Growth
- compression
- of the basic wave pattern.
- Lesson 1033 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretch and CompressionLesson 2290 — Applications of SVD: Image Compression and Noise Reduction
- Computational complexity
- measures how the workload grows as the problem size increases.
- Lesson 2115 — Computational Complexity and Efficiency
- Computational simplicity
- You only need to compute one inner product to test orthogonality
- Lesson 2206 — Angle Between Vectors and Orthogonality
- Compute
- f(a) (the function value at the nice point)
- Lesson 1470 — Estimating Function Values with Linear ApproximationLesson 1849 — Directional Derivatives in Non-Unit DirectionsLesson 1977 — Computing Vector Line Integrals via ParametrizationLesson 1982 — Practice with Line Integrals in 2D and 3DLesson 2040 — Applying the Theorem to a Sphere
- Compute a
- by integrating f(x)cos(nx) over one period
- Lesson 2459 — Computing Fourier Series for Simple Functions
- Compute a₀
- by integrating f(x) over one full period
- Lesson 2459 — Computing Fourier Series for Simple Functions
- Compute and interpret
- Don't forget units and context!
- Lesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between Curves
- Compute and Verify
- Lesson 1673 — Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Compute b
- by integrating f(x)sin(nx) over one period
- Lesson 2459 — Computing Fourier Series for Simple Functions
- Compute det(A - λI)
- Form the characteristic polynomial.
- Lesson 2188 — Using the Characteristic Polynomial in Practice
- Compute du and v
- by differentiating and integrating
- Lesson 1599 — Definite Integrals and Integration by Parts
- Compute dx/dt and dy/dt
- from your parametric equations
- Lesson 1853 — Computing Derivatives along Parametric Curves
- Compute each integral
- Apply your standard line integral techniques to each segment
- Lesson 1979 — Line Integrals Over Piecewise Smooth Curves
- Compute f(x + h)
- f(x + h) = m(x + h) + b = mx + mh + b
- Lesson 1381 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Linear Functions
- Compute mean difference
- d̄ (average of all differences)
- Lesson 3039 — Paired t-Test: Comparing Dependent Samples
- Compute sample moments
- from your data: m₁ = x̄, m₂ = (1/n)Σx ᵢ², etc.
- Lesson 3003 — Method of Moments for Multiple Parameters
- Compute the chi-squared statistic
- χ² = Σ[(Observed - Expected)²/Expected]
- Lesson 3045 — Chi-Squared Test for Homogeneity
- Compute the derivative
- f'(a) to find the rate of change
- Lesson 1474 — Tangent Line Approximation in Applied Problems
- Compute the determinant
- using cofactor expansion (typically along the row or column with the most zeros)
- Lesson 2178 — Computing Eigenvalues for 3×3 MatricesLesson 2181 — Computing Characteristic Polynomials for 2×2 Matrices
- Compute the gradient
- at the point: **∇F(x₀, y₀, z₀)** = ⟨Fₓ, Fᵧ, Fᵤ⟩ evaluated at *(x₀, y₀, z₀)*
- Lesson 1834 — Finding Tangent Planes to Level Surfaces
- Compute the H-statistic
- A formula (similar in spirit to the F-statistic) measures whether rank sums differ more than chance would predict.
- Lesson 3107 — Kruskal-Wallis Test
- Compute the Jacobian
- Find the derivative dx/dy (how x changes with respect to y)
- Lesson 2870 — The Jacobian Method for Transformations
- Compute the necessary derivatives
- of your proposed solution
- Lesson 2307 — Verifying Solutions by Substitution
- Compute the probability
- that this alternative distribution falls in the rejection region
- Lesson 3058 — Calculating Power for Simple Tests
- Compute the small power
- Calculate a^r mod p, which is manageable since *r* < *p*-1
- Lesson 2744 — Computing Large Powers Using Fermat's Little Theorem
- Compute the t-statistic
- t = d̄ / (sᴅ/√n), where n is the number of pairs
- Lesson 3039 — Paired t-Test: Comparing Dependent Samples
- Computing expectations
- E[g(X)h(Y)] = E[g(X)] · E[h(Y)]
- Lesson 2946 — Independence and Functions of Random Variables
- Computing powers
- A¹⁰⁰ = PD¹⁰⁰P ¹, and D¹⁰⁰ is trivial (just raise diagonal entries to the 100th power)
- Lesson 2258 — Applications: Diagonalization via Change of Basis
- Computing the sample average
- Lesson 2975 — Applications: Estimating Probabilities and Means
- concave down
- on an interval when its graph bends downward, like a frown or an upside-down cup.
- Lesson 1497 — Introduction to ConcavityLesson 1498 — The Second Derivative and ConcavityLesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of ConcavityLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1521 — Second Derivative and ConcavityLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching AlgorithmLesson 1550 — Comparing Left, Right, and Midpoint Approximations
- Concave down intervals
- Where f''(x) < 0 (graph curves downward like ∩)
- Lesson 1503 — Analyzing Function Behavior with Derivatives
- concave up
- on an interval when its graph bends upward, like a cup or smile.
- Lesson 1497 — Introduction to ConcavityLesson 1498 — The Second Derivative and ConcavityLesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of ConcavityLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1521 — Second Derivative and ConcavityLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching AlgorithmLesson 1550 — Comparing Left, Right, and Midpoint Approximations
- Concave up intervals
- Where f''(x) > 0 (graph curves upward like ∪)
- Lesson 1503 — Analyzing Function Behavior with Derivatives
- concavity
- describes *how* the curve bends as you move along it.
- Lesson 1497 — Introduction to ConcavityLesson 1498 — The Second Derivative and ConcavityLesson 1504 — Applications: Real-World Monotonicity and ConcavityLesson 1521 — Second Derivative and Concavity
- Conclude
- The triangles are congruent by SSS
- Lesson 741 — SSS (Side-Side-Side) Congruence PostulateLesson 767 — Proof by ContradictionLesson 771 — Proving Properties of Parallel LinesLesson 1344 — The Squeeze TheoremLesson 1757 — The Absolute Convergence TestLesson 2493 — Direct Proof Examples and PracticeLesson 2495 — Proof by Contrapositive: Method and StrategyLesson 2497 — Proof by Contradiction: Basic Idea
- Conclusion
- Since all consecutive differences equal 6, this sequence **is arithmetic** with common difference d = 6.
- Lesson 656 — Determining if a Sequence is ArithmeticLesson 764 — Paragraph Proof FormatLesson 789 — Acute and Obtuse Triangle TestsLesson 1071 — Verifying Identities with Double and Half Angle FormulasLesson 1488 — Verifying the Hypotheses of the MVTLesson 1494 — Using the First Derivative to Determine MonotonicityLesson 1732 — Applying the Integral Test to p-Series and BeyondLesson 2306 — Existence and Uniqueness Theorems (+3 more)
- Conclusion reached
- Lesson 768 — Direct Proof Techniques
- condense
- means combining separate logarithms into one:
- Lesson 624 — Combining Logarithm PropertiesLesson 629 — Applying Logarithm Properties to Solve Equations
- Conditional probabilities
- Use p(x|y) = p(x, y) / p_Y(y)
- Lesson 2927 — Joint Probability Distributions: Discrete Case
- conditional variance
- measures spread within the conditioned world:
- Lesson 2932 — Properties of Conditional DistributionsLesson 2934 — Conditional Expectation and Conditional Variance
- conditionally convergent
- ).
- Lesson 1755 — Absolute ConvergenceLesson 1756 — Conditional ConvergenceLesson 1758 — Rearrangements and the Riemann Rearrangement Theorem
- Conditions needed
- Initial temperature distribution `u(x,0) = f(x)` and boundary conditions (insulated ends, fixed temperatures, etc.
- Lesson 2415 — Physical Interpretation and Modeling
- Cones
- The equation **φ = c** describes a cone opening from the origin.
- Lesson 1939 — Graphing Surfaces in Spherical Coordinates
- confidence interval
- is a range of values constructed from sample data that aims to capture an unknown population parameter.
- Lesson 3009 — Introduction to Confidence IntervalsLesson 3015 — Confidence Interval for a Population ProportionLesson 3018 — Confidence Interval for the Difference of Two ProportionsLesson 3069 — Inference for the SlopeLesson 3116 — Credible Intervals vs. Confidence Intervals
- Confidence intervals
- What's a plausible range for the true slope value?
- Lesson 3069 — Inference for the Slope
- confidence level
- (commonly 90%, 95%, or 99%) tells us how often our method would succeed *in the long run*.
- Lesson 3009 — Introduction to Confidence IntervalsLesson 3013 — Choosing Sample Size for Desired Margin of Error
- Confirm
- that both sides equal zero (or are equal to each other)
- Lesson 421 — Verifying Solutions by Substitution
- Confirm the sign change
- an inflection point exists only if f''(x) switches from positive to negative or negative to positive
- Lesson 1522 — Inflection Points
- Confirmation of extrema
- Using the Second Derivative Test
- Lesson 1503 — Analyzing Function Behavior with Derivatives
- Confusing f with f(x)
- Lesson 547 — Common Function Notation Mistakes
- Congruence
- means two figures are *exactly* the same in both shape and size.
- Lesson 729 — Distinguishing Congruence from SimilarityLesson 941 — Congruence Through Rigid Motions
- Congruence modulo n
- is a relation on the integers that captures when two numbers have the same remainder after division by n.
- Lesson 2557 — Congruence Modulo n
- congruent
- (equal in measure).
- Lesson 715 — Alternate Interior AnglesLesson 716 — Alternate Exterior AnglesLesson 722 — Understanding CongruenceLesson 723 — Congruent Segments and AnglesLesson 724 — Congruence TransformationsLesson 729 — Distinguishing Congruence from SimilarityLesson 740 — Congruent Triangles: Definition and NotationLesson 835 — Congruent Circles and Circle Relationships (+3 more)
- Congruent Chords
- In the same circle or in congruent circles, chords that are equal in length are equidistant from the center.
- Lesson 850 — Chord Properties and Definitions
- Congruent hypotenuses
- (the sides opposite the right angles)
- Lesson 745 — HL (Hypotenuse-Leg) Congruence Theorem
- congruent modulo n
- (written *a ≡ b (mod n)*) if their difference is divisible by n.
- Lesson 2557 — Congruence Modulo nLesson 2730 — Introduction to Congruence Notation
- Congruent Sides
- Lesson 824 — Kites: Properties and Diagonal Relationships
- conjugate
- .
- Lesson 517 — Conjugates and Binomial DenominatorsLesson 518 — Rationalizing with Sum or Difference ConjugatesLesson 1177 — Conjugate HyperbolasLesson 1342 — Limits Involving ConjugatesLesson 2201 — Standard Inner Products on ℝⁿ and ℂⁿLesson 3114 — Conjugate Priors: Beta-Binomial Model
- conjugate axis
- (perpendicular to the opening direction).
- Lesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and FociLesson 1169 — The Transverse and Conjugate Axes
- Connect the dots
- Sometimes you'll need to use angles from *one* transversal to find angles on *another*, building a chain of reasoning
- Lesson 720 — Parallel Lines Cut by Multiple TransversalsLesson 1806 — Graphing Surfaces in 3D
- connected
- if there exists a path between every pair of vertices.
- Lesson 2659 — Connected GraphsLesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- Connected and acyclic
- – The graph is connected and has no cycles (the definition above)
- Lesson 2668 — Definition and Properties of Trees
- Connection to factorials
- For positive integers n, Γ(n) = (n − 1)!
- Lesson 2916 — Introduction to the Gamma Function
- Connectivity and vulnerability
- Cut vertices and cut edges reveal structural weaknesses.
- Lesson 2661 — Cut Vertices and Cut Edges
- Consecutive angles are supplementary
- (they add up to 180°)
- Lesson 816 — Parallelograms: Definition and Properties
- Consecutive even/odd integers
- "Find two consecutive even integers whose squares differ by 68.
- Lesson 438 — Number and Consecutive Integer Problems
- Consecutive integers
- "Find two consecutive integers whose product is 132.
- Lesson 438 — Number and Consecutive Integer Problems
- Consider absolute values
- when dealing with even roots and variables
- Lesson 504 — Combining Simplification Techniques
- Consider the problem context
- For rotations, use a basis aligned with the rotation axis.
- Lesson 2257 — Finding Convenient Bases
- Consistency
- It's a standard form, making it easier to compare answers
- Lesson 514 — Why Rationalize Denominators?Lesson 2999 — Properties of Good Estimators
- Consistent
- If no such contradictory row exists, the system is consistent and has at least one solution.
- Lesson 2111 — Consistent and Inconsistent SystemsLesson 2999 — Properties of Good EstimatorsLesson 3000 — Sample Mean and Variance as Estimators
- constant
- is a term with no variable—just a plain number that never changes.
- Lesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 312 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 1692 — Work Done by a Constant Force
- Constant coefficients
- `P(x)` and `Q(x)` are both constants (like `y'' + 3y' - 2y = 0`)
- Lesson 2337 — Form and Classification of Second-Order Linear ODEsLesson 2349 — The Method of Undetermined Coefficients Overview
- Constant density
- If ρ is constant, mass = ρ × (area or volume), and the integral simplifies nicely.
- Lesson 1954 — Mass and Density Functions
- Constant Factor Rule
- Lesson 672 — Properties of Summation: Linearity
- Constant Multiple Rule
- and the **Sum/Difference Rules** you learned earlier for polynomials.
- Lesson 1424 — Derivatives of Trig Functions with Coefficients and SumsLesson 1559 — Properties of Definite Integrals: LinearityLesson 1708 — Limit Laws for Sequences
- constant of variation
- (a fixed number that never changes)
- Lesson 124 — Direct VariationLesson 125 — Inverse VariationLesson 128 — Finding the Constant of Variation
- Constraint Boundary Analysis
- Lesson 1880 — Identifying Maxima and Minima from Critical Points
- Constraints
- A system of linear inequalities that represent your limitations or requirements.
- Lesson 304 — Introduction to Linear Programming
- Construct a set
- Define *S* as the set of positive integers for which the statement fails
- Lesson 2518 — Proofs Using Well-Ordering
- Construct geometric figures
- Given three vertices of a rectangle, find the fourth by writing parallel and perpendicular line equations
- Lesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular Lines
- Construction and Carpentry
- Builders use the 3-4-5 triple (or its multiples like 6-8-10) to ensure corners are perfectly square.
- Lesson 790 — Applications of Triples and the Converse
- Contains the zero vector
- Since U and V are both subspaces, each contains **0**.
- Lesson 2083 — Intersection of Subspaces
- Contains zero vector
- Since ⟨**0**, w ⟩ = 0 for all w ∈ W, we have **0** ∈ W ⊥.
- Lesson 2215 — Orthogonal Complements
- contingency table
- ) displays counts or frequencies for combinations of two events.
- Lesson 2793 — Computing Conditional Probabilities from TablesLesson 3044 — Chi-Squared Test for Independence
- Continue
- until you have a linearly independent set that still spans the space
- Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning SetLesson 2119 — Converting to Row Echelon FormLesson 2673 — Finding Spanning Trees: Depth-First SearchLesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First Search
- Continue multiplying
- by the derivative of each successive inner layer until you reach the innermost basic function
- Lesson 1414 — Multiple Compositions
- Continue step-by-step
- – Each new statement follows logically from earlier ones
- Lesson 768 — Direct Proof Techniques
- Continue the chain
- until you reach the final answer
- Lesson 781 — Multi-Step Problems with Multiple Triangles
- continuity
- , though we haven't named it yet.
- Lesson 1324 — Limits at Points Where Functions Are DefinedLesson 1488 — Verifying the Hypotheses of the MVTLesson 2486 — Nested Quantifiers in Mathematics
- continuity correction
- fixes this mismatch by treating each discrete value as if it occupies an interval.
- Lesson 2914 — Continuity CorrectionLesson 2983 — The Continuity CorrectionLesson 2986 — Rule of Thumb for CLT Applicability
- Continuity holds
- within an interval containing your initial condition
- Lesson 2312 — Handling Absolute Values and Domains
- Continuity is essential
- A function with a jump or break might not have a maximum or minimum (think of a graph with a hole right where the peak should be).
- Lesson 1358 — The Extreme Value Theorem
- Continuity of ∂f/∂y
- (called the *Lipschitz condition* in stronger forms) prevents solution curves from crossing or branching.
- Lesson 2306 — Existence and Uniqueness Theorems
- Continuity of f
- ensures the direction field doesn't have wild jumps—the solution can "flow" smoothly.
- Lesson 2306 — Existence and Uniqueness Theorems
- continuous
- at that point.
- Lesson 576 — Continuity of FunctionsLesson 593 — Continuity of Piecewise FunctionsLesson 1356 — The Intermediate Value TheoremLesson 1358 — The Extreme Value TheoremLesson 1486 — Statement and Geometric Interpretation of the MVTLesson 1488 — Verifying the Hypotheses of the MVTLesson 1506 — The Extreme Value TheoremLesson 1731 — The Integral Test: Statement and Conditions (+9 more)
- Continuous case
- Lesson 2943 — Independence of More Than Two Random Variables
- Continuous curves
- If a parabola or line extends infinitely in both directions, the domain is "all real numbers" (−∞, ∞).
- Lesson 552 — Domain from Graphs
- Continuous portions
- appear as **smooth, increasing segments** between the jumps
- Lesson 2850 — Mixed Random Variables and Their CDFs
- continuous random variable
- is one that can take on *any value* within an interval or collection of intervals on the real number line.
- Lesson 2825 — Continuous Random Variables: Definition and ExamplesLesson 2827 — Distinguishing Discrete from ContinuousLesson 2843 — Definition and Interpretation of the CDFLesson 2848 — Recovering PMF and PDF from the CDF
- contour map
- is a collection of several level curves for different k values, displayed together on the xy-plane.
- Lesson 1800 — Level Curves and Contour MapsLesson 1805 — Level Curves and Contour Maps
- contradiction
- .
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction EquationsLesson 212 — Equations with No SolutionLesson 297 — Inconsistent Three-Variable SystemsLesson 2478 — Tautologies, Contradictions, and ContingenciesLesson 2499 — Classic Contradiction Proofs
- Contradiction (no solution)
- When simplifying leads to a statement that's *never true*, like `5 = 7` or `0 = 3`, you have a **contradiction**.
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction Equations
- Contradiction approach
- Lesson 2497 — Proof by Contradiction: Basic Idea
- contrapositive
- is "if not Q then not P" (symbolically: if ¬Q then ¬P).
- Lesson 2494 — Contrapositive: Logical EquivalenceLesson 2496 — Contrapositive Proof Examples
- Contrapositive approach
- Prove "If n is not even (odd), then n² is not even (odd).
- Lesson 2495 — Proof by Contrapositive: Method and StrategyLesson 2496 — Contrapositive Proof Examples
- control
- how precise your estimate is.
- Lesson 3013 — Choosing Sample Size for Desired Margin of ErrorLesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- Convergence
- means the limit exists and equals a finite value.
- Lesson 1637 — Convergence and Divergence of Improper IntegralsLesson 1704 — Visualizing Sequences: Terms and GraphsLesson 1715 — Convergence and Divergence of SeriesLesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi-Squared
- Convergence in distribution
- (also called *convergence in law*) means that as n grows, the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of X gets closer and closer to the CDF of some limiting random variable X.
- Lesson 2980 — Convergence in Distribution
- Convergence in probability
- formalizes this intuition: a sequence of random variables X₁, X₂, X₃, .
- Lesson 2971 — Convergence in ProbabilityLesson 2974 — Almost Sure Convergence vs. Convergence in Probability
- Convergence rule
- The new series converges at least on the **smaller** of the two original intervals.
- Lesson 1769 — Operations on Power Series
- Convergence Test
- Geometric series test the ratio; p-series test the exponent.
- Lesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-Series
- Convergent
- (like a geometric series with |r| < 1, a p-series with p > 1, or another known convergent series)
- Lesson 1736 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving Convergence
- converges
- (settles toward a specific number) or **diverges** (grows without limit or oscillates forever).
- Lesson 667 — Convergence and Divergence of Geometric SequencesLesson 679 — Infinite Series: Convergence vs DivergenceLesson 683 — Infinite Geometric Series: Convergence ConditionLesson 1634 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Upper LimitLesson 1635 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Lower LimitLesson 1638 — Type 2 Improper Integrals: Discontinuity at an EndpointLesson 1639 — Type 2 Improper Integrals: Interior DiscontinuityLesson 1714 — Sequence of Partial Sums (+5 more)
- converges absolutely
- Lesson 1742 — The Ratio Test: Statement and LogicLesson 1760 — Examples and Applications of Alternating Series
- converges in probability
- to μ, written X̄ →ᵖ μ.
- Lesson 2970 — Weak Law of Large Numbers: StatementLesson 2971 — Convergence in Probability
- Converges to 0
- when `-1 < r < 1` (equivalently, `|r| < 1`)
- Lesson 667 — Convergence and Divergence of Geometric Sequences
- converges to L
- if:
- Lesson 1706 — Formal Definition: Convergent SequencesLesson 1715 — Convergence and Divergence of Series
- converging
- (coming together) — there's a sink at that point
- Lesson 2004 — The Divergence of a Vector FieldLesson 2006 — Interpreting Divergence Physically
- converse
- flips this logic: if you *start* with two congruent angles in any triangle, you can prove the triangle *must be* isosceles.
- Lesson 735 — Converse of Isosceles Triangle TheoremLesson 787 — The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem
- Conversions and Travel
- Currency exchange, speed calculations, or distance on maps.
- Lesson 123 — Real-World Proportion Problems
- Convert
- each mixed number to an improper fraction
- Lesson 76 — Multiplying Mixed NumbersLesson 99 — Finding What Percent One Number Is of Another
- Convert back
- to a mixed number if needed
- Lesson 76 — Multiplying Mixed NumbersLesson 1613 — Substitution for √(a²-x²): Using x = a sin θ
- Convert to equivalent fractions
- Lesson 73 — Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators
- Convert to exponential form
- using the definition of logarithm
- Lesson 636 — Solving Logarithmic Equations with Multiple Logs
- Convert to percent
- Multiply by 100 (or move the decimal two places right)
- Lesson 101 — Percent Increase and Decrease
- Convert to polar form
- Write z = r(cos θ + i sin θ)
- Lesson 1226 — Using De Moivre's Theorem to Compute Powers
- convolution
- of $f(t)$ and $g(t)$:
- Lesson 2395 — Transforms of Integrals and ConvolutionLesson 2641 — Operations on Generating Functions: MultiplicationLesson 2957 — Sums of Independent Random VariablesLesson 2959 — Convolution Formula for Continuous RVs
- convolution formula
- gives you the answer.
- Lesson 2958 — Convolution Formula for Discrete RVsLesson 2959 — Convolution Formula for Continuous RVs
- Cook's Distance
- quantifies this influence by measuring how much all fitted values would shift if you deleted a single observation and re-ran the regression.
- Lesson 3088 — Cook's Distance and Influence MeasuresLesson 3089 — Outliers in Regression
- Cooling towers
- use hyperbolic shapes because the curve provides maximum strength with minimum material.
- Lesson 1187 — Real-World Conic Applications Review
- Coordinate systems
- Points on a torus can be viewed as ` ℝ²` modulo a lattice relation
- Lesson 2558 — Applications and Quotient Sets
- Coordinates
- (√3/2, 1/2)
- Lesson 994 — Reference Angles and the First QuadrantLesson 1004 — Trigonometric Functions in Each QuadrantLesson 2046 — Vectors as Ordered Lists of NumbersLesson 2094 — Coordinates Relative to a Basis
- Coplanar
- All points on the *same plane* (2-dimensional constraint)
- Lesson 698 — Collinear and Coplanar PointsLesson 699 — Planes: Flat Surfaces Extending Infinitely
- Coplanar points
- are points that all lie on the same flat plane (like a flat sheet of paper extending infinitely).
- Lesson 698 — Collinear and Coplanar Points
- Coprimality
- It must be relatively prime to φ(n), meaning gcd(e, φ(n)) = 1
- Lesson 2764 — Choosing the Public Exponent e
- coprime
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): DefinitionLesson 2718 — Relatively Prime Integers
- Core idea
- Before eliminating entries in a column, scan downward from your current pivot position.
- Lesson 2113 — Partial Pivoting Strategy
- Core strategy
- If someone is *x* years old now, they were *(x - 5)* five years ago and will be *(x + 5)* five years from now.
- Lesson 192 — Age Problems and Consecutive Integer Problems
- Corollary
- All inscribed angles that intercept the same arc are **congruent** to each other—they all equal half that arc's measure, no matter where the vertex sits on the circle.
- Lesson 838 — Inscribed Angles
- Correct orientation
- when bounds appear in the "wrong" order
- Lesson 1560 — Properties of Definite Integrals: Intervals
- Correlation
- is a single number (typically Pearson's *r*, ranging from -1 to +1) that quantifies *how strongly* two variables move together.
- Lesson 3066 — Correlation vs Regression
- Corresponding angles
- are pairs of angles that sit in the **same relative position** at each intersection.
- Lesson 714 — Corresponding AnglesLesson 718 — Using Angle Relationships to Find MeasuresLesson 721 — Applications of Parallel Line Properties
- cos(x)
- Lesson 1014 — Period of Sine and Cosine FunctionsLesson 1421 — Derivatives of sin(x) and cos(x): Pattern Recognition
- Cosecant
- Asymptotes wherever sine equals zero: **x = nπ**
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- Cosecant (csc)
- is the reciprocal of sine: `csc(θ) = 1/sin(θ)`
- Lesson 1009 — Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions: Secant, Cosecant, Cotangent
- Cosine
- = adjacent side ÷ hypotenuse
- Lesson 947 — Introduction to Trigonometric RatiosLesson 950 — The Cosine Ratio (CAH)Lesson 997 — Fourth Quadrant PointsLesson 1427 — Higher-Order Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions
- Cosine (CAH)
- Use when working with **adjacent** and **hypotenuse**
- Lesson 956 — Choosing the Appropriate Trig Ratio
- Cosine is Chill
- " (even—no sign change), while "**Sine is Sneaky**" (odd—it flips sign).
- Lesson 1048 — Even-Odd Identities
- Cost Analysis
- If C(x) is the cost of producing x items:
- Lesson 1504 — Applications: Real-World Monotonicity and Concavity
- Cost function
- If `C(n) = 15 + 3n` represents the cost in dollars to produce n items:
- Lesson 546 — Function Evaluation in Context
- Cost rate
- How much does producing one more unit cost at this exact production level?
- Lesson 1376 — Applications: Velocity and Other Rates
- Cotangent
- Vertical asymptotes at **x = nπ** (multiples of π)
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- Cotangent (cot)
- is the reciprocal of tangent: `cot(θ) = 1/tan(θ)`
- Lesson 1009 — Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions: Secant, Cosecant, Cotangent
- Coterminal angles
- are angles that end up pointing in the same direction—they share the same terminal side.
- Lesson 990 — Coterminal Angles in RadiansLesson 998 — Coterminal Angles on the Unit CircleLesson 1006 — Coterminal Angles and Periodicity
- Count
- arrangements of this block with the remaining objects
- Lesson 2583 — Permutations with Restrictions: Adjacent Objects
- Count carefully
- Show that you have more pigeons than holes
- Lesson 2575 — Pigeonhole Principle in Geometry
- Count full squares
- Tally all unit squares that lie *completely* inside the shape.
- Lesson 872 — Irregular Composite Figures on Grids
- Count how many places
- you need to move the decimal point to make it a whole number
- Lesson 91 — Dividing by Decimals
- Count partial squares
- Identify squares that are *partially* covered by the shape.
- Lesson 872 — Irregular Composite Figures on Grids
- Count the remaining positions
- and objects
- Lesson 2582 — Permutations with Restrictions: Fixed Positions
- Count the rise
- Starting from the first point, count how many units you move vertically to reach the height of the second point
- Lesson 248 — Finding Slope from a Graph
- Count the run
- Count how many units you move horizontally (left to right) between the points
- Lesson 248 — Finding Slope from a Graph
- Count them
- if you can gather **n** linearly independent eigenvectors total across all eigenspaces, you're done —the matrix is diagonalizable
- Lesson 2190 — The Diagonalization Theorem
- Count your negatives
- An even number of negatives makes a positive result; an odd number keeps it negative.
- Lesson 457 — Multiplying and Dividing with Negative Signs
- Count your terms
- Product rule should give you exactly 2 terms.
- Lesson 1407 — Common Errors and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Countable outcomes
- The set of possible values is finite or countably infinite (like {1, 2, 3, .
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- Counter-example
- Can sides 2, 3, and 6 form a triangle?
- Lesson 737 — Triangle Inequality TheoremLesson 2804 — Testing for Independence
- counterclockwise
- starting from the upper-right:
- Lesson 238 — The Four QuadrantsLesson 1007 — Negative Angles and Trigonometric ValuesLesson 1210 — Argument of a Complex NumberLesson 1994 — Statement of Green's TheoremLesson 2027 — Orientation of Surfaces and Boundary Curves
- Counterexample
- Suppose you have sides of length 5 and 3, with a 30° angle opposite the side of length 3.
- Lesson 746 — Why AAA and SSA Don't Work
- Counterexample for Non-Surjectivity
- Lesson 2563 — Testing for Surjectivity
- Counting
- Summing indicators counts how many events occur in a collection.
- Lesson 2830 — Indicator Random Variables
- counting problems
- .
- Lesson 2607 — Applications: Probability and CountingLesson 2790 — Uniform Probability on Finite Sample Spaces
- Course
- (or **ground velocity**, **actual path**): The *resultant* vector—where the vehicle actually ends up going
- Lesson 1266 — Navigation Problems: Heading and Course
- Cov(X, X) = Var(X)
- Lesson 2949 — Properties of Covariance
- covariance matrix
- describing correlations between variables—this matrix is symmetric.
- Lesson 2279 — Spectral Theorem in Quantum Mechanics and StatisticsLesson 2299 — Covariance Matrices and ApplicationsLesson 2955 — Covariance Matrix
- Covering a cylindrical tank
- Find the surface area of the cylinder—both circular bases plus the curved lateral surface—to determine how much sheet metal you need.
- Lesson 895 — Word Problems Involving Surface Area
- CPCTC
- (Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Congruent), ∠B ≅ ∠C.
- Lesson 750 — Congruence in Isosceles and Equilateral Triangles
- Cramer's Rule
- gives you a direct formula using determinants.
- Lesson 1299 — Cramer's Rule for Solving Systems
- Create zeros below
- that leading entry using row operations (add multiples of the pivot row to rows below)
- Lesson 2119 — Converting to Row Echelon Form
- Critical
- Always translate your decision back to the actual question.
- Lesson 3050 — Interpreting Chi-Squared and F Test Results
- Critical condition
- *a* has a multiplicative inverse modulo *n* **if and only if gcd(a, n) = 1** (they're relatively prime).
- Lesson 2735 — Division and Modular Inverses
- Critical mistake to avoid
- Never say "we accept H₀" or "we proved H₀ is true.
- Lesson 3030 — Interpreting Hypothesis Test Results
- critical point
- occurs where the derivative equals zero (horizontal tangent) or doesn't exist.
- Lesson 1507 — Critical Points in OptimizationLesson 1520 — Critical Points and Local ExtremaLesson 1862 — Critical Points in Two Variables
- critical points
- potential peaks, valleys, or flat spots where the function's behavior might change.
- Lesson 1495 — Finding Intervals of Increase and DecreaseLesson 1503 — Analyzing Function Behavior with DerivativesLesson 1506 — The Extreme Value TheoremLesson 1507 — Critical Points in OptimizationLesson 1519 — First Derivative and Intervals of Increase/DecreaseLesson 2298 — Applications to Optimization and Hessian Matrices
- Critical reminder
- Be careful with the subtraction sign!
- Lesson 464 — Subtracting Rationals with Unlike Denominators
- Critical requirement
- Cramer's Rule only works when det(A) ≠ 0, meaning the system has exactly one unique solution.
- Lesson 1317 — Cramer's Rule
- critical value
- is a specific percentile used in statistical inference—often the boundary values for decision regions.
- Lesson 2910 — Finding Percentiles and Critical ValuesLesson 3035 — Calculating the t-Statistic and Finding Critical Values
- Critical value approach
- Reject H₀ if z > z_α (the value where P(Z > z_α) = α)
- Lesson 3027 — One-Tailed z-Tests
- Critically Damped
- (Δ = 0, repeated real root)
- Lesson 2347 — Applications: Free Oscillations and Damped Motion
- Cross twice
- intersect the opposite side at two different points (two triangles!
- Lesson 1121 — Introduction to the Ambiguous Case (SSA)
- cross-multiplication
- to create a linear equation.
- Lesson 215 — Ratios and Proportions Leading to Linear EquationsLesson 1885 — Solving Systems with Multiple Lagrange Multipliers
- Cross-sections
- slicing the surface with planes gives you curves (like the level curves you learned, but vertical slices too)
- Lesson 1806 — Graphing Surfaces in 3DLesson 1929 — Triple Integrals over General 3D Regions
- CRT Construction Algorithm
- gives us the explicit formula.
- Lesson 2755 — The CRT Construction Algorithm
- Crust length
- (arc length): How much crust that slice has
- Lesson 846 — Applications of Arcs and Sectors
- Cryptography
- Many encryption methods require finding numbers with specific remainders under different moduli
- Lesson 2752 — Systems of Linear Congruences
- Cube roots
- can handle negative numbers: ∛(−8) = −2 because (−2) × (−2) × (−2) = −8
- Lesson 153 — Cube Roots and Higher-Order RootsLesson 157 — Simplifying Higher-Order Radicals
- Cube roots (n=3)
- Three points forming an equilateral triangle, 120° apart
- Lesson 1230 — Geometric Interpretation of nth Roots
- cumulative distribution function
- (or CDF) of a random variable X is a function, typically denoted F(x) or F_X(x), that gives the probability that X takes on a value less than or equal to x:
- Lesson 2843 — Definition and Interpretation of the CDFLesson 2849 — Percentiles and Quantiles from the CDF
- curl
- F** = ⟨R_y - Q_z, P_z - R_x, Q_x - P_y ⟩**
- Lesson 1987 — Testing for Conservative Fields: The Curl Test in ℝ³Lesson 2007 — The Curl of a Vector Field
- curl F
- = **i**(∂R/∂y - ∂Q/∂z) - **j**(∂R/∂x - ∂P/∂z) + **k**(∂Q/∂x - ∂P/∂y)
- Lesson 2008 — Computing Curl Using the Determinant FormulaLesson 2009 — Interpreting Curl PhysicallyLesson 2011 — Irrotational Fields and Conservative Vector Fields
- Curl product rule
- Lesson 2010 — Properties of Divergence and Curl
- current value
- , not the original—successive changes don't simply add up!
- Lesson 104 — Multi-Step Percentage ProblemsLesson 613 — The Derivative Property: Why e is Special
- Curved pattern
- (like a U-shape or inverted-U): Suggests the relationship isn't linear.
- Lesson 3084 — Residual Plots: Fitted Values vs. ResidualsLesson 3086 — Normal Probability Plots (Q-Q Plots)
- Customer arrivals
- at a bank, store, or website (e.
- Lesson 2893 — Applications of the Poisson Distribution
- cut edges
- the critical points and links whose removal disconnects a graph—and understand why they matter for graph robustness.
- Lesson 2661 — Cut Vertices and Cut EdgesLesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- cut vertices
- and **cut edges**—the critical points and links whose removal disconnects a graph—and understand why they matter for graph robustness.
- Lesson 2661 — Cut Vertices and Cut EdgesLesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- Cycle (Simple Circuit)
- Lesson 2658 — Circuits and Cycles
- Cycles and trees
- Any cycle graph (C_n) and any tree are planar because their simple structures allow flat layouts.
- Lesson 2689 — Planar Graphs and the Definition of Planarity
- Cycles or waves
- Residuals oscillate in regular patterns
- Lesson 3090 — Checking for Independence: Residual Sequence Plots
- cylindrical
- (r, θ, z), and **spherical** (ρ, θ, φ).
- Lesson 1943 — Choosing the Best Coordinate SystemLesson 1961 — Computing Moments of InertiaLesson 2454 — Separation in Other Coordinate Systems
D
- D (Vertical Shift)
- Moves the entire graph up or down D units, shifting the midline from y = 0 to y = D.
- Lesson 1029 — Transformations of Secant
- D < 0
- shift **down** by |D| units
- Lesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical ShiftLesson 1868 — Inconclusive Cases and Further Analysis
- D > 0
- shift **up** by D units
- Lesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical ShiftLesson 1868 — Inconclusive Cases and Further Analysis
- D ₓ
- = determinant when you replace the x-column with the constants (e, f)
- Lesson 1299 — Cramer's Rule for Solving Systems
- D ᵧ
- = determinant when you replace the y-column with the constants
- Lesson 1299 — Cramer's Rule for Solving Systems
- D_u f
- is the directional derivative in direction **u**
- Lesson 1844 — Computing Directional Derivatives Using the Gradient
- D^n
- is just diagonal entries raised to the nth power (λ ᵢ^n), you immediately see:
- Lesson 2199 — Applications of Diagonalization
- Data analysis
- Extract dominant patterns from noisy datasets
- Lesson 2288 — Low-Rank Approximation and Data Compression
- Data structures
- A binary search tree with 100 nodes contains exactly 99 parent-child links.
- Lesson 2669 — Counting Vertices and Edges in Trees
- Data violates parametric assumptions
- even after transformations
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- De Moivre's Theorem states
- For any real number θ and any positive integer n
- Lesson 1225 — De Moivre's Theorem: Statement and Proof
- decay
- (things getting smaller).
- Lesson 666 — Growth and Decay ApplicationsLesson 690 — Population Growth and Decay ModelsLesson 1437 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay RatesLesson 2316 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay
- Decay rate
- `N'(t) = N₀ · (-k) · e^(-kt) = -k · N(t)`
- Lesson 1437 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay Rates
- Decide
- reject or fail to reject the null based on your significance level
- Lesson 3034 — One-Sample t-Test: Testing a Population MeanLesson 3043 — Chi-Squared Goodness-of- Fit Test
- Decide your approach
- Lesson 1514 — Optimization with Implicit Constraints
- Decision
- Reject H₀ if F exceeds the critical value (or if p-value < α)
- Lesson 3048 — F Test for Equality of Variances
- Decomposing problems
- In electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations involve both divergence (Gauss's law) and curl (Faraday's and Ampère's laws).
- Lesson 2045 — Combining with Stokes' Theorem and Applications
- Decouple the system
- Change coordinates using **y = P ¹x**, transforming **dx/dt = Ax** into **dy/dt = Dy**, where **D** is diagonal
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- decreasing
- by 5 degrees each hour.
- Lesson 247 — Slope as Rate of ChangeLesson 571 — Monotonicity: Increasing and Decreasing FunctionsLesson 1494 — Using the First Derivative to Determine MonotonicityLesson 1495 — Finding Intervals of Increase and DecreaseLesson 1519 — First Derivative and Intervals of Increase/DecreaseLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching AlgorithmLesson 1731 — The Integral Test: Statement and ConditionsLesson 2869 — Functions of Random Variables: Continuous Case
- Decreasing (or non-increasing)
- Each term is less than or equal to the previous one: a₁ ≥ a₂ ≥ a₃ ≥ .
- Lesson 1710 — Monotonic Sequences and Boundedness
- Decreasing terms
- The sequence {b } is eventually decreasing
- Lesson 1753 — Verifying Conditions for the Alternating Series Test
- Decrypt
- Compute *(m^e)^d = m^(ed)*
- Lesson 2768 — Why RSA Works: Euler's TheoremLesson 2769 — RSA Example with Small Primes
- Define the generating function
- G(x) = a₀ + a₁x + a₂x² + .
- Lesson 2643 — Solving Recurrence Relations with Generating Functions
- Define the pigeonholes
- These might be regions of space, distance categories, or angle ranges
- Lesson 2575 — Pigeonhole Principle in Geometry
- Define variables
- Let *x* = number of cookies, *y* = number of brownies
- Lesson 308 — Applications: Maximization ProblemsLesson 1516 — Applied Optimization Strategy
- definite integral
- .
- Lesson 1553 — Riemann Sums as n Approaches InfinityLesson 1555 — The Limit Definition of the Definite IntegralLesson 1558 — Notation and Components of the Definite IntegralLesson 1586 — Definite Integrals and Changing LimitsLesson 1599 — Definite Integrals and Integration by Parts
- Definiteness
- Lesson 2200 — Definition of Inner Product SpacesLesson 2202 — Inner Products on Function SpacesLesson 2292 — Positive Definite, Negative Definite, and Indefinite Matrices
- Definition
- Lesson 1634 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Upper LimitLesson 2939 — Independence via Joint and Marginal Distributions
- Definitions
- Lesson 766 — Common Reasons in Proofs
- degree
- tells you the algebraic power to which that highest derivative is raised (once the equation is polynomial in derivatives).
- Lesson 2301 — Order and Degree of ODEsLesson 2647 — What is a Graph? Vertices and EdgesLesson 2650 — Degree of a Vertex and the Handshaking LemmaLesson 2651 — Adjacency and Incidence
- degrees
- (symbolized as °).
- Lesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle NotationLesson 833 — Central Angles and Their MeasuresLesson 837 — Arc Length FormulaLesson 842 — Sector Area FormulaLesson 983 — What is a Radian?
- degrees of freedom
- , denoted by ν (the Greek letter "nu").
- Lesson 2921 — The Chi-Squared Distribution: DefinitionLesson 2923 — The Student's t-Distribution: DefinitionLesson 3033 — The t-Distribution: Properties and Degrees of Freedom
- Degrees of freedom (df)
- df = n - 1
- Lesson 3035 — Calculating the t-Statistic and Finding Critical Values
- Denoising
- Drop singular values below a threshold that captures noise level
- Lesson 2290 — Applications of SVD: Image Compression and Noise Reduction
- denominator
- (bottom number) tells you *how many equal parts the whole is divided into*
- Lesson 59 — What is a Fraction?Lesson 442 — What is a Rational Expression?Lesson 531 — Converting Between Radical and Exponential FormLesson 532 — Evaluating Expressions with Fractional ExponentsLesson 1222 — Dividing Complex Numbers in Polar FormLesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit LawsLesson 2793 — Computing Conditional Probabilities from TablesLesson 3096 — The F-Statistic and F- Distribution
- Denominators
- 2, 3, 6
- Lesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing DenominatorsLesson 480 — Solving Equations with Multiple Terms
- dependent
- .
- Lesson 2067 — Testing Linear Independence in R²Lesson 2068 — Testing Linear Independence in R³Lesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear Independence
- Depreciation
- A machine worth $10,000 loses $500 in value each year.
- Lesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic SequencesLesson 666 — Growth and Decay ApplicationsLesson 691 — Depreciation and Asset Value
- Depth-first search
- is a natural algorithm for constructing one: it explores as far as possible along each branch before backtracking, adding edges as it discovers new vertices.
- Lesson 2673 — Finding Spanning Trees: Depth-First Search
- derangement
- is a permutation of objects where no object appears in its original position.
- Lesson 2586 — DerangementsLesson 2622 — Derangements and the Derangement Formula
- Derivation
- For a ≤ x ≤ b, integrate the PDF from a to x:
- Lesson 2895 — PDF and CDF of the Uniform Distribution
- derivative
- of a function `f` at a point `x` is defined as:
- Lesson 1380 — The Limit Definition of the DerivativeLesson 1473 — Applications of Differentials in MeasurementLesson 2438 — Boundary Value Problems for Laplace's EquationLesson 2848 — Recovering PMF and PDF from the CDF
- Derivative of outside
- (using Power Rule): 7u⁶, but keep u = 3x² + 5 → 7(3x² + 5)⁶
- Lesson 1411 — The Outside-Inside Method
- Derive a contradiction
- Use properties of *m* being minimal to construct a smaller element in *S*, contradicting minimality
- Lesson 2518 — Proofs Using Well-Ordering
- Deriving distributions
- You can analyze transformations without worrying about induced dependencies
- Lesson 2946 — Independence and Functions of Random Variables
- Describe the projection
- using Type I or Type II region limits (from double integrals)
- Lesson 1929 — Triple Integrals over General 3D Regions
- Description
- "Take f(x) and shift it left 4 units, compress it vertically by 1/2, then shift down 3.
- Lesson 585 — Writing Transformed Functions from Descriptions
- Design
- A logo might combine a square and a triangle
- Lesson 873 — Composite Figures in Real-World Contexts
- det(A)
- or **|A|** and is calculated as:
- Lesson 1290 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 2175 — Properties of Eigenvalues: Trace and Determinant
- det(A) < 0
- , the transformation flips orientation (like a mirror reflection)
- Lesson 1290 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 2149 — Determinant of a 2×2 Matrix
- det(A) = 0
- , the matrix squashes space flat—vectors become dependent, and the matrix has no inverse
- Lesson 1290 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 1297 — Using Determinants to Test InvertibilityLesson 1301 — When Does an Inverse Exist?Lesson 2149 — Determinant of a 2×2 MatrixLesson 2163 — Determinants and Linear Independence
- det(A) ≠ 0
- , then A is invertible.
- Lesson 1297 — Using Determinants to Test InvertibilityLesson 1301 — When Does an Inverse Exist?Lesson 2163 — Determinants and Linear Independence
- determinant
- is a single scalar value that summarizes key information about the matrix.
- Lesson 1290 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 2008 — Computing Curl Using the Determinant FormulaLesson 2140 — Computing 2×2 Matrix InversesLesson 2143 — Testing InvertibilityLesson 2148 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 2165 — Determinant and Matrix RankLesson 2188 — Using the Characteristic Polynomial in Practice
- Determine
- the output formula in each region
- Lesson 598 — Writing Functions as Piecewise DefinitionsLesson 1698 — Applications of Average Value
- Determine direction
- – Are they looking above (elevation) or below (depression) the horizontal?
- Lesson 967 — Identifying Angles in Real-World Scenarios
- Determine how many terms
- we need for a desired accuracy
- Lesson 1790 — Applications to Common Functions
- Determine intersection
- Before solving algebraically, predict whether two lines will meet by comparing slopes
- Lesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular Lines
- Determine limits
- by finding the bounds of your region
- Lesson 1665 — Setting Up a Shell IntegralLesson 1673 — Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Determine orientation
- Check which variable is squared.
- Lesson 1151 — Graphing Parabolas from Standard Form
- Determine the domain
- – Is it an open region, or does it have boundaries you must check?
- Lesson 1872 — Applications: Optimization Problems in Two Variables
- Determine the solving order
- which triangle can you solve first?
- Lesson 781 — Multi-Step Problems with Multiple Triangles
- Determine the tolerance
- (maximum allowed deviation)
- Lesson 235 — Applications and Mixed Absolute Value Problems
- Diagonal
- (best case—eigenvalue basis when the operator is diagonalizable)
- Lesson 2257 — Finding Convenient Bases
- diagonal matrix
- has non-zero entries only along its main diagonal (top-left to bottom-right), with zeros everywhere else.
- Lesson 1295 — Determinants of Special MatricesLesson 2157 — Determinant of Special Matrices
- Diagonals
- The outermost diagonals are all 1's.
- Lesson 2598 — Pascal's Triangle: Construction and Patterns
- Diagonals are congruent
- This is unique to rectangles!
- Lesson 818 — Rectangles: Properties and Characteristics
- Diagonals bisect each other
- (cut each other exactly in half)
- Lesson 816 — Parallelograms: Definition and PropertiesLesson 817 — Proving Quadrilaterals Are ParallelogramsLesson 818 — Rectangles: Properties and Characteristics
- diameter
- is a line segment that passes through the center and connects two points on the circle.
- Lesson 827 — Parts of a Circle: Center, Radius, Diameter, and ChordLesson 829 — Area of a CircleLesson 830 — Circles and Pi (π)Lesson 839 — Angles Inscribed in a SemicircleLesson 850 — Chord Properties and DefinitionsLesson 2660 — Distance and DiameterLesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- Diameter Is Special
- The diameter is the longest chord, and it divides the circle into two equal halves (semicircles).
- Lesson 850 — Chord Properties and Definitions
- difference
- of two separate logarithms.
- Lesson 622 — The Quotient Rule for LogarithmsLesson 1819 — Properties and Composition of Continuous FunctionsLesson 2912 — Linear Combinations of Normal Variables
- Difference of Cubes
- Lesson 339 — Sum and Difference of CubesLesson 387 — Difference of Cubes PatternLesson 389 — Applying Cube Formulas with Coefficients
- difference of squares
- is one of the most elegant patterns in algebra.
- Lesson 382 — Difference of Squares PatternLesson 386 — Sum of Squares (Why It Doesn't Factor)
- difference of squares pattern
- called that because you're subtracting (difference) one perfect square from another.
- Lesson 336 — Difference of Squares PatternLesson 518 — Rationalizing with Sum or Difference Conjugates
- difference quotient
- Lesson 574 — Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1379 — The Difference Quotient
- Differentiable
- on the open interval (a, b)
- Lesson 1486 — Statement and Geometric Interpretation of the MVTLesson 1488 — Verifying the Hypotheses of the MVT
- differential equation
- is an equation that involves one or more **derivatives** of an unknown function.
- Lesson 2300 — What is a Differential Equation?Lesson 2304 — Initial Value Problems
- Differential equations
- Systems like dx/dt = Ax become decoupled when you change to eigenvector coordinates
- Lesson 2258 — Applications: Diagonalization via Change of Basis
- Differentials
- give us a precise notation for the tiny changes involved in that approximation.
- Lesson 1471 — Differentials and Notation
- differentiate
- .
- Lesson 1566 — Definite Integrals with Variable LimitsLesson 1780 — Differentiation and Integration of Power Series
- Differentiate and Solve
- Lesson 1516 — Applied Optimization Strategy
- Differentiate both sides
- of the equation with respect to x
- Lesson 1449 — The Basic Technique of Implicit DifferentiationLesson 1455 — Second Derivatives by Implicit DifferentiationLesson 1463 — Logarithmic Differentiation with RadicalsLesson 1478 — Related Rates with Rectangles and SquaresLesson 1479 — Related Rates with TrianglesLesson 1481 — Ladder and Shadow ProblemsLesson 1482 — Distance and Position Related RatesLesson 1484 — Water Tank and Fluid Flow Problems (+1 more)
- Differentiate both sides implicitly
- with respect to x:
- Lesson 1435 — Derivatives of Exponential Expressions with Variable BasesLesson 1459 — Logarithmic Differentiation: Basic Technique
- Differentiate each term
- in `∂z/∂x` with respect to `x` again
- Lesson 1859 — Second-Order Derivatives via the Chain Rule
- differentiate implicitly
- with respect to *x*.
- Lesson 1459 — Logarithmic Differentiation: Basic TechniqueLesson 1462 — Variable Bases and Variable ExponentsLesson 1480 — Volume Related Rates: Spheres and ConesLesson 1483 — Angle Related Rates
- Differentiate term-by-term
- y' = Σ(n=1 to ∞) na xⁿ ¹, y'' = Σ(n=2 to ∞) n(n-1)a xⁿ ²
- Lesson 2400 — Finding Power Series Solutions Near Ordinary Points
- Differentiate the outer layer
- while keeping everything inside intact
- Lesson 1414 — Multiple Compositions
- Differentiate the outside
- (leave the inside alone for now)
- Lesson 1411 — The Outside-Inside MethodLesson 1425 — Chain Rule with Trigonometric FunctionsLesson 1444 — Chain Rule with Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- Differentiate x-terms normally
- (they're already in terms of x)
- Lesson 1452 — Implicit Differentiation with Circles and Ellipses
- Differentiation
- `f'(x) = Σ n·c (x - a)ⁿ ¹` (same radius of convergence)
- Lesson 1780 — Differentiation and Integration of Power Series
- Dilate
- about the origin using your scale factor
- Lesson 936 — Dilations Centered at Points Other Than the OriginLesson 938 — Combining Rotations and Dilations with Other Transformations
- dilation
- is a transformation that changes the size of a figure without changing its shape.
- Lesson 934 — Introduction to Dilations and Scale FactorLesson 935 — Dilations Centered at the Origin
- dimension
- .
- Lesson 2046 — Vectors as Ordered Lists of NumbersLesson 2086 — What is a Basis?Lesson 2091 — Dimension of a Vector SpaceLesson 2092 — Dimension of SubspacesLesson 2172 — Eigenspaces and Their Dimension
- Dimension of image
- `det(A) = 0` means the transformation represented by A reduces dimensions
- Lesson 2165 — Determinant and Matrix Rank
- dimensions
- (or **order** or **size**) of a matrix tell us how many rows and columns it has.
- Lesson 1271 — What is a Matrix? Dimensions and NotationLesson 2097 — Matrix Notation and Dimensions
- Dirac's Theorem
- , which requires *every* vertex to have degree at least n/2, you might wonder if there's a more flexible condition.
- Lesson 2686 — Ore's Theorem
- Direct all existing edges
- from U to V (capacity 1 each)
- Lesson 2707 — Applications of Network Flows to Matching Problems
- Direct approach
- Messy—count committees with just Alice, just Bob, or both.
- Lesson 2597 — Complementary Counting with Combinations
- Direct Comparison
- = Quick and clean when the relationship is obvious
- Lesson 1740 — Strategic Selection Between Comparison TestsLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence Test
- Direct Comparison Test
- works similarly with infinite series.
- Lesson 1734 — The Direct Comparison Test: Basic PrincipleLesson 1740 — Strategic Selection Between Comparison TestsLesson 1741 — Mixed Practice: Integral and Comparison Tests
- Direct Construction (Algebraic)
- Lesson 2563 — Testing for Surjectivity
- Direct method
- Parametrize the sphere (painful), compute normals, evaluate the surface integral.
- Lesson 2041 — Simplifying Flux Calculations with Divergence
- direct proof
- starts with given information (facts you know are true) and uses logical steps—one after another— to reach the conclusion you're trying to prove.
- Lesson 768 — Direct Proof TechniquesLesson 2491 — Direct Proof: Basic Structure
- Direct proof attempt
- Starting from "n² is even" and trying to extract information about n directly is awkward.
- Lesson 2496 — Contrapositive Proof Examples
- Direct solution methods
- like Gaussian elimination (which you know!
- Lesson 2147 — Computational Considerations and Singular Matrices
- direct substitution
- when the function is defined at that point.
- Lesson 1347 — Exponential and Logarithmic LimitsLesson 1527 — Indeterminate Forms 0/0 and ∞/∞
- Direct variation
- describes a relationship between two variables where they change together in a predictable way: when one doubles, the other doubles; when one triples, the other triples.
- Lesson 124 — Direct VariationLesson 125 — Inverse VariationLesson 127 — Combined VariationLesson 128 — Finding the Constant of VariationLesson 129 — Real-World Direct Variation Problems
- Directed
- The connection has a direction (like following someone on social media)
- Lesson 2647 — What is a Graph? Vertices and Edges
- Directed edges
- Pipes or channels connecting vertices
- Lesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- Directed edges (arrows)
- from a to b whenever (a,b) ∈ R
- Lesson 2541 — Representing Relations: Matrices and Digraphs
- Directed graphs
- (or **digraphs**) change this by assigning a direction to each edge, creating one-way relationships.
- Lesson 2649 — Directed Graphs (Digraphs)
- direction
- (positive = right, negative = left) and **distance** (the number itself) to move the decimal point.
- Lesson 164 — Converting from Scientific Notation to Standard FormLesson 423 — Vertex Form of a Quadratic FunctionLesson 433 — Key Features Summary and Complete GraphingLesson 930 — Introduction to Rotations in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 1235 — Introduction to Vectors: Magnitude and DirectionLesson 1965 — Evaluating Vector Fields at PointsLesson 2007 — The Curl of a Vector FieldLesson 2049 — Scalar Multiplication of Vectors (+1 more)
- direction angle
- is the angle θ (theta) that a vector makes with the positive x-axis, measured counterclockwise.
- Lesson 1250 — Direction Angles and ComponentsLesson 1252 — Resolving Vectors into Components
- Direction of maximum decrease
- = opposite direction of ∇f (i.
- Lesson 1846 — Maximum and Minimum Rates of Change
- Directional derivatives
- generalize this idea: they measure the rate of change of a function as you move in *any* direction from a point.
- Lesson 1843 — Directional Derivatives: Motivation and Definition
- directrix
- ).
- Lesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of ConicsLesson 1146 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Horizontal AxisLesson 1147 — Finding the Focus and Directrix from EquationsLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1149 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Horizontal Axis
- Dirichlet (Type I)
- Specifies the function value itself
- Lesson 2404 — Boundary Value Problems: Introduction and Types
- discontinuous
- at that point.
- Lesson 1351 — Three Conditions for ContinuityLesson 1817 — Continuity at a Point
- Discontinuous integrand
- The function has a vertical asymptote or other discontinuity within or at the boundaries of the interval
- Lesson 1633 — Introduction to Improper Integrals
- Discrete
- Number of students (0, 1, 2, .
- Lesson 2827 — Distinguishing Discrete from ContinuousLesson 2831 — Mixed and Other Types of Random VariablesLesson 2867 — Linear Transformations of Random VariablesLesson 2939 — Independence via Joint and Marginal DistributionsLesson 3113 — Discrete Parameter Spaces and Bayesian Updating
- Discrete portions
- appear as **jump discontinuities** in the CDF—sudden vertical leaps at specific values where probability mass concentrates
- Lesson 2850 — Mixed Random Variables and Their CDFs
- Discrete probability masses
- to certain specific values (like a PMF)
- Lesson 2840 — Mixed Random Variables
- discrete random variable
- is a random variable that can take on only a countable number of distinct values.
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and ExamplesLesson 2827 — Distinguishing Discrete from ContinuousLesson 2843 — Definition and Interpretation of the CDFLesson 2848 — Recovering PMF and PDF from the CDF
- discriminant
- .
- Lesson 416 — The Discriminant: b² - 4acLesson 417 — Interpreting Discriminant ValuesLesson 432 — Using the Discriminant to Predict InterceptsLesson 1131 — The General Second-Degree EquationLesson 1132 — Using the Discriminant to Classify Conics
- disjoint
- )
- Lesson 2554 — Partitions of a SetLesson 2731 — Equivalence Classes in Modular ArithmeticLesson 2779 — Mutually Exclusive EventsLesson 2803 — Independence vs. Disjoint Events
- disk
- (like slicing a loaf of bread).
- Lesson 1653 — Volume of Revolution: Introduction and Disk Method ConceptLesson 1663 — Choosing Between Disk and Washer Methods
- disk method
- .
- Lesson 1653 — Volume of Revolution: Introduction and Disk Method ConceptLesson 1654 — Disk Method: Rotation About the x-axisLesson 1661 — Rotation About Horizontal Lines y = kLesson 1663 — Choosing Between Disk and Washer Methods
- Displacement
- Moving 8 meters to the right from your starting point
- Lesson 1235 — Introduction to Vectors: Magnitude and DirectionLesson 1265 — Velocity and Displacement VectorsLesson 1267 — Work Done by a Constant ForceLesson 1573 — Area and Signed AreaLesson 1578 — Applications and Problem Solving with FTC
- displacement vector
- on the complex plane.
- Lesson 1212 — Geometric Interpretation of SubtractionLesson 1241 — Position Vectors and DisplacementLesson 1265 — Velocity and Displacement Vectors
- distance
- (the number itself) to move the decimal point.
- Lesson 164 — Converting from Scientific Notation to Standard FormLesson 226 — Understanding Absolute Value as DistanceLesson 852 — Equidistant Chords TheoremLesson 1658 — Washer Method: Identifying Outer and Inner RadiiLesson 1820 — Limits and Continuity in Three or More VariablesLesson 2660 — Distance and DiameterLesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- Distance and Navigation
- When finding the shortest path or checking if routes meet perpendicularly, recognizing triples speeds up your work dramatically.
- Lesson 790 — Applications of Triples and the Converse
- Distance between points
- Two towns are located at different positions from a radio tower.
- Lesson 1109 — Applications: Distance and Navigation Problems
- distance formula
- to find AB, BC, and AC
- Lesson 907 — Distance and Midpoint with Special TrianglesLesson 919 — Writing Equations of Circles from Given InformationLesson 1045 — The Pythagorean IdentityLesson 1103 — Deriving the Law of CosinesLesson 1240 — Finding Magnitude from Components
- distance from zero
- , which is never negative.
- Lesson 229 — Absolute Value Equations with No Solution or All SolutionsLesson 233 — Absolute Value Inequalities of the Form |x| < a
- distinct
- (non-repeating) linear factors, you can decompose it into a sum of simpler fractions.
- Lesson 1623 — Linear Factors: Distinct DenominatorsLesson 2630 — Solving Second-Order Linear Homogeneous RecurrencesLesson 2762 — The RSA Setup: Choosing Primes
- distribute
- (or apply) that exponent to **each factor individually**.
- Lesson 145 — Power of a Product RuleLesson 208 — Equations with Parentheses and the Distributive PropertyLesson 211 — Multi-Step Equations Requiring Multiple OperationsLesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear Equations
- Distribute the first term
- of the binomial (x) to all three terms of the trinomial:
- Lesson 328 — Multiplying a Binomial by a Trinomial
- Distribute the second term
- of the binomial (+2) to all three terms of the trinomial:
- Lesson 328 — Multiplying a Binomial by a Trinomial
- Distributing Exponents Incorrectly
- Lesson 150 — Common Mistakes with Exponent Rules
- Distributions are severely skewed
- or have heavy outliers
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- Distributive opportunities
- – Sometimes factoring out a common term from the numerator helps you cancel with the denominator.
- Lesson 520 — Simplifying After Rationalizing
- distributive property
- lets you multiply a number by a sum by multiplying that number by each addend separately, then adding the results.
- Lesson 38 — The Distributive PropertyLesson 186 — Simplifying Before EvaluatingLesson 208 — Equations with Parentheses and the Distributive PropertyLesson 325 — Multiplying a Monomial by a Polynomial
- div F = 0
- The field is **incompressible** — no net flow in or out
- Lesson 2004 — The Divergence of a Vector FieldLesson 2012 — Incompressible Fields and the Continuity EquationLesson 2043 — Physical Interpretation: Conservation Laws
- Divergence
- means the limit is infinite or doesn't exist at all.
- Lesson 1637 — Convergence and Divergence of Improper IntegralsLesson 1704 — Visualizing Sequences: Terms and GraphsLesson 1715 — Convergence and Divergence of SeriesLesson 1737 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving DivergenceLesson 1994 — Statement of Green's TheoremLesson 2002 — Normal Form of Green's TheoremLesson 2004 — The Divergence of a Vector FieldLesson 2036 — Introduction to the Divergence Theorem
- Divergence method
- Lesson 2041 — Simplifying Flux Calculations with Divergence
- Divergence product rule
- Lesson 2010 — Properties of Divergence and Curl
- Divergence Theorem
- (also called Gauss's Theorem) states that for a vector field **F** defined on a solid region *E* with closed boundary surface *S*:
- Lesson 2038 — Statement of the Divergence TheoremLesson 2041 — Simplifying Flux Calculations with Divergence
- diverges
- (grows without limit or oscillates forever).
- Lesson 667 — Convergence and Divergence of Geometric SequencesLesson 679 — Infinite Series: Convergence vs DivergenceLesson 680 — Partial Sums and Series LimitsLesson 686 — The nth Term Test for DivergenceLesson 1634 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Upper LimitLesson 1635 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Lower LimitLesson 1637 — Convergence and Divergence of Improper IntegralsLesson 1714 — Sequence of Partial Sums (+9 more)
- Divide
- Look at the first digit(s) of the dividend (the number being divided).
- Lesson 29 — Long Division AlgorithmLesson 99 — Finding What Percent One Number Is of AnotherLesson 443 — Evaluating Rational ExpressionsLesson 471 — Simplifying Complex Fractions by Simplifying Numerator and DenominatorLesson 1302 — Finding the Inverse of a 2×2 MatrixLesson 2930 — Conditional Distributions: Discrete Case
- Divide and conquer
- Lesson 1636 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Both Limits InfiniteLesson 1909 — Regions Requiring Multiple Integrals
- Divide as usual
- , treating the numbers as if the decimal weren't there
- Lesson 90 — Dividing Decimals by Whole NumbersLesson 91 — Dividing by Decimals
- Divide by the coefficient
- to get x
- Lesson 1084 — Equations with Multiple AnglesLesson 1608 — Trigonometric Integrals with Linear Arguments
- Divide the coefficients
- (the decimal numbers in front)
- Lesson 166 — Dividing Numbers in Scientific NotationLesson 510 — Dividing Radicals with the Same Index
- Divide the curve
- into n small pieces, each with arc length Δs
- Lesson 1684 — Deriving the Surface Area Formula
- Divide the exponent
- Write *n* = *q*(p-1) + *r* where 0 ≤ *r* < *p*-1
- Lesson 2744 — Computing Large Powers Using Fermat's Little Theorem
- Divide the radicands
- (the numbers inside the radicals)
- Lesson 510 — Dividing Radicals with the Same Index
- Dividend
- The expression being divided (the "inside" number)
- Lesson 344 — Introduction to Polynomial Division
- Divides
- An integer *a* divides *b* (written *a | b*) if there exists an integer *k* such that *b = ak*.
- Lesson 2492 — Direct Proof: Working with Definitions
- Dividing
- by the total volume of the region
- Lesson 1931 — Average Value of a Function in Three Dimensions
- Divisibility by 11
- Lesson 2740 — Applications to Divisibility Tests
- Division
- Splitting or finding how many groups fit (like "How many ½-cup servings are in 3 cups?
- Lesson 82 — Word Problems Involving Fraction OperationsLesson 172 — Writing Expressions from Word ProblemsLesson 534 — Multiplying and Dividing with Fractional ExponentsLesson 1224 — Geometric Interpretation of Polar Operations
- Division by zero
- Exclude points where denominators vanish
- Lesson 1803 — Domain and Range of Multivariable Functions
- Division equation
- Lesson 201 — Solving One-Step Multiplication/Division Equations
- Division phrases
- Lesson 188 — Translating Words into Mathematical Expressions
- Division Property example
- Lesson 200 — Multiplication and Division Properties of Equality
- Division Property of Equality
- says you can divide both sides by the same nonzero number, and equality is preserved.
- Lesson 200 — Multiplication and Division Properties of Equality
- Division uses fractions
- Write expressions as fractions rather than using ÷
- Lesson 178 — Reading and Interpreting Algebraic Notation
- Divisor
- The expression you're dividing by (the "outside" number)
- Lesson 344 — Introduction to Polynomial Division
- Divisors of 24
- Lesson 2712 — Finding GCD by Listing Divisors
- Divisors of 36
- Lesson 2712 — Finding GCD by Listing Divisors
- DNA Sequencing
- Bioinformatics uses Eulerian paths to reconstruct long DNA sequences from overlapping fragments, treating fragments as edges in a graph.
- Lesson 2682 — Applications of Eulerian Paths: The Königsberg Bridge Problem
- Does it involve products
- Integration by parts handles products of different function types (polynomial × exponential, polynomial × trig, etc.
- Lesson 1632 — Applications and Strategy Selection
- does not exist
- .
- Lesson 1332 — When Two-Sided Limits ExistLesson 1333 — One-Sided Limits at Jump DiscontinuitiesLesson 1811 — Limits of Functions of Two VariablesLesson 1812 — Path-Dependent Limits and Nonexistence
- doesn't change sign
- , the critical point is **neither** a max nor min (maybe an inflection point with horizontal tangent)
- Lesson 1496 — The First Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1502 — Comparing First and Second Derivative Tests
- Domain
- Always all real numbers
- Lesson 433 — Key Features Summary and Complete GraphingLesson 485 — Introduction to Rational FunctionsLesson 548 — What Are Domain and Range?Lesson 549 — Finding Domain from EquationsLesson 550 — Domain Restrictions from Square RootsLesson 551 — Domain Restrictions from Rational ExpressionsLesson 552 — Domain from GraphsLesson 556 — Domain and Range of Piecewise Functions (+11 more)
- Domain of R
- = {1, 2, 3} — only these elements from A participate
- Lesson 2540 — Domain, Codomain, and Range of Relations
- Domain restrictions
- .
- Lesson 481 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 494 — Applications of Rational FunctionsLesson 1518 — Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes
- Domain: All real numbers
- – You can plug *any* x-value into an exponential function.
- Lesson 605 — Domain, Range, and Asymptotes
- Don't forget +C
- Add your constant of integration at the very end
- Lesson 1597 — Cyclic Integration by PartsLesson 1627 — Integrating Partial Fractions with Linear Terms
- Don't forget the r
- The area element in polar coordinates is r dr dθ, not just dr dθ.
- Lesson 1917 — Integrating over Sectors and Wedges
- Done
- Your current matching is maximum
- Lesson 2702 — The Hungarian Algorithm for Maximum Bipartite Matching
- dot product
- (also called the scalar product) is a way to multiply two vectors that produces a single number (a scalar), not another vector.
- Lesson 1253 — Definition of the Dot ProductLesson 1256 — Finding Angles Between VectorsLesson 1267 — Work Done by a Constant ForceLesson 1282 — Computing the (i,j)-Entry of a Product
- double integral
- extends this idea to three dimensions: it calculates the **volume under a surface** z = f(x,y) above a region in the xy-plane.
- Lesson 1892 — Introduction to Double IntegralsLesson 1922 — Introduction to Triple IntegralsLesson 1955 — Computing Total Mass with Double Integrals
- down
- , you divide all parts by the same number to make them smaller.
- Lesson 118 — Scaling Up and DownLesson 239 — Plotting Points on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 578 — Vertical Shifts of FunctionsLesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical Shift
- downward
- (focus below vertex)
- Lesson 1145 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Vertical AxisLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local Extrema
- Draw a diagram
- showing the observer at the top
- Lesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression AnglesLesson 1516 — Applied Optimization Strategy
- Draw a horizontal line
- at the observer's height
- Lesson 976 — Angles of Depression: Definition and Setup
- Draw a perpendicular
- from P to line ℓ (this uses perpendicular line concepts)
- Lesson 927 — Reflections Across Arbitrary Lines
- Draw a reference rectangle
- with dimensions 2a × 2b
- Lesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin
- Draw and label
- everything clearly
- Lesson 712 — Solving Multi-Step Angle ProblemsLesson 1479 — Related Rates with TrianglesLesson 1481 — Ladder and Shadow ProblemsLesson 1483 — Angle Related Rates
- Draw and label everything
- you know
- Lesson 855 — Applications of Tangents and ChordsLesson 866 — Perimeter and Area Problem Solving
- Draw conclusions
- Conclude that some hole must contain multiple pigeons, which often implies a geometric property about distances, collinearity, or proximity
- Lesson 2575 — Pigeonhole Principle in Geometry
- Draw the asymptotes
- through opposite corners of this rectangle
- Lesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin
- Draw the diagonal
- from the common starting point—this is the resultant
- Lesson 1243 — Adding Vectors Geometrically
- Draw the directrix
- A line `p` units from the vertex in the *opposite* direction.
- Lesson 1151 — Graphing Parabolas from Standard Form
- Draw the ground level
- as another horizontal line (parallel to the first)
- Lesson 976 — Angles of Depression: Definition and Setup
- Draw the resultant
- from the tail of the first vector to the tip of the second
- Lesson 1243 — Adding Vectors Geometrically
- Draw vectors
- From each point, draw an arrow in the direction ⟨P, Q⟩
- Lesson 1968 — Sketching Vector Fields by Hand
- Drawing altitudes
- Drop a perpendicular from a vertex to the opposite side to create right triangles, which often unlock congruence proofs using HL or create useful angle relationships.
- Lesson 769 — Auxiliary Lines and Constructions
- Drawing diagonals
- In quadrilaterals, a diagonal can split the figure into two triangles, letting you use triangle congruence or similarity theorems.
- Lesson 769 — Auxiliary Lines and Constructions
- Drawing Diagrams
- Visual representations make complex situations clearer.
- Lesson 195 — Checking Solutions and Problem-Solving Strategies
- ds
- a tiny piece of arc length along the curve
- Lesson 1972 — Introduction to Line IntegralsLesson 1973 — Parametric Curves and Arc Length Element
- During collection
- Maintain randomization and record all relevant factors
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- dv
- the function you'll integrate to get v
- Lesson 1590 — The Integration by Parts FormulaLesson 1609 — Completing Trigonometric Integrals by PartsLesson 1922 — Introduction to Triple IntegralsLesson 1923 — Setting Up Triple Integrals over Rectangular BoxesLesson 1956 — Computing Total Mass with Triple Integrals
- dx
- an independent variable representing a small change in x (you choose this)
- Lesson 1471 — Differentials and NotationLesson 1473 — Applications of Differentials in MeasurementLesson 1685 — Surface Area Formula for Revolution Around x-axisLesson 1837 — The Total Differential
- dx/dt = Ax
- , where **x** is a vector changing over time, diagonalization lets you "decouple" the system by writing **A = PDP ¹**.
- Lesson 2199 — Applications of DiagonalizationLesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- dy
- a dependent variable representing the corresponding change in y along the tangent line
- Lesson 1471 — Differentials and NotationLesson 1473 — Applications of Differentials in MeasurementLesson 1660 — Washer Method: Rotation About the y-axisLesson 1662 — Rotation About Vertical Lines x = hLesson 1671 — Shell Method with Functions of yLesson 1837 — The Total Differential
E
- E = 3
- edges
- Lesson 2691 — Euler's Formula for Planar GraphsLesson 2764 — Choosing the Public Exponent e
- e = c/a
- Lesson 1164 — Eccentricity of an EllipseLesson 1181 — Calculating Eccentricity for Hyperbolas
- E[...]
- gives us the average squared distance from μ
- Lesson 2856 — Variance: Definition and Interpretation
- E[g(X)]
- for some function *g* and random variable *X*, but the integral or sum is messy.
- Lesson 2976 — Monte Carlo Methods and Simulation
- E[X] = np
- Lesson 2862 — Expectation and Variance in Common DistributionsLesson 2877 — Expectation and Variance of Binomial Distribution
- E[X^n] = M^(n)(0)
- Lesson 2961 — Finding Moments from MGFs
- e^x
- are inverse functions.
- Lesson 632 — Solving Equations with Natural ExponentialsLesson 1347 — Exponential and Logarithmic LimitsLesson 1790 — Applications to Common Functions
- e₁
- = (1, 0, 0)
- Lesson 2209 — Orthogonal and Orthonormal VectorsLesson 2214 — Coordinates with Respect to Orthonormal BasesLesson 2249 — Coordinates Relative to a Basis
- e₂
- = (0, 1, 0)
- Lesson 2209 — Orthogonal and Orthonormal VectorsLesson 2214 — Coordinates with Respect to Orthonormal BasesLesson 2249 — Coordinates Relative to a Basis
- Each leg
- = hypotenuse ÷ √2 (or hypotenuse × √2/2, which simplifies the radical)
- Lesson 793 — Finding Missing Sides in 45-45-90 Triangles
- Easier evaluation
- Computing derivatives at zero is often straightforward
- Lesson 1774 — Maclaurin Series: Taylor Series at Zero
- Easy to find intercepts
- Set x = 0 to find the y-intercept; set y = 0 to find the x-intercept
- Lesson 260 — Standard Form: Ax + By = C
- eccentricity
- measures exactly how "stretched out" or "circular" an ellipse is using a single number.
- Lesson 1164 — Eccentricity of an EllipseLesson 1179 — Eccentricity: Measuring the Shape of ConicsLesson 1181 — Calculating Eccentricity for HyperbolasLesson 1182 — Focus-Directrix Definition of ConicsLesson 1183 — Deriving Conic Equations from Eccentricity
- Economics
- Analyzing cost functions with multiple variables
- Lesson 354 — Applications of Polynomial Division
- edge
- .
- Lesson 2682 — Applications of Eulerian Paths: The Königsberg Bridge ProblemLesson 2698 — Applications of Graph Coloring
- edge connectivity
- focuses on *edges*.
- Lesson 2663 — Edge ConnectivityLesson 2666 — Menger's TheoremLesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- Edge count formula
- – It's connected and has exactly *n - 1* edges
- Lesson 2668 — Definition and Properties of Trees
- Edge Version
- Lesson 2666 — Menger's Theorem
- edge-disjoint
- paths between any two vertices *u* and *v* equals the minimum number of edges whose removal disconnects *u* from *v*.
- Lesson 2666 — Menger's TheoremLesson 2708 — Edge-Disjoint Paths and Menger's Theorem
- Education
- Assessing three teaching methods across different classrooms
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- Efficiency
- Computing det(A) and det(B) separately is often faster than finding **AB** first, then computing its determinant
- Lesson 2159 — Determinant of a ProductLesson 2999 — Properties of Good EstimatorsLesson 3008 — Comparing MLE and Method of Moments
- efficient
- .
- Lesson 50 — Factor PairsLesson 2999 — Properties of Good EstimatorsLesson 3000 — Sample Mean and Variance as Estimators
- Efficient for "solved" equations
- When one equation is already in the form y = .
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- eigenfunctions
- .
- Lesson 2405 — Eigenvalue Problems and Sturm-Liouville TheoryLesson 2420 — Eigenvalue Problems from Boundary Conditions
- eigenspace
- .
- Lesson 2170 — Finding Eigenvectors from EigenvaluesLesson 2172 — Eigenspaces and Their Dimension
- eigenvalue
- , denoted **λ** (lambda).
- Lesson 2168 — Definition of Eigenvectors and EigenvaluesLesson 2425 — Physical Interpretation and Decay Rates
- Eigenvalue criterion
- All eigenvalues must be positive
- Lesson 2298 — Applications to Optimization and Hessian Matrices
- eigenvalue problem
- .
- Lesson 2430 — Standing Waves and Normal ModesLesson 2448 — Solving the Spatial ODE: Eigenvalue Problems
- Eigenvalues
- .
- Lesson 2177 — Similar Matrices and Eigenvalue InvarianceLesson 2279 — Spectral Theorem in Quantum Mechanics and StatisticsLesson 2284 — Computing SVD via Eigenvalue DecompositionLesson 2405 — Eigenvalue Problems and Sturm-Liouville TheoryLesson 2420 — Eigenvalue Problems from Boundary Conditions
- Eigenvectors
- = quantum states with definite values
- Lesson 2279 — Spectral Theorem in Quantum Mechanics and StatisticsLesson 2284 — Computing SVD via Eigenvalue Decomposition
- Electric fields
- Field lines point from positive to negative charges
- Lesson 1971 — Field Lines and Flow Lines
- electromagnetism
- , Green's Theorem helps analyze electric and magnetic fields in two-dimensional cross-sections.
- Lesson 2003 — Applications and Extensions of Green's TheoremLesson 2045 — Combining with Stokes' Theorem and Applications
- Electrostatics
- The electric potential in a charge-free region obeys Laplace's equation.
- Lesson 2436 — Introduction to Laplace's Equation
- Elementary function combinations
- (sums, products, compositions of continuous functions) remain continuous wherever all component functions are defined.
- Lesson 1818 — Continuity on a Region
- elementary row operations
- to create zeros below each leading entry (pivot), working from left to right, top to bottom.
- Lesson 1313 — Gaussian Elimination ProcessLesson 2107 — Augmented Matrices
- Eliminate constants
- Express variable dimensions in terms of height using similar triangles or given ratios
- Lesson 1484 — Water Tank and Fluid Flow Problems
- Elimination
- Lesson 1885 — Solving Systems with Multiple Lagrange MultipliersLesson 2723 — The Sieve of Eratosthenes
- ellipse
- is the set of all points where the **sum of distances** to two fixed points (called **foci**) is constant.
- Lesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of ConicsLesson 1131 — The General Second-Degree EquationLesson 1132 — Using the Discriminant to Classify ConicsLesson 1133 — Standard Position and OrientationLesson 1155 — Definition and Standard Form of an EllipseLesson 1179 — Eccentricity: Measuring the Shape of ConicsLesson 1182 — Focus-Directrix Definition of Conics
- elliptic paraboloid
- looks like:
- Lesson 1797 — Quadric Surfaces: Ellipsoids and ParaboloidsLesson 1807 — Common Surfaces: Planes, Paraboloids, and Saddles
- Emergency room visits
- during a specific time window
- Lesson 2893 — Applications of the Poisson Distribution
- empirical rule
- or 68-95-99.
- Lesson 2904 — The Normal Distribution: Shape and PropertiesLesson 2911 — The Empirical Rule (68-95- 99.7 Rule)
- empty set
- that contains *nothing at all*.
- Lesson 2522 — Universal Set and Empty SetLesson 2531 — Introduction to Power SetsLesson 2774 — Events as Subsets of the Sample SpaceLesson 2782 — Probability of the Empty Set and Impossible Events
- Encrypt
- Send *m^e*
- Lesson 2768 — Why RSA Works: Euler's TheoremLesson 2769 — RSA Example with Small Primes
- Engineering
- Breaking down complex transfer functions in electronics
- Lesson 354 — Applications of Polynomial DivisionLesson 1100 — Applications of the Law of Sines
- Enlargement
- Lesson 119 — Scale Factors
- Entry (1,2)
- (Row 1) · (Column 2) = 2(4) + 3(2) = 8 + 6 = **14**
- Lesson 1283 — Multiplying 2×2 Matrices
- Entry (2,2)
- (Row 2) · (Column 2) = 5(4) + 1(2) = 20 + 2 = **22**
- Lesson 1283 — Multiplying 2×2 Matrices
- Environmental Science
- The area between pollution level curves over time quantifies cumulative environmental impact differences between scenarios.
- Lesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between Curves
- equal
- because of parallel lines.
- Lesson 971 — Alternate Interior Angles in Elevation/DepressionLesson 1242 — Equal Vectors and Parallel VectorsLesson 1273 — Matrix EqualityLesson 2047 — Vector Equality and Zero Vector
- Equal variance
- ANOVA's F test assumes homogeneity of variance.
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- Equal Variance (Homoscedasticity)
- Lesson 3068 — Assumptions of Simple Linear Regression
- Equal Variances (Homoscedasticity)
- Lesson 3094 — One-Way ANOVA: The Model and Assumptions
- equals
- the angle of elevation from the object back up to you.
- Lesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression AnglesLesson 1553 — Riemann Sums as n Approaches Infinity
- Equals sign (=)
- Lesson 11 — Understanding Subtraction as Taking Away
- Equate coefficients
- of like powers:
- Lesson 1625 — Solving for Coefficients: Equating CoefficientsLesson 2400 — Finding Power Series Solutions Near Ordinary Points
- Equating coefficients
- for the remaining unknowns (match powers of x on both sides)
- Lesson 1631 — Complex Mixed Denominator Cases
- Equation
- *x* + 7 = 15
- Lesson 189 — Writing Equations from Word ProblemsLesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 778 — Word Problems Involving Right TrianglesLesson 991 — Defining the Unit CircleLesson 1173 — Writing Equations from Given Information
- equidistant
- from the center (the same distance away).
- Lesson 852 — Equidistant Chords TheoremLesson 927 — Reflections Across Arbitrary LinesLesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of Conics
- Equilateral Triangle
- Lesson 730 — Classifying Triangles by SidesLesson 736 — Properties of Equilateral TrianglesLesson 794 — The 30-60-90 Triangle: Side RatiosLesson 812 — Finding Individual Exterior Angles in Regular PolygonsLesson 942 — Line Symmetry (Reflectional Symmetry)
- equilibrium
- , it means the object isn't accelerating—it's either at rest or moving at constant velocity.
- Lesson 1264 — Equilibrium: Balancing Multiple ForcesLesson 1269 — Tension in Cables and RopesLesson 1270 — Applications in Physics and Engineering
- Equilibrium 1
- `x = 0, y = 0` (extinction)
- Lesson 2376 — Predator-Prey Models: The Lotka-Volterra Equations
- Equilibrium 2
- Solve `αx - βxy = 0` and `-γy + δxy = 0` simultaneously:
- Lesson 2376 — Predator-Prey Models: The Lotka-Volterra Equations
- Equilibrium solutions
- appear where all segments are horizontal (slope = 0)
- Lesson 2305 — Direction Fields
- equivalence class
- is the collection of all elements that are equivalent to a particular element.
- Lesson 2552 — Equivalence ClassesLesson 2731 — Equivalence Classes in Modular Arithmetic
- equivalence relation
- is a special kind of relation that behaves like "sameness" or "similarity.
- Lesson 2550 — Definition of Equivalence RelationsLesson 2739 — Properties of Congruence Relations
- Equivalent condition
- All eigenvalues of A are strictly positive.
- Lesson 2292 — Positive Definite, Negative Definite, and Indefinite Matrices
- Equivalent fractions
- are different fractions that represent the same value.
- Lesson 64 — Equivalent Fractions
- Equivalently
- (using the contrapositive): if `x₁ ≠ x₂`, then `f(x₁) ≠ f(x₂)`.
- Lesson 2560 — Injective Functions (One-to-One)
- Establishing constraints
- It helps prove important bounds (like K₅ being non-planar)
- Lesson 2691 — Euler's Formula for Planar Graphs
- estimate
- $\mu$ from observed data.
- Lesson 2968 — Understanding Sample Means and AveragesLesson 2998 — What is Point Estimation?Lesson 3014 — Confidence Interval for a Population Mean (σ Unknown)
- Estimate partials
- For each partial square, estimate what fraction is covered (½, ¼, ¾, etc.
- Lesson 872 — Irregular Composite Figures on Grids
- Euclid's brilliant proof
- Assume there are only finitely many primes: p₁, p₂, .
- Lesson 2499 — Classic Contradiction Proofs
- Euclidean Algorithm
- gives you a much faster way: it uses the fact that `gcd(a, b) = gcd(b, r)` where `r` is the remainder when you divide `a` by `b`.
- Lesson 2713 — The Euclidean Algorithm
- Euler's formula
- `e^(iθ) = cos θ + i sin θ`.
- Lesson 1234 — Applications: Fractional Powers and Euler's FormulaLesson 2341 — Complex Conjugate Roots: Euler's Formula ApproachLesson 2381 — Complex Eigenvalues in 2×2 SystemsLesson 2693 — K₅ and K₃,₃ are Non-Planar
- Euler's Theorem
- works for **any modulus** n (when gcd(a,n) = 1): `a^φ(n) ≡ 1 (mod n)`
- Lesson 2751 — Problem Solving with Fermat's and Euler's Theorems
- Eulerian
- Focus on *edges* (traverse every edge once)
- Lesson 2683 — Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles: Definition and Examples
- Eulerian circuit
- (or Eulerian cycle), which is a closed Eulerian path.
- Lesson 2678 — Eulerian Paths and Circuits: Definition and MotivationLesson 2679 — Euler's Theorem for Eulerian CircuitsLesson 2680 — Euler's Theorem for Eulerian Paths
- Eulerian path
- a walk through a graph that traverses every edge exactly once.
- Lesson 2678 — Eulerian Paths and Circuits: Definition and Motivation
- Evaluate
- numerically when products are simpler than sums
- Lesson 1078 — Applying Sum-to-Product FormulasLesson 1342 — Limits Involving ConjugatesLesson 1344 — The Squeeze TheoremLesson 1586 — Definite Integrals and Changing LimitsLesson 1698 — Applications of Average ValueLesson 1932 — Applications: Density and Total MassLesson 1982 — Practice with Line Integrals in 2D and 3DLesson 2018 — Surface Integrals of Scalar Functions (+1 more)
- Evaluate [uv] ₐᵇ
- by substituting b, then a, and subtracting
- Lesson 1599 — Definite Integrals and Integration by Parts
- Evaluate f(m̄ ᵢ)
- at each midpoint—this becomes your rectangle height
- Lesson 1549 — Midpoint Riemann Sums
- Evaluate the definite integral
- ∫[a,t] f(x)dx using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
- Lesson 1634 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Upper Limit
- Evaluate the field
- At each point (x₀, y₀), compute **F**(x₀, y₀) to get the vector components
- Lesson 1968 — Sketching Vector Fields by Hand
- Evaluate the iterated integral
- Lesson 1955 — Computing Total Mass with Double Integrals
- Evaluate the objective function
- Plug each corner point into *P* = 2*x* + 3*y*
- Lesson 308 — Applications: Maximization ProblemsLesson 309 — Applications: Minimization Problems
- Evaluate the remaining integral
- ∫ₐᵇ v du and apply its limits
- Lesson 1599 — Definite Integrals and Integration by Parts
- Evaluate the vector field
- on the surface by substituting the parametrization
- Lesson 2021 — Computing Flux for Parametric Surfaces
- Evaluating
- a rational expression means plugging in a specific value for the variable and calculating the result —just like you would with any algebraic expression.
- Lesson 443 — Evaluating Rational ExpressionsLesson 546 — Function Evaluation in Context
- even
- or **odd**.
- Lesson 138 — Exponents with Negative BasesLesson 569 — Even and Odd FunctionsLesson 1048 — Even- Odd IdentitiesLesson 1601 — Powers of Sine and Cosine: Even PowersLesson 1603 — Powers of Tangent and Secant: Even Powers of SecantLesson 1776 — Maclaurin Series for sin(x) and cos(x)Lesson 2603 — The Binomial Theorem for Negative Binomials
- Even extension
- Mirror the function symmetrically across the vertical axis.
- Lesson 2462 — Half-Range Expansions
- Even function
- `f(-x) = f(x)` (symmetric across the y-axis)
- Lesson 594 — The Absolute Value FunctionLesson 1517 — Domain, Intercepts, and Symmetry
- even functions
- have y-axis symmetry (f(-x) = f(x)), like f(x) = x², while **odd functions** have origin symmetry (f(-x) = -f(x)), like f(x) = x³.
- Lesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under TransformationLesson 1561 — Definite Integrals of Even and Odd FunctionsLesson 2461 — Even and Odd Functions: Cosine and Sine Series
- Even integers
- An integer *n* is even if there exists an integer *k* such that *n = 2k*.
- Lesson 2492 — Direct Proof: Working with Definitions
- Even power of secant
- Factor out `sec² x` for du/dx and convert remaining secants to tangents
- Lesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- Even-odd identities
- sin(-θ) = -sin θ, cos(-θ) = cos θ
- Lesson 1050 — Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions
- Event probabilities
- Sum p(x, y) over all (x, y) pairs in your event
- Lesson 2927 — Joint Probability Distributions: Discrete Case
- Events are dependent
- Lesson 2804 — Testing for Independence
- Events are independent
- Lesson 2804 — Testing for Independence
- every
- term in the trinomial.
- Lesson 328 — Multiplying a Binomial by a TrinomialLesson 2654 — Subgraphs and Induced Subgraphs
- exact
- area under a curve.
- Lesson 1553 — Riemann Sums as n Approaches InfinityLesson 1556 — Computing Simple Integrals Using Riemann Sum LimitsLesson 2328 — Exact Differential Equations: Definition and TestLesson 2329 — Solving Exact Equations: Finding the Potential FunctionLesson 2336 — Strategy Guide: Choosing the Right Solution Method
- Exact answers
- Always gives precise numerical solutions, including fractions and decimals
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- Exact answers required
- – Homework, tests, and theoretical work often demand exact values.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- exactly
- the derivative of μ(x)·y:
- Lesson 2321 — The Integrating Factor MethodLesson 2876 — Computing Binomial Probabilities
- exactly one triangle
- Lesson 1098 — One Solution Case in SSALesson 1123 — Using the Height to Determine Triangle Existence
- Examine Cross-Sections
- Lesson 1868 — Inconclusive Cases and Further Analysis
- Examine the boundary separately
- (parametrize it, substitute constraints, etc.
- Lesson 1869 — Boundary Considerations for Optimization
- Example (Area)
- A rectangle's length is 3 meters more than its width.
- Lesson 420 — Applications: Projectile Motion and Area Problems
- Example (Projectile)
- A ball is thrown upward with initial velocity 48 ft/s from a 6-foot platform.
- Lesson 420 — Applications: Projectile Motion and Area Problems
- Example 1
- 5 + 2³ × 3
- Lesson 33 — Exponents in Order of OperationsLesson 43 — Adding Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 44 — Subtracting Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 84 — Reading and Writing DecimalsLesson 104 — Multi-Step Percentage ProblemsLesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer ExponentsLesson 142 — Product Rule for Exponents (+50 more)
- Example 1 - Simplifying
- If you see `2sin(15°)cos(15°)`, recognize it as `sin(2·15°) = sin(30°) = 1/2`.
- Lesson 1063 — Double Angle Formula for Sine
- Example 1 (Convergent)
- The geometric series ∑(n=1 to ∞) (1/2ⁿ) = 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + .
- Lesson 1715 — Convergence and Divergence of Series
- Example 2
- 20 ÷ 4 + 3²
- Lesson 33 — Exponents in Order of OperationsLesson 43 — Adding Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 44 — Subtracting Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 84 — Reading and Writing DecimalsLesson 104 — Multi-Step Percentage ProblemsLesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer ExponentsLesson 142 — Product Rule for Exponents (+50 more)
- Example 2 - Solving
- To solve `sin(2x) = sin(x)`, rewrite it as `2sin(x)cos(x) = sin(x)`, then factor: `sin(x)(2cos(x) - 1) = 0`.
- Lesson 1063 — Double Angle Formula for Sine
- Example 3
- 4 - 6
- Lesson 44 — Subtracting Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 84 — Reading and Writing DecimalsLesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer ExponentsLesson 142 — Product Rule for ExponentsLesson 143 — Quotient Rule for ExponentsLesson 144 — Power of a Power RuleLesson 146 — Power of a Quotient Rule (+27 more)
- Example 3 (Subtraction)
- "Tom had 50 marbles and lost some.
- Lesson 190 — Solving One-Step Word Problems
- Example 4
- 3 - (-8)
- Lesson 44 — Subtracting Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 84 — Reading and Writing DecimalsLesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer ExponentsLesson 144 — Power of a Power RuleLesson 393 — Solving x² = c by Square RootsLesson 469 — What is a Complex Fraction?Lesson 505 — Adding and Subtracting Like Radicals (+3 more)
- Example 4 (Division)
- "48 students are split equally into groups.
- Lesson 190 — Solving One-Step Word Problems
- Example 5
- (1/2) ¹ = 1 ÷ (1/2) = **2** (negative exponent flips the fraction)
- Lesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer Exponents
- Example analogy
- Climbing a ladder where each rung might be supported by the previous *two* rungs—you need to know both lower rungs are stable before trusting the next one.
- Lesson 2515 — Strong Induction for Sequences and Recurrences
- Example approach
- Lesson 513 — Mixed Operations with RadicalsLesson 907 — Distance and Midpoint with Special TrianglesLesson 1682 — Applications: Arc Length in Physics and Geometry
- Example context
- Suppose $X$ counts total claims and $Y$ counts the number of policyholders.
- Lesson 2936 — Iterated Expectations and the Tower Property
- Example continued
- Since r² = 16, we find r = √16 = **4**.
- Lesson 917 — Finding Center and Radius from Circle EquationsLesson 1842 — Computing Gradient Vectors
- Example flow
- In a 3×4 matrix, you'd first create a pivot in row 1, zero out everything below it in that column, then create a pivot in row 2 (in a column to the right), zero out what's below it, and finally handle row 3.
- Lesson 2119 — Converting to Row Echelon Form
- Example format
- Lesson 763 — Two-Column Proof Format
- Example idea
- If -1 ≤ sin(1/x) ≤ 1 for all x ≠ 0, then multiplying by x² gives: -x² ≤ x²sin(1/x) ≤ x².
- Lesson 1344 — The Squeeze Theorem
- Example in 3D
- If **u** = ⟨2, 0, -1⟩ and **v** = ⟨1, 3, 5⟩:
- Lesson 1253 — Definition of the Dot ProductLesson 1963 — Introduction to Vector Fields
- Example in ℂ²
- If **u** = (1+i, 2) and **v** = (i, 3), then:
- Lesson 2201 — Standard Inner Products on ℝⁿ and ℂⁿ
- Example in ℝ³
- If **u** = (1, 2, 3) and **v** = (4, −1, 2), then:
- Lesson 2201 — Standard Inner Products on ℝⁿ and ℂⁿ
- Example mindset
- To count passwords with at least one digit, one uppercase, and one symbol, you might define A ᵢ = "passwords missing requirement i," then use inclusion-exclusion to find |A₁ ∪ A₂ ∪ A₃| and subtract from all possible passwords.
- Lesson 2626 — Complex Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Example of ∞/∞
- Lesson 1340 — Indeterminate Forms: 0/0 and ∞/∞
- Example of 0/0
- Lesson 1340 — Indeterminate Forms: 0/0 and ∞/∞
- Example of Infinite Solutions
- Lesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite Solutions
- Example of No Solution
- Lesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite Solutions
- Example of the error
- Suppose you're proving that the sum 1 + 2 + .
- Lesson 2509 — Common Mistakes in Induction Proofs
- Example pattern
- If someone sends you **C = EM** (encoded message), you recover the original with **M = E ¹C**.
- Lesson 1308 — Applications of Inverse MatricesLesson 2507 — Multiple Base Cases
- Example patterns
- Lesson 2353 — Products of Basic Functions
- Example scenario
- If x - 3 is a factor of 2x³ + kx² - 7x + 12, you know dividing by (x - 3) must give remainder 0.
- Lesson 354 — Applications of Polynomial DivisionLesson 1367 — Common Techniques and Restrictions on δLesson 1649 — Choosing Vertical vs Horizontal Slicing
- Example situation
- You stand 50 feet from a flagpole and look up at a 32° angle of elevation to see the top.
- Lesson 969 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Elevation Angles
- Example situations
- Lesson 419 — Choosing Between Factoring and the Formula
- Example structure
- An observer sees a bird at an angle of elevation of 30°.
- Lesson 972 — Multi-Step Elevation and Depression ProblemsLesson 2850 — Mixed Random Variables and Their CDFs
- Example walkthrough
- Lesson 592 — Graphing Piecewise Functions
- Example with decimals
- Lesson 289 — Elimination with Fractions and Decimals
- Example with fractions
- Lesson 289 — Elimination with Fractions and Decimals
- Example with multiple fractions
- Solve `(x/3) + (x/6) = 5`
- Lesson 205 — Equations with Fractions or Decimals
- Example: 6 × 30
- Lesson 26 — Multiplying by Multiples of 10, 100, and 1000
- Example: 8 × 500
- Lesson 26 — Multiplying by Multiples of 10, 100, and 1000
- Example: Shrinking Squares Area
- Lesson 692 — Infinite Series in Geometry
- Examples of independent stages
- Lesson 2808 — Independence in Multi-Stage Experiments
- Examples of separable equations
- Lesson 2308 — What is a Separable Differential Equation?
- excess kurtosis
- = Kurt - 3, where 3 is the kurtosis of a normal distribution.
- Lesson 2861 — Higher Moments: Skewness and KurtosisLesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Execute
- the substitution with confidence
- Lesson 1587 — u-Substitution Requiring Algebraic Manipulation
- Execute carefully
- track sign changes and scalar multiplications
- Lesson 2158 — Practice: Mixed Determinant Computation
- exhaustive
- )
- Lesson 2554 — Partitions of a SetLesson 2772 — Sample Spaces: The Set of All Possible OutcomesLesson 2780 — Partitions of the Sample Space
- Existence
- If W has an orthonormal basis {u₁, u₂, .
- Lesson 2217 — Decomposition into Orthogonal SubspacesLesson 2412 — Well-Posed Problems: Existence, Uniqueness, StabilityLesson 2488 — Uniqueness Quantifier and ApplicationsLesson 2724 — Unique Factorization: Statement of the Theorem
- exists
- in some interval around x₀
- Lesson 2306 — Existence and Uniqueness TheoremsLesson 2346 — Existence and Uniqueness for Second- Order ODEs
- expand
- a logarithm means breaking it into simpler parts using the rules:
- Lesson 624 — Combining Logarithm PropertiesLesson 629 — Applying Logarithm Properties to Solve EquationsLesson 1059 — Sum and Difference Formulas in Equation SolvingLesson 1088 — Equations Requiring Sum and Difference Formulas
- Expand and simplify
- to get a cubic polynomial: -λ³ + (terms with λ² and λ) + constant
- Lesson 2178 — Computing Eigenvalues for 3×3 Matrices
- Expand factorials strategically
- Instead of computing full factorials, cancel common terms:
- Lesson 2590 — Computing Basic Combinations
- Expand G(x)
- back into a power series to read off the coefficient formula
- Lesson 2643 — Solving Recurrence Relations with Generating Functions
- Expand the determinant
- This creates three 2×2 determinants
- Lesson 2182 — Computing Characteristic Polynomials for 3×3 Matrices
- Expand to standard form
- Lesson 2181 — Computing Characteristic Polynomials for 2×2 Matrices
- Expanded form
- means writing the number as the *sum of these place values*:
- Lesson 5 — Expanded Form and Standard Form
- Expanding and Regrouping
- Lesson 2315 — Separable Equations with Algebraic Manipulation
- Expanding/contracting shapes
- A balloon's radius grows at 2 cm/s.
- Lesson 1418 — Chain Rule Applications and Problem-Solving
- expectation
- or **mean** of a discrete random variable tells you the "average" value you'd expect if you could repeat the random experiment infinitely many times.
- Lesson 2852 — Definition of Expectation (Mean) for Discrete Random VariablesLesson 2855 — Definition of Expectation for Continuous Random VariablesLesson 2861 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- expected value
- (or mean) of a discrete random variable by taking a weighted average of all possible outcomes.
- Lesson 2852 — Definition of Expectation (Mean) for Discrete Random VariablesLesson 2968 — Understanding Sample Means and Averages
- explicit formula
- Lesson 657 — Finding the Number of Terms in a Finite SequenceLesson 661 — Finding Terms in a Geometric Sequence
- Exploit orthogonality
- If working in an inner product space, an orthonormal basis often simplifies computations (projection formulas become trivial, norms are preserved).
- Lesson 2257 — Finding Convenient Bases
- Explore
- an unvisited neighbor *u* of *v*
- Lesson 2673 — Finding Spanning Trees: Depth-First SearchLesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First Search
- exponent
- tells you how many times to multiply a number by itself.
- Lesson 132 — What is an Exponent?Lesson 137 — Working with Fractional BasesLesson 140 — Integer Exponents in ContextLesson 310 — What is a Polynomial?Lesson 618 — Definition of Logarithm as Inverse of ExponentialLesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-Series
- Exponential decay
- happens when something is repeatedly divided or reduced by a constant factor.
- Lesson 140 — Integer Exponents in ContextLesson 600 — What is an Exponential Function?Lesson 603 — Growth vs. Decay: The Role of the Base
- Exponential distribution
- Measures the *time between consecutive events*
- Lesson 2902 — Relationship Between Exponential and Poisson
- Exponential forcing
- If **f**(t) = [2e³ᵗ, -e³ᵗ]ᵀ, guess **x_p** = **a**e³ ᵗ.
- Lesson 2386 — Non-Homogeneous Systems: Undetermined Coefficients
- exponential function
- is a function where the variable appears in the *exponent*, not the base.
- Lesson 600 — What is an Exponential Function?Lesson 668 — Geometric Sequences vs Exponential Functions
- Exponential growth
- happens when something multiplies by the same factor repeatedly.
- Lesson 140 — Integer Exponents in ContextLesson 600 — What is an Exponential Function?Lesson 603 — Growth vs. Decay: The Role of the BaseLesson 650 — Comparing Linear, Exponential, and Logarithmic Growth
- Exponential resonance
- If your trial is *Ae^(rx)* and *e^(rx)* appears in the complementary solution, use *Axe^(rx)*.
- Lesson 2354 — The Modification Rule for Resonance
- Exponential terms
- where the base contains n (like n^n or 2^n)
- Lesson 1747 — Comparing Ratio and Root Tests
- Exponentials
- Functions like f(x) = e ˣ or f(x) = 2ˣ are continuous on their entire domain (all real numbers).
- Lesson 1354 — Continuity of Elementary Functions
- Exponentials telescope
- Expressions like `2^(n+1)/2^n` reduce to the base: `2`
- Lesson 1748 — Series with Factorials and Exponentials
- Exponents
- – Evaluate powers (if present)
- Lesson 47 — Mixed Operations with Negative NumbersLesson 513 — Mixed Operations with Radicals
- Express as prime powers
- Write the result as a product of primes with their exponents.
- Lesson 2725 — Prime Factorization: Finding the Decomposition
- Express as sum/difference
- 15° = 45° − 30°
- Lesson 1055 — Evaluating Non-Standard Angles Using Sum Formulas
- Express each variable
- in terms of the free parameters
- Lesson 2064 — Applications: Expressing Solutions as Linear Combinations
- Express forces in components
- Break each tension force into horizontal (i) and vertical (j) components using the angle each cable makes.
- Lesson 1269 — Tension in Cables and Ropes
- Express in one variable
- using constraint equations (like a curve equation)
- Lesson 1512 — Distance Optimization Problems
- Extend that shape
- parallel to the missing variable's axis (parallel to the z-axis)
- Lesson 1799 — Cylindrical Surfaces and Traces
- Extend the perpendicular
- the same distance on the other side
- Lesson 927 — Reflections Across Arbitrary Lines
- Extended Euclidean Algorithm
- goes further: it finds integers *x* and *y* such that:
- Lesson 2715 — Extended Euclidean AlgorithmLesson 2765 — Computing the Private Exponent d
- Extending sides
- Sometimes extending a line segment beyond its endpoint reveals exterior angles or creates useful intersections.
- Lesson 769 — Auxiliary Lines and Constructions
- Extending to a basis
- means systematically adding more vectors (carefully chosen to remain independent) until you have enough vectors to span the whole space.
- Lesson 2090 — Extending to a Basis
- exterior angle
- .
- Lesson 733 — Exterior Angle TheoremLesson 810 — Exterior Angles of PolygonsLesson 811 — Exterior Angle Sum Theorem
- Exterior Angle Theorem
- states that an exterior angle of a triangle equals the sum of the two non-adjacent (remote) interior angles.
- Lesson 733 — Exterior Angle Theorem
- Extract components
- The columns of **V** are your principal components
- Lesson 2289 — Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and SVD
- Extract matrix properties
- The polynomial immediately tells you:
- Lesson 2188 — Using the Characteristic Polynomial in Practice
- extraneous
- it appeared during solving but isn't a real solution.
- Lesson 525 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 637 — Checking for Extraneous Solutions
- extraneous solutions
- .
- Lesson 481 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 522 — Introduction to Radical EquationsLesson 524 — Solving Simple Radical EquationsLesson 637 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 1091 — Extraneous Solutions and Verification
- Extrapolation
- means using your regression line to predict values outside the range of your original data.
- Lesson 3071 — Cautions and Limitations
- Extreme Value Theorem
- guarantees that a continuous function on a closed and bounded region *must* have both an absolute maximum and an absolute minimum.
- Lesson 1870 — Optimization on Closed and Bounded RegionsLesson 1871 — Global Extrema: Finding Absolute Maximum and Minimum
- Extreme Value Theorem (EVT)
- guarantees that somewhere along your journey, you'll reach both a highest point (maximum elevation) and a lowest point (minimum elevation).
- Lesson 1358 — The Extreme Value Theorem
F
- F · n
- captures how much of the field penetrates the surface (versus flowing parallel to it).
- Lesson 2019 — Vector Fields and Surface Integrals
- F = 2
- faces (the interior region and the exterior unbounded region)
- Lesson 2691 — Euler's Formula for Planar Graphs
- F = 3
- (the diagonal splits the interior into two regions)
- Lesson 2691 — Euler's Formula for Planar Graphs
- F = s₁²/s₂²
- Lesson 3047 — The F Distribution
- F test for variances
- "We fail to reject the null hypothesis (F = 1.
- Lesson 3050 — Interpreting Chi-Squared and F Test Results
- F tests
- shine when comparing variances (two samples) or means across multiple groups (ANOVA).
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- f_x
- or **f_x(x,y)** — This is compact and convenient, especially when dealing with multiple partial derivatives.
- Lesson 1823 — Notation for Partial DerivativesLesson 1837 — The Total Differential
- F-distribution
- is a continuous probability distribution that emerges naturally when we compare the variability of two independent samples.
- Lesson 2925 — The F-Distribution: Definition and DerivationLesson 3096 — The F-Statistic and F- Distribution
- f''(x) < 0
- means the function is concave down
- Lesson 1500 — Inflection PointsLesson 1521 — Second Derivative and Concavity
- f''(x) > 0
- means the function is concave up
- Lesson 1500 — Inflection PointsLesson 1521 — Second Derivative and Concavity
- f'(x) = 0
- Lesson 1388 — The Derivative of a Constant FunctionLesson 1515 — Optimization on Open IntervalsLesson 1520 — Critical Points and Local Extrema
- f(a) exists
- the function has a defined value at *a*
- Lesson 576 — Continuity of FunctionsLesson 1350 — Definition of Continuity at a Point
- f(g(x))
- , we're composing two functions:
- Lesson 1408 — Composition of Functions ReviewLesson 1569 — Integrals with Variable Bounds
- f(n)
- , where *n* represents the position number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, .
- Lesson 1703 — Definition of a Sequence and NotationLesson 1711 — Computing Limits Using L'Hôpital's RuleLesson 2633 — Non-Homogeneous Recurrence Relations
- f(x - ct)
- represents a wave traveling to the **right** (in the positive x-direction).
- Lesson 2427 — D'Alembert's SolutionLesson 2428 — Initial Conditions and Wave Propagation
- f(x, y)
- means "f is a function of the independent variables x and y.
- Lesson 1802 — Introduction to Functions of Several VariablesLesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct SubstitutionLesson 1818 — Continuity on a RegionLesson 1836 — Linear Approximation in Two VariablesLesson 2306 — Existence and Uniqueness Theorems
- f(x)
- , read it as "f of x.
- Lesson 539 — Understanding Function NotationLesson 1320 — Limit Notation and Reading LimitsLesson 1350 — Definition of Continuity at a PointLesson 1379 — The Difference QuotientLesson 1470 — Estimating Function Values with Linear ApproximationLesson 1666 — Revolving Around the y-axisLesson 1693 — Work Done by a Variable ForceLesson 1711 — Computing Limits Using L'Hôpital's Rule (+2 more)
- f(x) = e^x
- .
- Lesson 611 — The Natural Exponential Function f(x) = e^xLesson 1438 — Higher-Order Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- f(x) = xⁿ
- where n is a positive integer.
- Lesson 1383 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Polynomial FunctionsLesson 1394 — The Power Rule for Negative Integer Exponents
- fact family
- is a group of related addition and subtraction facts that use the same three numbers.
- Lesson 13 — The Relationship Between Addition and SubtractionLesson 24 — The Relationship Between Multiplication and Division
- factor
- is a whole number that divides evenly into another number with no remainder.
- Lesson 48 — Understanding FactorsLesson 353 — Using Division to Test FactorsLesson 355 — What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?Lesson 385 — Factoring Perfect Square TrinomialsLesson 452 — Simplifying Before MultiplyingLesson 455 — Dividing and Simplifying in One StepLesson 458 — Applications of Multiplying and Dividing RationalsLesson 461 — Finding the Least Common Denominator (LCD) (+7 more)
- Factor all trinomials
- in the numerator and denominator completely
- Lesson 448 — Simplifying with Trinomial Factors
- Factor and cancel
- common terms that caused the 0/0
- Lesson 1342 — Limits Involving ConjugatesLesson 1680 — Simplifying Arc Length Integrals
- Factor and simplify
- Write the left side as perfect squares and simplify the right side to find `r²`.
- Lesson 1140 — Converting Between Circle FormsLesson 1532 — Indeterminate Differences: ∞ - ∞
- Factor by grouping
- Lesson 363 — The AC Method for General Trinomials
- Factor completely
- both the top and bottom
- Lesson 445 — Simplifying by Canceling Common FactorsLesson 504 — Combining Simplification Techniques
- Factor everything you can
- Lesson 456 — Mixed Operations: Multiplication and Division Together
- Factor it out
- , placing it in front of parentheses
- Lesson 360 — GCF with Four or More TermsLesson 367 — Factoring Out a GCF Before Trinomial Factoring
- Factor out coefficients
- Pull out the coefficients from the squared terms
- Lesson 1175 — Converting General Form to Standard Form
- Factor out negatives early
- If you see **(a − b)** in one place and **(b − a)** in another, remember they're opposites: **(a − b) = −(b − a)**.
- Lesson 457 — Multiplying and Dividing with Negative Signs
- Factor the denominator
- x² - 4 = (x + 2)(x - 2) [difference of squares]
- Lesson 448 — Simplifying with Trinomial Factors
- Factor the joint PDF
- The joint probability density function f(x,y) must equal the product of the marginal PDFs: f(x,y) = fₓ(x) · f_Y(y)
- Lesson 2941 — Checking Independence for Continuous Random Variables
- Factor the number
- inside the radical (prime factorization helps!
- Lesson 157 — Simplifying Higher-Order RadicalsLesson 415 — Simplifying Radical Answers
- Factor the simpler trinomial
- This factors to (u + 2)(u + 3)
- Lesson 372 — Factoring Higher-Degree Trinomials Using Substitution
- Factor the trinomial inside
- `x² + 4x + 3 = (x + 1)(x + 3)`
- Lesson 367 — Factoring Out a GCF Before Trinomial Factoring
- Factor Theorem
- is a powerful shortcut that connects two concepts you already know: the Remainder Theorem and factoring.
- Lesson 352 — The Factor Theorem
- Factorials grow explosively fast
- When you divide (n+1)!
- Lesson 1743 — Applying the Ratio Test to Common Series
- Factorials simplify beautifully
- When you compute `a_(n+1)/a_n`, factorials like `(n+1)!
- Lesson 1748 — Series with Factorials and Exponentials
- Factoring
- the trinomial into two binomials
- Lesson 396 — Solving by Factoring: Simple TrinomialsLesson 1341 — Algebraic Manipulation for 0/0Lesson 1366 — ε-δ Proofs for Quadratic FunctionsLesson 2315 — Separable Equations with Algebraic Manipulation
- factoring by grouping
- which means grouping pairs of terms, factoring out the GCF from each pair, and then factoring out the common binomial factor.
- Lesson 364 — Factoring by Grouping After Splitting the Middle TermLesson 374 — Introduction to Factoring by Grouping
- Factoring works best when
- Lesson 419 — Choosing Between Factoring and the Formula
- fail to reject
- H₀—not because you proved it's fair, but because you lack compelling evidence against it.
- Lesson 3024 — The Logic of Hypothesis TestingLesson 3030 — Interpreting Hypothesis Test Results
- fail to reject H₀
- (insufficient evidence to abandon the null hypothesis).
- Lesson 3020 — Introduction to Hypothesis TestingLesson 3024 — The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
- Fails closure under addition
- (1, 0) and (0, 1) are both in S, but their sum (1, 1) is not.
- Lesson 2077 — Non-Examples and Verifying Vector Spaces
- Fall short
- never reach the opposite side (no triangle)
- Lesson 1121 — Introduction to the Ambiguous Case (SSA)
- false
- .
- Lesson 212 — Equations with No SolutionLesson 300 — Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two VariablesLesson 525 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 2468 — Propositions and Truth ValuesLesson 2469 — Logical NegationLesson 2470 — Conjunction (AND)Lesson 2471 — Disjunction (OR)Lesson 2473 — Biconditional Statements (If and Only If) (+1 more)
- Fan shape (expanding)
- Residuals spread out as fitted values increase—the "megaphone" pattern
- Lesson 3085 — Detecting Non-Constant Variance (Heteroscedasticity)
- feasible region
- where all solutions satisfy every inequality at once.
- Lesson 301 — Systems of Linear InequalitiesLesson 302 — Vertices of the Feasible RegionLesson 303 — Bounded vs Unbounded Feasible RegionsLesson 304 — Introduction to Linear Programming
- Fermat primes
- have the form \( F_n = 2^{2^n} + 1 \).
- Lesson 2729 — Special Primes: Mersenne, Fermat, and Twin Primes
- Fermat's Little Theorem
- works when your modulus is **prime** (p): `a^(p-1) ≡ 1 (mod p)`
- Lesson 2751 — Problem Solving with Fermat's and Euler's Theorems
- Fewer assumptions
- Less worry about violating test conditions
- Lesson 3103 — Introduction to Nonparametric Methods
- Fibonacci sequence
- Lesson 2627 — What is a Recurrence Relation?
- Fifth derivative
- f ⁵ (x) = 0 (and all higher derivatives are 0)
- Lesson 1397 — Higher-Order Derivatives
- Filling containers
- "How many liters fill a cylindrical tank 2m tall with radius 0.
- Lesson 884 — Volume Word Problems and Applications
- Final answer
- `3(x + 1)(x + 3)`
- Lesson 367 — Factoring Out a GCF Before Trinomial FactoringLesson 585 — Writing Transformed Functions from DescriptionsLesson 1202 — Simplifying Complex ExpressionsLesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit LawsLesson 1411 — The Outside-Inside Method
- Final answer: 54
- Lesson 183 — Order of Operations in Evaluation
- Final Formula
- Lesson 1259 — Vector Projection Formula
- Final numerical answers
- – "The ladder is approximately 8.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- Final statement
- (if needed): Use CPCTC for specific parts
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence Proofs
- find
- it.
- Lesson 356 — Finding the GCF of NumbersLesson 778 — Word Problems Involving Right TrianglesLesson 1007 — Negative Angles and Trigonometric ValuesLesson 1210 — Argument of a Complex NumberLesson 1344 — The Squeeze TheoremLesson 1399 — The Product Rule FormulaLesson 1489 — Finding the c Guaranteed by the MVTLesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric Matrices (+2 more)
- Find A ⁻¹
- Use the formula for 2×2 matrices or row reduction for larger ones.
- Lesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix Equations
- Find all critical points
- in the open interval (a, b)
- Lesson 1508 — The Closed Interval MethodLesson 1515 — Optimization on Open IntervalsLesson 1871 — Global Extrema: Finding Absolute Maximum and Minimum
- Find all intersection points
- between the curves in your interval `[a, b]`
- Lesson 1647 — Area with Multiple RegionsLesson 1650 — Area Enclosed by Intersecting Curves
- Find all n roots
- Substitute each value of k to get all solutions
- Lesson 1232 — Solving Equations of the Form z^n = w
- Find angle B
- Lesson 1094 — Solving AAS Triangles
- Find bounds
- Solve for intersection points or use given limits
- Lesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between Curves
- Find common denominators
- when adding or subtracting fractions
- Lesson 185 — Evaluating Expressions with Fractions
- Find constraints
- – What relationships or limits exist between variables?
- Lesson 1872 — Applications: Optimization Problems in Two Variables
- Find corner points
- Calculate coordinates of each vertex
- Lesson 308 — Applications: Maximization ProblemsLesson 309 — Applications: Minimization Problems
- Find corresponding y-values
- (if needed): Plug each x back into either original function
- Lesson 1646 — Finding Intersection Points
- Find critical points
- Take the derivative of the perimeter function and set it equal to zero
- Lesson 1510 — Geometric Optimization: Minimizing PerimeterLesson 1511 — Box and Container OptimizationLesson 1512 — Distance Optimization ProblemsLesson 1513 — Cost and Revenue OptimizationLesson 1514 — Optimization with Implicit ConstraintsLesson 1867 — Applying the Second Derivative TestLesson 1872 — Applications: Optimization Problems in Two Variables
- Find degrees of freedom
- df = n - 1
- Lesson 3034 — One-Sample t-Test: Testing a Population MeanLesson 3043 — Chi-Squared Goodness-of- Fit Test
- Find du
- Differentiate your choice of u
- Lesson 1585 — u-Substitution with Exponential and Logarithmic FunctionsLesson 1586 — Definite Integrals and Changing Limits
- Find dy/dx
- using implicit differentiation (you've already learned this)
- Lesson 1455 — Second Derivatives by Implicit Differentiation
- Find each derivative separately
- Lesson 1400 — Applying the Product Rule to Polynomials
- Find eigenvalues and eigenvectors
- of the symmetric matrix A
- Lesson 2277 — Principal Axes and Quadratic FormsLesson 2296 — Diagonalization of Quadratic Forms
- Find eigenvectors
- Once you have eigenvalues, substitute each back into (A - λI)v = 0.
- Lesson 2188 — Using the Characteristic Polynomial in Practice
- Find f''(x)
- Compute the second derivative of your function
- Lesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of ConcavityLesson 1521 — Second Derivative and ConcavityLesson 1522 — Inflection Points
- Find intersection points
- by setting the equations equal and solving:
- Lesson 1656 — Finding Limits of Integration for Disk Method
- Find its total area
- using formulas you already know
- Lesson 869 — Finding Area Using Subtraction Method
- Find M
- Determine the maximum of the (n+1)-th derivative on your interval
- Lesson 1787 — Determining Required Degree for Given Accuracy
- Find missing measurements first
- before calculating area or perimeter
- Lesson 866 — Perimeter and Area Problem Solving
- Find R(y)
- This is the horizontal distance from the y-axis to your curve — simply the x-value, so R(y) = x = f(y)
- Lesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axis
- Find the area
- of each individual shape using the formulas you've learned
- Lesson 868 — Finding Area of Composite Figures by Addition
- Find the argument (θ)
- This is the angle the point makes with the positive real axis.
- Lesson 1215 — Converting from Rectangular to Polar Form
- Find the base area
- Use the appropriate area formula for that shape
- Lesson 878 — Volume of Prisms with Any BaseLesson 889 — Surface Area of Pyramids
- Find the bounds
- What are the starting and ending points of your curve?
- Lesson 1691 — Applications: Real-World Surfaces
- Find the center point
- Halfway between asymptotes, cotangent crosses through the midline at y = D
- Lesson 1027 — Transformations of Cotangent
- Find the change
- Subtract the original value from the new value (ignore if negative for now)
- Lesson 101 — Percent Increase and Decrease
- Find the constant
- using given information (`k = xy`)
- Lesson 130 — Real-World Inverse Variation Problems
- Find the critical value(s)
- under the null hypothesis that define your rejection region
- Lesson 3058 — Calculating Power for Simple Tests
- Find the derivative
- f'(x) to get the instantaneous rate at any point.
- Lesson 1489 — Finding the c Guaranteed by the MVTLesson 1507 — Critical Points in OptimizationLesson 1676 — Computing Arc Length: Polynomial Functions
- Find the eigenvectors
- for each eigenvalue (build the eigenspaces)
- Lesson 2190 — The Diagonalization Theorem
- Find the first variable
- (often z) from a simplified equation like `2z = 6`, giving you `z = 3`.
- Lesson 296 — Back-Substitution in Three Variables
- Find the gateway element
- Often you'll use one law to find just *one* missing piece—the piece that unlocks the ability to use the other law.
- Lesson 1111 — Complex Problems Combining Triangle Laws
- Find the GCF
- of the numerator and denominator
- Lesson 65 — Simplifying FractionsLesson 358 — Factoring Out the GCF from PolynomialsLesson 367 — Factoring Out a GCF Before Trinomial Factoring
- Find the gradient
- ∇F = ⟨F_x, F_y, F_z ⟩ at your point (x₀, y₀, z₀)
- Lesson 1835 — Normal Lines to Surfaces
- Find the height
- This is the perpendicular distance between the two bases
- Lesson 878 — Volume of Prisms with Any Base
- Find the hole
- Set the canceled factor to zero: `x - 3 = 0`, so `x = 3`
- Lesson 487 — Holes in Rational Functions
- Find the horizontal line
- – Imagine a flat line at eye level
- Lesson 967 — Identifying Angles in Real-World Scenarios
- Find the innermost limits
- (may depend on both outer variables)
- Lesson 1928 — Changing the Order of Integration in Triple Integrals
- Find the interior angle
- of the triangle using bearing differences
- Lesson 1101 — Law of Sines with Bearing and Direction
- Find the intersection point
- where the two lines cross
- Lesson 274 — Solving Systems by Graphing: Basic TechniqueLesson 927 — Reflections Across Arbitrary Lines
- Find the lateral area
- Imagine "unrolling" the side into a rectangle.
- Lesson 888 — Surface Area of Cylinders
- Find the LCD
- The LCD of 4 and 6 is 12
- Lesson 73 — Subtracting Fractions with Unlike DenominatorsLesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing DenominatorsLesson 463 — Adding Rationals with Unlike DenominatorsLesson 464 — Subtracting Rationals with Unlike DenominatorsLesson 467 — Adding and Subtracting Three or More RationalsLesson 470 — Simplifying Complex Fractions by Multiplying by the LCDLesson 480 — Solving Equations with Multiple Terms
- Find the limit
- Compute \(L = \lim_{n \to \infty} \sqrt[n]{|a_n|}\)
- Lesson 1746 — Applying the Root Test
- Find the lowest power
- of each variable that appears in *every* term
- Lesson 360 — GCF with Four or More Terms
- Find the magnitude
- of your vector using the formula you learned: ||**v**|| = √(v₁² + v₂² + v₃²)
- Lesson 1249 — Unit Vectors and NormalizationLesson 1849 — Directional Derivatives in Non-Unit Directions
- Find the marginal PMF
- $p_X(x)$ by summing the joint PMF over all $y$ values
- Lesson 2930 — Conditional Distributions: Discrete Case
- Find the minor
- Cover up the element's row and column.
- Lesson 2150 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Cofactor Expansion
- Find the modulus (r)
- This is the distance from the origin to your point.
- Lesson 1215 — Converting from Rectangular to Polar Form
- Find the new limits
- for the middle variable (may depend on the outer)
- Lesson 1928 — Changing the Order of Integration in Triple Integrals
- Find the normal vector
- to your parametric surface (using the cross product of partial derivatives)
- Lesson 2021 — Computing Flux for Parametric Surfaces
- Find the observer
- – Who or what is doing the looking?
- Lesson 967 — Identifying Angles in Real-World Scenarios
- Find the partial derivatives
- ∂f/∂x and ∂f/∂y
- Lesson 1853 — Computing Derivatives along Parametric Curves
- Find the radial limits
- For each fixed angle θ, determine where the region starts (inner radius r₁) and ends (outer radius r₂).
- Lesson 1917 — Integrating over Sectors and Wedges
- Find the reciprocal
- of the bottom fraction
- Lesson 80 — Complex FractionsLesson 537 — Solving Equations with Fractional Exponents
- Find the reference angle
- the acute angle formed between the terminal side and the nearest x-axis
- Lesson 995 — Second Quadrant PointsLesson 997 — Fourth Quadrant Points
- Find the relevant dimensions
- (length, width, height, radius, slant height)
- Lesson 895 — Word Problems Involving Surface Area
- Find the rise
- How much did the y-coordinate change?
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope Geometrically
- Find the run
- How much did the x-coordinate change?
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope Geometrically
- Find the sector area
- using the central angle θ (in degrees or radians):
- Lesson 843 — Segment AreaLesson 865 — Area of Segments
- Find the supplementary angle
- If B₁ is your first answer, calculate B₂ = 180° - B₁
- Lesson 1124 — Solving for Two Possible Triangles
- Find the tree's shadow
- Measure how long the tree's shadow is at the same time of day
- Lesson 761 — Applications and Proofs with Similar Triangles
- Find the triangle area
- formed by the two radii and the chord:
- Lesson 843 — Segment AreaLesson 865 — Area of Segments
- Find the width
- of the surface at depth y: w(y)
- Lesson 1699 — Fluid Pressure and Force on Submerged Surfaces
- Find the x-coordinate
- Look straight down (or up) from the point to the x-axis.
- Lesson 240 — Reading Coordinates from a Graph
- Find the x-intercept
- Lesson 262 — Graphing Lines in Standard Form
- Find the x-value
- that makes the canceled factor equal zero—that's where the hole is located
- Lesson 487 — Holes in Rational Functions
- Find the y-coordinate
- Look straight left (or right) from the point to the y-axis.
- Lesson 240 — Reading Coordinates from a Graph
- Find the y-intercept
- Lesson 262 — Graphing Lines in Standard Form
- Find triangles
- Show those parts belong to two triangles
- Lesson 747 — CPCTC: Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles
- Find two numbers that
- Lesson 363 — The AC Method for General Trinomials
- Find two relationships
- – Read carefully to spot two separate facts connecting your variables
- Lesson 282 — Application Problems Using Systems and Substitution
- Find y-coordinate by substitution
- f(2) = 2(2)² - 8(2) + 3 = 8 - 16 + 3 = -5
- Lesson 429 — Finding the Vertex Using x = -b/(2a)
- Find your reference angle
- This is the acute angle between the terminal side and the nearest x-axis
- Lesson 996 — Third Quadrant Points
- Finding a side (SAS)
- If your known angle is obtuse, expect the opposite side to be longest
- Lesson 1107 — Law of Cosines with Obtuse Angles
- Finding an angle (SSS)
- If your calculation yields a negative cosine value, that angle is obtuse
- Lesson 1107 — Law of Cosines with Obtuse Angles
- Finding extremal dimensions
- is common in geometry.
- Lesson 1882 — Applications: Economics, Geometry, and Physics
- Finding missing values
- If you know two of V, E, F, you can calculate the third
- Lesson 2691 — Euler's Formula for Planar Graphs
- Finding p
- Divide the coefficient of y by 4
- Lesson 1147 — Finding the Focus and Directrix from Equations
- Finding the parts
- If angle PQR = 120° and QS bisects it, then angle PQS = angle SQR = 60°.
- Lesson 710 — Angle Bisectors
- Finding the whole
- If ray BD bisects angle ABC and angle ABD = 35°, then angle ABC = 2 × 35° = 70°.
- Lesson 710 — Angle Bisectors
- Finding total height
- Measure angles to the top and bottom of a building from the same spot.
- Lesson 980 — Two Right Triangle Problems and Indirect Measurement
- Finding variances
- Var(g(X) + h(Y)) = Var(g(X)) + Var(h(Y))
- Lesson 2946 — Independence and Functions of Random Variables
- Finite number of extrema
- f has finitely many peaks and valleys
- Lesson 2460 — Convergence of Fourier Series
- first
- , you need to understand the *order* in which operations will be performed—just like reading a recipe before cooking.
- Lesson 177 — Order of Operations with VariablesLesson 326 — Multiplying Two Binomials Using FOILLesson 335 — Square of a BinomialLesson 558 — Function Composition BasicsLesson 929 — Composition of Translations and Reflections
- First column
- Use row operations to get a 1 in position (1,1) and zeros below it
- Lesson 1305 — Row Reduction to Find Inverses of 3×3 Matrices
- First derivative
- f'(x) = 4x³ - 6x
- Lesson 1397 — Higher-Order DerivativesLesson 1504 — Applications: Real-World Monotonicity and Concavity
- First Derivative Test
- says: look at how f'(x) changes sign as you pass through a critical point.
- Lesson 1496 — The First Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1502 — Comparing First and Second Derivative TestsLesson 1520 — Critical Points and Local ExtremaLesson 1523 — The Second Derivative Test for ExtremaLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching Algorithm
- first factor
- is simple: **(a + b)** or **(a - b)** — it matches the sign between the cubes
- Lesson 339 — Sum and Difference of CubesLesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit Laws
- First leading principal minor
- (top-left 1×1): det([2]) = 2 > 0
- Lesson 2294 — Principal Minors and Sylvester's Criterion
- First moment (mean)
- Lesson 2961 — Finding Moments from MGFs
- First moment about x-axis
- $$M_x = \iint_R y \cdot \rho(x,y) \, dA$$
- Lesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two Dimensions
- First moment about y-axis
- $$M_y = \iint_R x \cdot \rho(x,y) \, dA$$
- Lesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two Dimensions
- first moments
- quantify how mass is distributed relative to coordinate axes using double or triple integrals.
- Lesson 1957 — Moments and First MomentsLesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two DimensionsLesson 1959 — Center of Mass in Three DimensionsLesson 1960 — Moments of Inertia
- first number
- (x) is called the **x-coordinate** – it shows horizontal position
- Lesson 236 — Understanding Ordered Pairs and CoordinatesLesson 1221 — Multiplying Complex Numbers in Polar Form
- first position
- , you have **n choices** (any of the n books)
- Lesson 2579 — Counting Permutations of n Distinct ObjectsLesson 2580 — Permutations of n Objects Taken r at a Time
- First quartile
- Q₁ (25th percentile): Solve F(x) = 0.
- Lesson 2849 — Percentiles and Quantiles from the CDF
- First relationship
- "sum is 50" → x + y = 50
- Lesson 282 — Application Problems Using Systems and Substitution
- First rotation
- (or reflection): The matrix **V^T** rotates the input space, aligning it with special directions
- Lesson 2281 — Geometric Interpretation of SVD
- first term
- is always `x²` (the square of the first term)
- Lesson 401 — Perfect Square Trinomials ReviewLesson 657 — Finding the Number of Terms in a Finite SequenceLesson 663 — Writing Formulas for Geometric SequencesLesson 693 — Stacking and Construction ProblemsLesson 1542 — Antiderivatives of Polynomial Functions
- First term times everything
- Multiply *x* by each of the three terms: *x·x*, *x·1*, *x·4*
- Lesson 329 — Multiplying Two Trinomials
- first-order linear ODE
- with integrating factor μ(t) = e^(rt/V).
- Lesson 2326 — Applications: Mixing ProblemsLesson 2449 — Solving the Temporal ODE
- First-order PDE
- Contains only first partial derivatives like ∂u/∂x or ∂u/∂t
- Lesson 2409 — Classification: Order and Linearity
- First-stage branches
- show all possible outcomes and their probabilities
- Lesson 2796 — Sequential Experiments and Tree Diagrams
- five equations
- Lesson 1884 — The Method with Two ConstraintsLesson 1885 — Solving Systems with Multiple Lagrange Multipliers
- Fixed (u = 0)
- Forces antisymmetric continuation → inverted reflection
- Lesson 2429 — Wave Reflections at Boundaries
- Fixing z
- Set \(z = k\) (a constant) to get level curves in the xy-plane
- Lesson 1809 — Traces and Cross-Sections
- flexibility
- recognize what the expression needs.
- Lesson 381 — Applications and Mixed PracticeLesson 3103 — Introduction to Nonparametric Methods
- Flexible
- (invariance lets you estimate transformed parameters freely)
- Lesson 3007 — Properties and Advantages of MLEs
- floor function
- ) takes any real number and returns the largest integer that is less than or equal to that number.
- Lesson 595 — The Greatest Integer (Floor) FunctionLesson 596 — The Ceiling and Rounding Functions
- Floor Plans
- An L-shaped apartment might break into two rectangles
- Lesson 873 — Composite Figures in Real-World Contexts
- Flow conservation
- At every intermediate vertex v (neither source nor sink), the total flow entering v equals the total flow leaving v.
- Lesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- Flow f(u,v)
- The actual amount currently flowing along edge (u,v)
- Lesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- Fluency
- means answering quickly and accurately without needing to count or calculate slowly.
- Lesson 25 — Division Facts and Basic Division Fluency
- fluid dynamics
- , the circulation form of Green's Theorem relates the microscopic rotation of fluid particles (curl) to the net circulation around a boundary.
- Lesson 2003 — Applications and Extensions of Green's TheoremLesson 2045 — Combining with Stokes' Theorem and Applications
- Fluid flow
- Field lines show particle trajectories in the velocity field
- Lesson 1971 — Field Lines and Flow LinesLesson 2408 — What is a Partial Differential Equation?Lesson 2436 — Introduction to Laplace's Equation
- flux
- of **F** through *S*.
- Lesson 2019 — Vector Fields and Surface IntegralsLesson 2020 — Flux Through a Surface: Definition and SetupLesson 2036 — Introduction to the Divergence Theorem
- Focal Width = |4p|
- Lesson 1153 — The Latus Rectum and Focal Width
- foci
- ) is constant.
- Lesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of ConicsLesson 1156 — Parts of an Ellipse: Vertices, Co-vertices, and FociLesson 1164 — Eccentricity of an EllipseLesson 1167 — Definition and Standard Form of a HyperbolaLesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and FociLesson 1174 — Hyperbolas Centered at (h, k)
- focus
- ) and a fixed line (the **directrix**).
- Lesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of ConicsLesson 1146 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Horizontal AxisLesson 1147 — Finding the Focus and Directrix from EquationsLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1149 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Horizontal AxisLesson 1153 — The Latus Rectum and Focal WidthLesson 1154 — Applications: Reflective Properties and Real-World Uses
- Focus and directrix
- You can find the vertex (halfway between them) and go from there
- Lesson 1152 — Finding Equations from Geometric Information
- FOIL
- is a memory trick that helps you remember which terms to multiply:
- Lesson 326 — Multiplying Two Binomials Using FOILLesson 369 — Checking Factorization by Multiplying
- Follow order
- Each step must logically follow from previous statements
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence Proofs
- Follow order of operations
- just like with whole numbers—don't skip steps!
- Lesson 185 — Evaluating Expressions with FractionsLesson 540 — Evaluating Functions with Numeric Inputs
- For (a - b)³
- Lesson 338 — Cube of a Binomial
- For (a + b)³
- Lesson 338 — Cube of a Binomial
- For ∫arcsin(x) dx
- Lesson 1598 — Inverse Trigonometric Function Integrals
- For ∫arctan(x) dx
- Lesson 1598 — Inverse Trigonometric Function Integrals
- For a square
- (where L = W = s): P = 4s and A = s²
- Lesson 1478 — Related Rates with Rectangles and Squares
- For a₀
- Integrate both sides of the series from -π to π.
- Lesson 2458 — Fourier Coefficients: The Formulas
- For Bijectivity
- Lesson 2567 — Composition and Function Properties
- For categorical data
- Lesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- For continuous \(X\)
- Lesson 2935 — The Law of Total Probability for Random Variables
- For continuous random variables
- Identify the interval over which the variable can take values.
- Lesson 2841 — Finding PMFs and PDFs from Problem Statements
- For continuous X
- Lesson 2854 — Expectation of Functions of Random VariablesLesson 2960 — Moment Generating Functions: Definition
- For Convergence
- If 0 ≤ a ≤ b for all n (beyond some point), and ∑b converges, then ∑a also converges.
- Lesson 1734 — The Direct Comparison Test: Basic Principle
- For cosine
- cos(A - B) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B
- Lesson 1059 — Sum and Difference Formulas in Equation Solving
- For cosine functions
- Lesson 1076 — Sum-to-Product Formulas
- For cosine times cosine
- Lesson 1058 — Simplifying Products Using Sum Formulas
- For cosine times sine
- Lesson 1058 — Simplifying Products Using Sum Formulas
- For cube roots (³√)
- Multiply to create a perfect cube
- Lesson 516 — Rationalizing with Higher-Index Roots
- For decimals
- Multiply each equation by a power of 10 (like 10, 100, or 1000) to shift all decimal points to the right.
- Lesson 289 — Elimination with Fractions and Decimals
- For directed graphs (digraphs)
- Lesson 2655 — Graph Representations: Adjacency Matrix
- For discrete \(X\)
- Lesson 2935 — The Law of Total Probability for Random Variables
- For discrete random variables
- Read carefully to identify each possible outcome value, then determine the probability of each using counting techniques, basic probability rules, conditional probability, or symmetry arguments.
- Lesson 2841 — Finding PMFs and PDFs from Problem Statements
- For discrete X
- Lesson 2854 — Expectation of Functions of Random VariablesLesson 2960 — Moment Generating Functions: Definition
- For Divergence
- If 0 ≤ b ≤ a for all n (beyond some point), and ∑b diverges, then ∑a also diverges.
- Lesson 1734 — The Direct Comparison Test: Basic PrincipleLesson 2010 — Properties of Divergence and Curl
- For double angles
- Lesson 1089 — Equations with Double or Half Angles
- For each subsequent vector
- , remove the parts that point in directions already covered:
- Lesson 2220 — The Gram-Schmidt Algorithm: Overview
- For Fibonacci
- `r² - r - 1 = 0`, which solves to `r = (1±√5)/2`.
- Lesson 2629 — Linear Homogeneous Recurrence Relations
- For fourth roots (⁴√)
- Multiply to create a perfect fourth power
- Lesson 516 — Rationalizing with Higher-Index Roots
- For fractions
- Multiply each equation by the least common denominator (LCD) of all fractions in that equation.
- Lesson 289 — Elimination with Fractions and Decimals
- For graphs
- , you might build them by adding edges or vertices, proving that if a property holds before the addition, it holds after.
- Lesson 2516 — Structural Induction on Trees and Graphs
- For half angles
- Lesson 1089 — Equations with Double or Half Angles
- For horizontal distance
- When two points share the same y-coordinate (same height), subtract their x-coordinates and take the absolute value.
- Lesson 243 — Distance and the Coordinate Plane
- For horizontal tangents
- Lesson 1456 — Horizontal and Vertical TangentsLesson 1467 — Horizontal and Vertical Tangent Lines
- For Injectivity (one-to-one)
- Lesson 2567 — Composition and Function Properties
- For mixture problems
- If you mix 2 gallons of 20% juice with 3 gallons of 50% juice:
- Lesson 194 — Money and Mixture Problems (Introduction)
- For money problems
- If you have 5 dimes and 3 quarters, the total value is:
- Lesson 194 — Money and Mixture Problems (Introduction)
- For quantitative data
- Lesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- For sine
- sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
- Lesson 1059 — Sum and Difference Formulas in Equation Solving
- For sine functions
- Lesson 1076 — Sum-to-Product Formulas
- For sine times cosine
- Lesson 1058 — Simplifying Products Using Sum Formulas
- For sine times sine
- Lesson 1058 — Simplifying Products Using Sum Formulas
- For small numbers
- The exponent is negative (remember negative exponents mean division!
- Lesson 162 — What is Scientific Notation?
- For Surjectivity (onto)
- Lesson 2567 — Composition and Function Properties
- For tangent
- tan(A + B) = (tan A + tan B)/(1 - tan A tan B)
- Lesson 1059 — Sum and Difference Formulas in Equation Solving
- For the disk method
- If your function is f(x) and you're rotating around y = k, the radius becomes the *vertical distance* from the line y = k to the curve: **R = |f(x) - k|**
- Lesson 1661 — Rotation About Horizontal Lines y = kLesson 1662 — Rotation About Vertical Lines x = h
- For the GCD
- Take the **minimum** exponent of each prime.
- Lesson 2727 — Applications: GCD and LCM via Prime Factorization
- For the LCM
- Take the **maximum** exponent of each prime.
- Lesson 2727 — Applications: GCD and LCM via Prime Factorization
- For the washer method
- You need both outer and inner radii measured from y = k:
- Lesson 1661 — Rotation About Horizontal Lines y = kLesson 1662 — Rotation About Vertical Lines x = h
- For vertical distance
- When two points share the same x-coordinate (same vertical line), subtract their y-coordinates and take the absolute value.
- Lesson 243 — Distance and the Coordinate Plane
- For vertical tangents
- Lesson 1456 — Horizontal and Vertical TangentsLesson 1467 — Horizontal and Vertical Tangent Lines
- For θ
- Determine rotational coverage.
- Lesson 1941 — Setting Up Triple Integrals in Spherical Coordinates
- For ρ
- Ask "What's the inner and outer boundary of the region?
- Lesson 1941 — Setting Up Triple Integrals in Spherical Coordinates
- For φ
- Identify the cone or angular constraint.
- Lesson 1941 — Setting Up Triple Integrals in Spherical Coordinates
- Force
- 10 Newtons pulling at 45° upward
- Lesson 1235 — Introduction to Vectors: Magnitude and DirectionLesson 1263 — Force as a Vector: Magnitude and Direction
- Forced harmonic motion
- occurs when we add a periodic driving term to our differential equation:
- Lesson 2371 — Forced Harmonic Motion and Resonance
- Forgetting domain restrictions
- A negative value *anywhere* disqualifies the function
- Lesson 2842 — Verifying Valid PMFs and PDFs
- Forgetting the Original Limit
- Lesson 1534 — Common Mistakes and When Not to Use L'Hôpital's Rule
- Forgetting the Parentheses
- Lesson 547 — Common Function Notation Mistakes
- Forgetting the Second Solution
- Lesson 1128 — Common Errors and Verification in SSA
- Form 1
- is great when your problem *already involves both sine and cosine* of the same angle.
- Lesson 1064 — Double Angle Formulas for Cosine
- Form 1 (Standard)
- Lesson 1070 — Half Angle Formula for Tangent
- Form 2
- works best when you only have information about *cosine* or when simplifying expressions with cosine terms.
- Lesson 1064 — Double Angle Formulas for Cosine
- Form 2 (Non-radical)
- Lesson 1070 — Half Angle Formula for Tangent
- Form 3
- is perfect when you only know about *sine* or when your expression features sine terms.
- Lesson 1064 — Double Angle Formulas for Cosine
- Form A - λI
- by subtracting λ from each diagonal entry of A
- Lesson 2178 — Computing Eigenvalues for 3×3 MatricesLesson 2182 — Computing Characteristic Polynomials for 3×3 Matrices
- Form A = U Σ V ᵀ
- , using only the first k columns of U and V
- Lesson 2288 — Low-Rank Approximation and Data Compression
- Form a straight line
- The non-shared sides of the angles create a straight line (180°)
- Lesson 708 — Linear Pairs
- Form an augmented matrix
- Place the C-basis vectors as columns on the left, and the B-basis vectors as columns on the right: `[C | B]`
- Lesson 2252 — Computing Transition Matrices
- Form the augmented matrix
- [A|b]
- Lesson 1318 — Applications: Real-World Matrix SystemsLesson 2142 — The Gauss-Jordan Method for Finding Inverses
- Form the difference quotient
- Lesson 1381 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Linear FunctionsLesson 1382 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Quadratic Functions
- Form the matrix
- (**A** - λ**I**) by subtracting λ from each diagonal entry of **A**
- Lesson 2170 — Finding Eigenvectors from EigenvaluesLesson 2264 — Matrix Representation of Linear TransformationsLesson 2265 — Finding the Matrix of a Transformation with Respect to Standard Bases
- Form the orthogonal matrix
- `P` whose columns are orthonormal eigenvectors
- Lesson 2296 — Diagonalization of Quadratic Forms
- Form the right triangle
- Lesson 968 — Drawing Diagrams for Angle Problems
- Formal definition
- Lesson 597 — The Sign FunctionLesson 2525 — Intersection of SetsLesson 2526 — Set Difference and ComplementLesson 2938 — Definition of Independence for Random Variables
- Formally
- If f(x) ≤ g(x) for all x in [a,b], then:
- Lesson 1563 — Comparison Properties of Definite Integrals
- formula
- is a special type of equation that shows a relationship between multiple variables.
- Lesson 187 — Using Formulas and Literal EquationsLesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 691 — Depreciation and Asset ValueLesson 1703 — Definition of a Sequence and NotationLesson 1919 — Computing Areas Using Polar IntegralsLesson 3052 — Type I Error: False PositivesLesson 3113 — Discrete Parameter Spaces and Bayesian UpdatingLesson 3120 — Predictive Distributions: Prior and Posterior Predictive
- Formula approach
- Lesson 887 — Surface Area of Prisms
- Formula pattern
- If `y` depends on `u`, and `u` depends on `t`, then:
- Lesson 1418 — Chain Rule Applications and Problem-Solving
- Forward (Euclidean Algorithm)
- Lesson 2715 — Extended Euclidean Algorithm
- Forward elimination
- is the systematic process of using elementary row operations to eliminate (create zeros in) all entries *below* the main diagonal of a matrix.
- Lesson 2108 — Forward Elimination Process
- Four Color Theorem
- states that every planar graph can be properly colored with at most four colors.
- Lesson 2697 — The Four Color Theorem
- Fourier and Laplace transforms
- Convert PDEs into algebraic equations in transform space
- Lesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- Fourier sine series
- representation of $f(x)$!
- Lesson 2451 — Applying Initial Conditions with Fourier SeriesLesson 2462 — Half-Range Expansions
- Fourier transform
- , which handles non-periodic functions by treating them as having "infinite period.
- Lesson 2467 — Applications and Extensions
- Fourier's law
- states that the heat flux (energy per unit area per unit time) is proportional to the negative temperature gradient:
- Lesson 2416 — Introduction to the Heat Equation
- Fraction form
- Lesson 106 — Writing Ratios in Different Forms
- Fraction form (3/4)
- looks like the fractions you already know, but here it represents a *comparison*, not a part of a whole.
- Lesson 106 — Writing Ratios in Different Forms
- Fractional exponents
- – These represent roots (like square roots), which aren't allowed in polynomials
- Lesson 311 — Identifying Polynomials vs Non-PolynomialsLesson 536 — Negative Fractional ExponentsLesson 601 — Evaluating Exponential Expressions
- Free (u_x = 0)
- Forces symmetric continuation → upright reflection
- Lesson 2429 — Wave Reflections at Boundaries
- Free variable
- x₃
- Lesson 2123 — Pivot and Free Variables from RREFLesson 2487 — Binding Variables and Scope
- free variables
- variables that can take any value.
- Lesson 1315 — Systems with Infinitely Many SolutionsLesson 2112 — Free Variables and Parametric SolutionsLesson 2117 — Leading Entries and Pivot PositionsLesson 2123 — Pivot and Free Variables from RREF
- Frequency
- is the reciprocal of period—it tells you how many complete cycles occur in a 2π interval.
- Lesson 1016 — Period Changes: y = sin(Bx) and FrequencyLesson 2369 — Free Undamped Harmonic MotionLesson 2992 — Histograms and Frequency Distributions
- Frequency assignment
- Assign radio frequencies to transmitters without interference
- Lesson 2695 — Graph Coloring and the Chromatic Number
- Frobenius method
- handles this by assuming a solution of the form:
- Lesson 2401 — Regular Singular Points and the Method of Frobenius
- From a graph
- Look for peaks (maxima) and valleys (minima).
- Lesson 573 — Extrema: Local and Absolute Maxima and Minima
- From Acceleration to Velocity
- Lesson 1545 — Applications: Position from Velocity, Velocity from Acceleration
- From Cylindrical to Spherical
- Lesson 1938 — Spherical Coordinates: Definition and Conversion
- From Exponential → Poisson
- Lesson 2902 — Relationship Between Exponential and Poisson
- From Poisson → Exponential
- Lesson 2902 — Relationship Between Exponential and Poisson
- From Rectangular to Spherical
- Lesson 1938 — Spherical Coordinates: Definition and Conversion
- From set notation
- If you list the outcomes and find *A* and *B* share no common elements, they're mutually exclusive.
- Lesson 2779 — Mutually Exclusive Events
- From Spherical to Cylindrical
- Lesson 1938 — Spherical Coordinates: Definition and Conversion
- From Spherical to Rectangular
- Lesson 1938 — Spherical Coordinates: Definition and Conversion
- From the left
- (smaller x-values getting bigger)
- Lesson 1322 — Estimating Limits from GraphsLesson 1326 — Limits Approaching from Left and RightLesson 1330 — Notation for One-Sided Limits
- From the right
- (larger x-values getting smaller)
- Lesson 1322 — Estimating Limits from GraphsLesson 1326 — Limits Approaching from Left and RightLesson 1330 — Notation for One-Sided Limits
- From Velocity to Position
- Lesson 1545 — Applications: Position from Velocity, Velocity from Acceleration
- From Venn diagrams
- Two circles (events) that don't overlap represent mutually exclusive events.
- Lesson 2779 — Mutually Exclusive Events
- FTC Part 1
- tells us that if we define a function by integrating another function:
- Lesson 1577 — Connecting Both Parts of the FTCLesson 1578 — Applications and Problem Solving with FTC
- FTC Part 2
- tells us that if $F$ is *any* antiderivative of $f$, then:
- Lesson 1577 — Connecting Both Parts of the FTCLesson 1578 — Applications and Problem Solving with FTC
- Fubini's Theorem
- .
- Lesson 1892 — Introduction to Double IntegralsLesson 1894 — Fubini's Theorem for Rectangles
- Full column rank
- When rank equals the number of columns.
- Lesson 2136 — Full Rank MatricesLesson 2137 — Applications to System Solvability
- Full model
- Your regression with all predictors (X₁, X₂, .
- Lesson 3078 — F-Test for Overall Model Significance
- full rank
- when its rank equals the maximum value it could possibly have.
- Lesson 2136 — Full Rank MatricesLesson 2143 — Testing InvertibilityLesson 2165 — Determinant and Matrix Rank
- Full rank (square matrices)
- When a square matrix has rank equal to both its number of rows and columns.
- Lesson 2136 — Full Rank Matrices
- function composition
- (plugging one function into another) and **inverse functions** (functions that "undo" each other), you can now combine these tools!
- Lesson 568 — Compositions Involving InversesLesson 1408 — Composition of Functions Review
- Function Spaces
- Lesson 2076 — Examples of Vector Spaces
- Functions of several variables
- accept multiple inputs and return a single output.
- Lesson 1802 — Introduction to Functions of Several Variables
- functions of y
- rather than x.
- Lesson 1648 — Area Between Curves: Horizontal SlicingLesson 1660 — Washer Method: Rotation About the y-axis
- Functions that simplify
- Some functions become constants or simpler expressions when one variable is integrated first
- Lesson 1900 — Choosing Integration Order Strategically
- Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic
- guarantees this never happens—and we prove it using a technique called **proof by contradiction** combined with properties of divisibility.
- Lesson 2726 — Uniqueness of Prime Factorization: The Proof
- Funnel shape
- (spreading out or narrowing): Indicates heteroscedasticity—the variability of errors changes as predictions change.
- Lesson 3084 — Residual Plots: Fitted Values vs. Residuals
- Funnel shape (contracting)
- Residuals tighten as fitted values increase
- Lesson 3085 — Detecting Non-Constant Variance (Heteroscedasticity)
- Further algebraic manipulation
- – If you need to add, subtract, or simplify expressions further, rationalized forms like `3/(√2)` becoming `(3√2)/2` keep you working symbolically and avoid rounding errors.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- Further operations
- Adding fractions with rationalized denominators is cleaner
- Lesson 514 — Why Rationalize Denominators?
G
- g(x)
- the "inner" function
- Lesson 558 — Function Composition BasicsLesson 1408 — Composition of Functions Review
- Gamma function
- , defined as:
- Lesson 1642 — Applications and Special Improper IntegralsLesson 2916 — Introduction to the Gamma Function
- Gauss-Jordan method
- gives us a mechanical, reliable process: we start with the matrix A we want to invert, attach the identity matrix I to its right side (forming an augmented matrix [A|I]), then use elementary row operations to transform the left side into I.
- Lesson 2142 — The Gauss-Jordan Method for Finding Inverses
- GCF = 12xy³
- Lesson 357 — Finding the GCF of Monomials
- GCF = 6
- (the largest)
- Lesson 52 — Greatest Common Factor (GCF)Lesson 355 — What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?Lesson 356 — Finding the GCF of Numbers
- General case
- Whenever you're unsure if events can happen together
- Lesson 2785 — The General Addition Rule
- general form
- ax² + bx + c = 0, using letters instead of numbers?
- Lesson 408 — Deriving the Quadratic FormulaLesson 918 — Completing the Square for CirclesLesson 1083 — General Solutions Using PeriodLesson 1139 — General Form of a CircleLesson 1140 — Converting Between Circle FormsLesson 1141 — Finding Circle Properties from General FormLesson 1150 — Converting to Standard Form by Completing the SquareLesson 1795 — Planes in 3D: Normal Form and General Equation
- General pattern
- For ⁿ√a ᵐ where m < n, multiply by ⁿ√(aⁿ ᵐ) to complete the power.
- Lesson 516 — Rationalizing with Higher-Index Roots
- general solution
- that contains one or more arbitrary constants.
- Lesson 2303 — General vs Particular SolutionsLesson 2304 — Initial Value ProblemsLesson 2311 — Initial Value Problems with Separable ODEsLesson 2323 — Solving Non-Homogeneous Linear ODEsLesson 2324 — Initial Value Problems for Linear ODEsLesson 2339 — Real Distinct Roots: General SolutionLesson 2340 — Repeated Real Roots: Reduction of OrderLesson 2343 — The Principle of Superposition (+4 more)
- General solutions
- capture this infinite family using a parameter (usually *n*) that represents any integer (.
- Lesson 1083 — General Solutions Using PeriodLesson 2343 — The Principle of Superposition
- Generalized Pigeonhole Principle
- goes further—it tells us *exactly how many* items must be in some container.
- Lesson 2572 — Generalized Pigeonhole Principle
- Geometric (exponential)
- Use when the change depends on the current population.
- Lesson 690 — Population Growth and Decay Models
- Geometric intuition
- Orthogonal vectors point in "completely independent" directions
- Lesson 2206 — Angle Between Vectors and Orthogonality
- Geometric Mean Relations
- involve the *altitude to the hypotenuse* and the segments it creates.
- Lesson 805 — Comparing Pythagorean Theorem and Geometric Mean Methods
- geometric multiplicity
- of the eigenvalue.
- Lesson 2172 — Eigenspaces and Their DimensionLesson 2173 — Algebraic vs Geometric MultiplicityLesson 2195 — When Diagonalization FailsLesson 2196 — Geometric and Algebraic MultiplicityLesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric Matrices
- geometric sequence
- is a list of numbers where each term after the first is found by *multiplying* the previous term by a fixed, non-zero constant.
- Lesson 660 — Introduction to Geometric SequencesLesson 666 — Growth and Decay ApplicationsLesson 668 — Geometric Sequences vs Exponential FunctionsLesson 691 — Depreciation and Asset Value
- Geometric sequences
- model populations that grow or shrink by a *fixed percentage* each time period.
- Lesson 690 — Population Growth and Decay Models
- geometric series
- Lesson 688 — Annuities and Regular PaymentsLesson 689 — Loan AmortizationLesson 1722 — Geometric Series: Definition and FormulaLesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-SeriesLesson 1735 — Choosing Comparison Series EffectivelyLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence TestLesson 2506 — Induction with Geometric SeriesLesson 2639 — Ordinary Generating Functions for Simple Sequences (+1 more)
- Geometric series clues
- Lesson 1730 — Mixed Examples: Known Series
- Gibbs phenomenon
- , discovered by physicist Josiah Willard Gibbs in 1899.
- Lesson 2464 — Gibbs Phenomenon
- Gibbs sampling
- Update one parameter at a time, cycling through conditionals
- Lesson 3121 — Computational Tools: Introduction to MCMC and Bayesian Software
- Given
- A slope and a y-intercept
- Lesson 256 — Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept FormLesson 429 — Finding the Vertex Using x = - b/(2a)Lesson 736 — Properties of Equilateral TrianglesLesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence ProofsLesson 762 — Introduction to Geometric ProofLesson 768 — Direct Proof TechniquesLesson 771 — Proving Properties of Parallel LinesLesson 778 — Word Problems Involving Right Triangles (+7 more)
- given information
- , a **prove statement**, and a logical sequence of **statements with reasons** that build from known facts to the conclusion.
- Lesson 762 — Introduction to Geometric ProofLesson 763 — Two-Column Proof FormatLesson 2490 — What Does It Mean to Prove Something?
- Glide Reflections
- – A combination of a reflection followed by a translation parallel to the mirror line
- Lesson 939 — Introduction to Rigid Motions (Isometries)
- Going backward
- If *F(s) = e^(-as)·G(s)*, then the inverse transform is ℒ⁻¹{*F(s)*} = *g(t - a)·u(t - a)*.
- Lesson 2394 — Second Shifting Theorem and Unit Step Function
- Good (independence)
- Lesson 3090 — Checking for Independence: Residual Sequence Plots
- Good news
- The process is *identical* to factoring single-variable trinomials.
- Lesson 371 — Factoring Trinomials in Two Variables
- Governing PDE
- The heat equation *∂u*/*∂t* = *k* *∂²u*/*∂x²*
- Lesson 2423 — Heat Equation on a Finite Rod
- gradient
- $\nabla f$ at work.
- Lesson 1840 — Higher-Dimensional Linear ApproximationLesson 1841 — The Gradient Vector: Definition and NotationLesson 1851 — Applications: Temperature Gradients and Heat Flow
- Gradient fields
- Flow lines point "downhill," perpendicular to level curves
- Lesson 1971 — Field Lines and Flow Lines
- gradient vector
- `∇f = ⟨fₓ, fᵧ⟩`, the tangent plane is perpendicular to the vector ` ⟨fₓ(x₀, y₀), fᵧ(x₀, y₀), -1⟩`, giving the same equation in normal form.
- Lesson 1833 — Equation of a Tangent PlaneLesson 1835 — Normal Lines to SurfacesLesson 1845 — The Gradient Points in the Direction of Steepest Ascent
- Gram-Schmidt algorithm
- is a step-by-step procedure that transforms these vectors into a new set where each vector is orthogonal (perpendicular) to all the others, while preserving the span—the subspace they generate remains exactly the same.
- Lesson 2220 — The Gram-Schmidt Algorithm: Overview
- Graph behavior
- The ceiling function creates a step graph that jumps at every integer, with the jump happening *at* the integer point moving upward.
- Lesson 596 — The Ceiling and Rounding Functions
- Graph coloring
- Colors partition vertices based on "connected to same neighbors"
- Lesson 2558 — Applications and Quotient Sets
- Graph each inequality separately
- on the same coordinate plane (shade above or below the boundary line, use solid or dashed lines appropriately)
- Lesson 301 — Systems of Linear Inequalities
- Graph each piece separately
- – Plot points or sketch the shape for each formula, but *only* over its designated interval
- Lesson 592 — Graphing Piecewise Functions
- Graph it
- Plot (4, 0) and (0, 3) on your coordinate plane, then draw a straight line through both points.
- Lesson 262 — Graphing Lines in Standard Form
- Graph the feasible region
- This shows all possible production combinations
- Lesson 308 — Applications: Maximization ProblemsLesson 309 — Applications: Minimization Problems
- Graph the first equation
- using any method you know (slope-intercept form, point-plotting, etc.
- Lesson 274 — Solving Systems by Graphing: Basic Technique
- Graph the second equation
- on the same coordinate plane
- Lesson 274 — Solving Systems by Graphing: Basic Technique
- Graphing and estimation
- – When plotting points or checking reasonableness, `0.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- Graphing tools needed
- Requires graph paper or technology
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- Graphs with holes
- If there's a hole at x = 3, you'd exclude that value: something like (−∞, 3) ∪ (3, ∞).
- Lesson 552 — Domain from Graphs
- greater than 1
- (like `3x² + 10x + 8`), use either the **AC method** or **trial and error**, whichever feels more comfortable to you.
- Lesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial FactoringLesson 581 — Horizontal Stretches and CompressionsLesson 603 — Growth vs. Decay: The Role of the BaseLesson 1181 — Calculating Eccentricity for Hyperbolas
- greatest common divisor
- (abbreviated GCD) of two integers *a* and *b*, denoted gcd(*a*, *b*), is the largest positive integer that divides both *a* and *b* without leaving a remainder.
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): DefinitionLesson 2712 — Finding GCD by Listing Divisors
- Greatest Common Factor
- (GCF) is the biggest factor that two or more numbers share.
- Lesson 52 — Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
- Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
- is the largest factor that two or more numbers share.
- Lesson 355 — What is the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)?
- Green's functions
- Build solutions using integral representations
- Lesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- Green's Theorem states
- Lesson 1996 — Verifying Green's Theorem for Simple Regions
- Group like variables
- Place all x-terms together and all y-terms together
- Lesson 1175 — Converting General Form to Standard Form
- Group pairs
- Put parentheses around the first two terms and the last two:
- Lesson 364 — Factoring by Grouping After Splitting the Middle Term
- Group Properties
- When you multiply any two numbers in this set and reduce modulo *n*, you get another number in the set.
- Lesson 2749 — Proof of Euler's Theorem
- Group terms
- Collect all `x` terms together, all `y` terms together, and move the constant to the right side.
- Lesson 1140 — Converting Between Circle Forms
- Group the imaginary parts
- (the coefficients of `i`)
- Lesson 1197 — Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
- Group the X-values
- For each y-value, find which x-values map to it (i.
- Lesson 2868 — Functions of Random Variables: Discrete Case
- Grow
- Look at all edges connecting vertices *inside* the MST to vertices *outside* the MST.
- Lesson 2676 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Prim's Algorithm
- growth
- (things getting bigger).
- Lesson 666 — Growth and Decay ApplicationsLesson 690 — Population Growth and Decay ModelsLesson 1437 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay RatesLesson 2316 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay
- Growth rate
- `N'(t) = N₀ · k · e^(kt) = k · N(t)`
- Lesson 1437 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay Rates
- Guarantees limited options
- (keeps the number of holes manageable)
- Lesson 2576 — Constructing Pigeonholes Strategically
- Guess a form
- for the particular solution $y_p$ based on $g(t)$
- Lesson 2357 — Higher-Order ODEs and Undetermined Coefficients
H
- H ₐ: βᵢ ≠ 0
- (the alternative: this predictor matters)
- Lesson 3077 — Hypothesis Testing for Individual Coefficients
- H₀: β ᵢ = 0
- (the null hypothesis: this predictor has no real effect)
- Lesson 3077 — Hypothesis Testing for Individual Coefficients
- half
- of its intercepted arc.
- Lesson 838 — Inscribed AnglesLesson 839 — Angles Inscribed in a SemicircleLesson 1036 — Calculating Period from the B Coefficient
- Half-life
- and **doubling time** are special time intervals in exponential models:
- Lesson 643 — Half-Life and Doubling TimeLesson 646 — Carbon Dating and Radioactive Decay Applications
- Half-planes perpendicular to z-axis
- The equation **φ = π/2** gives the xy-plane (everything at 90° from the z-axis).
- Lesson 1939 — Graphing Surfaces in Spherical Coordinates
- Hall's Marriage Theorem
- answers: *When can everyone be matched to an acceptable partner?
- Lesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage Theorem
- Hamiltonian
- Focus on *vertices* (visit every vertex once)
- Lesson 2683 — Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles: Definition and ExamplesLesson 2686 — Ore's Theorem
- Hamiltonian circuit
- ) is a Hamiltonian path that returns to its starting vertex, forming a closed loop.
- Lesson 2683 — Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles: Definition and Examples
- Hamiltonian cycle
- (or **Hamiltonian circuit**) is a Hamiltonian path that returns to its starting vertex, forming a closed loop.
- Lesson 2683 — Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles: Definition and Examples
- Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC)
- Uses gradient information for efficient exploration
- Lesson 3121 — Computational Tools: Introduction to MCMC and Bayesian Software
- Hamiltonian path
- in a graph is a path that visits each vertex in the graph exactly one time.
- Lesson 2683 — Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles: Definition and Examples
- Hamiltonian paths
- focus on visiting every *vertex* exactly once.
- Lesson 2683 — Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles: Definition and Examples
- Handle negative bases carefully
- use parentheses to avoid confusion
- Lesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer Exponents
- Handle parentheses first
- (multiply or divide inside them if needed)
- Lesson 1202 — Simplifying Complex Expressions
- Handle piecewise functions
- naturally by integrating each piece separately
- Lesson 1560 — Properties of Definite Integrals: Intervals
- harmonic function
- .
- Lesson 2436 — Introduction to Laplace's EquationLesson 2444 — Mean Value Property and Applications
- harmonic series
- is one of the most famous examples in all of mathematics:
- Lesson 1721 — The Harmonic SeriesLesson 1727 — The Harmonic SeriesLesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is Inconclusive
- harmonics
- or **overtones**.
- Lesson 2430 — Standing Waves and Normal ModesLesson 2435 — Applications: Vibrating Strings, Membranes, and Sound
- Has its derivative present
- (or nearly present) elsewhere in the integrand
- Lesson 1580 — Identifying the Inner Function u
- Heading
- (or **heading vector**): The direction and speed the vehicle is pointed, based on its own power
- Lesson 1266 — Navigation Problems: Heading and Course
- Heavier tails
- More probability mass in the extremes, meaning more chance of observing values far from the mean
- Lesson 2923 — The Student's t-Distribution: DefinitionLesson 3032 — Why t-Tests? When the Population Variance is UnknownLesson 3033 — The t-Distribution: Properties and Degrees of Freedom
- height
- (or altitude) of a trapezoid is the perpendicular distance between the two bases.
- Lesson 821 — Trapezoids: Definitions and Basic PropertiesLesson 860 — Area of TrapezoidsLesson 876 — Volume of Rectangular PrismsLesson 886 — Volume of Oblique SolidsLesson 899 — Cavalieri's Principle with CylindersLesson 1112 — Area Formula Using Base and HeightLesson 1552 — Sigma Notation for Riemann SumsLesson 1664 — Introduction to the Shell Method (+9 more)
- Height (h)
- The perpendicular distance between that base and its opposite side
- Lesson 858 — Area of ParallelogramsLesson 859 — Area of Triangles
- Here's the key insight
- Just as we found arc length by adding up infinitesimally small straight-line segments along a curve, we'll find surface area by adding up infinitesimally small *bands* (like thin ribbons) that wrap around the surface.
- Lesson 1683 — Introduction to Surface Area of Revolution
- Hermitian matrices
- (A = A*) are normal over the complexes
- Lesson 2276 — The Spectral Theorem for Normal Matrices
- Hermitian operator
- (the complex analogue of symmetric matrices).
- Lesson 2279 — Spectral Theorem in Quantum Mechanics and Statistics
- Heron's Formula
- , one of the most beautiful results in geometry.
- Lesson 1115 — Heron's Formula: Introduction and DerivationLesson 1116 — Applying Heron's Formula
- Hessian matrix
- simply packages these four derivatives into a 2×2 matrix in a standard way.
- Lesson 1864 — The Hessian MatrixLesson 2298 — Applications to Optimization and Hessian Matrices
- Heteroscedasticity
- occurs when this variance changes systematically.
- Lesson 3085 — Detecting Non-Constant Variance (Heteroscedasticity)
- High variance
- Values are widely dispersed (more variability)
- Lesson 2856 — Variance: Definition and Interpretation
- High-leverage points
- have extreme values of the predictor variable(s).
- Lesson 3089 — Outliers in Regression
- Higher degree in denominator
- Limit = 0 (horizontal asymptote at y = 0)
- Lesson 1343 — Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes
- Higher degree in numerator
- Limit = ±∞ (no horizontal asymptote)
- Lesson 1343 — Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes
- Higher-frequency modes decay faster
- If you think of $\lambda_n$ as measuring how "wiggly" a spatial pattern is, the wigglier patterns smooth out more quickly.
- Lesson 2425 — Physical Interpretation and Decay Rates
- Histograms
- reveal distribution shape, skewness, and modality
- Lesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- hole
- (or removable discontinuity) occurs in a rational function when the same factor appears in both the numerator and denominator, causing them to cancel out.
- Lesson 487 — Holes in Rational FunctionsLesson 1322 — Estimating Limits from Graphs
- Holes
- also create single missing x-values
- Lesson 493 — Domain and Range from GraphsLesson 1325 — Limits at Points of Discontinuity
- Homogeneous
- When $Q(x) = 0$, the equation becomes $\frac{dy}{dx} + P(x)y = 0$
- Lesson 2319 — Homogeneous vs Non-Homogeneous Linear ODEsLesson 2337 — Form and Classification of Second-Order Linear ODEsLesson 2343 — The Principle of SuperpositionLesson 2446 — When Separation of Variables WorksLesson 2633 — Non-Homogeneous Recurrence Relations
- Homogeneous boundary conditions
- X(0) = 0 and X(L) = 0
- Lesson 2420 — Eigenvalue Problems from Boundary ConditionsLesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- homogeneous first-order linear ODE
- has the standard form:
- Lesson 2320 — Solving Homogeneous First-Order Linear ODEsLesson 2327 — Applications: RC Circuits and Decay
- Homogeneous solution
- (a_n^(h)): The solution to the associated homogeneous recurrence (when you set the non- homogeneous term to zero)
- Lesson 2635 — General Solution of Non-Homogeneous Recurrences
- Hooke's Law
- Lesson 1694 — Hooke's Law and Spring ProblemsLesson 2368 — Spring-Mass Systems: Setting Up the Differential Equation
- Horizontal
- Quick for simple problems; keeps everything visible in one line
- Lesson 323 — Subtracting Polynomials Horizontally and VerticallyLesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the OriginLesson 1172 — Hyperbolas with Horizontal vs Vertical Transverse AxesLesson 1456 — Horizontal and Vertical TangentsLesson 1468 — Normal Lines to CurvesLesson 1524 — Slant (Oblique) Asymptotes
- horizontal asymptote
- showing the limiting behavior!
- Lesson 494 — Applications of Rational FunctionsLesson 612 — Properties of e^x: Growth and BehaviorLesson 1328 — Limits at Infinity and Horizontal AsymptotesLesson 1343 — Limits at Infinity and Horizontal Asymptotes
- horizontal asymptotes
- invisible horizontal lines the function approaches but may never quite reach.
- Lesson 488 — Horizontal Asymptotes: Degree RulesLesson 492 — End Behavior of Rational FunctionsLesson 493 — Domain and Range from GraphsLesson 494 — Applications of Rational FunctionsLesson 1518 — Vertical and Horizontal AsymptotesLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching Algorithm
- horizontal axis
- (x-axis) represents the **real part**
- Lesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1208 — The Argand DiagramLesson 3084 — Residual Plots: Fitted Values vs. Residuals
- Horizontal axis (real axis)
- represents the real part of the complex number
- Lesson 1192 — Plotting Complex Numbers on the Complex Plane
- Horizontal base
- Height rises vertically upward (easiest to spot)
- Lesson 1112 — Area Formula Using Base and Height
- Horizontal hyperbola
- (opens left/right): vertices at (h ± a, k)
- Lesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and FociLesson 1169 — The Transverse and Conjugate AxesLesson 1170 — Asymptotes of a Hyperbola
- horizontal leg
- (running parallel to the x-axis)
- Lesson 779 — Right Triangles on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 903 — Distance Formula in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 968 — Drawing Diagrams for Angle ProblemsLesson 975 — Angles of Elevation: Definition and SetupLesson 978 — Finding Distances Using Angles of Depression
- horizontal line test
- draw horizontal lines across the graph.
- Lesson 562 — One-to-One FunctionsLesson 2561 — Testing for Injectivity
- Horizontal lines
- run left-to-right, perfectly flat across the plane.
- Lesson 263 — Horizontal and Vertical Lines
- Horizontal major axis
- `x²/a² + y²/b² = 1` (where a > b)
- Lesson 1158 — Graphing Ellipses Centered at the OriginLesson 1162 — Finding the Equation from Given Information
- Horizontal parabolas
- Lesson 1151 — Graphing Parabolas from Standard Form
- horizontal shift
- (left or right) changes the x-coordinate
- Lesson 922 — Translations in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 1031 — Transformations of CosecantLesson 1037 — Phase Shift: Horizontal Translation
- Horizontal shifts
- (except zero) always destroy both even and odd symmetry.
- Lesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under TransformationLesson 589 — Inverse Relationships in Transformations
- Horizontal shifts and stretches/compressions
- (these happen "inside" the function)
- Lesson 584 — Combining Multiple Transformations
- Horizontal stretches/compressions
- preserve the symmetry type but change the shape.
- Lesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under TransformationLesson 589 — Inverse Relationships in Transformations
- Horizontal tangent lines
- These occur where the curve momentarily "flattens out" — like reaching the top of a hill or the bottom of a valley.
- Lesson 1467 — Horizontal and Vertical Tangent Lines
- Horizontal tangents
- occur when the slope is **zero**: dy/dx = 0
- Lesson 1456 — Horizontal and Vertical TangentsLesson 1467 — Horizontal and Vertical Tangent Lines
- Horizontal traces
- (fix z): \(k = x^2 + y^2\) gives circles of radius \(\sqrt{k}\)
- Lesson 1809 — Traces and Cross-Sections
- Horizontal transverse axis
- Lesson 1173 — Writing Equations from Given InformationLesson 1174 — Hyperbolas Centered at (h, k)
- Horizontal/Slant
- Apply degree rules (you've learned these!
- Lesson 491 — Graphing Rational Functions with Asymptotes
- horizontally
- .
- Lesson 579 — Horizontal Shifts of FunctionsLesson 1172 — Hyperbolas with Horizontal vs Vertical Transverse AxesLesson 1649 — Choosing Vertical vs Horizontal SlicingLesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axis
- How it works
- Lesson 1596 — Tabular Integration
- How many ways
- can we arrange k successes among n trials?
- Lesson 2875 — Binomial Probability Mass Function
- How to find them
- Lesson 1518 — Vertical and Horizontal Asymptotes
- How to use it
- Look at your integrand.
- Lesson 1591 — Choosing u and dv: The LIATE RuleLesson 2908 — Using the Standard Normal Table
- hyperbola
- is the set of all points where the **absolute difference of distances** to two foci is constant.
- Lesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of ConicsLesson 1131 — The General Second-Degree EquationLesson 1132 — Using the Discriminant to Classify ConicsLesson 1133 — Standard Position and OrientationLesson 1167 — Definition and Standard Form of a HyperbolaLesson 1179 — Eccentricity: Measuring the Shape of ConicsLesson 1182 — Focus-Directrix Definition of Conics
- Hyperbolas
- are essential in navigation systems like LORAN and GPS, which use the time difference of signals from two stations to locate positions along hyperbolic curves.
- Lesson 1135 — Overview of Conic Applications
- hyperbolic paraboloid
- (saddle surface) has the form:
- Lesson 1797 — Quadric Surfaces: Ellipsoids and ParaboloidsLesson 1807 — Common Surfaces: Planes, Paraboloids, and Saddles
- hypotenuse
- (the side opposite the right angle—always the longest side)
- Lesson 773 — What is the Pythagorean Theorem?Lesson 775 — Finding the HypotenuseLesson 779 — Right Triangles on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 794 — The 30-60-90 Triangle: Side RatiosLesson 903 — Distance Formula in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 948 — Identifying Opposite, Adjacent, and HypotenuseLesson 950 — The Cosine Ratio (CAH)Lesson 953 — Finding Side Lengths Using Cosine (+6 more)
- Hypotheses
- Lesson 3028 — z-Test for Proportions
- hypothesis
- and q is the **consequence**.
- Lesson 2472 — Conditional Statements (If-Then)Lesson 2504 — Proving Divisibility PropertiesLesson 2514 — Proving Divisibility Results with Strong Induction
- Hypothesis (P)
- The condition or assumption you start with
- Lesson 2489 — Structure of Mathematical Statements
- Hypothesis testing
- Is there really a linear relationship, or could the observed slope just be due to random chance?
- Lesson 3069 — Inference for the Slope
I
- i-th row
- from matrix **A**
- Lesson 1282 — Computing the (i,j)-Entry of a ProductLesson 1284 — Multiplying Larger Matrices
- I₀
- = reference intensity = 10 ¹² watts/m² (the quietest sound a human can typically hear)
- Lesson 648 — Sound Intensity and Decibels
- i² = -1
- or equivalently, **i = √(-1)**
- Lesson 1188 — What Are Complex Numbers?Lesson 1189 — The Imaginary Unit i
- IA = A
- Lesson 1288 — Multiplying by the Identity MatrixLesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and Zero
- Ideal pattern
- A random scatter of points around the horizontal line at zero, with no discernible pattern.
- Lesson 3084 — Residual Plots: Fitted Values vs. Residuals
- Idempotence
- P² = P (projecting twice is the same as projecting once)
- Lesson 2232 — Properties of Projection Matrices
- Identify
- what you know and what you're finding
- Lesson 113 — Solving Rate ProblemsLesson 130 — Real-World Inverse Variation ProblemsLesson 192 — Age Problems and Consecutive Integer ProblemsLesson 452 — Simplifying Before MultiplyingLesson 475 — Applications and Word Problems with Complex FractionsLesson 598 — Writing Functions as Piecewise DefinitionsLesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic SequencesLesson 712 — Solving Multi-Step Angle Problems (+11 more)
- Identify all boundary pieces
- (top, bottom, sides, etc.
- Lesson 2042 — The Divergence Theorem for General Regions
- Identify all denominators
- in the equation
- Lesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing DenominatorsLesson 467 — Adding and Subtracting Three or More RationalsLesson 470 — Simplifying Complex Fractions by Multiplying by the LCDLesson 480 — Solving Equations with Multiple Terms
- Identify all forces
- Typically, you have two or more tension vectors pulling upward/outward, plus gravity pulling straight down.
- Lesson 1269 — Tension in Cables and Ropes
- Identify all four parameters
- Lesson 1040 — Graphing with All Transformations Combined
- Identify an "inner function"
- some expression that's making the integral complicated
- Lesson 1579 — What is u-Substitution?
- Identify common factors
- (polynomials that appear in both)
- Lesson 445 — Simplifying by Canceling Common FactorsLesson 448 — Simplifying with Trinomial Factors
- Identify corresponding sides
- these are sides that match up in the similar figures
- Lesson 727 — Scale FactorLesson 757 — Finding Missing Sides Using Similarity
- Identify free variables
- from your reduced matrix
- Lesson 1315 — Systems with Infinitely Many SolutionsLesson 2130 — The Null SpaceLesson 2170 — Finding Eigenvectors from Eigenvalues
- Identify leading coefficients
- Top = 3, Bottom = 5
- Lesson 489 — Finding Horizontal Asymptotes by Leading Coefficients
- Identify like radicals
- (same index and same radicand)
- Lesson 507 — Simplifying Before Adding or Subtracting
- Identify like terms
- Look for terms with the exact same variable raised to the same exponent
- Lesson 179 — Combining Like Terms
- Identify non-pivot columns
- Column 3 has no leading 1.
- Lesson 2123 — Pivot and Free Variables from RREF
- Identify pivot columns
- Columns 1, 2, and 4 have leading 1s.
- Lesson 2123 — Pivot and Free Variables from RREF
- Identify restricted values
- from the original equation (values that make any denominator zero)
- Lesson 481 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 482 — Rational Equations Leading to QuadraticsLesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational Equations
- Identify the angle
- you're working with
- Lesson 954 — Finding Side Lengths Using TangentLesson 1011 — Applications: Angles of Any Measure in Problems
- Identify the angular range
- Determine α and β by looking at which directions the wedge spans.
- Lesson 1917 — Integrating over Sectors and Wedges
- Identify the base
- The base is the flat polygon at the top or bottom of the prism (triangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc.
- Lesson 878 — Volume of Prisms with Any Base
- Identify the basic shapes
- The L could be split into two rectangles
- Lesson 868 — Finding Area of Composite Figures by Addition
- Identify the boundary curves
- (where do x and y start and stop?
- Lesson 1905 — Changing the Order of Integration
- Identify the bounds
- lower limit (start) and upper limit (stop)
- Lesson 670 — Evaluating Finite Sums with Sigma Notation
- Identify the coefficient
- of x in the denominator (that's your "a")
- Lesson 1627 — Integrating Partial Fractions with Linear Terms
- Identify the conjugate
- of the numerator or denominator (whichever contains the radical)
- Lesson 1342 — Limits Involving Conjugates
- Identify the curves
- that bound your region (often given by equations like y = x² and y = 2x)
- Lesson 1656 — Finding Limits of Integration for Disk Method
- Identify the dependency chain
- `z` depends on `x` and `y`, which depend on `s` and `t`
- Lesson 1854 — Chain Rule for Independent Variables
- Identify the depth
- at position y: usually h = y
- Lesson 1699 — Fluid Pressure and Force on Submerged Surfaces
- Identify the feasible region
- the area shaded by *every* inequality—this is where the solutions live
- Lesson 301 — Systems of Linear Inequalities
- Identify the generating curve
- What function, when rotated, produces your object?
- Lesson 1691 — Applications: Real-World Surfaces
- Identify the geometric shape
- cylinder, cone, sphere, etc.
- Lesson 1484 — Water Tank and Fluid Flow Problems
- Identify the inner function
- Look for composite functions (functions within functions)
- Lesson 1585 — u-Substitution with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Identify the inside function
- – What's nested or "fed into" the outside?
- Lesson 1411 — The Outside-Inside Method
- Identify the largest number
- this must be `c` (the hypotenuse candidate)
- Lesson 784 — Verifying Pythagorean Triples
- Identify the objective
- What are you maximizing or minimizing?
- Lesson 1511 — Box and Container Optimization
- Identify the objective function
- – What are you maximizing or minimizing?
- Lesson 1872 — Applications: Optimization Problems in Two Variables
- Identify the outer structure
- – Is the whole expression a quotient?
- Lesson 1406 — Combining Product and Quotient Rules
- Identify the outermost operation
- (addition, multiplication, division, etc.
- Lesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit Laws
- Identify the outside function
- – What's the "last operation" applied?
- Lesson 1411 — The Outside-Inside Method
- Identify the parallel lines
- first (often marked with arrows)
- Lesson 720 — Parallel Lines Cut by Multiple Transversals
- Identify the parts
- Separate rectangles, triangles, full circles, semicircles, or quarter-circles
- Lesson 871 — Composite Figures with Circles and Semicircles
- Identify the pattern
- Look for an expression that appears both by itself and squared (or in another power relationship)
- Lesson 638 — Exponential and Logarithmic Equations with Quadratic Form
- Identify the pigeons
- These are usually points, line segments, or other geometric objects
- Lesson 2575 — Pigeonhole Principle in Geometry
- Identify the problem
- The region cannot be expressed as a single Type I or Type II region
- Lesson 1909 — Regions Requiring Multiple Integrals
- Identify the radicand
- the expression inside the square root
- Lesson 550 — Domain Restrictions from Square Roots
- Identify the region
- 0 ≤ x ≤ 2, 0 ≤ y ≤ 2, 0 ≤ z ≤ 2
- Lesson 1932 — Applications: Density and Total Mass
- Identify the region E
- Determine the 3D solid's boundaries
- Lesson 1956 — Computing Total Mass with Triple Integrals
- Identify the region R
- where the lamina exists (using the techniques for Type I or Type II regions you've learned)
- Lesson 1955 — Computing Total Mass with Double Integrals
- Identify the segments
- Look for corners or points where the parametrization changes formula
- Lesson 1979 — Line Integrals Over Piecewise Smooth Curves
- Identify the shape
- and what you're asked to find
- Lesson 343 — Special Products in Word ProblemsLesson 895 — Word Problems Involving Surface Area
- Identify the target value
- (ideal measurement)
- Lesson 235 — Applications and Mixed Absolute Value Problems
- Identify the three unknowns
- – assign variables like x, y, and z
- Lesson 299 — Applications of Three-Variable Systems
- Identify the Triangle(s)
- Lesson 982 — Mixed Application Problems and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Identify the two factors
- Lesson 1400 — Applying the Product Rule to Polynomials
- Identify the unknown
- what varies?
- Lesson 172 — Writing Expressions from Word ProblemsLesson 189 — Writing Equations from Word Problems
- Identify the y-interval
- [c, d] where the region exists
- Lesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axis
- Identify what technique
- the resulting integral needs
- Lesson 1619 — Combining Trig Substitution with Other Techniques
- Identify what you're minimizing
- – cost, time, materials, waste, etc.
- Lesson 309 — Applications: Minimization Problems
- Identify what you're optimizing
- (minimize surface area?
- Lesson 896 — Optimization Problems with Surface Area
- Identify what's changing
- and what you need to find (which rate?
- Lesson 1478 — Related Rates with Rectangles and Squares
- Identify your function
- and its period (usually 2π or 2L)
- Lesson 2459 — Computing Fourier Series for Simple Functions
- Identify your known point
- (a, f(a)) where you have exact data
- Lesson 1474 — Tangent Line Approximation in Applied Problems
- Identify your objective function
- (what to maximize/minimize) and your constraint equation
- Lesson 1514 — Optimization with Implicit Constraints
- Identify your variables
- – What are you looking for?
- Lesson 282 — Application Problems Using Systems and Substitution
- identity
- .
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction EquationsLesson 213 — Equations with Infinitely Many SolutionsLesson 1275 — Properties of Matrix AdditionLesson 2098 — Matrix Addition and SubtractionLesson 2524 — Union of Sets
- Identity (infinitely many solutions)
- When simplifying both sides leads to a statement that's *always true*, like `5 = 5` or `0 = 0`, you have an **identity**.
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction Equations
- identity matrix
- is a special square matrix with 1s along its main diagonal (top-left to bottom-right) and 0s everywhere else.
- Lesson 1288 — Multiplying by the Identity MatrixLesson 1295 — Determinants of Special MatricesLesson 1300 — Definition of an Inverse MatrixLesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and ZeroLesson 2138 — Definition of Matrix InverseLesson 2157 — Determinant of Special Matrices
- Identity with 0
- gcd(*a*, 0) = |*a*| for any nonzero *a*
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): Definition
- If
- `f` is continuous on `[a, b]` and we define a new function:
- Lesson 1567 — The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Part 1Lesson 1737 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving DivergenceLesson 2394 — Second Shifting Theorem and Unit Step FunctionLesson 2679 — Euler's Theorem for Eulerian Circuits
- If |r| < 1
- , the series converges to: $$S = \frac{a}{1-r}$$
- Lesson 1722 — Geometric Series: Definition and FormulaLesson 1723 — Convergence of Geometric Series
- If |r| ≥ 1
- , the series diverges (no finite sum exists)
- Lesson 1722 — Geometric Series: Definition and FormulaLesson 1723 — Convergence of Geometric Series
- If a < h
- The side is too short to reach—**zero triangles** exist.
- Lesson 1123 — Using the Height to Determine Triangle Existence
- If a = h
- The side just barely touches at a right angle—**exactly one triangle** (a right triangle).
- Lesson 1123 — Using the Height to Determine Triangle Existence
- If a ≥ b
- The side is long enough that it can only connect one way—**one triangle**.
- Lesson 1123 — Using the Height to Determine Triangle Existence
- if and only if
- the remainder is zero when dividing.
- Lesson 353 — Using Division to Test FactorsLesson 1714 — Sequence of Partial SumsLesson 2196 — Geometric and Algebraic MultiplicityLesson 2268 — Invertible Linear TransformationsLesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage TheoremLesson 2759 — When Moduli Are Not Coprime
- If B > 1
- The graph is *compressed* horizontally.
- Lesson 1016 — Period Changes: y = sin(Bx) and Frequency
- If c is negative
- factors have *opposite* signs: **(x + __)(x - __)**
- Lesson 366 — Factoring Trinomials with Negative Coefficients
- If c is positive
- both factors have the *same* sign (both + or both -)
- Lesson 366 — Factoring Trinomials with Negative Coefficients
- If curl
- F** = 0 everywhere on a simply connected domain, then **F** is conservative.
- Lesson 1987 — Testing for Conservative Fields: The Curl Test in ℝ³
- If D < 0
- The critical point is a **saddle point**
- Lesson 1866 — The Second Derivative Test: Statement and Conditions
- If D = 0
- The test is **inconclusive**
- Lesson 1866 — The Second Derivative Test: Statement and Conditions
- If denominators are different
- Find equivalent fractions with a common denominator (often the least common multiple), then compare numerators.
- Lesson 68 — Ordering Multiple Fractions
- If e = 1
- You get a **parabola** (equal distances—just like you learned before!
- Lesson 1182 — Focus-Directrix Definition of Conics
- If e > 1
- You get a **hyperbola** (closer to focus than directrix)
- Lesson 1182 — Focus-Directrix Definition of Conics
- If f''(c) < 0
- (negative): The function is **concave down** at c, so you have a **local maximum** (the curve is like a frown ☹)
- Lesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1523 — The Second Derivative Test for Extrema
- If f''(c) = 0
- The test is **inconclusive**—you must fall back to the First Derivative Test or other methods
- Lesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1523 — The Second Derivative Test for Extrema
- If f''(c) > 0
- (positive): The function is **concave up** at c, so you have a **local minimum** (the curve is like a smile ☺ )
- Lesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1523 — The Second Derivative Test for Extrema
- If found
- "Augment" the matching by flipping edge statuses along the path (add unmatched edges, remove matched ones).
- Lesson 2702 — The Hungarian Algorithm for Maximum Bipartite Matching
- If ker(T) = {0}
- (only the zero vector maps to zero), then T is injective.
- Lesson 2261 — The Kernel (Null Space) of a Linear Transformation
- If not
- , find a vector in the space that is *not* in the span of your current set
- Lesson 2090 — Extending to a Basis
- If not exact
- Try finding an integrating factor to *make* it exact.
- Lesson 2336 — Strategy Guide: Choosing the Right Solution Method
- If they're dependent
- , at least one vector is a linear combination of others
- Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning Set
- Ignore
- edges leading to already-visited vertices (these would create cycles)
- Lesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First Search
- Ignore interior edges
- Where two shapes meet inside the composite figure, those shared edges are NOT part of the perimeter.
- Lesson 870 — Perimeter of Composite Figures
- Ignoring the Triangle Inequality
- Lesson 1128 — Common Errors and Verification in SSA
- image
- .
- Lesson 921 — Introduction to Geometric TransformationsLesson 2262 — The Range (Image) of a Linear Transformation
- Image compression
- Store large images with fewer numbers
- Lesson 2288 — Low-Rank Approximation and Data CompressionLesson 2290 — Applications of SVD: Image Compression and Noise Reduction
- imaginary part
- (the coefficient of i)
- Lesson 1190 — Standard Form of Complex NumbersLesson 1191 — Identifying Real and Imaginary PartsLesson 1192 — Plotting Complex Numbers on the Complex PlaneLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1208 — The Argand Diagram
- imaginary unit
- , denoted as *i*, defined by:
- Lesson 1188 — What Are Complex Numbers?Lesson 1189 — The Imaginary Unit i
- Imperial units
- Force in pounds (lb), distance in feet (ft) → Work in foot-pounds (ft·lb)
- Lesson 1692 — Work Done by a Constant Force
- Implication (P → Q)
- The logical connection between them
- Lesson 2489 — Structure of Mathematical Statements
- implicit differentiation
- .
- Lesson 1431 — The Derivative of ln(x)Lesson 1448 — What is Implicit Differentiation?Lesson 1449 — The Basic Technique of Implicit DifferentiationLesson 1514 — Optimization with Implicit Constraints
- Important caveat
- These properties only apply when the original series *already converge*.
- Lesson 1718 — Properties of Convergent SeriesLesson 2349 — The Method of Undetermined Coefficients OverviewLesson 3064 — Interpreting Slope and Intercept
- Important fact
- π is an *irrational* number, meaning its decimal digits go on forever without repeating
- Lesson 830 — Circles and Pi (π)
- Important note
- The zero vector has no well-defined direction—it's the only vector with magnitude zero.
- Lesson 2047 — Vector Equality and Zero Vector
- Important sign note
- If the equation shows (x - 3), then h = 3 (positive).
- Lesson 1137 — Graphing Circles from Standard Form
- impossible event
- (which never happens) and the **certain event** (which always happens).
- Lesson 2776 — The Empty Event and Certain EventLesson 2782 — Probability of the Empty Set and Impossible Events
- Imprecise
- Hard to read exact coordinates like (2.
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- improper fraction
- has a numerator that is *equal to or larger than* its denominator.
- Lesson 62 — Proper, Improper, and Mixed NumbersLesson 76 — Multiplying Mixed Numbers
- improper integral
- breaks one or both of these conditions:
- Lesson 1633 — Introduction to Improper IntegralsLesson 1634 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Upper Limit
- Improper rational function
- The degree of the numerator is *greater than or equal to* the degree of the denominator.
- Lesson 1622 — Proper vs Improper Rational Functions for an n×n matrix), is the matrix equivalent of the number 1 in multiplication. Lesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and Zero
- In plain English
- When you differentiate a definite integral with respect to its upper limit, you simply get the integrand evaluated at that upper limit.
- Lesson 1568 — Evaluating d/dx of Definite IntegralsLesson 2619 — The General Inclusion-Exclusion PrincipleLesson 2930 — Conditional Distributions: Discrete Case
- In row echelon form
- Lesson 2116 — Row Echelon Form: Definition and Properties
- In-degree
- the number of edges *entering* (pointing toward) a vertex
- Lesson 2649 — Directed Graphs (Digraphs)Lesson 2650 — Degree of a Vertex and the Handshaking Lemma
- incenter
- is where the three **angle bisectors** meet.
- Lesson 739 — Centroid, Orthocenter, Incenter, and CircumcenterLesson 832 — Inscribed and Circumscribed Circles
- Incident
- edge: An edge is incident to the vertices it connects
- Lesson 2647 — What is a Graph? Vertices and EdgesLesson 2651 — Adjacency and Incidence
- included angle
- (the angle formed between those two sides) of one triangle are congruent to two sides and the included angle of another triangle, then the triangles themselves are congruent.
- Lesson 742 — SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Congruence PostulateLesson 1104 — SAS Case: Finding the Third Side
- incompressible
- no net flow in or out
- Lesson 2004 — The Divergence of a Vector FieldLesson 2006 — Interpreting Divergence PhysicallyLesson 2012 — Incompressible Fields and the Continuity Equation
- inconclusive
- you must fall back to the First Derivative Test or other methods
- Lesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1502 — Comparing First and Second Derivative TestsLesson 1742 — The Ratio Test: Statement and LogicLesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is InconclusiveLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence TestLesson 1866 — The Second Derivative Test: Statement and Conditions
- inconsistent
- and has **no solution**.
- Lesson 297 — Inconsistent Three-Variable SystemsLesson 1314 — Identifying Inconsistent SystemsLesson 2137 — Applications to System SolvabilityLesson 2234 — The Least Squares Problem
- Inconsistent (No Solution)
- If you see a row that looks like `[0 0 0 | b]` where `b ≠ 0`, the system is inconsistent.
- Lesson 2111 — Consistent and Inconsistent Systems
- Inconsistent System (No Solution)
- Look for a row that looks like `[0 0 0 .
- Lesson 2125 — Recognizing Inconsistent and Dependent Systems
- Incorporate initial conditions
- The transforms of derivatives bring in initial values automatically, just like with single ODEs.
- Lesson 2397 — Solving Systems of ODEs with Laplace Transforms
- increasing
- on an interval if `x₁ < x₂` means `f(x₁) ≤ f(x₂)`.
- Lesson 571 — Monotonicity: Increasing and Decreasing FunctionsLesson 1494 — Using the First Derivative to Determine MonotonicityLesson 1495 — Finding Intervals of Increase and DecreaseLesson 1519 — First Derivative and Intervals of Increase/DecreaseLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching AlgorithmLesson 2869 — Functions of Random Variables: Continuous Case
- Increasing (or non-decreasing)
- Each term is greater than or equal to the previous one: a₁ ≤ a₂ ≤ a₃ ≤ .
- Lesson 1710 — Monotonic Sequences and Boundedness
- Increasing or decreasing trends
- Lesson 1704 — Visualizing Sequences: Terms and Graphs
- indefinite
- if **x**ᵀA**x** takes *both* positive and negative values for different choices of **x**.
- Lesson 2292 — Positive Definite, Negative Definite, and Indefinite MatricesLesson 2293 — Eigenvalue Criterion for Definiteness
- independence
- matters!
- Lesson 2860 — Variance of Sums: Independent CaseLesson 2864 — Moment Generating Functions (MGFs)Lesson 3040 — Assumptions and Diagnostics for t-TestsLesson 3068 — Assumptions of Simple Linear RegressionLesson 3094 — One-Way ANOVA: The Model and AssumptionsLesson 3101 — Checking ANOVA AssumptionsLesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- Independence violations
- Repeated measurements or clustered data (students within schools) break both tests.
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- independent
- .
- Lesson 2067 — Testing Linear Independence in R²Lesson 2068 — Testing Linear Independence in R³Lesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear IndependenceLesson 2802 — Definition of Independent EventsLesson 2803 — Independence vs. Disjoint EventsLesson 2810 — Applications: Reliability and Success ProbabilitiesLesson 2887 — Hypergeometric vs. Binomial: When to Use EachLesson 2893 — Applications of the Poisson Distribution (+2 more)
- indeterminate forms
- .
- Lesson 1339 — When Limit Laws Don't ApplyLesson 1340 — Indeterminate Forms: 0/0 and ∞/∞Lesson 1347 — Exponential and Logarithmic LimitsLesson 1527 — Indeterminate Forms 0/0 and ∞/∞Lesson 1814 — Limits Involving Indeterminate Forms
- index
- , and it tells you how many times to multiply the answer by itself:
- Lesson 153 — Cube Roots and Higher-Order RootsLesson 495 — Understanding Radicals and the Square Root SymbolLesson 531 — Converting Between Radical and Exponential Form
- index variable
- (like *i*, *k*, or *n*) is just a placeholder that counts through values.
- Lesson 671 — Index Shifts and Changing BoundsLesson 678 — Finite Series and Sigma Notation
- indicial equation
- is an algebraic equation that determines the possible values of *r*.
- Lesson 2402 — Frobenius Method: Finding Indicial EquationsLesson 2403 — Frobenius Solutions with Distinct Roots
- Indirect measurement
- uses right triangle trigonometry twice, working through two connected triangles to find your answer.
- Lesson 980 — Two Right Triangle Problems and Indirect MeasurementLesson 1100 — Applications of the Law of Sines
- Induction → Well-Ordering
- Suppose some non-empty set S of natural numbers has no smallest element.
- Lesson 2519 — Equivalence of Induction and Well-Ordering
- inductive hypothesis
- ).
- Lesson 2501 — The Principle of Mathematical InductionLesson 2504 — Proving Divisibility PropertiesLesson 2508 — Induction Starting at Arbitrary IndicesLesson 2509 — Common Mistakes in Induction ProofsLesson 2510 — Induction on Recursively Defined SequencesLesson 2513 — The Strong Induction PrincipleLesson 2514 — Proving Divisibility Results with Strong InductionLesson 2515 — Strong Induction for Sequences and Recurrences
- Inductive Step
- Lesson 1225 — De Moivre's Theorem: Statement and ProofLesson 2501 — The Principle of Mathematical InductionLesson 2503 — Proving Summation FormulasLesson 2504 — Proving Divisibility PropertiesLesson 2505 — Proving Inequalities by InductionLesson 2506 — Induction with Geometric SeriesLesson 2508 — Induction Starting at Arbitrary IndicesLesson 2510 — Induction on Recursively Defined Sequences (+5 more)
- Inefficient estimates
- While coefficient estimates remain unbiased, they're no longer the most precise possible
- Lesson 3085 — Detecting Non-Constant Variance (Heteroscedasticity)
- Infinite limits of integration
- One or both limits extend to infinity (∞ or -∞)
- Lesson 1633 — Introduction to Improper Integrals
- infinite series
- is what you get when you try to add up infinitely many terms.
- Lesson 679 — Infinite Series: Convergence vs DivergenceLesson 1713 — Definition of an Infinite Series
- Infinite Solutions (Dependent System)
- You get a true statement like `0 = 0` or `4 = 4`.
- Lesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite Solutions
- infinitely
- in both directions
- Lesson 696 — Lines: Infinite Straight PathsLesson 699 — Planes: Flat Surfaces Extending Infinitely
- Infinitely many real eigenvalues
- λ₁ < λ₂ < λ₃ < .
- Lesson 2405 — Eigenvalue Problems and Sturm-Liouville Theory
- infinitely many solutions
- .
- Lesson 213 — Equations with Infinitely Many SolutionsLesson 229 — Absolute Value Equations with No Solution or All SolutionsLesson 276 — Graphing Systems with Parallel and Coincident LinesLesson 280 — Identifying No Solution or Infinite Solutions via SubstitutionLesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite SolutionsLesson 292 — Introduction to Three-Variable SystemsLesson 298 — Dependent Three- Variable SystemsLesson 1889 — Dealing with Redundant Constraints (+5 more)
- Inflated standard errors
- Coefficient estimates become less precise
- Lesson 3080 — Multicollinearity: Detection and Consequences
- inflection point
- is a point on a curve where the **concavity changes**—that is, where the graph switches from curving upward (concave up) to curving downward (concave down), or vice versa.
- Lesson 1500 — Inflection PointsLesson 1522 — Inflection Points
- Inflection points
- Where concavity changes (f''(x) = 0 or undefined, with sign change)
- Lesson 1503 — Analyzing Function Behavior with DerivativesLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching Algorithm
- influential point
- is a data point that dramatically changes the regression line if removed.
- Lesson 3071 — Cautions and LimitationsLesson 3087 — Influential Points and Leverage
- Influential points
- actually *do* pull the regression line significantly.
- Lesson 3089 — Outliers in Regression
- initial condition
- .
- Lesson 1544 — Initial Value ProblemsLesson 1545 — Applications: Position from Velocity, Velocity from AccelerationLesson 2304 — Initial Value ProblemsLesson 2324 — Initial Value Problems for Linear ODEsLesson 2422 — Determining Coefficients from Initial ConditionsLesson 2423 — Heat Equation on a Finite Rod
- initial conditions
- (or boundary conditions) that fix the values of the arbitrary constants.
- Lesson 2303 — General vs Particular SolutionsLesson 2411 — Initial and Boundary ConditionsLesson 2417 — Initial and Boundary ConditionsLesson 2451 — Applying Initial Conditions with Fourier SeriesLesson 2627 — What is a Recurrence Relation?Lesson 2628 — Initial Conditions and SolutionsLesson 2635 — General Solution of Non-Homogeneous Recurrences
- Initial displacement
- u(x,0) = f(x): the shape of the medium at time t = 0
- Lesson 2428 — Initial Conditions and Wave Propagation
- initial value problem
- (IVP) gives you extra information: the value of the function at a specific point, called an **initial condition**.
- Lesson 1544 — Initial Value ProblemsLesson 2304 — Initial Value ProblemsLesson 2311 — Initial Value Problems with Separable ODEs
- Initial Value Problem (IVP)
- combines:
- Lesson 2304 — Initial Value ProblemsLesson 2324 — Initial Value Problems for Linear ODEsLesson 2344 — Initial Value Problems for Second-Order ODEs
- initial value problems (IVPs)
- where all conditions are given at a single point—typically telling you both the function value and its derivative at the start.
- Lesson 2345 — Boundary Value Problems: IntroductionLesson 2404 — Boundary Value Problems: Introduction and Types
- Initial velocity
- u_t(x,0) = g(x): how fast each point is moving initially
- Lesson 2428 — Initial Conditions and Wave Propagation
- Initialize
- Pick any starting vertex and add it to the MST.
- Lesson 2676 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Prim's AlgorithmLesson 2706 — The Ford-Fulkerson Algorithm
- injective
- (one-to-one):
- Lesson 2261 — The Kernel (Null Space) of a Linear TransformationLesson 2559 — Introduction to Function TypesLesson 2560 — Injective Functions (One-to-One)Lesson 2564 — Bijective Functions (One-to-One Correspondence)Lesson 2565 — Inverse Functions and BijectionsLesson 2568 — Examples with Finite SetsLesson 2569 — Applications to Infinite Sets
- Injective (one-to-one)
- Different inputs produce different outputs
- Lesson 2269 — Isomorphisms Between Vector Spaces
- Injectivity (one-to-one)
- Each output comes from at most one input.
- Lesson 2565 — Inverse Functions and Bijections
- Inner
- Multiply the inner terms: `3 · x = 3x`
- Lesson 326 — Multiplying Two Binomials Using FOILLesson 335 — Square of a Binomial
- Inner boundaries
- (holes): traverse clockwise (negative orientation)
- Lesson 1999 — Green's Theorem for Regions with Holes
- Inner function
- g: takes x as its input and feeds into f
- Lesson 1409 — The Chain Rule StatementLesson 1433 — Chain Rule with Exponential Functions
- Inner integral
- Hold x constant and integrate f(x,y) with respect to y from c to d.
- Lesson 1894 — Fubini's Theorem for RectanglesLesson 1899 — Double Integrals of Non-Separable FunctionsLesson 1902 — Type I Regions: Vertically Simple Regions
- inner product
- generalizes this concept to *any* vector space by requiring four essential properties that capture what makes a "product" between vectors meaningful.
- Lesson 2200 — Definition of Inner Product SpacesLesson 2201 — Standard Inner Products on ℝⁿ and ℂⁿLesson 2457 — Orthogonality of Trigonometric Functions
- inner radius
- r(x) is the distance from the axis to the inner curve
- Lesson 1657 — Washer Method: Introduction and SetupLesson 1658 — Washer Method: Identifying Outer and Inner RadiiLesson 1659 — Washer Method: Rotation About the x-axis
- Inner radius r(x)
- The function that is *lower down* (smaller y-value) from the x-axis
- Lesson 1658 — Washer Method: Identifying Outer and Inner Radii
- Inner radius r(y)
- The function that is *closer left* (smaller x-value) from the y-axis
- Lesson 1658 — Washer Method: Identifying Outer and Inner Radii
- Inner variable (usually r)
- What are the smallest and largest radial distances?
- Lesson 1936 — Setting Up Triple Integrals in Cylindrical Coordinates
- Innermost integral
- Integrate with respect to x (treating y and z as constants)
- Lesson 1923 — Setting Up Triple Integrals over Rectangular Boxes
- Input
- A connected graph with all vertices of even degree.
- Lesson 2681 — Finding Eulerian Paths and Circuits: Algorithms
- inscribed circle
- (incircle)—the largest circle that fits inside the triangle.
- Lesson 739 — Centroid, Orthocenter, Incenter, and CircumcenterLesson 832 — Inscribed and Circumscribed Circles
- Inscribed circles
- sit *inside* a polygon and touch all its sides.
- Lesson 832 — Inscribed and Circumscribed Circles
- Inside
- The expression inside the parentheses → g(x) = 3x² + 5
- Lesson 1411 — The Outside-Inside MethodLesson 1993 — Introduction to Green's Theorem
- Inside a circle
- The region `x² + y² ≤ r²` can be described as `-√(r² - x²) ≤ y ≤ √(r² - x²)` for `-r ≤ x ≤ r`.
- Lesson 1906 — Regions Bounded by Curves
- Inside the radius
- If |x - c| < R, the series converges (absolutely)
- Lesson 1763 — Radius of Convergence
- instantaneous rate of change
- the rate at which a function is changing at a single point, not over an interval.
- Lesson 1372 — The Concept of Instantaneous Rate of ChangeLesson 1377 — Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1378 — Instantaneous Rate of ChangeLesson 1379 — The Difference QuotientLesson 1380 — The Limit Definition of the DerivativeLesson 1382 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Quadratic FunctionsLesson 1387 — Derivative Notation and InterpretationLesson 1388 — The Derivative of a Constant Function (+2 more)
- Instantaneous velocity
- = limit as h→ 0 of `[s(t+h) - s(t)]/h`
- Lesson 1376 — Applications: Velocity and Other RatesLesson 1493 — Real-World Interpretation: Speed and Distance
- Integral
- V = ∫[0 to 2] 2πx · x² dx = 2π ∫[0 to 2] x³ dx = 2π[x⁴/4] from 0 to 2 = 8π
- Lesson 1666 — Revolving Around the y-axisLesson 1667 — Shell Method with Horizontal ShellsLesson 2855 — Definition of Expectation for Continuous Random Variables
- Integral Test
- creates a bridge between improper integrals and infinite series.
- Lesson 1731 — The Integral Test: Statement and ConditionsLesson 1732 — Applying the Integral Test to p- Series and BeyondLesson 1741 — Mixed Practice: Integral and Comparison TestsLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence Test
- Integrate
- the simpler expression in terms of u
- Lesson 1579 — What is u-Substitution?Lesson 1600 — Powers of Sine and Cosine: Odd PowersLesson 1601 — Powers of Sine and Cosine: Even PowersLesson 1613 — Substitution for √(a²-x²): Using x = a sin θLesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axisLesson 1676 — Computing Arc Length: Polynomial FunctionsLesson 1780 — Differentiation and Integration of Power SeriesLesson 1956 — Computing Total Mass with Triple Integrals (+2 more)
- Integrate and substitute back
- Complete the integration and replace u with the original expression
- Lesson 1585 — u-Substitution with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- integrate both sides
- with respect to x:
- Lesson 2322 — Applying the Integrating FactorLesson 2323 — Solving Non-Homogeneous Linear ODEsLesson 2325 — Linear ODEs with Constant Coefficients
- Integrate in order
- , typically innermost to outermost
- Lesson 1937 — Evaluating Triple Integrals Using Cylindrical Coordinates
- Integrate ρ first
- when the region is bounded by spheres
- Lesson 1942 — Evaluating Triple Integrals Using Spherical Coordinates
- Integrating
- the function over the entire region (summing all values)
- Lesson 1931 — Average Value of a Function in Three DimensionsLesson 2846 — CDF for Continuous Random Variables
- Integration
- `∫f(x)dx = C + Σ [c /(n+1)]·(x - a)ⁿ ¹` (same radius of convergence)
- Lesson 1780 — Differentiation and Integration of Power SeriesLesson 2937 — Mixed Discrete-Continuous Joint Distributions
- integration by parts
- , which we apply by choosing the polynomial as `u` (since polynomials simplify when differentiated) and the trigonometric function as `dv` (since trig functions integrate nicely).
- Lesson 1593 — Polynomial Times Trigonometric FunctionsLesson 1598 — Inverse Trigonometric Function IntegralsLesson 2365 — Handling Logarithmic and Rational Forcing Functions
- Intercept-only model
- Just the mean of Y (no predictors at all)
- Lesson 3078 — F-Test for Overall Model Significance
- intercepted arc
- .
- Lesson 836 — Central Angles and Intercepted ArcsLesson 845 — Congruent Arcs and Central Angles
- Intercepts
- Lesson 612 — Properties of e^x: Growth and BehaviorLesson 1517 — Domain, Intercepts, and SymmetryLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching Algorithm
- interior angle
- of a triangle is simply one of the three angles formed *inside* the triangle where two sides meet.
- Lesson 807 — Interior Angles of a TriangleLesson 811 — Exterior Angle Sum Theorem
- Interior Angle Sum
- `(n - 2) × 180°` where n is the number of sides
- Lesson 813 — Using Angle Sums to Find Unknown Angles
- Interior Angle Sum Formula
- Lesson 814 — Determining the Number of Sides from Angle Information
- Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT)
- formalizes this intuition mathematically.
- Lesson 1356 — The Intermediate Value Theorem
- interpret
- any map or blueprint using proportions.
- Lesson 120 — Maps and Scale DrawingsLesson 235 — Applications and Mixed Absolute Value ProblemsLesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic SequencesLesson 1318 — Applications: Real-World Matrix SystemsLesson 1698 — Applications of Average ValueLesson 2335 — Applications of Exact and Bernoulli Equations
- Interpret in context
- Relate the mathematical result back to the real-world scenario (height, distance, velocity component, etc.
- Lesson 1011 — Applications: Angles of Any Measure in Problems
- Interpret the result
- – Translate your answer back to the real situation (square feet of tile needed, linear feet of fencing required, etc.
- Lesson 873 — Composite Figures in Real-World ContextsLesson 1746 — Applying the Root Test
- Interpret your results
- in context (units, meaning, limitations)
- Lesson 1474 — Tangent Line Approximation in Applied Problems
- Interpretability
- Parameters have natural meanings.
- Lesson 3114 — Conjugate Priors: Beta-Binomial Model
- Interpretation
- Lesson 3091 — Multicollinearity Diagnostics
- Interpretation caution
- A significant Kruskal-Wallis test tells you groups differ *somewhere*, but not *where*—you'll need follow-up comparisons.
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- interquartile range (IQR)
- , which measures the spread of the middle 50% of your data.
- Lesson 2990 — Percentiles and QuartilesLesson 2991 — Box Plots and Outlier Detection
- Intersecting Chords Theorem
- states that if you multiply the lengths of the two segments of one chord, you'll get the same result as multiplying the lengths of the two segments of the other chord.
- Lesson 853 — Intersecting Chords Theorem
- Intersecting non-perpendicular lines
- also meet at **one point** → **one solution**
- Lesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular Lines
- intersection
- where both conditions are satisfied.
- Lesson 231 — Solving 'And' Compound InequalitiesLesson 1883 — The Need for Multiple ConstraintsLesson 1886 — Geometric Interpretation of Multiple ConstraintsLesson 2083 — Intersection of SubspacesLesson 2525 — Intersection of SetsLesson 2529 — Laws of Set OperationsLesson 2530 — Problem Solving with Venn Diagrams
- Intersection ( ∩)
- The event "A and B" occurs when *both* events happen simultaneously
- Lesson 2777 — Operations on Events: Union and Intersection
- interval
- or a union of intervals on the real number line.
- Lesson 2826 — The Range of a Continuous Random VariableLesson 2834 — Computing Probabilities from PMFs
- Interval notation
- gives you a cleaner, more compact way to express the same solution set by showing only the *range* of values.
- Lesson 222 — Interval Notation for SolutionsLesson 231 — Solving 'And' Compound InequalitiesLesson 232 — Solving 'Or' Compound Inequalities
- Intervals of Increase/Decrease
- The parabola increases on one side of the vertex and decreases on the other
- Lesson 433 — Key Features Summary and Complete Graphing
- Intuition
- If you flip a fair coin 100 times, you expect 50 heads on average.
- Lesson 2862 — Expectation and Variance in Common Distributions
- Invalid standard errors
- Your confidence intervals and hypothesis tests for coefficients become unreliable
- Lesson 3085 — Detecting Non-Constant Variance (Heteroscedasticity)
- invariant under linear transformations
- if you change X to aX + b (scale and shift), the correlation remains unchanged.
- Lesson 2951 — Correlation Coefficient: DefinitionLesson 2952 — Properties of Correlation
- Inverse exists
- If T is an isomorphism, then T ¹ is also an isomorphism
- Lesson 2269 — Isomorphisms Between Vector Spaces
- inverse functions
- (functions that "undo" each other), you can now combine these tools!
- Lesson 568 — Compositions Involving InversesLesson 1431 — The Derivative of ln(x)
- inverse trig functions
- come in.
- Lesson 955 — Finding Angles Using Inverse Trig FunctionsLesson 960 — Finding Missing Angles in Right Triangles
- Inverse variation
- works the opposite way: when one variable increases, the other *decreases* so that their *product* stays constant.
- Lesson 125 — Inverse VariationLesson 127 — Combined VariationLesson 128 — Finding the Constant of Variation
- Invert back
- Use inverse Laplace transforms and partial fractions to recover the time-domain solutions x(t), y(t), etc.
- Lesson 2397 — Solving Systems of ODEs with Laplace Transforms
- Invertibility
- If the determinant is zero, the matrix is singular (not invertible).
- Lesson 2148 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 2188 — Using the Characteristic Polynomial in Practice
- Invertibility testing
- If det(A) ≠ 0 and det(B) ≠ 0, then det(AB) ≠ 0, so **AB** is invertible
- Lesson 2159 — Determinant of a Product
- invertible
- (meaning it has an inverse matrix) if and only if its determinant is **nonzero**.
- Lesson 1297 — Using Determinants to Test InvertibilityLesson 1300 — Definition of an Inverse MatrixLesson 1301 — When Does an Inverse Exist?Lesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix EquationsLesson 1316 — Solving with Matrix InversesLesson 2136 — Full Rank MatricesLesson 2138 — Definition of Matrix InverseLesson 2268 — Invertible Linear Transformations (+1 more)
- Investment growth
- Continuous compound interest follows `V(t) = V₀e^(rt)`, and `V'(t)` shows how fast your money is growing.
- Lesson 1437 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay Rates
- Inward orientation
- Occasionally used; would reverse all signs
- Lesson 2023 — Flux Through Closed Surfaces
- irrotational
- (remember: conservative fields are irrotational, which we tested earlier with the curl test).
- Lesson 2007 — The Curl of a Vector FieldLesson 2011 — Irrotational Fields and Conservative Vector Fields
- Isolate one radical
- on one side of the equation
- Lesson 527 — Equations Requiring Multiple Squaring Steps
- Isolate the radical
- on one side of the equation
- Lesson 524 — Solving Simple Radical EquationsLesson 528 — Radical Equations with Higher Index Roots
- Isolate the single logarithm
- on one side of the equation
- Lesson 636 — Solving Logarithmic Equations with Multiple Logs
- Isolate the term
- with the fractional exponent (get it alone on one side)
- Lesson 537 — Solving Equations with Fractional Exponents
- isolate the variable
- get the variable alone on one side of the equation.
- Lesson 200 — Multiplication and Division Properties of EqualityLesson 211 — Multi-Step Equations Requiring Multiple OperationsLesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear EquationsLesson 221 — Inequalities with Variables on Both Sides
- Isolated values
- Each possible value is separated from the next—no "in-between" values exist
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- isometries
- (same measure).
- Lesson 928 — Properties of ReflectionsLesson 939 — Introduction to Rigid Motions (Isometries)Lesson 941 — Congruence Through Rigid Motions
- isometry
- ) is a movement that slides, flips, or turns a figure without changing its dimensions.
- Lesson 724 — Congruence TransformationsLesson 924 — Properties of TranslationsLesson 940 — Composition of Rigid Motions
- Isomorphism preserves everything
- Linear independence, spanning, bases, dimension—all structural properties transfer perfectly
- Lesson 2269 — Isomorphisms Between Vector Spaces
- Isosceles trapezoids
- and **kites** are cousins in this extended family with their own unique characteristics.
- Lesson 825 — The Quadrilateral Family Tree
- Isosceles Triangle
- Lesson 730 — Classifying Triangles by SidesLesson 734 — Base Angles of Isosceles Triangles
- Isosceles Triangle Theorem
- If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite those sides are congruent.
- Lesson 734 — Base Angles of Isosceles Triangles
- iterated integral
- two successive single integrals:
- Lesson 1892 — Introduction to Double IntegralsLesson 1893 — Setting Up Double Integrals over RectanglesLesson 1894 — Fubini's Theorem for Rectangles
- IX = X
- , this simplifies to:
- Lesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix EquationsLesson 1316 — Solving with Matrix Inverses
J
- J = [∂x/∂u ∂x/∂v]
- Lesson 1945 — Transformations and the Jacobian Matrix
- j-th column
- from matrix **B**
- Lesson 1282 — Computing the (i,j)-Entry of a ProductLesson 1284 — Multiplying Larger Matrices
- Jacobian
- of the transformation from rectangular to cylindrical coordinates.
- Lesson 1935 — Volume Elements in Cylindrical CoordinatesLesson 2870 — The Jacobian Method for Transformations
- Jacobian determinant
- quantifies exactly this scaling factor.
- Lesson 1946 — The Jacobian DeterminantLesson 1947 — Change of Variables Formula for Double IntegralsLesson 1951 — Jacobians in Three DimensionsLesson 1953 — Applications: Area and Volume Distortion
- Jacobian matrix
- captures how the transformation behaves locally—how small changes in (u, v) affect (x, y).
- Lesson 1945 — Transformations and the Jacobian Matrix
- JAGS/BUGS
- Specify models in a simple language; software runs Gibbs sampling
- Lesson 3121 — Computational Tools: Introduction to MCMC and Bayesian Software
- Joint PMF-PDF
- *p_X,Y(x, y) = P(X = x) · f_{Y|X}(y|x)*
- Lesson 2937 — Mixed Discrete-Continuous Joint Distributions
- Joint variation
- combines these ideas: a variable varies *directly* with **two or more** other variables simultaneously.
- Lesson 126 — Joint VariationLesson 128 — Finding the Constant of Variation
- Jordan canonical form
- (beyond this lesson's scope), or work directly with the matrix without diagonalizing it.
- Lesson 2195 — When Diagonalization Fails
- jump discontinuities
- where the discrete masses occur, and **smooth increases** where the continuous portions lie.
- Lesson 2840 — Mixed Random VariablesLesson 2850 — Mixed Random Variables and Their CDFs
- jump discontinuity
- like a staircase with a sudden step up or down.
- Lesson 593 — Continuity of Piecewise FunctionsLesson 1333 — One-Sided Limits at Jump DiscontinuitiesLesson 2464 — Gibbs Phenomenon
- Just touch
- (exactly one triangle)
- Lesson 1096 — The SSA Configuration IntroductionLesson 1121 — Introduction to the Ambiguous Case (SSA)
- Justify everything
- Every statement needs a valid reason
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence Proofs
K
- k = 1
- is where we start
- Lesson 678 — Finite Series and Sigma NotationLesson 934 — Introduction to Dilations and Scale FactorLesson 935 — Dilations Centered at the OriginLesson 1229 — Finding All nth Roots Using Polar Form
- k = 4
- and
- Lesson 1276 — Scalar Multiplication of MatricesLesson 2602 — Finding Specific Terms in Binomial Expansions
- k > 1
- The figure enlarges (gets bigger).
- Lesson 934 — Introduction to Dilations and Scale FactorLesson 935 — Dilations Centered at the Origin
- Keep the common exponent
- Lesson 167 — Adding and Subtracting in Scientific Notation
- Keep the denominator
- – The bottom number stays the same
- Lesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like Denominators
- Keep unlike terms separate
- Constants stand alone, and different variables don't combine
- Lesson 179 — Combining Like Terms
- Kendall's Tau
- takes a completely different approach: it examines every possible pair of observations and counts whether they're **concordant** (rankings agree) or **discordant** (rankings disagree).
- Lesson 3110 — Kendall's Tau
- kernel
- ) of a matrix A is the collection of all vectors **x** that satisfy the homogeneous equation:
- Lesson 2130 — The Null SpaceLesson 2261 — The Kernel (Null Space) of a Linear Transformation
- Key detail
- The value `a` is always under the positive term and represents the distance from center to each vertex.
- Lesson 1167 — Definition and Standard Form of a Hyperbola
- Key distinction
- This is *different* from (f ∘ g)⁻¹, which would be the inverse of the entire composition.
- Lesson 568 — Compositions Involving Inverses
- Key features
- Lesson 1798 — Quadric Surfaces: Hyperboloids and ConesLesson 2835 — Tabular and Graphical Representations of PMFs
- Key insight
- This equation has integer solutions if and only if `gcd(a, b)` divides `c`.
- Lesson 2719 — Applications of the Euclidean AlgorithmLesson 2809 — Common Misconceptions About IndependenceLesson 2871 — Order Statistics
- Key pattern
- The asymptote slopes use the coefficients from the denominators.
- Lesson 1170 — Asymptotes of a Hyperbola
- Key points
- Lesson 773 — What is the Pythagorean Theorem?Lesson 1026 — Graphing the Cotangent Function
- Key properties
- Lesson 2522 — Universal Set and Empty Set
- Key relationship
- For any eigenvalue, geometric multiplicity ≤ algebraic multiplicity.
- Lesson 2173 — Algebraic vs Geometric Multiplicity
- Key relationships
- Lesson 1969 — Vector Fields in Polar and Cylindrical Coordinates
- Key series technique
- Recall that the geometric series gives us:
- Lesson 2881 — Expectation of the Geometric Distribution
- Kinetic Energy
- of a variable-mass system uses integration.
- Lesson 1702 — Other Physical Applications: Energy and ProbabilityLesson 2432 — Energy Conservation in Wave Motion
- Known
- `l = 12`, `P = 40`
- Lesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 3016 — Confidence Interval for the Difference of Two Means
- König's Theorem states
- In any bipartite graph, the size of a maximum matching equals the size of a minimum vertex cover.
- Lesson 2703 — König's Theorem and Vertex Covers
- Kruskal's algorithm
- finds an MST using a simple greedy strategy:
- Lesson 2675 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Kruskal's Algorithm
- Kuratowski's Theorem
- (beyond our current scope) states that any non-planar graph contains a subdivision of K₅ or K₃,₃ —making them the fundamental building blocks of non-planarity.
- Lesson 2693 — K₅ and K₃,₃ are Non-Planar
- Kurtosis
- measures *tail behavior*: Does the distribution have heavy tails (prone to extreme values) or light tails?
- Lesson 2861 — Higher Moments: Skewness and KurtosisLesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Kurtosis < 3
- Light tails (platykurtic)—less probability in extremes
- Lesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Kurtosis = 3
- Normal distribution (reference point)
- Lesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Kurtosis > 3
- Heavy tails (leptokurtic)—more probability in extreme values
- Lesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
L
- L < 1
- , the series **converges absolutely**
- Lesson 1742 — The Ratio Test: Statement and LogicLesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is InconclusiveLesson 1745 — The Root Test: Statement and MotivationLesson 1746 — Applying the Root TestLesson 1748 — Series with Factorials and Exponentials
- L = 1
- , the test is **inconclusive** (try another test)
- Lesson 1742 — The Ratio Test: Statement and LogicLesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is InconclusiveLesson 1745 — The Root Test: Statement and MotivationLesson 1746 — Applying the Root TestLesson 1748 — Series with Factorials and Exponentials
- L > 1
- (or L = ∞), the series **diverges**
- Lesson 1742 — The Ratio Test: Statement and LogicLesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is InconclusiveLesson 1745 — The Root Test: Statement and MotivationLesson 1746 — Applying the Root TestLesson 1748 — Series with Factorials and Exponentials
- L'Hôpital's Rule
- Suppose functions f(x) and g(x) are differentiable near point a (except possibly at a itself), and:
- Lesson 1528 — Statement of L'Hôpital's RuleLesson 1711 — Computing Limits Using L'Hôpital's Rule
- Label everything
- Lesson 968 — Drawing Diagrams for Angle Problems
- Label the radius
- (distance to axis) and **height** (length of rectangle)
- Lesson 1665 — Setting Up a Shell Integral
- Label the sides
- relative to the given angle (opposite, adjacent, hypotenuse)
- Lesson 974 — Setting Up Right Triangle Problems from Word Descriptions
- Label your points
- Lesson 245 — Calculating Slope from Two Points
- Lagrange Remainder
- gives you a formula for that error, and more importantly, lets you calculate the *worst-case scenario*—the maximum error you might encounter.
- Lesson 1786 — Using the Lagrange Remainder to Bound ErrorLesson 1791 — Error Analysis in Numerical Computation
- Lagrange's Theorem
- From group theory, Lagrange's theorem tells us that for any element *g* in a finite group of order *k*, we have *g^k = e* (where *e* is the identity).
- Lesson 2749 — Proof of Euler's Theorem
- lamina
- ) with density that depends on position, you can find its mass and balance point using double integrals.
- Lesson 1921 — Applications: Mass and Center of Mass in PolarLesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two DimensionsLesson 1961 — Computing Moments of Inertia
- Land Surveying
- A triangular plot has sides of 85 meters and 120 meters meeting at a 65° angle.
- Lesson 1120 — Real-World Area Applications
- Landscape Design
- Planning a triangular garden bed where you can measure the base along a fence (12 feet) and the perpendicular distance to the opposite corner (8 feet)?
- Lesson 1120 — Real-World Area Applications
- Landscaping
- A flower bed could be a rectangle minus a semicircular cutout
- Lesson 873 — Composite Figures in Real-World Contexts
- Laplace transform
- is an integral operator that takes a function of time, *f(t)*, and transforms it into a function of a new variable *s*, denoted *F(s)*.
- Lesson 2388 — Definition of the Laplace Transform
- Laplacian
- in two dimensions, capturing how the membrane curves in both the x and y directions.
- Lesson 2433 — The Two-Dimensional Wave Equation
- Large errors hurt more
- A point far from the line gets heavily penalized (distance of 2 becomes 4, distance of 3 becomes 9)
- Lesson 3062 — The Least Squares Criterion
- Large p-value
- Insufficient evidence; you can't rule out that the coefficient is just noise
- Lesson 3077 — Hypothesis Testing for Individual Coefficients
- Large sample size
- Typically n ≥ 30, so the Central Limit Theorem ensures your sampling distribution is approximately normal
- Lesson 3031 — Choosing Between z-Tests and Other Tests
- Large samples
- (n ≥ 30): t and z give similar results, but t is still more appropriate
- Lesson 3032 — Why t-Tests? When the Population Variance is Unknown
- Larger
- than your original series (term-by-term)
- Lesson 1736 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving ConvergenceLesson 1737 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving Divergence
- Last
- Multiply the last terms: `3 · 5 = 15`
- Lesson 326 — Multiplying Two Binomials Using FOILLesson 335 — Square of a Binomial
- last term
- is always `a²` (the square of the second term)
- Lesson 401 — Perfect Square Trinomials ReviewLesson 657 — Finding the Number of Terms in a Finite SequenceLesson 693 — Stacking and Construction Problems
- Law of Cosines
- comes to the rescue.
- Lesson 1102 — Introduction to the Law of CosinesLesson 1103 — Deriving the Law of CosinesLesson 1105 — SSS Case: Finding an AngleLesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of CosinesLesson 1111 — Complex Problems Combining Triangle Laws
- Law of Large Numbers
- (both weak and strong forms) guarantees that as we take more and more independent samples, the sample average converges to the true expected value.
- Lesson 2976 — Monte Carlo Methods and Simulation
- Law of Sines
- is your key tool for solving these general triangles.
- Lesson 1092 — The Law of Sines StatementLesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of CosinesLesson 1111 — Complex Problems Combining Triangle Laws
- Law of Total Expectation
- when dealing with expectations) says you can break this problem into simpler pieces by conditioning on another variable \(X\).
- Lesson 2935 — The Law of Total Probability for Random Variables
- Law of Total Probability
- .
- Lesson 2798 — Partition Problems and Conditional ProbabilityLesson 2811 — The Law of Total ProbabilityLesson 2813 — Motivation for Bayes' TheoremLesson 2816 — Bayes' Theorem with Multiple HypothesesLesson 2935 — The Law of Total Probability for Random Variables
- Layer multiple techniques
- combine inclusion-exclusion with permutations, combinations, the pigeonhole principle, or derangements
- Lesson 2626 — Complex Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- LCD
- 12
- Lesson 82 — Word Problems Involving Fraction OperationsLesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing DenominatorsLesson 461 — Finding the Least Common Denominator (LCD)Lesson 480 — Solving Equations with Multiple Terms
- leading coefficient
- is the number multiplied by the variable(s) in that leading term.
- Lesson 317 — Leading Coefficient and Leading TermLesson 422 — Parabola Basics: Shape and Orientation
- leading entry
- or **pivot**) is to the right of the leading entry in the row above it
- Lesson 1311 — Row Reduction to Echelon FormLesson 2109 — Pivot Positions and Leading EntriesLesson 2117 — Leading Entries and Pivot Positions
- Least Common Denominator (LCD)
- to rewrite both fractions as equivalent fractions with the same denominator.
- Lesson 73 — Subtracting Fractions with Unlike DenominatorsLesson 205 — Equations with Fractions or DecimalsLesson 461 — Finding the Least Common Denominator (LCD)Lesson 479 — Multiplying by the LCD Method
- Least Common Multiple (LCM)
- is the smallest positive number that is a multiple of two or more given numbers.
- Lesson 54 — Least Common Multiple (LCM)Lesson 71 — Finding the Least Common Denominator (LCD)Lesson 287 — Multiplying Both Equations to Enable Elimination
- left
- of zero
- Lesson 40 — Representing Negative Numbers on the Number LineLesson 41 — Comparing and Ordering Negative NumbersLesson 163 — Converting from Standard Form to Scientific NotationLesson 164 — Converting from Scientific Notation to Standard FormLesson 219 — The Multiplication/Division Sign RuleLesson 239 — Plotting Points on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 1020 — Comparing Sine and Cosine: The Phase RelationshipLesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical Shift (+8 more)
- Left column (Statements)
- Sequential facts, moving from given to conclusion
- Lesson 763 — Two-Column Proof Format
- Left Null Space
- (N(A ᵀ)): All vectors **y** where A ᵀ**y** = **0**; lives in ℝᵐ
- Lesson 2096 — Bases for Important SubspacesLesson 2131 — The Left Null SpaceLesson 2134 — Orthogonality of Fundamental SubspacesLesson 2283 — Left and Right Singular Vectors
- Left Null Space, N(A^T)
- Lesson 2132 — The Four Fundamental Subspaces
- Left Rectangles
- Use the function value at the *left* endpoint of each subinterval as the rectangle's height
- Lesson 1546 — Approximating Area Under a Curve with Rectangles
- Left Riemann Sum
- specifically uses the function value at the *left* edge of each subinterval to determine each rectangle's height.
- Lesson 1547 — Left Riemann SumsLesson 1552 — Sigma Notation for Riemann Sums
- Left side
- The double angle formula for sine directly states that sin(2x) = 2sin(x)cos(x)
- Lesson 1071 — Verifying Identities with Double and Half Angle FormulasLesson 2001 — Connection to Curl in Two DimensionsLesson 2026 — Introduction to Stokes' TheoremLesson 2038 — Statement of the Divergence TheoremLesson 2043 — Physical Interpretation: Conservation Laws
- Left singular vectors (U)
- The first r columns of **U** span the **column space** of **A**.
- Lesson 2283 — Left and Right Singular Vectors
- Left sum
- Uses the left edge of each interval to set rectangle height
- Lesson 1550 — Comparing Left, Right, and Midpoint Approximations
- left to right
- when mixing addition and subtraction
- Lesson 17 — Adding and Subtracting Three or More NumbersLesson 456 — Mixed Operations: Multiplication and Division Together
- Left-hand limit
- lim(x→ a ) f(x) — the superscript minus means "from the left"
- Lesson 1326 — Limits Approaching from Left and RightLesson 1329 — Understanding One-Sided LimitsLesson 1331 — Evaluating One-Sided Limits GraphicallyLesson 1333 — One-Sided Limits at Jump Discontinuities
- Left-skewed
- Mean < Median < Mode (mean pulled left by extreme lows)
- Lesson 2993 — Shape of Distributions: Symmetry and Skewness
- Left-skewed (negatively skewed)
- A long tail stretches to the left.
- Lesson 2993 — Shape of Distributions: Symmetry and Skewness
- Leg formula
- leg = √(hypotenuse segment × whole hypotenuse)
- Lesson 804 — Finding Missing Lengths with Geometric Means
- legs
- (the sides that form the right angle)
- Lesson 773 — What is the Pythagorean Theorem?Lesson 775 — Finding the HypotenuseLesson 821 — Trapezoids: Definitions and Basic Properties
- Lemniscate of Bernoulli
- Lesson 1457 — Applications and Complex Implicit Curves
- Lemniscates
- (like r² = cos(2θ)): Figure-eight loops.
- Lesson 1919 — Computing Areas Using Polar Integrals
- length
- (or magnitude) of a vector and use that to compute the distance between any two points in space.
- Lesson 2053 — Magnitude and DistanceLesson 2171 — Geometric Interpretation of Eigenvectors
- level curve
- is the set of all points (x, y) where the function equals a constant value k.
- Lesson 1800 — Level Curves and Contour MapsLesson 1805 — Level Curves and Contour MapsLesson 1966 — Gradient Vector Fields
- Level k
- all vertices at distance exactly *k* from the start
- Lesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First Search
- leverage
- in regression.
- Lesson 3087 — Influential Points and LeverageLesson 3088 — Cook's Distance and Influence Measures
- Leverage values
- identify high-leverage points (points with unusually extreme X values)
- Lesson 3089 — Outliers in Regression
- LIATE
- is a memory tool that ranks function types from highest to lowest priority for choosing *u*:
- Lesson 1591 — Choosing u and dv: The LIATE Rule
- Like radicals
- are radicals with the *same index* (the little number outside) and the *same radicand* (the number inside).
- Lesson 158 — Adding and Subtracting RadicalsLesson 506 — Identifying Like and Unlike RadicalsLesson 513 — Mixed Operations with RadicalsLesson 520 — Simplifying After Rationalizing
- Like terms
- are terms in an algebraic expression that have **identical variable parts**—meaning they contain the exact same variables raised to the exact same powers.
- Lesson 173 — Like TermsLesson 179 — Combining Like TermsLesson 186 — Simplifying Before EvaluatingLesson 318 — What is a Polynomial? Terms and Like TermsLesson 319 — Combining Like Terms in a PolynomialLesson 320 — Adding Polynomials HorizontallyLesson 332 — Simplifying Products by Combining Like Terms
- Likelihood
- How probable the observed data is under different parameter values.
- Lesson 3112 — Prior, Likelihood, and Posterior: Bayes' Theorem RevisitedLesson 3113 — Discrete Parameter Spaces and Bayesian UpdatingLesson 3114 — Conjugate Priors: Beta-Binomial ModelLesson 3115 — Conjugate Priors: Normal-Normal Model
- limit
- answers the question: "What value does a function approach as the input gets arbitrarily close to some target number?
- Lesson 1319 — What is a Limit? The Approaching IdeaLesson 1325 — Limits at Points of DiscontinuityLesson 1372 — The Concept of Instantaneous Rate of ChangeLesson 1705 — Limits of Sequences: Intuitive Concept
- Limit Comparison
- = More robust when you need to "cancel out" complexity algebraically
- Lesson 1740 — Strategic Selection Between Comparison TestsLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence Test
- Limit Comparison Test
- solves this by looking at how two functions *behave similarly* as they approach infinity (or a discontinuity).
- Lesson 1641 — Limit Comparison Test for Improper IntegralsLesson 1738 — The Limit Comparison Test: Motivation and StatementLesson 1740 — Strategic Selection Between Comparison TestsLesson 1741 — Mixed Practice: Integral and Comparison Tests
- Limited curves
- If a curve starts at x = 2 and ends at x = 7, the domain is [2, 7].
- Lesson 552 — Domain from Graphs
- Limits
- The ε-δ definition of a limit uses nested quantifiers:
- Lesson 2486 — Nested Quantifiers in Mathematics
- limits at infinity
- , we're asking: "What does f(x) approach as x becomes extremely large?
- Lesson 1328 — Limits at Infinity and Horizontal AsymptotesLesson 1347 — Exponential and Logarithmic Limits
- Limits of Integration
- Lesson 1665 — Setting Up a Shell IntegralLesson 2959 — Convolution Formula for Continuous RVs
- line
- is a perfectly straight path that extends forever in both directions.
- Lesson 696 — Lines: Infinite Straight PathsLesson 697 — Line Segments and RaysLesson 708 — Linear PairsLesson 920 — Intersection of Lines and CirclesLesson 2059 — The Span of a Set of VectorsLesson 2061 — Geometric Span in R²: Lines and PlanesLesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³Lesson 2584 — Circular Permutations
- Line up the numbers
- by place value (ones under ones, tens under tens)
- Lesson 14 — Adding and Subtracting with Larger Numbers
- Linear
- Lesson 650 — Comparing Linear, Exponential, and Logarithmic GrowthLesson 2269 — Isomorphisms Between Vector SpacesLesson 2336 — Strategy Guide: Choosing the Right Solution MethodLesson 2355 — Superposition for Multiple TermsLesson 2390 — Linearity and First Shifting TheoremLesson 2440 — Superposition and Non-Homogeneous BoundariesLesson 2446 — When Separation of Variables WorksLesson 2950 — Covariance and Independence (+1 more)
- linear combination
- of these unit vectors.
- Lesson 1239 — Unit Vector Notation: i, j, and kLesson 1247 — Linear Combinations of VectorsLesson 2055 — What is a Linear Combination?Lesson 2056 — Computing Linear Combinations in R²Lesson 2709 — Divisibility: Definition and Basic PropertiesLesson 2715 — Extended Euclidean AlgorithmLesson 2966 — Linear Combinations of Random Variables
- Linear dependence
- means there's redundancy: at least one vector doesn't add new directional information because it already lies in the span of the others.
- Lesson 2066 — Linear Dependence and Redundant Vectors
- Linear functions
- like `f(x) = 2x + 3` can output any real number, so their range is all real numbers (unless restricted by context).
- Lesson 553 — Finding Range from EquationsLesson 1646 — Finding Intersection Points
- Linear Growth
- increases by a *constant amount* each step.
- Lesson 650 — Comparing Linear, Exponential, and Logarithmic Growth
- Linear independence
- ensures efficiency: no basis vector is redundant or expressible using the others.
- Lesson 2086 — What is a Basis?Lesson 2087 — Verifying a Set is a BasisLesson 2144 — The Invertible Matrix Theorem
- Linear only
- ρ = 0 means no *linear* relationship, but nonlinear dependence may exist
- Lesson 2956 — Examples and Applications of Correlation
- linear pair
- is a special arrangement of two adjacent angles that share a common side and whose other sides form a straight line.
- Lesson 708 — Linear PairsLesson 709 — Vertical AnglesLesson 718 — Using Angle Relationships to Find MeasuresLesson 733 — Exterior Angle TheoremLesson 810 — Exterior Angles of Polygons
- Linear PDE
- The unknown function u and all its derivatives appear to the first power only, with no products between them.
- Lesson 2409 — Classification: Order and Linearity
- Linear programming
- is a method for solving real-world optimization problems.
- Lesson 304 — Introduction to Linear Programming
- Linear regression
- answers this by finding the line that minimizes the total squared vertical distance from each data point to the line.
- Lesson 2238 — Applications: Linear Regression
- linear transformation
- is a special type of function that maps vectors from one vector space to another while preserving the fundamental operations: vector addition and scalar multiplication.
- Lesson 2259 — Definition of Linear TransformationsLesson 2260 — Examples of Linear TransformationsLesson 2867 — Linear Transformations of Random Variables
- Linear, homogeneous PDEs
- with constant coefficients
- Lesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- linearity
- , and it mirrors what you already know from derivatives: the derivative of a sum equals the sum of derivatives.
- Lesson 1540 — Sum and Difference Rules for AntiderivativesLesson 1559 — Properties of Definite Integrals: LinearityLesson 2202 — Inner Products on Function SpacesLesson 2355 — Superposition for Multiple TermsLesson 2635 — General Solution of Non-Homogeneous RecurrencesLesson 2853 — Properties of Expectation: LinearityLesson 3068 — Assumptions of Simple Linear RegressionLesson 3084 — Residual Plots: Fitted Values vs. Residuals
- linearly dependent
- .
- Lesson 2065 — Definition of Linear IndependenceLesson 2066 — Linear Dependence and Redundant VectorsLesson 2163 — Determinants and Linear Independence
- linearly independent
- if none of the vectors can be written as a linear combination of the others.
- Lesson 2065 — Definition of Linear IndependenceLesson 2066 — Linear Dependence and Redundant VectorsLesson 2067 — Testing Linear Independence in R²Lesson 2068 — Testing Linear Independence in R³Lesson 2072 — Linear Independence in General Vector SpacesLesson 2086 — What is a Basis?Lesson 2088 — Standard BasesLesson 2163 — Determinants and Linear Independence (+1 more)
- Lines through the origin
- any line passing through (0,0), like the span of a single nonzero vector
- Lesson 2080 — Subspaces of R^2 and R^3
- List-able
- You can write out all possible values, even if it takes forever
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- literal equation
- is any equation with more than one variable.
- Lesson 187 — Using Formulas and Literal EquationsLesson 214 — Literal Equations: Solving for a Specified Variable
- Load Distribution
- Lesson 981 — Applications in Construction and Engineering
- Local maxima and minima
- Using the First Derivative Test
- Lesson 1503 — Analyzing Function Behavior with Derivatives
- local maximum
- is a point where the function value is higher than all nearby points—like standing on a hill that might not be the tallest mountain around, but you're at the top of *that* hill.
- Lesson 573 — Extrema: Local and Absolute Maxima and MinimaLesson 1496 — The First Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1520 — Critical Points and Local ExtremaLesson 1523 — The Second Derivative Test for ExtremaLesson 1863 — Classifying Critical Points: Local Extrema and Saddle PointsLesson 1866 — The Second Derivative Test: Statement and Conditions
- local minimum
- is a point where the function value is lower than all nearby points—like standing in a valley that might not be the deepest point overall, but it's the lowest spot in *that* area.
- Lesson 573 — Extrema: Local and Absolute Maxima and MinimaLesson 1496 — The First Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1520 — Critical Points and Local ExtremaLesson 1523 — The Second Derivative Test for ExtremaLesson 1863 — Classifying Critical Points: Local Extrema and Saddle PointsLesson 1866 — The Second Derivative Test: Statement and ConditionsLesson 1867 — Applying the Second Derivative Test (+1 more)
- Locate
- the angle vertex that both sides touch
- Lesson 1114 — Choosing the Correct Angle in SAS Area Formula
- Locate asymptotes
- Solve B(x - C) = 0 and B(x - C) = π to find the first two asymptotes
- Lesson 1027 — Transformations of Cotangent
- Locate critical values
- Find where *f''(x) = 0* or where *f''(x)* is undefined (these are *possible* inflection points)
- Lesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of Concavity
- Locate the decimal point
- in the number you're dividing (inside the division bracket)
- Lesson 90 — Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers
- Locate the focus
- Move `p` units from the vertex along the axis of symmetry (in the opening direction).
- Lesson 1151 — Graphing Parabolas from Standard Form
- log₁₀(100) = 2
- Lesson 618 — Definition of Logarithm as Inverse of ExponentialLesson 619 — Evaluating Simple Logarithms
- log₂(8) = 3
- Lesson 618 — Definition of Logarithm as Inverse of ExponentialLesson 619 — Evaluating Simple Logarithms
- Logarithmic Growth
- increases rapidly at first, then slows down significantly.
- Lesson 650 — Comparing Linear, Exponential, and Logarithmic Growth
- Logarithms
- Functions like f(x) = ln(x) are continuous wherever they're *defined*.
- Lesson 1354 — Continuity of Elementary FunctionsLesson 1803 — Domain and Range of Multivariable Functions
- logically equivalent
- if they produce identical truth values in every possible scenario.
- Lesson 2475 — Logical EquivalenceLesson 2494 — Contrapositive: Logical EquivalenceLesson 2519 — Equivalence of Induction and Well-Ordering
- Look again
- for the u-substitution pattern
- Lesson 1587 — u-Substitution Requiring Algebraic Manipulation
- Look at the denominator(s)
- of your rational expression
- Lesson 477 — Finding Restricted Values and Domain
- Look at what's given
- Count sides and angles.
- Lesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
- Look for eigenvectors first
- If your transformation has enough linearly independent eigenvectors, use them as your basis.
- Lesson 2257 — Finding Convenient Bases
- Look for pairs
- of identical factors (each pair is a perfect square!
- Lesson 155 — Simplifying Square Roots
- Look for parallel lines
- When a line inside a triangle runs parallel to one of its sides, it often creates a smaller similar triangle.
- Lesson 758 — Similar Triangles in Nested Figures
- Look for separable integrands
- that factor into functions of ρ, φ, and θ separately
- Lesson 1942 — Evaluating Triple Integrals Using Spherical Coordinates
- Look for shared angles
- If two triangles share a common angle (at a vertex they both touch), that's one pair of congruent angles right away.
- Lesson 758 — Similar Triangles in Nested Figures
- Look for symmetry first
- If a figure has symmetrical parts, you can calculate one section and multiply rather than computing each piece separately.
- Lesson 874 — Optimizing Composite Figure Problems
- Look up
- probabilities using the standard normal table
- Lesson 2909 — Finding Probabilities with Normal Distributions
- LORAN navigation systems
- use the hyperbola's definition: the difference in distances to two transmitters is constant along a hyperbolic curve.
- Lesson 1187 — Real-World Conic Applications Review
- Lotka-Volterra equations
- capture this dance mathematically using two coupled first-order ODEs:
- Lesson 2376 — Predator-Prey Models: The Lotka-Volterra Equations
- Low variance
- Values cluster tightly around the mean (predictable)
- Lesson 2856 — Variance: Definition and Interpretation
- Lower peak
- The center is slightly flatter than the normal curve
- Lesson 2923 — The Student's t-Distribution: Definition
- Lower Sum
- L = Σ m_i · Δx, where m_i is the minimum value of *f* on the *i*-th subinterval
- Lesson 1554 — Upper and Lower Sums
- Lower sums
- use the **minimum** function value on each subinterval as the rectangle height, guaranteeing an underestimate.
- Lesson 1554 — Upper and Lower Sums
- lower triangular
- matrices have zeros above it.
- Lesson 1295 — Determinants of Special MatricesLesson 2154 — Determinant of Triangular Matrices
- LU decomposition
- or other factorizations
- Lesson 2147 — Computational Considerations and Singular Matrices
- Lucas's Theorem
- for prime p = 2.
- Lesson 2606 — Binomial Coefficients Modulo 2 and Sierpiński's Triangle
M
- m × n
- (m rows, n columns)
- Lesson 1281 — Matrix Multiplication Definition and CompatibilityLesson 2097 — Matrix Notation and Dimensions
- m = 3
- (because |-5| = 5, and 5 > 3)
- Lesson 249 — Comparing Steepness Using SlopeLesson 257 — Point-Slope Form: y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)Lesson 266 — Writing Equations of Parallel Lines
- M = log₁₀(A/A₀)
- Lesson 647 — pH and the Richter Scale
- M_X(t) = E[e^(tX)]
- Lesson 2864 — Moment Generating Functions (MGFs)
- M-augmenting path
- (relative to matching M) is a path that:
- Lesson 2701 — Augmenting Paths and Berge's Theorem
- Machine learning
- Reduce dimensionality while preserving information
- Lesson 2288 — Low-Rank Approximation and Data CompressionLesson 2299 — Covariance Matrices and Applications
- Maclaurin series
- (just a Taylor series centered at the origin).
- Lesson 1773 — The Taylor Series FormulaLesson 1774 — Maclaurin Series: Taylor Series at Zero
- magnitude
- (size/length) and **direction**.
- Lesson 1235 — Introduction to Vectors: Magnitude and DirectionLesson 1237 — Component Form of Vectors in 2DLesson 1240 — Finding Magnitude from ComponentsLesson 1246 — Scalar Multiplication of VectorsLesson 1248 — Magnitude (Norm) of a VectorLesson 1252 — Resolving Vectors into ComponentsLesson 1965 — Evaluating Vector Fields at PointsLesson 2007 — The Curl of a Vector Field (+4 more)
- Magnitude of λ
- Tells you how sensitive your optimal value is to small changes in the constraint
- Lesson 1876 — The Lagrange Multiplier λ
- major axis
- is the longer dimension (length 2a), and the **minor axis** is the shorter one (length 2b).
- Lesson 1155 — Definition and Standard Form of an EllipseLesson 1159 — Horizontal vs. Vertical EllipsesLesson 1163 — The Major and Minor Axes
- Make a decision
- If your p-value is less than your significance level α, or if z falls in the critical region, you reject H₀
- Lesson 3025 — One-Sample z-Test for Means
- Make an initial guess
- for the firing angle (the unknown initial condition)
- Lesson 2406 — Solving Boundary Value Problems: Shooting Method Concept
- Make integrands easier
- (functions often become simpler in the right coordinates)
- Lesson 1944 — Motivation for Change of Variables in Multiple Integrals
- Makes overlap meaningful
- (so multiple objects in one hole gives you useful information)
- Lesson 2576 — Constructing Pigeonholes Strategically
- Making Tables
- Organize information systematically.
- Lesson 195 — Checking Solutions and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Manufacturing
- Evaluating five machine settings on product quality
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- Manufacturing Tolerances
- A machine cuts rods to 50 cm with an error uniformly distributed between -0.
- Lesson 2897 — Applications of the Uniform Distribution
- Marginal cost
- is the derivative C'(x)—it tells you how much one additional unit costs to produce.
- Lesson 1513 — Cost and Revenue OptimizationLesson 1830 — Applications: Marginal Analysis in Economics
- Marginal PDF of Y
- *f_Y(y) = Σ_x p_X,Y(x, y)* (sum over *X*)
- Lesson 2937 — Mixed Discrete-Continuous Joint Distributions
- Marginal PMF of X
- *p_X(x) = ∫ p_X,Y(x, y) dy* (integrate out *Y*)
- Lesson 2937 — Mixed Discrete-Continuous Joint Distributions
- Marginal probabilities
- (for just X or just Y): Sum across the other variable
- Lesson 2927 — Joint Probability Distributions: Discrete Case
- Marginal revenue
- is R'(x)—how much revenue one more sale generates.
- Lesson 1513 — Cost and Revenue Optimization
- Mark edges
- used to reach new vertices—these become tree edges
- Lesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First Search
- Mark the observer's position
- Lesson 968 — Drawing Diagrams for Angle Problems
- Mark the radius
- by counting r units up, down, left, and right from the center
- Lesson 1137 — Graphing Circles from Standard Form
- Mark the reflected point
- P' so that M is the midpoint of segment PP'
- Lesson 927 — Reflections Across Arbitrary Lines
- Mark the vertices
- a units away on the transverse axis
- Lesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin
- Market research
- Checking if product preference is independent of age group (chi-squared test for independence)
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- Mass
- is found by integrating the density function over the region:
- Lesson 1921 — Applications: Mass and Center of Mass in PolarLesson 1922 — Introduction to Triple IntegralsLesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two DimensionsLesson 2018 — Surface Integrals of Scalar Functions
- Master Theorem
- gives us a shortcut to determine asymptotic behavior by comparing the "splitting work" (controlled by *a* and *b*) with the "combining work" (*f(n)*).
- Lesson 2636 — Divide-and-Conquer Recurrences
- Match exactly
- The binomials must be identical, including signs
- Lesson 377 — Identifying the Common Binomial Factor
- Match the conclusion's definition
- Since *2k²* is an integer, *n²* has the form *2m* where *m = 2k²*, so *n²* is even by definition.
- Lesson 2492 — Direct Proof: Working with Definitions
- Match them
- to the three sides of the second triangle
- Lesson 741 — SSS (Side-Side-Side) Congruence Postulate
- Matching forms
- When comparing two series, aligning their indices makes patterns clearer
- Lesson 1720 — Reindexing and Shifting Series
- Material quantities
- "How much soil is needed for a rectangular garden bed 6ft × 4ft × 1.
- Lesson 884 — Volume Word Problems and Applications
- Materials engineering
- Maximize strength-to-weight ratio given cost and manufacturing constraints
- Lesson 1890 — Application: Optimization in Physics and Engineering
- Mathematical tractability
- Squared terms have nice calculus properties that let us find the minimum algebraically
- Lesson 3062 — The Least Squares Criterion
- Mathematically
- , this function works for *any* real number.
- Lesson 557 — Real-World Context and Restricted Domains
- matrix
- is a rectangular arrangement of numbers (or expressions) organized into rows and columns.
- Lesson 1271 — What is a Matrix? Dimensions and NotationLesson 2097 — Matrix Notation and Dimensions
- Matrix D
- This is a diagonal matrix where the diagonal entries are the eigenvalues, placed in the *same order* as their corresponding eigenvectors appear in **P**.
- Lesson 2191 — Constructing P and D from Eigenvectors
- Matrix P
- Form this by placing the eigenvectors of **A** as *columns*.
- Lesson 2191 — Constructing P and D from Eigenvectors
- Maximally acyclic
- – It has no cycles, but adding any edge creates one
- Lesson 2668 — Definition and Properties of Trees
- maximum
- (greatest) or **minimum** (smallest) value of something you care about.
- Lesson 304 — Introduction to Linear ProgrammingLesson 436 — Revenue and Profit MaximizationLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1554 — Upper and Lower SumsLesson 1786 — Using the Lagrange Remainder to Bound ErrorLesson 2727 — Applications: GCD and LCM via Prime FactorizationLesson 2990 — Percentiles and Quartiles
- Maximum Likelihood Estimation
- finds parameter values that make the observed data "most likely" by maximizing the likelihood function.
- Lesson 3008 — Comparing MLE and Method of Moments
- Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE)
- and the **Method of Moments (MoM)** produce point estimates for population parameters, but they take fundamentally different approaches:
- Lesson 3008 — Comparing MLE and Method of Moments
- Maximum Principle Connection
- Since the center value equals the boundary average, a harmonic function cannot have a local maximum or minimum in the interior (unless it's constant everywhere).
- Lesson 2444 — Mean Value Property and Applications
- Maximum rate of change
- = ||∇f|| (the length of the gradient vector)
- Lesson 1846 — Maximum and Minimum Rates of Change
- Maximum value
- Changes from 1 to 1 + D
- Lesson 1018 — Vertical Shift: y = sin(x) + D and the MidlineLesson 1034 — Finding Amplitude from Equations and Graphs
- mean
- of a discrete random variable tells you the "average" value you'd expect if you could repeat the random experiment infinitely many times.
- Lesson 2852 — Definition of Expectation (Mean) for Discrete Random VariablesLesson 2855 — Definition of Expectation for Continuous Random VariablesLesson 2897 — Applications of the Uniform DistributionLesson 2900 — Mean and Variance of Exponential DistributionsLesson 2905 — Parameters: Mean and Standard DeviationLesson 2924 — Properties and Uses of the t-DistributionLesson 2926 — Properties and Applications of the F-DistributionLesson 2984 — CLT for Sample Sums (+3 more)
- mean (expected value)
- is:
- Lesson 2886 — Mean and Variance of the Hypergeometric DistributionLesson 2891 — Mean and Variance of the Poisson DistributionLesson 2920 — Properties and Applications of the Beta Distribution
- Mean and variance
- E[χ²(k)] = *k* and Var(χ²(k)) = 2*k*
- Lesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi-Squared
- Mean Squares
- = SS divided by df (a variance estimate)
- Lesson 3097 — The ANOVA Table and Hypothesis Testing
- Mean Value Theorem (MVT)
- isn't just abstract math—it has a powerful real-world interpretation when applied to motion.
- Lesson 1493 — Real-World Interpretation: Speed and Distance
- Means add linearly
- The new mean is just *a* times the first mean plus *b* times the second mean
- Lesson 2912 — Linear Combinations of Normal Variables
- Measure dimensions
- Rectangle A is 5 ft × 3 ft; Rectangle B is 4 ft × 2 ft
- Lesson 868 — Finding Area of Composite Figures by Addition
- Mechanical Design
- Analyzing rotating machinery—flywheels, gears, turbines
- Lesson 1962 — Radius of Gyration and Applications
- Mechanics
- Optimize trajectories under force equilibrium and momentum conservation
- Lesson 1890 — Application: Optimization in Physics and Engineering
- median
- is a segment that connects a vertex to the **midpoint of the opposite side**.
- Lesson 738 — Medians, Altitudes, and Angle BisectorsLesson 2849 — Percentiles and Quantiles from the CDFLesson 2988 — Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median, ModeLesson 2990 — Percentiles and QuartilesLesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- medians
- meet (remember: medians connect vertices to midpoints of opposite sides).
- Lesson 739 — Centroid, Orthocenter, Incenter, and CircumcenterLesson 907 — Distance and Midpoint with Special Triangles
- Medical lithotripsy
- Breaking up kidney stones by focusing shock waves from one focus; the waves concentrate at the other focus where the stone is located
- Lesson 1165 — Reflective Property of Ellipses
- Medical research
- Testing whether treatment outcomes differ across multiple patient groups (ANOVA F test)
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- Medicine
- Comparing four drug dosages on patient recovery times
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- memoryless property
- states that for a geometric random variable (counting trials until first success), the probability of waiting an additional *k* trials is the same regardless of how many trials have already failed.
- Lesson 2883 — Memoryless Property and ApplicationsLesson 2902 — Relationship Between Exponential and Poisson
- Memoryless within intervals
- Knowing you're past a certain point doesn't change probabilities for the remaining segment
- Lesson 2897 — Applications of the Uniform Distribution
- Menger's Theorem
- states: *The maximum number of edge-disjoint paths from s to t equals the minimum number of edges whose removal disconnects s from t* (called a minimum *s-t* edge cut).
- Lesson 2708 — Edge-Disjoint Paths and Menger's Theorem
- Mersenne primes
- have the form \( M_p = 2^p - 1 \), where \( p \) itself is prime.
- Lesson 2729 — Special Primes: Mersenne, Fermat, and Twin Primes
- Messy quotients with radicals
- When numerators and denominators both have complicated expressions
- Lesson 1465 — Applications and Complex Examples
- Method
- Divide the part by the percent (in decimal form).
- Lesson 100 — Finding the Whole Given a Part and Percent
- Method 1 (Division)
- Use synthetic or long division and read off the remainder at the end.
- Lesson 351 — The Remainder Theorem
- Method 1 (Parentheses first)
- Lesson 38 — The Distributive Property
- Method 1 (Ratios)
- Check if `5 : 5√3 : 10` simplifies to `x : x√3 : 2x`.
- Lesson 799 — Comparing Special Triangles with Pythagorean Theorem
- Method 2 (Pythagorean)
- Verify it's a right triangle: `5² + (5√3)² = 25 + 75 = 100 = 10²`
- Lesson 799 — Comparing Special Triangles with Pythagorean Theorem
- Method 2: Geometric Construction
- Lesson 1142 — Circles from Three Points
- method of moments
- is one of the oldest and most intuitive techniques for estimating parameters.
- Lesson 3001 — Introduction to Method of MomentsLesson 3002 — Method of Moments for One ParameterLesson 3003 — Method of Moments for Multiple ParametersLesson 3008 — Comparing MLE and Method of Moments
- Method of Moments (MoM)
- produce point estimates for population parameters, but they take fundamentally different approaches:
- Lesson 3008 — Comparing MLE and Method of Moments
- Method of Undetermined Coefficients
- with a smart guess: assume the particular solution is also a polynomial.
- Lesson 2350 — Particular Solutions for Polynomial Right-Hand SidesLesson 2360 — The Variation of Parameters Formula for Second-Order ODEs
- Metropolis-Hastings
- Propose moves, accept or reject based on posterior density ratios
- Lesson 3121 — Computational Tools: Introduction to MCMC and Bayesian Software
- Middle integral
- Integrate the result with respect to y (treating z as constant)
- Lesson 1923 — Setting Up Triple Integrals over Rectangular Boxes
- Middle steps
- Use definitions, postulates, and theorems you've learned
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence Proofs
- Middle variable (usually θ)
- What angular range does the region sweep?
- Lesson 1936 — Setting Up Triple Integrals in Cylindrical Coordinates
- midline
- (the horizontal center of the wave) to the highest or lowest point.
- Lesson 1015 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretching with y = A·sin(x)Lesson 1018 — Vertical Shift: y = sin(x) + D and the MidlineLesson 1039 — Vertical Shift: D ParameterLesson 1041 — Writing Equations from Transformed Graphs
- Midline (D)
- Average depth = (20 + 8)/2 = 14 feet
- Lesson 1042 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- midpoint formula
- calculates this center by finding the average of the x-coordinates and the average of the y- coordinates separately.
- Lesson 905 — Midpoint Formula: Finding the Center PointLesson 907 — Distance and Midpoint with Special TrianglesLesson 919 — Writing Equations of Circles from Given Information
- Midpoint Rectangles
- Use the *midpoint* of each subinterval
- Lesson 1546 — Approximating Area Under a Curve with Rectangles
- Midpoint Riemann sums
- offer a third approach: use the **middle point** of each subinterval to determine the rectangle's height.
- Lesson 1549 — Midpoint Riemann Sums
- Midpoint sums
- typically give better approximations than left or right sums.
- Lesson 1550 — Comparing Left, Right, and Midpoint Approximations
- Min-cut
- A different optimization problem (minimize cut capacity)
- Lesson 2705 — The Max-Flow Min-Cut Theorem
- Minimally connected
- – It's connected, but removing any single edge disconnects it
- Lesson 2668 — Definition and Properties of Trees
- Minimize
- cost, waste, time, or pollution
- Lesson 305 — The Objective FunctionLesson 1890 — Application: Optimization in Physics and Engineering
- minimum
- (smallest) value of something you care about.
- Lesson 304 — Introduction to Linear ProgrammingLesson 1367 — Common Techniques and Restrictions on δLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1554 — Upper and Lower SumsLesson 2727 — Applications: GCD and LCM via Prime FactorizationLesson 2990 — Percentiles and Quartiles
- Minimum rate of change
- = 0, occurring in directions **perpendicular** to ∇f
- Lesson 1846 — Maximum and Minimum Rates of Change
- Minimum value
- 0, occurring at x = 0
- Lesson 594 — The Absolute Value FunctionLesson 1018 — Vertical Shift: y = sin(x) + D and the MidlineLesson 1034 — Finding Amplitude from Equations and Graphs
- minor axis
- is the shorter one (length 2b).
- Lesson 1155 — Definition and Standard Form of an EllipseLesson 1163 — The Major and Minor Axes
- Minor₁
- (for `a`): Cross out row 1, column 1 → `| e f |`
- Lesson 1292 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Expansion by Minors
- Minor₂
- (for `b`): Cross out row 1, column 2 → `| d f |`
- Lesson 1292 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Expansion by Minors
- Minor₃
- (for `c`): Cross out row 1, column 3 → `| d e |`
- Lesson 1292 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Expansion by Minors
- Misapplying the Quotient Rule
- Lesson 150 — Common Mistakes with Exponent Rules
- Misleading p-values
- Individual predictors may appear non-significant even when the overall model is significant
- Lesson 3080 — Multicollinearity: Detection and ConsequencesLesson 3085 — Detecting Non-Constant Variance (Heteroscedasticity)
- Missing probability mass/density
- If the sum/integral ≠ 1, it's invalid
- Lesson 2842 — Verifying Valid PMFs and PDFs
- Mix of strategies
- Sometimes you can compare pairs quickly (like when one fraction is obviously smaller) before doing all the conversions.
- Lesson 68 — Ordering Multiple Fractions
- Mixed boundaries
- A region might be bounded by a parabola below and a circle above—sketch first, then identify which description (Type I or II) is simpler.
- Lesson 1906 — Regions Bounded by Curves
- Mixed complexity
- Products involving exponentials, trig functions, and polynomials all at once
- Lesson 1465 — Applications and Complex Examples
- Mixed operations
- means you'll encounter problems where you need to multiply, divide, simplify, *and then* add or subtract radicals, all in one expression.
- Lesson 513 — Mixed Operations with Radicals
- Mixed or Complex Forms
- Lesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- mixed partial derivatives
- .
- Lesson 1826 — Higher-Order Partial DerivativesLesson 2328 — Exact Differential Equations: Definition and Test
- mixed random variable
- has a probability distribution that assigns positive probability to specific isolated points (like discrete variables) *and* spreads probability continuously over intervals (like continuous variables).
- Lesson 2831 — Mixed and Other Types of Random VariablesLesson 2850 — Mixed Random Variables and Their CDFs
- Mixing problems
- Liquid enters a tank at some concentration, mixes instantly, and drains out.
- Lesson 2317 — Applications: Mixing and Velocity Problems
- Mixing up radius functions
- Both methods require correct identification of the distance from the axis of rotation.
- Lesson 1690 — Comparing Surface Area and Volume Calculations
- Mixture problems
- involve combining substances (like chemicals or liquids) with different concentrations or properties.
- Lesson 439 — Work and Mixture Rate Problems
- Mixtures
- Creating paint colors, concrete, or juice concentrates in correct ratios.
- Lesson 123 — Real-World Proportion Problems
- MLE
- Also gives the biased version, but theoretical properties are better understood
- Lesson 3008 — Comparing MLE and Method of Moments
- Mode
- Useful for categorical data or understanding the most typical occurrence.
- Lesson 2988 — Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median, Mode
- Model validation
- If sample mean and variance differ dramatically, the Poisson may not be appropriate
- Lesson 2891 — Mean and Variance of the Poisson Distribution
- Modeling real phenomena
- Knowing which effects matter most long-term
- Lesson 1535 — Applications to Growth Rates and Asymptotic Behavior
- Modification needed
- guess $y_p = Ate^{2t}$ instead of $Ae^{2t}$
- Lesson 2357 — Higher-Order ODEs and Undetermined Coefficients
- modular inverse
- of *a* modulo *n* is a number *x* such that *ax* ≡ 1 (mod *n*).
- Lesson 2736 — Finding Modular InversesLesson 2765 — Computing the Private Exponent d
- modulus
- ) of a complex number measures how far that number is from the origin (0, 0) on the complex plane.
- Lesson 1203 — Absolute Value (Modulus) of Complex NumbersLesson 1209 — Modulus of a Complex NumberLesson 1215 — Converting from Rectangular to Polar FormLesson 1216 — Finding the Modulus (Absolute Value)Lesson 2766 — RSA Encryption
- Moment
- ∫₀⁴ x(2 + x) dx = ∫₀⁴ (2x + x²) dx = [x² + x³/3]₀⁴ = 16 + 64/3 ≈ 37.
- Lesson 1700 — Center of Mass for One-Dimensional SystemsLesson 1957 — Moments and First Moments
- Moment about the x-axis
- $M_y = \iint_R x \cdot \rho(r, \theta) \, r \, dr \, d\theta$
- Lesson 1921 — Applications: Mass and Center of Mass in Polar
- Moment about the y-axis
- $M_x = \iint_R y \cdot \rho(r, \theta) \, r \, dr \, d\theta$
- Lesson 1921 — Applications: Mass and Center of Mass in Polar
- Moment Generating Function (MGF)
- is a special function that encodes information about all moments (mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, and beyond) of a random variable into one compact formula.
- Lesson 2864 — Moment Generating Functions (MGFs)Lesson 2960 — Moment Generating Functions: Definition
- moments
- , which measure how mass is distributed relative to an axis.
- Lesson 1701 — Moments and Centroids of Planar RegionsLesson 1921 — Applications: Mass and Center of Mass in PolarLesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two Dimensions
- Moments of inertia
- are **second moments**—instead of multiplying density by distance, we multiply by *distance squared*.
- Lesson 1960 — Moments of Inertia
- monomial
- (a single term like `3x` or `-5y²`) by a **polynomial** (multiple terms like `2x + 7` or `x² - 4x + 1`), you must distribute the monomial to *every* term inside the polynomial.
- Lesson 325 — Multiplying a Monomial by a PolynomialLesson 345 — Long Division with PolynomialsLesson 446 — Simplifying with Monomial Factors
- monotonic
- (always increasing or always decreasing) function:
- Lesson 1550 — Comparing Left, Right, and Midpoint ApproximationsLesson 1710 — Monotonic Sequences and BoundednessLesson 3109 — Spearman's Rank Correlation
- Monotonicity
- describes how a function behaves as you move from left to right along its graph.
- Lesson 571 — Monotonicity: Increasing and Decreasing FunctionsLesson 1494 — Using the First Derivative to Determine Monotonicity
- Monotonicity (increasing/decreasing)
- Shows whether quantities are growing or shrinking
- Lesson 1504 — Applications: Real-World Monotonicity and Concavity
- More Complex Examples
- like `f(x) = |x - 3|` become:
- Lesson 598 — Writing Functions as Piecewise Definitions
- More efficient
- than general LU decomposition (about half the computational work)
- Lesson 2295 — The Cholesky Decomposition
- Motion along paths
- A particle moves along a curve.
- Lesson 1418 — Chain Rule Applications and Problem-Solving
- Move down one row
- and repeat the process for the remaining submatrix
- Lesson 2119 — Converting to Row Echelon Form
- Move the constant
- Get the constant on the right side
- Lesson 1175 — Converting General Form to Standard Form
- Move the decimal point
- in BOTH the divisor and dividend the same number of places to the right
- Lesson 91 — Dividing by Decimals
- Move up one row
- and substitute the value(s) you just found
- Lesson 1312 — Back Substitution from Echelon FormLesson 2110 — Back Substitution
- Move variable terms
- to one side using addition/subtraction
- Lesson 211 — Multi-Step Equations Requiring Multiple Operations
- multinomial coefficient
- and counts how many ways you can arrange n objects where r₁ are of type 1, r₂ are of type 2, and so on—exactly like permutations with repetition!
- Lesson 2610 — The Multinomial TheoremLesson 2612 — Counting Arrangements with Multiple TypesLesson 2613 — Multinomial Coefficients and Word Arrangements
- multinomial coefficients
- ways to arrange items when you have multiple categories.
- Lesson 2608 — Multinomial Theorem Preview via Trinomial ExpansionLesson 2609 — From Binomial to Multinomial CoefficientsLesson 2611 — Calculating Multinomial CoefficientsLesson 2614 — Distribution Problems with ConstraintsLesson 2615 — Relationship to Combinations and Stars-and-Bars
- Multiple edges
- between the same two vertices
- Lesson 2648 — Types of Graphs: Simple, Multi-, and Pseudographs
- Multiple factors with powers
- When you have three or more factors being multiplied, each raised to powers
- Lesson 1465 — Applications and Complex Examples
- Multiple linear regression
- extends the simple model to handle multiple predictors simultaneously.
- Lesson 3072 — Introduction to Multiple Linear RegressionLesson 3075 — Interpretation of Regression Coefficients
- Multiple possible outcomes
- – There must be at least two different results that could occur
- Lesson 2771 — What is a Random Experiment?
- multiplication
- Lesson 36 — The Commutative PropertyLesson 37 — The Associative PropertyLesson 82 — Word Problems Involving Fraction OperationsLesson 172 — Writing Expressions from Word ProblemsLesson 183 — Order of Operations in EvaluationLesson 534 — Multiplying and Dividing with Fractional ExponentsLesson 1224 — Geometric Interpretation of Polar OperationsLesson 2739 — Properties of Congruence Relations
- Multiplication and Division
- – Work left to right, applying sign rules
- Lesson 47 — Mixed Operations with Negative NumbersLesson 81 — Operations with Multiple FractionsLesson 513 — Mixed Operations with Radicals
- Multiplication equation
- Lesson 201 — Solving One-Step Multiplication/Division Equations
- Multiplication phrases
- Lesson 188 — Translating Words into Mathematical Expressions
- Multiplication Property example
- Lesson 200 — Multiplication and Division Properties of Equality
- Multiplication Property of Equality
- says you can multiply both sides by the same nonzero number, and the equation stays balanced.
- Lesson 200 — Multiplication and Division Properties of EqualityLesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing Denominators
- Multiplication Rule
- gives us exactly that:
- Lesson 2795 — The Multiplication RuleLesson 2796 — Sequential Experiments and Tree DiagramsLesson 2813 — Motivation for Bayes' Theorem
- multiplicative identity
- because it preserves a number's identity in multiplication.
- Lesson 39 — Identity and Inverse PropertiesLesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and Zero
- multiplicative inverse
- a number that multiplies with it to give one:
- Lesson 39 — Identity and Inverse PropertiesLesson 2735 — Division and Modular Inverses
- Multiply
- Multiply your answer by the divisor and write the result below.
- Lesson 29 — Long Division AlgorithmLesson 76 — Multiplying Mixed NumbersLesson 80 — Complex FractionsLesson 178 — Reading and Interpreting Algebraic NotationLesson 350 — Performing Synthetic DivisionLesson 362 — Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficient 1Lesson 452 — Simplifying Before MultiplyingLesson 455 — Dividing and Simplifying in One Step (+9 more)
- Multiply all denominators together
- to get the new denominator
- Lesson 451 — Multiplying Rational Expressions: Basic Method
- Multiply all numerators together
- to get the new numerator
- Lesson 451 — Multiplying Rational Expressions: Basic Method
- Multiply by 2
- (6, 8, 10)
- Lesson 785 — Generating Multiples of Basic TriplesLesson 888 — Surface Area of Cylinders
- Multiply by the conjugate
- If your denominator is `c + di`, multiply both numerator and denominator by its conjugate `c - di`
- Lesson 1206 — Rationalization and Standard FormLesson 1346 — Other Trigonometric LimitsLesson 1385 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Root Functions
- multiply by the reciprocal
- .
- Lesson 78 — Dividing FractionsLesson 454 — Dividing Rational Expressions: Multiply by Reciprocal
- Multiply every term
- (including constants) by the LCD
- Lesson 480 — Solving Equations with Multiple Terms
- Multiply or divide
- to make unwanted units cancel
- Lesson 113 — Solving Rate ProblemsLesson 458 — Applications of Multiplying and Dividing Rationals
- Multiply the coefficients
- together
- Lesson 165 — Multiplying Numbers in Scientific NotationLesson 508 — Multiplying Radicals with the Same Index
- Multiply the radicands
- (numbers under the radical symbols)
- Lesson 508 — Multiplying Radicals with the Same Index
- Multiply the recurrence relation
- by xⁿ and sum over all valid n
- Lesson 2643 — Solving Recurrence Relations with Generating Functions
- Multiply the results together
- (by the multiplication principle)
- Lesson 2596 — Multiple Selection Problems
- Multiply through
- by e^(ax): the left side becomes d/dx[y·e^(ax)]
- Lesson 2325 — Linear ODEs with Constant Coefficients
- Multiply top and bottom
- Multiply both the numerator and denominator by that same factor
- Lesson 462 — Building Equivalent Rationals
- Multiply what remains
- Lesson 456 — Mixed Operations: Multiplication and Division Together
- Multivariable functions
- extend function notation to handle this.
- Lesson 543 — Function Notation with Multiple Variables
- Multivariate statistics
- Describes probability distributions (multivariate Gaussian)
- Lesson 2299 — Covariance Matrices and Applications
- must diverge
- .
- Lesson 686 — The nth Term Test for DivergenceLesson 1716 — The nth Term Test for Divergence
- Mutual Independence
- (also called *full independence*): Not only is every pair independent, but *every subset* of the events satisfies the product rule.
- Lesson 2807 — Pairwise vs. Mutual IndependenceLesson 2944 — Pairwise vs Mutual Independence
- mutually exclusive
- (outcomes don't overlap—exactly one occurs per experiment).
- Lesson 2772 — Sample Spaces: The Set of All Possible OutcomesLesson 2779 — Mutually Exclusive EventsLesson 2780 — Partitions of the Sample SpaceLesson 2785 — The General Addition Rule
N
- n → ∞
- (n approaches infinity), something remarkable occurs: the width of each rectangle shrinks toward zero, and your approximation becomes increasingly accurate.
- Lesson 1553 — Riemann Sums as n Approaches InfinityLesson 2892 — Poisson as a Limit of Binomial
- n = p
- Lesson 1281 — Matrix Multiplication Definition and CompatibilityLesson 2100 — Matrix Multiplication: Definition
- n total objects
- where:
- Lesson 2585 — Permutations of Objects with RepetitionLesson 2612 — Counting Arrangements with Multiple Types
- N(A^T)
- or sometimes **N ⊥(A)** to emphasize its orthogonal relationship.
- Lesson 2131 — The Left Null Space
- n×n
- matrix **A**, the following are **equivalent**:
- Lesson 2144 — The Invertible Matrix TheoremLesson 2190 — The Diagonalization Theorem
- Natural independence
- occurs when the physical setup of the experiment guarantees that stages don't influence each other.
- Lesson 2808 — Independence in Multi-Stage Experiments
- Navigation
- determining distances between ships, aircraft, or landmarks
- Lesson 1100 — Applications of the Law of Sines
- Navigation with bearings
- A ship travels 50 km on a bearing of 040°, then changes course and travels 30 km on a bearing of 130°.
- Lesson 1109 — Applications: Distance and Navigation Problems
- Near-singular matrices
- (those "almost" singular with very small determinants) amplify small errors into huge ones
- Lesson 2147 — Computational Considerations and Singular Matrices
- Necessity ( )
- If a perfect matching exists, then for any S ⊆ X, those |S| vertices must be matched to |S| distinct vertices in Y.
- Lesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage Theorem
- Negate
- the off-diagonal elements (change signs of `b` and `c`)
- Lesson 1302 — Finding the Inverse of a 2×2 Matrix
- Negating a Universal Statement
- Lesson 2484 — Negating Quantified Statements
- Negating an Existential Statement
- Lesson 2484 — Negating Quantified Statements
- negative
- .
- Lesson 45 — Multiplying Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 138 — Exponents with Negative BasesLesson 218 — Solving One-Step InequalitiesLesson 246 — Positive, Negative, Zero, and Undefined SlopesLesson 250 — Slope and Direction of LinesLesson 359 — Factoring Out Negative GCFsLesson 362 — Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficient 1Lesson 366 — Factoring Trinomials with Negative Coefficients (+11 more)
- Negative (clockwise) orientation
- is the opposite direction.
- Lesson 1995 — Orientation and Simple Closed Curves
- Negative angles rotate clockwise
- from the positive x-axis.
- Lesson 1007 — Negative Angles and Trigonometric Values
- Negative covariance
- When X increases, Y tends to decrease (and vice versa)
- Lesson 2947 — Covariance: Definition and Interpretation
- Negative D
- For `y = cos(x) - 2`, the midline shifts down to `y = -2`
- Lesson 1039 — Vertical Shift: D Parameter
- negative definite
- if **x**ᵀA**x** < 0 for *all* nonzero vectors **x**.
- Lesson 2292 — Positive Definite, Negative Definite, and Indefinite MatricesLesson 2293 — Eigenvalue Criterion for Definiteness
- Negative divergence (div
- F** < 0):** The field is **converging** — more fluid is arriving than leaving.
- Lesson 2006 — Interpreting Divergence Physically
- Negative exponents
- = create fractions (reciprocals)
- Lesson 135 — Negative Integer ExponentsLesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer ExponentsLesson 311 — Identifying Polynomials vs Non-PolynomialsLesson 536 — Negative Fractional ExponentsLesson 601 — Evaluating Exponential Expressions
- Negative numbers
- (-1, -2, -3, .
- Lesson 40 — Representing Negative Numbers on the Number LineLesson 43 — Adding Positive and Negative Numbers
- Negative numbers outside
- Lesson 174 — The Distributive Property with Variables
- Negative real parts
- solutions decay → **stable equilibrium**
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- negative reciprocals
- of each other.
- Lesson 267 — Slopes of Perpendicular LinesLesson 268 — Writing Equations of Perpendicular LinesLesson 269 — Determining Parallel, Perpendicular, or Neither
- Negative residual
- Your model *over*-predicted (actual value was lower than predicted)
- Lesson 3083 — What Are Residuals?
- Negative result
- Lesson 138 — Exponents with Negative Bases
- Negative Semidefinite
- All eigenvalues are **non-positive** (λ ≤ 0), at least one is zero
- Lesson 2293 — Eigenvalue Criterion for Definiteness
- Negative slope
- Line goes downhill from left to right (rise is negative)
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope GeometricallyLesson 246 — Positive, Negative, Zero, and Undefined Slopes
- negative to positive
- , the function was falling then started rising — you've found a **local minimum** (a valley)
- Lesson 1496 — The First Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1502 — Comparing First and Second Derivative Tests
- Negative λ
- Gradients point in opposite directions (often a local minimum)
- Lesson 1876 — The Lagrange Multiplier λ
- Negative/Zero Exponents
- – Convert and simplify at the end
- Lesson 149 — Combining Multiple Exponent Rules
- neighborhood
- of a vertex `v`, denoted **N(v)**, is the set of all vertices adjacent to `v`.
- Lesson 2651 — Adjacency and IncidenceLesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage Theorem
- neither
- Lesson 569 — Even and Odd FunctionsLesson 1496 — The First Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1520 — Critical Points and Local ExtremaLesson 2006 — Interpreting Divergence Physically
- Nested exponents
- where taking the nth root simplifies dramatically
- Lesson 1747 — Comparing Ratio and Root Tests
- Network design
- Connecting *n* computers in a tree topology (no redundant paths) requires exactly *n - 1* cables.
- Lesson 2669 — Counting Vertices and Edges in TreesLesson 2682 — Applications of Eulerian Paths: The Königsberg Bridge Problem
- Neumann (Type II)
- Specifies the derivative (slope/flux)
- Lesson 2404 — Boundary Value Problems: Introduction and Types
- Neutrally stable
- (neither attracting nor repelling)
- Lesson 2383 — Phase Portraits and Stability Analysis
- Never mix modifications
- – If one term needs `x`, the whole group does
- Lesson 2358 — Common Mistakes and Problem-Solving Strategies
- New argument
- π/4 + π/6 = 3π/12 + 2π/12 = 5π/12
- Lesson 1221 — Multiplying Complex Numbers in Polar Form
- New point: A'(−1, 9)
- Lesson 923 — Vector Notation for Translations
- Newton's law of cooling
- for temperature differences
- Lesson 2327 — Applications: RC Circuits and DecayLesson 2374 — Exponential Growth and Decay Models
- Newton's Second Law
- states that force equals mass times acceleration:
- Lesson 2368 — Spring-Mass Systems: Setting Up the Differential Equation
- No
- Since 25 ≠ 36, these cannot form a right triangle.
- Lesson 784 — Verifying Pythagorean TriplesLesson 1193 — Equality of Complex Numbers
- No graphing required
- Just algebra—works anywhere with pencil and paper
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- No horizontal asymptote
- Lesson 488 — Horizontal Asymptotes: Degree Rules
- No horizontal/slant asymptote
- If the numerator's degree is *two or more* higher than the denominator's, the function grows without bound (shoots up or down to infinity).
- Lesson 492 — End Behavior of Rational Functions
- No loops
- (edges from a vertex to itself)
- Lesson 2648 — Types of Graphs: Simple, Multi-, and Pseudographs
- No multiplication symbol
- Write `xy`, not `x × y` or `x · y`
- Lesson 178 — Reading and Interpreting Algebraic Notation
- No restrictions
- Box can hold 0, 1, 2, 3,.
- Lesson 2642 — Using Generating Functions to Count Distributions
- no solution
- (also written as the empty set ∅)
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction EquationsLesson 212 — Equations with No SolutionLesson 213 — Equations with Infinitely Many SolutionsLesson 223 — Special Cases: All Reals and No SolutionLesson 229 — Absolute Value Equations with No Solution or All SolutionsLesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular LinesLesson 280 — Identifying No Solution or Infinite Solutions via SubstitutionLesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite Solutions (+9 more)
- No Solution (Inconsistent System)
- You get a false statement like `0 = 5` or `3 = -2`.
- Lesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite Solutions
- No triangle
- The opposite side is too short to reach
- Lesson 1096 — The SSA Configuration IntroductionLesson 1122 — The Ambiguous Case with Acute Angles
- No visual feedback
- You don't see the geometric relationship between lines
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- No x-intercepts
- The parabola floats entirely above or below the x-axis (discriminant < 0)
- Lesson 431 — x-Intercepts and Zeros of Quadratic Functions
- Noise Reduction
- Real images often have noise—random pixel variations that don't represent true content.
- Lesson 2290 — Applications of SVD: Image Compression and Noise Reduction
- Non-example
- Adding a constant vector (translation) is *not* linear because `T(u + v) = u + v + c ≠ T(u) + T(v) = (u + c) + (v + c)`.
- Lesson 2259 — Definition of Linear TransformationsLesson 2562 — Surjective Functions (Onto)Lesson 2735 — Division and Modular Inverses
- Non-exclusive choices
- A student taking calculus OR physics (some take both)
- Lesson 2785 — The General Addition Rule
- Non-homogeneous
- When $Q(x) \neq 0$, there's a non-zero "driving" or "forcing" term on the right side
- Lesson 2319 — Homogeneous vs Non-Homogeneous Linear ODEsLesson 2337 — Form and Classification of Second-Order Linear ODEsLesson 2348 — Non-Homogeneous ODEs: Structure of Solutions
- non-homogeneous recurrence relation
- has the form:
- Lesson 2633 — Non-Homogeneous Recurrence RelationsLesson 2635 — General Solution of Non- Homogeneous Recurrences
- non-negative
- Lesson 557 — Real-World Context and Restricted DomainsLesson 2293 — Eigenvalue Criterion for DefinitenessLesson 3047 — The F Distribution
- Non-negativity
- *p*(*x*) ≥ 0 for all values *x*
- Lesson 2832 — Introduction to Probability Mass Functions (PMFs)Lesson 2842 — Verifying Valid PMFs and PDFsLesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi-SquaredLesson 2927 — Joint Probability Distributions: Discrete CaseLesson 2928 — Joint Probability Distributions: Continuous Case
- Non-Polynomials (not allowed)
- Lesson 311 — Identifying Polynomials vs Non-Polynomials
- Non-proportional example
- Lesson 122 — Proportional Relationships in Tables and Graphs
- none
- Lesson 488 — Horizontal Asymptotes: Degree RulesLesson 2621 — Counting with None of the PropertiesLesson 2622 — Derangements and the Derangement FormulaLesson 2624 — Euler's Totient Function via Inclusion-ExclusionLesson 2625 — Counting Surjective Functions
- Nonlinear PDE
- The highest-order derivatives appear nonlinearly—raised to powers, multiplied together, or inside nonlinear functions.
- Lesson 2409 — Classification: Order and Linearity
- Nonparametric methods
- are statistical tests that don't assume a particular distribution shape.
- Lesson 3103 — Introduction to Nonparametric Methods
- nonsingular
- ).
- Lesson 1300 — Definition of an Inverse MatrixLesson 2138 — Definition of Matrix Inverse
- norm
- ) of a vector is simply its length—the straight-line distance from its tail to its tip.
- Lesson 1248 — Magnitude (Norm) of a VectorLesson 2053 — Magnitude and DistanceLesson 2203 — Norm Induced by an Inner Product
- Normal equation
- Variable remains with a coefficient you can divide by → one solution
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction Equations
- normal equations
- .
- Lesson 2235 — Normal EquationsLesson 2238 — Applications: Linear RegressionLesson 2247 — QR and Least Squares ProblemsLesson 2248 — Computational Advantages of QR DecompositionLesson 3074 — Least Squares Estimation in Multiple Regression
- normal line
- is perpendicular to the tangent line at that same point.
- Lesson 1468 — Normal Lines to CurvesLesson 1835 — Normal Lines to Surfaces
- Normal Probability Plot
- (also called a **Quantile-Quantile plot** or **Q-Q plot**) gives you an immediate visual assessment.
- Lesson 3086 — Normal Probability Plots (Q-Q Plots)
- normal vector
- a vector that's perpendicular to every direction within the plane itself.
- Lesson 1795 — Planes in 3D: Normal Form and General EquationLesson 1847 — The Gradient is Perpendicular to Level Curves and SurfacesLesson 2015 — The Tangent Plane and Normal Vectors to SurfacesLesson 2017 — Orientation of SurfacesLesson 2020 — Flux Through a Surface: Definition and Setup
- Normality
- Lesson 3040 — Assumptions and Diagnostics for t-TestsLesson 3068 — Assumptions of Simple Linear RegressionLesson 3094 — One-Way ANOVA: The Model and AssumptionsLesson 3101 — Checking ANOVA Assumptions
- Normality assumption
- F tests can be misleading if your data is heavily skewed.
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- normalization
- .
- Lesson 1249 — Unit Vectors and NormalizationLesson 2054 — Unit Vectors and NormalizationLesson 2842 — Verifying Valid PMFs and PDFs
- Normalize
- **u** = **v**/||**v**|| = ⟨v₁/||**v**||, v₂/||**v**||, .
- Lesson 1849 — Directional Derivatives in Non-Unit DirectionsLesson 2224 — Gram-Schmidt for Subspaces
- not
- work for subtraction or division.
- Lesson 36 — The Commutative PropertyLesson 173 — Like TermsLesson 177 — Order of Operations with VariablesLesson 310 — What is a Polynomial?Lesson 547 — Common Function Notation MistakesLesson 697 — Line Segments and RaysLesson 787 — The Converse of the Pythagorean TheoremLesson 858 — Area of Parallelograms (+21 more)
- Not a partition
- `{{1, 2}, {2, 3}, {4}}`
- Lesson 2554 — Partitions of a SetLesson 2780 — Partitions of the Sample Space
- Not arithmetic
- 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, .
- Lesson 651 — Definition of Arithmetic SequencesLesson 656 — Determining if a Sequence is Arithmetic
- Not causation
- High correlation doesn't imply X causes Y
- Lesson 2956 — Examples and Applications of Correlation
- not commutative
- AB ≠ BA in general.
- Lesson 1285 — Matrix Multiplication is Not CommutativeLesson 1287 — The Distributive Property for MatricesLesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix EquationsLesson 2267 — Composition of Linear Transformations
- Not differentiable
- at x = 0 (the sharp corner creates a discontinuity in slope)
- Lesson 594 — The Absolute Value Function
- Not in standard form
- Lesson 314 — Standard Form of a Polynomial
- Not Independent
- Drawing two cards without replacement.
- Lesson 2802 — Definition of Independent EventsLesson 2966 — Linear Combinations of Random Variables
- Not intuition
- Even if something "feels obvious," mathematics demands explicit logical steps
- Lesson 2490 — What Does It Mean to Prove Something?
- Not invertible
- Lesson 1297 — Using Determinants to Test Invertibility
- Not just examples
- Showing that something works for 5, 10, or even a million cases doesn't prove it's true for *all* cases
- Lesson 2490 — What Does It Mean to Prove Something?
- Not persuasion
- Unlike a debate, a proof isn't about convincing through rhetoric—it's about demonstrating logical necessity
- Lesson 2490 — What Does It Mean to Prove Something?
- NOT random experiments
- Lesson 2771 — What is a Random Experiment?
- Not simply connected
- A washer (ring), the plane with the origin removed, a torus—these have "holes" that loops can wrap around
- Lesson 1990 — Simply Connected Domains and Why They Matter
- Not symmetric
- Lesson 2543 — Symmetric Relations
- Notation
- R₁ ↔ R₂ means "swap row 1 and row 2"
- Lesson 1310 — Elementary Row OperationsLesson 2777 — Operations on Events: Union and Intersection
- Notice
- We integrate with respect to **x first** (inner integral), then **y** (outer integral).
- Lesson 1903 — Type II Regions: Horizontally Simple Regions
- Notice the pattern
- The exponent 4 is exactly double the exponent 2.
- Lesson 372 — Factoring Higher-Degree Trinomials Using Substitution
- nth partial sum
- , denoted `S `, is simply the sum of the first n terms of the series.
- Lesson 680 — Partial Sums and Series LimitsLesson 1714 — Sequence of Partial Sums
- nth powers
- , like:
- Lesson 1745 — The Root Test: Statement and MotivationLesson 1746 — Applying the Root TestLesson 1747 — Comparing Ratio and Root Tests
- nth term
- is given by:
- Lesson 653 — The Explicit Formula for Arithmetic SequencesLesson 1703 — Definition of a Sequence and Notation
- Nuclear physics
- uses exponential distributions to model decay times.
- Lesson 2903 — Applications of the Exponential Distribution
- Null hypothesis (H₀)
- The default assumption or "status quo.
- Lesson 3020 — Introduction to Hypothesis TestingLesson 3021 — Null and Alternative Hypotheses
- null space
- (or *kernel*) of a matrix **A** is the set of all vectors **x** that satisfy **Ax = 0**—the homogeneous system.
- Lesson 2081 — Column Space and Null SpaceLesson 2096 — Bases for Important SubspacesLesson 2130 — The Null SpaceLesson 2134 — Orthogonality of Fundamental SubspacesLesson 2183 — Roots of the Characteristic Polynomial as EigenvaluesLesson 2261 — The Kernel (Null Space) of a Linear TransformationLesson 2283 — Left and Right Singular Vectors
- Null Space, N(A)
- Lesson 2132 — The Four Fundamental Subspaces
- nullity(A)
- = dimension of the null space (the solution space of **Ax** = **0**)
- Lesson 2095 — Rank-Nullity TheoremLesson 2133 — The Rank-Nullity Theorem
- Number line
- An open circle at -2, an open circle at 4, with the region between them shaded
- Lesson 231 — Solving 'And' Compound Inequalities
- Number of attempts
- until first success: {1, 2, 3, .
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- Number of defective items
- in a batch: {0, 1, 2, .
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- Number of emails received
- in a day: {0, 1, 2, 3, .
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- Number of heads
- when flipping 3 coins: Can be 0, 1, 2, or 3 (finite)
- Lesson 2823 — Discrete Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- numerator
- (top number) tells you *how many parts you have*
- Lesson 59 — What is a Fraction?Lesson 442 — What is a Rational Expression?Lesson 532 — Evaluating Expressions with Fractional ExponentsLesson 1222 — Dividing Complex Numbers in Polar FormLesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit LawsLesson 1406 — Combining Product and Quotient RulesLesson 2793 — Computing Conditional Probabilities from TablesLesson 3096 — The F-Statistic and F-Distribution
- Numerical methods
- Finite differences, finite elements for irregular domains
- Lesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
O
- O(n³) complexity
- , making it efficient for moderately-sized systems but increasingly expensive as *n* grows large— understanding operation counts guides practical solver selection.
- Lesson 2115 — Computational Complexity and Efficiency
- Objective Function
- A linear equation that represents what you want to optimize (maximize or minimize).
- Lesson 304 — Introduction to Linear ProgrammingLesson 305 — The Objective FunctionLesson 1505 — Introduction to OptimizationLesson 1516 — Applied Optimization Strategy
- oblique cylinder
- (tilted) has the same volume as an upright cylinder with the same base and height
- Lesson 897 — Introduction to Cavalieri's PrincipleLesson 899 — Cavalieri's Principle with Cylinders
- Obtuse
- 90° < angle < 180° (wide and open)
- Lesson 704 — Classifying Angles by MeasureLesson 731 — Classifying Triangles by AnglesLesson 789 — Acute and Obtuse Triangle TestsLesson 1125 — The Ambiguous Case with Obtuse Angles
- obtuse angle
- is between 90° and 180°
- Lesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle NotationLesson 704 — Classifying Angles by Measure
- Obtuse Angle Oversight
- Lesson 1128 — Common Errors and Verification in SSA
- Obtuse Triangle
- Lesson 731 — Classifying Triangles by AnglesLesson 788 — Using the Converse to Identify Right TrianglesLesson 789 — Acute and Obtuse Triangle Tests
- Obtuse Triangle Test
- Lesson 789 — Acute and Obtuse Triangle Tests
- Obtuse triangles
- When the base is adjacent to the obtuse angle, the height lands outside the triangle on the base's extension
- Lesson 1112 — Area Formula Using Base and Height
- odd
- .
- Lesson 138 — Exponents with Negative BasesLesson 569 — Even and Odd FunctionsLesson 1048 — Even- Odd IdentitiesLesson 1776 — Maclaurin Series for sin(x) and cos(x)Lesson 2603 — The Binomial Theorem for Negative BinomialsLesson 2606 — Binomial Coefficients Modulo 2 and Sierpiński's Triangle
- Odd cycles
- (n odd): Two colors create a conflict when you return to the start—adjacent vertices would need the same color.
- Lesson 2696 — Coloring Special Graphs
- Odd extension
- Mirror the function *antisymmetrically* (flip it upside down).
- Lesson 2462 — Half-Range Expansions
- odd functions
- have origin symmetry (f(-x) = -f(x)), like f(x) = x³.
- Lesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under TransformationLesson 1561 — Definite Integrals of Even and Odd FunctionsLesson 2461 — Even and Odd Functions: Cosine and Sine Series
- Odd integers
- An integer *n* is odd if there exists an integer *k* such that *n = 2k + 1*.
- Lesson 2492 — Direct Proof: Working with Definitions
- Odd power of tangent
- Factor out `tan x sec x` and convert remaining tangents to secants
- Lesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- Odd power present
- Factor out one copy and use the Pythagorean identity to convert the rest
- Lesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- On the boundary
- When |x - c| = R, you must check each endpoint separately—anything can happen
- Lesson 1763 — Radius of Convergence
- one
- Lesson 626 — Logarithms of 1 and the BaseLesson 635 — Using Properties to Combine LogarithmsLesson 696 — Lines: Infinite Straight PathsLesson 809 — Finding Individual Interior Angles in Regular PolygonsLesson 817 — Proving Quadrilaterals Are ParallelogramsLesson 1234 — Applications: Fractional Powers and Euler's FormulaLesson 2484 — Negating Quantified StatementsLesson 2543 — Symmetric Relations (+3 more)
- one acute angle
- , you can solve the entire right triangle using this three-step process:
- Lesson 961 — Solving When Given the Hypotenuse and One Acute AngleLesson 962 — Solving When Given One Leg and One Acute Angle
- one point
- → **one solution**
- Lesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular LinesLesson 293 — Visualizing Three-Variable SystemsLesson 432 — Using the Discriminant to Predict InterceptsLesson 700 — Intersection of Lines and Planes
- One sample, test median
- Sign Test or Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- One secant, one tangent
- Use the arc cut by the secant and the arc from the tangent's point of contact.
- Lesson 841 — Angles Formed by Secants and Tangents Outside
- One solution
- Most equations you've solved give you a single value, like `3x + 5 = 14` giving you `x = 3`.
- Lesson 206 — Recognizing Identity and Contradiction EquationsLesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular LinesLesson 920 — Intersection of Lines and CirclesLesson 1125 — The Ambiguous Case with Obtuse Angles
- One triangle
- The opposite side exactly reaches (perpendicular case) or the given angle is obtuse/right
- Lesson 1096 — The SSA Configuration IntroductionLesson 1122 — The Ambiguous Case with Acute AnglesLesson 1123 — Using the Height to Determine Triangle Existence
- One unique solution
- (three planes meet at exactly one point)
- Lesson 292 — Introduction to Three-Variable SystemsLesson 2111 — Consistent and Inconsistent Systems
- One vector
- spans a **line** through the origin
- Lesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³
- one way
- the triangle can be constructed.
- Lesson 745 — HL (Hypotenuse-Leg) Congruence TheoremLesson 2592 — Combinations with All or None: C(n,0) and C(n,n)
- One x-intercept
- The vertex sits right on the x-axis—the parabola just touches it (discriminant = 0)
- Lesson 431 — x-Intercepts and Zeros of Quadratic Functions
- one-sided limits
- .
- Lesson 1326 — Limits Approaching from Left and RightLesson 1329 — Understanding One-Sided Limits
- one-to-one function
- (also called an *injective* function) is one where every output comes from exactly one input.
- Lesson 562 — One-to-One FunctionsLesson 2560 — Injective Functions (One-to-One)
- One-Way ANOVA
- (Analysis of Variance) solves this by testing all groups simultaneously.
- Lesson 3049 — One-Way ANOVA F Test Introduction
- Ones place
- (the right digit) — tells you how many single items
- Lesson 3 — Understanding Place Value: Ones and TensLesson 4 — Place Value: HundredsLesson 7 — Rounding to the Nearest Ten and Hundred
- only
- when:
- Lesson 1506 — The Extreme Value TheoremLesson 1534 — Common Mistakes and When Not to Use L'Hôpital's RuleLesson 1752 — The Alternating Series Test (Leibniz Test)Lesson 2349 — The Method of Undetermined Coefficients Overview
- only if
- it's vertical (and vice versa)
- Lesson 270 — Special Cases: Horizontal and Vertical LinesLesson 2679 — Euler's Theorem for Eulerian Circuits
- only on x
- (no y terms), then there exists an integrating factor μ(x), and:
- Lesson 2331 — Finding Integrating Factors: Systematic ApproachLesson 2447 — Separating Variables in the Heat Equation
- Only when multiplying
- You can regroup products freely:
- Lesson 1286 — Matrix Multiplication is Associative
- Open circle ( ○)
- Use when the endpoint is *not* included (< or >)
- Lesson 217 — Inequality Notation and the Number Line
- Open endpoint
- (< or >): Use an **open circle** ○ to show the point is excluded
- Lesson 592 — Graphing Piecewise Functions
- Open Intervals (a, b)
- Lesson 1353 — Continuity on an Interval
- Open sentences
- "x + 3 = 7" — Truth depends on what x is; it's not a statement until we specify x.
- Lesson 2468 — Propositions and Truth Values
- opposite
- of what you see:
- Lesson 407 — Finding the Vertex by Completing the SquareLesson 948 — Identifying Opposite, Adjacent, and HypotenuseLesson 951 — The Tangent Ratio (TOA)Lesson 953 — Finding Side Lengths Using CosineLesson 954 — Finding Side Lengths Using TangentLesson 956 — Choosing the Appropriate Trig RatioLesson 962 — Solving When Given One Leg and One Acute AngleLesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression Angles (+3 more)
- Opposite angles are congruent
- Lesson 816 — Parallelograms: Definition and Properties
- Opposite side
- = height of the pole (what we want to find)
- Lesson 969 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Elevation AnglesLesson 977 — Finding Heights Using Angles of Elevation
- Optical instruments
- Designing reflectors that concentrate light or sound
- Lesson 1165 — Reflective Property of Ellipses
- Optimal Solution
- The point in the feasible region where your objective function reaches its maximum or minimum value.
- Lesson 304 — Introduction to Linear Programming
- Optimizing
- means selecting the strategy that gets you to the answer most efficiently.
- Lesson 874 — Optimizing Composite Figure Problems
- Option 1
- ∫∫ f(x,y) dx dy — integrate with respect to x first (inner integral), then y
- Lesson 1895 — Order of Integration
- Option 2
- ∫∫ f(x,y) dy dx — integrate with respect to y first (inner integral), then x
- Lesson 1895 — Order of Integration
- Option A
- Use implicit differentiation on the constraint to find dy/dx, then substitute into your objective function's derivative
- Lesson 1514 — Optimization with Implicit Constraints
- Option A: Point-Slope Form
- Lesson 259 — Writing Equations from Two Points
- Option B
- Cleverly manipulate the constraint algebraically before substituting (sometimes squaring both sides or using trig identities helps)
- Lesson 1514 — Optimization with Implicit Constraints
- Option B: Slope-Intercept Form
- Lesson 259 — Writing Equations from Two Points
- order
- , and negatives reverse order on the number line.
- Lesson 219 — The Multiplication/Division Sign RuleLesson 943 — Rotational SymmetryLesson 1271 — What is a Matrix? Dimensions and NotationLesson 2301 — Order and Degree of ODEsLesson 2409 — Classification: Order and LinearityLesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- Order matters
- with subtraction and division!
- Lesson 188 — Translating Words into Mathematical ExpressionsLesson 377 — Identifying the Common Binomial FactorLesson 558 — Function Composition BasicsLesson 2101 — Properties of Matrix MultiplicationLesson 2537 — Properties of Cartesian ProductsLesson 2594 — Distinguishing When to Use Combinations vs Permutations
- ordered pair
- is a way to describe a specific location using two numbers written in parentheses with a comma between them: `(x, y)`.
- Lesson 236 — Understanding Ordered Pairs and CoordinatesLesson 240 — Reading Coordinates from a Graph
- ordered triple
- to represent a vector:
- Lesson 1238 — Component Form of Vectors in 3DLesson 1792 — The 3D Coordinate System and Distance Formula
- Ordinary
- if both $p(x)$ and $q(x)$ are analytic (have convergent power series) at $x_0$
- Lesson 2401 — Regular Singular Points and the Method of Frobenius
- Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs)
- involve derivatives with respect to a **single variable**.
- Lesson 2300 — What is a Differential Equation?Lesson 2408 — What is a Partial Differential Equation?
- ordinary induction
- and **strong induction** prove statements for all integers n ≥ some base case.
- Lesson 2512 — Review: Ordinary vs. Strong InductionLesson 2520 — Choosing the Right Proof Technique
- Organize data
- in a contingency table where rows represent populations and columns represent categories
- Lesson 3045 — Chi-Squared Test for Homogeneity
- Orient
- it correctly (inward or outward as specified)
- Lesson 2020 — Flux Through a Surface: Definition and Setup
- Orient each piece outward
- Lesson 2042 — The Divergence Theorem for General Regions
- Orientation
- – which direction the figure faces
- Lesson 921 — Introduction to Geometric TransformationsLesson 1172 — Hyperbolas with Horizontal vs Vertical Transverse AxesLesson 1995 — Orientation and Simple Closed CurvesLesson 2017 — Orientation of Surfaces
- origin symmetry
- rotating it 180° around the origin leaves it unchanged.
- Lesson 569 — Even and Odd FunctionsLesson 1001 — Symmetry Properties of the Unit Circle
- original
- denominator zero are still forbidden, even after simplification.
- Lesson 450 — Writing Simplified Expressions with Domain RestrictionsLesson 1177 — Conjugate Hyperbolas
- orthogonal
- (a fancy word for perpendicular), their dot product equals zero.
- Lesson 1257 — Orthogonal Vectors and the Dot ProductLesson 2206 — Angle Between Vectors and OrthogonalityLesson 2209 — Orthogonal and Orthonormal VectorsLesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2270 — Symmetric Matrices and Their PropertiesLesson 2457 — Orthogonality of Trigonometric Functions
- orthogonal basis
- for a vector space is a basis where every pair of distinct vectors has inner product zero.
- Lesson 2211 — Orthogonal BasesLesson 2213 — Coordinates with Respect to Orthogonal BasesLesson 2230 — Orthogonal Projection onto a Subspace
- orthogonal complement
- of **W**, denoted **W ⊥** (read "W perp"), is the set of *all* vectors in **V** that are orthogonal to *every* vector in **W**.
- Lesson 2215 — Orthogonal ComplementsLesson 2216 — Properties of Orthogonal Complements
- Orthogonal diagonalization
- is a premium upgrade: we find **P** whose columns are *orthonormal* eigenvectors, making **P** an orthogonal matrix.
- Lesson 2271 — Orthogonal DiagonalizationLesson 2272 — The Spectral Theorem for Symmetric Matrices
- Orthogonal eigenfunctions
- (like perpendicular vectors, but for functions)
- Lesson 2405 — Eigenvalue Problems and Sturm-Liouville Theory
- Orthogonal eigenvectors
- Eigenvectors corresponding to *distinct* eigenvalues of a symmetric matrix are orthogonal.
- Lesson 2272 — The Spectral Theorem for Symmetric Matrices
- Orthogonal matrices
- Eigenvalues reveal rotation structure; stability in numerical algorithms
- Lesson 2176 — Eigenvalues of Special Matrices: Symmetric and Orthogonal
- orthogonal matrix
- satisfies QᵀQ = I, meaning its columns are orthonormal.
- Lesson 2176 — Eigenvalues of Special Matrices: Symmetric and OrthogonalLesson 2241 — Orthogonal Matrices and Their Properties
- orthogonal projection
- works similarly: given a vector **v** and a line defined by a direction vector **u**, we find the "shadow" of **v** that falls directly onto that line.
- Lesson 2229 — Orthogonal Projection onto a LineLesson 2234 — The Least Squares ProblemLesson 2236 — Least Squares via Orthogonal Projection
- Orthogonality
- = different measurement outcomes correspond to distinguishable states
- Lesson 2279 — Spectral Theorem in Quantum Mechanics and StatisticsLesson 2421 — The General Series SolutionLesson 2422 — Determining Coefficients from Initial Conditions
- Orthogonally diagonalize
- A = PDP^T where P contains orthonormal eigenvectors
- Lesson 2277 — Principal Axes and Quadratic Forms
- Orthonormal
- (each vector has length 1 and they're perpendicular)
- Lesson 2088 — Standard BasesLesson 2209 — Orthogonal and Orthonormal VectorsLesson 2213 — Coordinates with Respect to Orthogonal BasesLesson 2218 — Standard Orthonormal Bases in Euclidean SpaceLesson 2221 — Gram-Schmidt in ℝ²: First ExampleLesson 2222 — Gram-Schmidt in ℝ³: Complete ExampleLesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric Matrices
- orthonormal basis
- the gold standard.
- Lesson 2211 — Orthogonal BasesLesson 2212 — Orthonormal BasesLesson 2214 — Coordinates with Respect to Orthonormal BasesLesson 2219 — Motivation for Orthonormal BasesLesson 2230 — Orthogonal Projection onto a Subspace
- Orthonormality
- = components are uncorrelated
- Lesson 2279 — Spectral Theorem in Quantum Mechanics and Statistics
- Other divisors
- For divisibility by 2, 5, or 10, we only need the last digit because 10 ≡ 0 modulo these values.
- Lesson 2740 — Applications to Divisibility Tests
- Out-degree
- the number of edges *leaving* (pointing away from) a vertex
- Lesson 2649 — Directed Graphs (Digraphs)Lesson 2650 — Degree of a Vertex and the Handshaking Lemma
- Outer
- Multiply the outer terms: `x · 5 = 5x`
- Lesson 326 — Multiplying Two Binomials Using FOILLesson 335 — Square of a Binomial
- Outer boundary
- traverse counterclockwise (standard positive orientation)
- Lesson 1999 — Green's Theorem for Regions with Holes
- Outer function
- f: takes g(x) as its input
- Lesson 1409 — The Chain Rule StatementLesson 1433 — Chain Rule with Exponential Functions
- Outer integral
- Take that result and integrate with respect to x from a to b.
- Lesson 1894 — Fubini's Theorem for RectanglesLesson 1899 — Double Integrals of Non-Separable FunctionsLesson 1902 — Type I Regions: Vertically Simple Regions
- outer radius
- R(x) is the distance from the axis to the outer curve
- Lesson 1657 — Washer Method: Introduction and SetupLesson 1658 — Washer Method: Identifying Outer and Inner RadiiLesson 1659 — Washer Method: Rotation About the x-axis
- Outer radius R(x)
- The function that is *higher up* (larger y-value) from the x-axis
- Lesson 1658 — Washer Method: Identifying Outer and Inner Radii
- Outer radius R(y)
- The function that is *farther right* (larger x-value) from the y-axis
- Lesson 1658 — Washer Method: Identifying Outer and Inner Radii
- Outer variable (usually z)
- What are the vertical limits?
- Lesson 1936 — Setting Up Triple Integrals in Cylindrical Coordinates
- Outermost integral
- Integrate with respect to z
- Lesson 1923 — Setting Up Triple Integrals over Rectangular Boxes
- outliers
- , we use fences:
- Lesson 2991 — Box Plots and Outlier DetectionLesson 2992 — Histograms and Frequency DistributionsLesson 2994 — Comparing DistributionsLesson 3089 — Outliers in Regression
- output
- (function value) represents another real-world quantity that depends on the input
- Lesson 546 — Function Evaluation in ContextLesson 547 — Common Function Notation Mistakes
- Outside
- (exterior to) the parallel lines
- Lesson 716 — Alternate Exterior AnglesLesson 841 — Angles Formed by Secants and Tangents OutsideLesson 1411 — The Outside-Inside Method
- Outside derivative
- `d/dx[arcsin(u)] = 1/√(1 - u²)` where `u = 3x`
- Lesson 1444 — Chain Rule with Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- Outward orientation
- Standard convention; flux > 0 means net outward flow
- Lesson 2023 — Flux Through Closed SurfacesLesson 2037 — Closed Surfaces and Orientation
- Overdamped
- (Δ > 0, two distinct real roots)
- Lesson 2347 — Applications: Free Oscillations and Damped Motion
- Overlapping events
- Drawing a red card OR a face card from a deck (some cards are both)
- Lesson 2785 — The General Addition Rule
P
- p < 0
- , the parabola opens **downward** (focus below vertex)
- Lesson 1145 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Vertical AxisLesson 1146 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Horizontal AxisLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1149 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Horizontal Axis
- P = A(A ᵀA) ⁻¹A ᵀ
- depends only on the subspace (through A), not on the specific vector b.
- Lesson 2231 — The Projection Matrix
- P = ρgh
- , where ρ (rho) is the fluid's density, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is the depth below the surface.
- Lesson 1699 — Fluid Pressure and Force on Submerged Surfaces
- p > 0
- , the parabola opens **upward** (focus above vertex)
- Lesson 1145 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Vertical AxisLesson 1146 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Horizontal AxisLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1149 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Horizontal Axis
- P_B
- changes coordinates from basis B to standard
- Lesson 2266 — Change of Basis for Linear Transformations
- P_C^{-1}
- changes coordinates from standard to basis C
- Lesson 2266 — Change of Basis for Linear Transformations
- p-series
- is an infinite series of the form:
- Lesson 1725 — The p-Series: DefinitionLesson 1726 — Convergence of p-SeriesLesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-SeriesLesson 1735 — Choosing Comparison Series EffectivelyLesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is InconclusiveLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence Test
- p-value
- is the probability of observing a test statistic as extreme as (or more extreme than) what you actually got, *assuming the null hypothesis is true*.
- Lesson 3022 — Test Statistics and P-valuesLesson 3077 — Hypothesis Testing for Individual CoefficientsLesson 3097 — The ANOVA Table and Hypothesis Testing
- p-value approach
- , calculate P(|Z| ≥ |z_observed|) = 2·P(Z ≥ |z_observed|).
- Lesson 3026 — Two-Tailed z-TestsLesson 3027 — One-Tailed z-Tests
- P(A ∩ B)
- The probability that *both* A and B occur together (the intersection)
- Lesson 2792 — The Conditional Probability FormulaLesson 2799 — Common Misconceptions in Conditional Probability
- P(A|B)
- reads as "the probability of A *given* B" or "the probability of A *conditioned on* B.
- Lesson 2792 — The Conditional Probability FormulaLesson 2799 — Common Misconceptions in Conditional Probability
- P(B)
- The probability that B occurs—this must be greater than zero (we can't condition on impossible events)
- Lesson 2792 — The Conditional Probability Formula
- P(c)
- the value of the polynomial when you substitute **c** for **x**.
- Lesson 351 — The Remainder Theorem
- P(E)
- Normalizing constant — total probability of seeing this evidence
- Lesson 2817 — Prior and Posterior Probabilities
- P(E|H)
- Likelihood — how likely this evidence is if hypothesis H is true
- Lesson 2817 — Prior and Posterior Probabilities
- P(H|E)
- Posterior — our updated belief after seeing evidence E
- Lesson 2817 — Prior and Posterior Probabilities
- P(L, K) = A·L^α·K^β
- Lesson 1810 — Applications: Modeling with Multivariable Functions
- P(n,r) = n!/(n-r)
- , it's time to build computational fluency.
- Lesson 2581 — Computing Permutation Values
- P(X < k)
- becomes P(Z < k − 0.
- Lesson 2914 — Continuity CorrectionLesson 2983 — The Continuity Correction
- P(X = c)
- = 0 for any specific value c (because it's a single point, with zero width)
- Lesson 2838 — Computing Probabilities Using PDFs
- P(X ≤ k)
- becomes P(Z < k + 0.
- Lesson 2914 — Continuity CorrectionLesson 2983 — The Continuity Correction
- P(X ≥ k)
- becomes P(Z > k − 0.
- Lesson 2914 — Continuity CorrectionLesson 2983 — The Continuity Correction
- P(x, y)
- is the *horizontal component function* (how much the vector points in the x-direction)
- Lesson 1964 — Component Functions of Vector Fields
- P(x)
- by a binomial of the form **(x - c)**, the **remainder** you get is exactly equal to **P(c)**—the value of the polynomial when you substitute **c** for **x**.
- Lesson 351 — The Remainder TheoremLesson 2479 — Predicates and Propositional Functions
- P(Z > z)
- Use the complement rule: P(Z > z) = 1 − P(Z ≤ z)
- Lesson 2908 — Using the Standard Normal Table
- P(Z ≤ z)
- the probability that a standard normal variable is less than or equal to a specific z-score.
- Lesson 2908 — Using the Standard Normal Table
- P⁻¹
- (**A** - λ**I**)**P**)
- Lesson 2177 — Similar Matrices and Eigenvalue InvarianceLesson 2189 — What is Diagonalization?Lesson 2192 — Verifying DiagonalizationLesson 2255 — Change of Basis for Linear Transformations
- P⁻¹ = P ᵀ
- (its inverse equals its transpose), so we get the elegant form:
- Lesson 2271 — Orthogonal Diagonalization
- P₃(x)
- captures how curvature changes
- Lesson 1772 — Taylor Polynomials: Approximating Functions Locally
- Padding
- Never encrypt raw messages—always use padding schemes (like OAEP) to prevent mathematical attacks.
- Lesson 2770 — Security and Practical Considerations
- Painting a room
- You might need the surface area of four walls but *not* the ceiling or floor.
- Lesson 895 — Word Problems Involving Surface Area
- Pair up equations
- take equations 1 & 2, then equations 1 & 3 (or 2 & 3)
- Lesson 294 — Solving Three-Variable Systems by Elimination
- Pairwise Independence
- Every *pair* of events is independent.
- Lesson 2807 — Pairwise vs. Mutual IndependenceLesson 2944 — Pairwise vs Mutual Independence
- parabola
- is the graph of any quadratic function.
- Lesson 422 — Parabola Basics: Shape and OrientationLesson 441 — Bridges, Cables, and Engineering ApplicationsLesson 1130 — Geometric Definitions of ConicsLesson 1131 — The General Second-Degree EquationLesson 1132 — Using the Discriminant to Classify ConicsLesson 1133 — Standard Position and OrientationLesson 1179 — Eccentricity: Measuring the Shape of ConicsLesson 1182 — Focus-Directrix Definition of Conics
- Parabolas
- limited on one end, unlimited on the other
- Lesson 554 — Range from GraphsLesson 1135 — Overview of Conic Applications
- Parabolic reflectors
- (satellite dishes, headlights, telescope mirrors) exploit the parabola's reflective property: signals from the focus bounce off the curve and travel parallel to the axis, or vice versa.
- Lesson 1187 — Real-World Conic Applications Review
- parallel
- because both have slope = 3.
- Lesson 265 — Slopes of Parallel LinesLesson 269 — Determining Parallel, Perpendicular, or NeitherLesson 276 — Graphing Systems with Parallel and Coincident LinesLesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite SolutionsLesson 715 — Alternate Interior AnglesLesson 1129 — What Are Conic Sections?Lesson 1242 — Equal Vectors and Parallel VectorsLesson 1486 — Statement and Geometric Interpretation of the MVT (+1 more)
- parallel lines
- behave exactly like those tracks: they run in the same direction and never intersect.
- Lesson 265 — Slopes of Parallel LinesLesson 271 — Applications of Parallel and Perpendicular LinesLesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular LinesLesson 700 — Intersection of Lines and PlanesLesson 715 — Alternate Interior AnglesLesson 826 — Coordinate Geometry of QuadrilateralsLesson 915 — Parallel and Perpendicular Lines in Coordinate Geometry
- parallelogram
- is a quadrilateral (four-sided polygon) where both pairs of opposite sides are parallel.
- Lesson 816 — Parallelograms: Definition and PropertiesLesson 825 — The Quadrilateral Family TreeLesson 2058 — Geometric Interpretation of Linear Combinations
- Parallelogram Law
- states that for any vectors **u** and **v**:
- Lesson 2208 — Parallelogram Law and Polarization Identity
- Parallelograms
- (opposite sides equal)
- Lesson 826 — Coordinate Geometry of QuadrilateralsLesson 944 — Point Symmetry
- parameter
- (like "walk t meters from the corner") to describe all possible positions.
- Lesson 1315 — Systems with Infinitely Many SolutionsLesson 2998 — What is Point Estimation?
- Parameter p
- The directed distance from the vertex to the focus
- Lesson 1146 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Horizontal Axis
- Parametric assumptions are violated
- (heteroscedasticity, non-independence patterns in residuals)
- Lesson 3103 — Introduction to Nonparametric Methods
- Parametric solution
- Lesson 2112 — Free Variables and Parametric Solutions
- Parametrize
- the curve appropriately
- Lesson 1982 — Practice with Line Integrals in 2D and 3DLesson 2020 — Flux Through a Surface: Definition and Setup
- Parametrize each segment
- Use separate parametric equations for each smooth piece
- Lesson 1979 — Line Integrals Over Piecewise Smooth Curves
- Parametrize the curve
- C using a vector function **r**(t) for t ∈ [a, b]
- Lesson 1977 — Computing Vector Line Integrals via Parametrization
- Parametrize your surface
- Express it as **r**(u, v) = 〈 x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v)〉
- Lesson 2018 — Surface Integrals of Scalar Functions
- Parentheses
- first (if any)
- Lesson 81 — Operations with Multiple FractionsLesson 178 — Reading and Interpreting Algebraic NotationLesson 513 — Mixed Operations with Radicals
- Parentheses ( )
- , **brackets [ ]**, and **braces { }** all do the same job: they create a "do me first" zone.
- Lesson 32 — Parentheses and Grouping Symbols
- Parentheses are your friend
- When substituting, always put the input value in parentheses, especially with negatives.
- Lesson 540 — Evaluating Functions with Numeric Inputs
- Parentheses matter
- When substituting a fraction, wrap it in parentheses, especially with exponents or negatives
- Lesson 185 — Evaluating Expressions with Fractions
- Parentheses/Brackets first
- – Handle anything inside grouping symbols
- Lesson 47 — Mixed Operations with Negative Numbers
- Part 1
- Integration followed by differentiation gets you back where you started:
- Lesson 1577 — Connecting Both Parts of the FTC
- Part 2
- Differentiation followed by integration (over an interval) also recovers the original:
- Lesson 1577 — Connecting Both Parts of the FTC
- part-to-part
- relationships.
- Lesson 105 — What is a Ratio?Lesson 108 — Part-to-Part vs Part-to-Whole Ratios
- Part-to-Part Ratios
- compare one part of a group directly to another part of the same group.
- Lesson 108 — Part-to-Part vs Part-to-Whole Ratios
- Part-to-Whole
- Red cars to all cars = **8 : 20** (or simplified: **2 : 5**)
- Lesson 108 — Part-to-Part vs Part-to-Whole Ratios
- Part-to-Whole Ratios
- compare one part of a group to the entire group.
- Lesson 108 — Part-to-Part vs Part-to-Whole Ratios
- Partial derivatives
- formalize this idea.
- Lesson 1821 — Definition of Partial DerivativesLesson 1833 — Equation of a Tangent PlaneLesson 2300 — What is a Differential Equation?Lesson 2346 — Existence and Uniqueness for Second-Order ODEsLesson 2408 — What is a Partial Differential Equation?
- Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
- involve **partial derivatives** with respect to **multiple variables**.
- Lesson 2300 — What is a Differential Equation?Lesson 2408 — What is a Partial Differential Equation?
- Partial fraction decomposition
- is like reversing the process of adding fractions.
- Lesson 1621 — Introduction to Partial Fraction DecompositionLesson 2393 — Inverse Laplace Transforms and Partial FractionsLesson 2645 — Extracting Coefficients and Partial Fractions
- partial sums
- the sum of just the first *n* terms.
- Lesson 679 — Infinite Series: Convergence vs DivergenceLesson 680 — Partial Sums and Series LimitsLesson 1713 — Definition of an Infinite Series
- particular solution
- is one specific member of that family—obtained by applying **initial conditions** (or boundary conditions) that fix the values of the arbitrary constants.
- Lesson 2303 — General vs Particular SolutionsLesson 2304 — Initial Value ProblemsLesson 2311 — Initial Value Problems with Separable ODEsLesson 2324 — Initial Value Problems for Linear ODEsLesson 2351 — Particular Solutions for Exponential FunctionsLesson 2635 — General Solution of Non-Homogeneous Recurrences
- partition
- of [a, b] using points:
- Lesson 1551 — Riemann Sums with Unequal SubintervalsLesson 2552 — Equivalence ClassesLesson 2554 — Partitions of a SetLesson 2780 — Partitions of the Sample Space
- Partitions your objects
- cleanly (every object goes into exactly one hole)
- Lesson 2576 — Constructing Pigeonholes Strategically
- Pascal's Triangle
- The entry in row *n*, position *k* equals $\binom{n}{k}$
- Lesson 2599 — Binomial Coefficients: Definition and Notation
- Path
- A trail in which *no vertex is repeated* either (except possibly the first and last in a closed path).
- Lesson 2657 — Walks, Trails, and Paths
- Path probabilities
- are found by multiplying along branches from root to leaf
- Lesson 2796 — Sequential Experiments and Tree Diagrams
- Path testing
- still works: try approaching along different curves (straight lines, spirals, etc.
- Lesson 1820 — Limits and Continuity in Three or More Variables
- Pattern
- `(x, y)` becomes `(x, -y)`
- Lesson 1001 — Symmetry Properties of the Unit CircleLesson 1438 — Higher-Order Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Pattern 1: Chain reactions
- Lesson 712 — Solving Multi-Step Angle Problems
- Pattern 2
- When an expression appears both inside and outside a function (like *x* in *x·cos(x²)*), try making the repeated expression *u*.
- Lesson 1589 — Practice Problems and Strategy
- Pattern 3
- For products where one factor "almost" differentiates to the other, choose *u* as the more complex expression and check if adjusting constants works.
- Lesson 1589 — Practice Problems and Strategy
- Pattern 4
- If multiple substitutions seem possible, choose the one that simplifies the integrand most dramatically—usually the "deepest" nested function.
- Lesson 1589 — Practice Problems and Strategy
- Pattern for primes
- If *p* is prime, then φ(p) = p − 1, because every smaller positive integer is coprime to a prime.
- Lesson 2746 — Euler's Totient Function φ(n)
- Pattern identified
- Difference of squares → factors as (x − 5)(x + 5)
- Lesson 391 — Mixed Practice: Identifying Special Forms
- Pattern recognition
- Immediately shows if lines are parallel (no solution) or coincident (infinite solutions)
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution MethodsLesson 1589 — Practice Problems and StrategyLesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- Patterns or funneling
- suggest heteroscedasticity (unequal variances)
- Lesson 3101 — Checking ANOVA Assumptions
- PDF analogy
- Height of a smooth curve tells you *density*—where probability is concentrated
- Lesson 2836 — Introduction to Probability Density Functions (PDFs)
- PDP ⁻¹
- where **D** is diagonal.
- Lesson 2190 — The Diagonalization TheoremLesson 2192 — Verifying Diagonalization
- Pearson correlation coefficient
- , usually denoted ρ (rho) for populations or *r* for samples, is simply **standardized covariance**.
- Lesson 2951 — Correlation Coefficient: Definition
- Peel off sec²(x)
- from the even power of secant
- Lesson 1603 — Powers of Tangent and Secant: Even Powers of Secant
- PEMDAS
- (common in the U.
- Lesson 31 — Introduction to Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS)Lesson 183 — Order of Operations in Evaluation
- PEMDAS/BODMAS
- (the order of operations you learned earlier) while remembering the sign rules for each operation.
- Lesson 47 — Mixed Operations with Negative Numbers
- Pendulum swing
- The path of a pendulum bob traces a circular arc.
- Lesson 1682 — Applications: Arc Length in Physics and Geometry
- Percentages
- typically range from `0` to `100` (or `0` to `1` as decimals)
- Lesson 557 — Real-World Context and Restricted Domains
- percentile
- is the value below which a certain percentage of the data falls.
- Lesson 2910 — Finding Percentiles and Critical ValuesLesson 2990 — Percentiles and Quartiles
- perfect matching
- covers every single vertex in the graph—everyone gets paired.
- Lesson 2699 — Matchings in Graphs: Definitions and Basic PropertiesLesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage Theorem
- perfect square
- is a number you get by squaring a whole number.
- Lesson 151 — Introduction to Square RootsLesson 496 — Perfect Squares and Their Square Roots
- perfect square factors
- (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 100.
- Lesson 154 — The Product Property of RadicalsLesson 782 — Simplifying Radical Answers
- Perfect Square Recognition
- When you see `√(1 + (dy/dx)²)`, try to express what's under the radical as a perfect square.
- Lesson 1680 — Simplifying Arc Length Integrals
- perfect square trinomial
- is what you get when you square a binomial.
- Lesson 384 — Perfect Square Trinomials: RecognitionLesson 399 — Solving Special Forms: Perfect Square TrinomialsLesson 401 — Perfect Square Trinomials Review
- perfect squares
- (and positive)
- Lesson 337 — Perfect Square TrinomialsLesson 1677 — Arc Length with Radical and Rational Functions
- Perimeter
- is the distance around the outside of a shape.
- Lesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 760 — Perimeter and Area Ratios of Similar TrianglesLesson 856 — Perimeter of Polygons
- Perimeter constraint
- 2L + 2W = P (for a rectangle)
- Lesson 435 — Area and Perimeter Optimization Problems
- period
- of the function.
- Lesson 570 — Periodic FunctionsLesson 1014 — Period of Sine and Cosine FunctionsLesson 1018 — Vertical Shift: y = sin(x) + D and the MidlineLesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + DLesson 1024 — Transformations of Tangent: Period and Vertical StretchLesson 1026 — Graphing the Cotangent FunctionLesson 1028 — Graphing the Secant FunctionLesson 1030 — Graphing the Cosecant Function (+6 more)
- Period (2π/B)
- How long one complete cycle takes (e.
- Lesson 1022 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- Period (from B)
- How long one complete cycle takes
- Lesson 1042 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- Period = 2π/B
- One complete cycle takes this many x-units
- Lesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + D
- Period Change (B)
- The standard cosecant has period 2π (same as sine).
- Lesson 1031 — Transformations of Cosecant
- periodic function
- is a function that repeats its output values over and over again at regular intervals as you move along the x-axis.
- Lesson 570 — Periodic FunctionsLesson 2456 — Periodic Functions and Fourier's Idea
- permutation
- is an arrangement of objects in a specific order.
- Lesson 2578 — What is a Permutation?Lesson 2588 — Introduction to Combinations
- Permutations
- Use when the **order matters**.
- Lesson 2594 — Distinguishing When to Use Combinations vs Permutations
- Permutations (order matters)
- AB, BA, AC, CA, BC, CB → 6 arrangements
- Lesson 2588 — Introduction to Combinations
- Permute the unrestricted objects
- in the remaining positions using standard permutation formulas
- Lesson 2582 — Permutations with Restrictions: Fixed Positions
- perpendicular
- (they intersect at a 90° angle), their slopes have a special mathematical relationship: they are **negative reciprocals** of each other.
- Lesson 267 — Slopes of Perpendicular LinesLesson 269 — Determining Parallel, Perpendicular, or NeitherLesson 711 — Perpendicular Lines and Right AnglesLesson 927 — Reflections Across Arbitrary LinesLesson 1129 — What Are Conic Sections?Lesson 1143 — Tangent Lines to CirclesLesson 1670 — Choosing Between Shell and Washer MethodsLesson 1846 — Maximum and Minimum Rates of Change
- Perpendicular Diagonals
- Lesson 824 — Kites: Properties and Diagonal Relationships
- Perpendicular lines
- have slopes that are negative reciprocals (their product is -1) and meet at right angles.
- Lesson 271 — Applications of Parallel and Perpendicular LinesLesson 272 — Systems and Geometric Reasoning with Parallel/Perpendicular LinesLesson 826 — Coordinate Geometry of QuadrilateralsLesson 915 — Parallel and Perpendicular Lines in Coordinate Geometry
- Perpendicular to level curves
- Gradient arrows always cross contour lines at right angles
- Lesson 1850 — Gradient Fields and Visualization
- Perturbation methods
- Approximate solutions when problems are "nearly separable"
- Lesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- phase shift
- .
- Lesson 1017 — Phase Shift: Horizontal Translation y = sin(x - C)Lesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + DLesson 1020 — Comparing Sine and Cosine: The Phase RelationshipLesson 1037 — Phase Shift: Horizontal Translation
- Phase Shift (C)
- When the cycle starts (e.
- Lesson 1022 — Applications: Modeling Periodic PhenomenaLesson 1031 — Transformations of CosecantLesson 1042 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- Phase Shift = C
- The entire graph slides C units right (positive C) or left (negative C)
- Lesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + D
- Physical dimensions
- (length, height, volume) must be **positive**
- Lesson 557 — Real-World Context and Restricted Domains
- Physical Interpretation
- Think of steady-state heat distribution.
- Lesson 2444 — Mean Value Property and Applications
- Physical intuition
- Drop ink in water—the way it gradually disperses follows the heat equation.
- Lesson 2410 — The Three Classical PDEs
- Physical law
- Heat flows from hot to cold at a rate proportional to the temperature gradient.
- Lesson 2415 — Physical Interpretation and Modeling
- Physical or Geometric Reasoning
- Lesson 1880 — Identifying Maxima and Minima from Critical Points
- Physics
- Decomposing motion equations into simpler components
- Lesson 354 — Applications of Polynomial DivisionLesson 1962 — Radius of Gyration and Applications
- Physics and Engineering
- The area between velocity curves of two objects shows the relative distance traveled.
- Lesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between Curves
- Pick a nearby point
- `a` where f(a) and f'(a) are easy to compute
- Lesson 1470 — Estimating Function Values with Linear Approximation
- Pick two points
- on the line that land on grid intersections (these are easiest to work with)
- Lesson 248 — Finding Slope from a Graph
- Pick your point
- where you want the instantaneous rate (call it x = a)
- Lesson 1374 — Estimating Instantaneous Rates Numerically
- pie charts
- when emphasizing proportions of a whole, especially with fewer categories (2–5 work best).
- Lesson 2995 — Categorical Data: Bar Charts and Pie ChartsLesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- Piecewise continuous
- f has at most finitely many discontinuities
- Lesson 2460 — Convergence of Fourier Series
- Pigeonhole Principle
- is deceptively simple: if you have **n + 1 or more items** to distribute among **n containers** (pigeonholes), then at least one container must contain **two or more items**.
- Lesson 2570 — The Pigeonhole Principle: Statement and Intuition
- pivot
- ) is to the right of the leading entry in the row above it
- Lesson 1311 — Row Reduction to Echelon FormLesson 2109 — Pivot Positions and Leading EntriesLesson 2116 — Row Echelon Form: Definition and PropertiesLesson 2117 — Leading Entries and Pivot Positions
- pivot position
- .
- Lesson 2109 — Pivot Positions and Leading EntriesLesson 2117 — Leading Entries and Pivot Positions
- pivot positions
- and their **leading entries**.
- Lesson 2109 — Pivot Positions and Leading EntriesLesson 2126 — Definition of Matrix Rank
- Pivot variables
- correspond to columns that contain a leading 1 (a pivot position).
- Lesson 2123 — Pivot and Free Variables from RREF
- Place the decimal point
- in your answer space directly above it
- Lesson 90 — Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers
- Place the restricted objects
- in their required positions (there's only 1 way to do this per restriction)
- Lesson 2582 — Permutations with Restrictions: Fixed Positions
- Placeholder terms
- If your dividend is missing a degree (like going from x³ straight to x with no x² term), write *0x²* as a placeholder
- Lesson 346 — Dividing by Binomials Using Long Division
- planar graph
- is a graph that can be drawn in the plane (on a flat surface like paper) such that no two edges cross each other except at their endpoints (vertices).
- Lesson 2689 — Planar Graphs and the Definition of PlanarityLesson 2693 — K₅ and K₃,₃ are Non-Planar
- plane
- is a perfectly flat, two-dimensional surface that extends infinitely in all directions.
- Lesson 699 — Planes: Flat Surfaces Extending InfinitelyLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1807 — Common Surfaces: Planes, Paraboloids, and SaddlesLesson 2059 — The Span of a Set of VectorsLesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³
- Planes through the origin
- the span of two linearly independent vectors
- Lesson 2080 — Subspaces of R^2 and R^3
- Planes through the z-axis
- The equation **θ = c** describes a half-plane extending from the z-axis at a fixed angle in the xy- plane, like a slice of pie standing upright.
- Lesson 1939 — Graphing Surfaces in Spherical Coordinates
- Planetary orbits
- follow elliptical paths with the sun at one focus, as Kepler discovered—a natural consequence of gravitational physics.
- Lesson 1187 — Real-World Conic Applications Review
- Plot the center
- (h, k) as a point on your coordinate plane
- Lesson 1137 — Graphing Circles from Standard FormLesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin
- Plug in known values
- and solve for the unknown rate
- Lesson 1482 — Distance and Position Related RatesLesson 1484 — Water Tank and Fluid Flow Problems
- Plug into the formula
- Lesson 414 — Solving Quadratics When a ≠ 1Lesson 1399 — The Product Rule FormulaLesson 1470 — Estimating Function Values with Linear Approximation
- plus sign
- (+) means "combine" or "put together"
- Lesson 9 — Understanding Addition as CombiningLesson 386 — Sum of Squares (Why It Doesn't Factor)Lesson 1069 — Half Angle Formula for Cosine
- PMF analogy
- Height of bars tells you exact probabilities
- Lesson 2836 — Introduction to Probability Density Functions (PDFs)
- point estimate
- ) from sample data to approximate an unknown population parameter.
- Lesson 2998 — What is Point Estimation?Lesson 3012 — Margin of Error and Interval Width
- Point estimation
- is the process of calculating a single number (called a **point estimate**) from sample data to approximate an unknown population parameter.
- Lesson 2998 — What is Point Estimation?
- point of tangency
- or **point of contact**.
- Lesson 847 — Tangent Lines to CirclesLesson 849 — Tangent-Radius Perpendicularity Theorem
- Point symmetry
- is when a figure looks exactly the same after being rotated 180° around a central point.
- Lesson 944 — Point Symmetry
- point-slope form
- shines.
- Lesson 257 — Point-Slope Form: y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)Lesson 258 — Writing Equations from a Point and SlopeLesson 264 — Choosing the Best Form for a ProblemLesson 266 — Writing Equations of Parallel LinesLesson 912 — Point-Slope Form and Writing Line EquationsLesson 1466 — Finding Equations of Tangent Lines Using the Derivative
- Point: (√2/2, -√2/2)
- Lesson 997 — Fourth Quadrant Points
- Pointwise convergence
- asks: at each individual point x, does the partial sum approach f(x)?
- Lesson 2460 — Convergence of Fourier Series
- Poisson distribution
- Counts the *number of events* occurring in a fixed time interval
- Lesson 2902 — Relationship Between Exponential and Poisson
- Polar
- Simply `0 ≤ r ≤ a` and `0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π` (clean and direct)
- Lesson 1913 — Why Use Polar Coordinates for IntegrationLesson 2454 — Separation in Other Coordinate Systems
- polar coordinates
- for circular laminas (then `x² + y² = r²`).
- Lesson 1961 — Computing Moments of InertiaLesson 2433 — The Two-Dimensional Wave Equation
- Polar direction (φ)
- Moving through angle `dφ` traces an arc of length `ρ dφ`
- Lesson 1940 — Volume Elements in Spherical Coordinates
- Polar/spherical coordinates
- can simplify radial symmetry
- Lesson 1820 — Limits and Continuity in Three or More Variables
- Polarization Identity
- goes the other way—it lets you *recover* the inner product from just the norm:
- Lesson 2208 — Parallelogram Law and Polarization Identity
- polynomial
- is a mathematical expression made up of one or more **terms** added (or subtracted) together.
- Lesson 310 — What is a Polynomial?Lesson 311 — Identifying Polynomials vs Non-PolynomialsLesson 316 — Classifying Polynomials by Number of TermsLesson 318 — What is a Polynomial? Terms and Like TermsLesson 325 — Multiplying a Monomial by a Polynomial
- Polynomial expansion
- The coefficient of $x^k y^{n-k}$ in $(x+y)^n$ is $\binom{n}{k}$
- Lesson 2599 — Binomial Coefficients: Definition and Notation
- Polynomial forcing
- If **f**(t) = [t², 3t]ᵀ, guess **x_p** = **a**t² + **b**t + **c** (vectors of constants).
- Lesson 2386 — Non-Homogeneous Systems: Undetermined Coefficients
- polynomial functions
- completely.
- Lesson 1336 — The Power and Root LawsLesson 1818 — Continuity on a Region
- polynomial long division
- to divide the numerator by the denominator.
- Lesson 490 — Slant (Oblique) AsymptotesLesson 1524 — Slant (Oblique) AsymptotesLesson 1622 — Proper vs Improper Rational Functions
- Polynomial resonance
- If your trial is a polynomial and constants (or polynomials) are in the homogeneous solution, multiply by *x*.
- Lesson 2354 — The Modification Rule for Resonance
- Polynomial Spaces: P_n
- Lesson 2076 — Examples of Vector Spaces
- Polynomials
- Functions like f(x) = 3x² - 5x + 7 are continuous *everywhere* (for all real numbers).
- Lesson 1354 — Continuity of Elementary FunctionsLesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct Substitution
- Polynomials become negligible
- High powers of n in the ratio often simplify or vanish as n → ∞.
- Lesson 1743 — Applying the Ratio Test to Common Series
- Pool and rank
- Combine all observations from all groups and assign ranks (1 = smallest, n = largest).
- Lesson 3107 — Kruskal-Wallis Test
- Population Growth
- A bacteria colony doubles every hour.
- Lesson 666 — Growth and Decay ApplicationsLesson 1376 — Applications: Velocity and Other RatesLesson 1437 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay RatesLesson 1504 — Applications: Real-World Monotonicity and ConcavityLesson 2374 — Exponential Growth and Decay Models
- Population standard deviation (σ)
- Often estimated from prior studies or a pilot sample
- Lesson 3013 — Choosing Sample Size for Desired Margin of Error
- Population variability (σ)
- More spread in your population means more uncertainty, thus wider intervals.
- Lesson 3012 — Margin of Error and Interval Width
- Population variance known
- (rare): Use z-tests
- Lesson 3032 — Why t-Tests? When the Population Variance is Unknown
- Population variance unknown
- Use t-tests
- Lesson 3032 — Why t-Tests? When the Population Variance is Unknown
- Portfolio optimization
- Measures risk correlations between assets
- Lesson 2299 — Covariance Matrices and Applications
- Position
- – where the figure sits in the plane
- Lesson 921 — Introduction to Geometric TransformationsLesson 1428 — Applications: Rates of Change in Oscillatory MotionLesson 1545 — Applications: Position from Velocity, Velocity from AccelerationLesson 2994 — Comparing Distributions
- positive
- .
- Lesson 45 — Multiplying Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 138 — Exponents with Negative BasesLesson 218 — Solving One-Step InequalitiesLesson 246 — Positive, Negative, Zero, and Undefined SlopesLesson 250 — Slope and Direction of LinesLesson 333 — Multiplying Polynomials with Negative CoefficientsLesson 362 — Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficient 1Lesson 366 — Factoring Trinomials with Negative Coefficients (+12 more)
- Positive covariance
- X and Y tend to increase together
- Lesson 2947 — Covariance: Definition and Interpretation
- positive definite
- if **x**ᵀA**x** > 0 for *all* nonzero vectors **x**.
- Lesson 2292 — Positive Definite, Negative Definite, and Indefinite MatricesLesson 2293 — Eigenvalue Criterion for DefinitenessLesson 2294 — Principal Minors and Sylvester's Criterion
- positive diagonal entries
- , then QR decomposition is **unique**.
- Lesson 2244 — Uniqueness and Existence of QR DecompositionLesson 2295 — The Cholesky Decomposition
- Positive divergence (div
- F** > 0):** The field is **spreading out** — more fluid is leaving than arriving.
- Lesson 2006 — Interpreting Divergence Physically
- Positive exponents
- = multiply the base by itself
- Lesson 135 — Negative Integer ExponentsLesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer Exponents
- Positive flux
- field flows *out* through the surface (in the direction of **n**)
- Lesson 2019 — Vector Fields and Surface Integrals
- Positive integer exponents
- Multiply the base by itself that many times
- Lesson 601 — Evaluating Exponential Expressions
- Positive numbers
- (1, 2, 3, .
- Lesson 40 — Representing Negative Numbers on the Number LineLesson 43 — Adding Positive and Negative Numbers
- Positive orientation
- by convention, often the "outward" normal (pointing away from enclosed volume)
- Lesson 2017 — Orientation of SurfacesLesson 2027 — Orientation of Surfaces and Boundary CurvesLesson 2029 — Parametrizing Boundary Curves
- Positive Predictive Value (PPV)
- P(Disease Present | Positive Test) — what we actually want to know!
- Lesson 2818 — Medical Testing and Screening Problems
- Positive real parts
- solutions grow → **unstable**
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- Positive residual
- Your model *under*-predicted (actual value was higher than predicted)
- Lesson 3083 — What Are Residuals?
- Positive result
- Lesson 138 — Exponents with Negative Bases
- Positive Semidefinite
- All eigenvalues are **non-negative** (λ ≥ 0), at least one is zero
- Lesson 2293 — Eigenvalue Criterion for Definiteness
- positive semidefinite matrix
- is a symmetric matrix **A** where the quadratic form **x^T A x ≥ 0** for *all* vectors **x**.
- Lesson 2297 — Positive Semidefinite MatricesLesson 2299 — Covariance Matrices and Applications
- Positive slope
- Line goes uphill from left to right (rise is positive)
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope GeometricallyLesson 246 — Positive, Negative, Zero, and Undefined Slopes
- positive to negative
- , the function was rising then started falling — you've found a **local maximum** (a hilltop)
- Lesson 1496 — The First Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1502 — Comparing First and Second Derivative Tests
- Positive λ
- Both gradients point in the same general direction (local maximum along the constraint)
- Lesson 1876 — The Lagrange Multiplier λ
- Positivity
- Lesson 2200 — Definition of Inner Product SpacesLesson 2202 — Inner Products on Function Spaces
- Post-hoc power analysis
- tells you: "Given the effect size we observed, what was our actual power?
- Lesson 3060 — Power Analysis and Study Design
- Posterior
- Your updated belief after combining the prior with the likelihood.
- Lesson 3112 — Prior, Likelihood, and Posterior: Bayes' Theorem RevisitedLesson 3114 — Conjugate Priors: Beta-Binomial ModelLesson 3115 — Conjugate Priors: Normal-Normal Model
- posterior distribution
- (after observing data) is also normal.
- Lesson 3115 — Conjugate Priors: Normal-Normal ModelLesson 3120 — Predictive Distributions: Prior and Posterior Predictive
- posterior probability
- ).
- Lesson 2817 — Prior and Posterior ProbabilitiesLesson 2820 — Sequential Updating with Bayes' Theorem
- Postulate 5: Line-Plane Intersection
- Lesson 701 — Postulates of Points, Lines, and Planes
- Postulates
- Lesson 766 — Common Reasons in Proofs
- Potential Energy
- often requires integration too.
- Lesson 1702 — Other Physical Applications: Energy and ProbabilityLesson 2432 — Energy Conservation in Wave Motion
- Power of a Power
- – Simplify any exponents raised to exponents first
- Lesson 149 — Combining Multiple Exponent Rules
- Power of a Product
- `(xy)^(a/b) = x^(a/b) · y^(a/b)`
- Lesson 533 — Simplifying Expressions with Fractional Exponents
- Power of a Product/Quotient
- – Distribute exponents across multiplication or division inside parentheses
- Lesson 149 — Combining Multiple Exponent Rules
- Power Rule
- `(x^(a/b))^(c/d) = x^((a/b)·(c/d))`
- Lesson 533 — Simplifying Expressions with Fractional ExponentsLesson 624 — Combining Logarithm PropertiesLesson 631 — Using Logarithms to Solve Exponential EquationsLesson 636 — Solving Logarithmic Equations with Multiple LogsLesson 1389 — The Power Rule for Positive Integer ExponentsLesson 1412 — Chain Rule with RadicalsLesson 1464 — Combining Logarithm Properties Before DifferentiatingLesson 1708 — Limit Laws for Sequences
- power series
- is an infinite series where each term contains a power of a variable (usually *x*).
- Lesson 1761 — What is a Power Series?Lesson 1768 — Integration of Power SeriesLesson 2399 — Power Series Solutions: Introduction and Ordinary Points
- power set
- of a set is the collection of *all possible subsets* of that set.
- Lesson 2531 — Introduction to Power SetsLesson 2532 — Computing Power Sets
- Powers
- If *a ≡ b (mod n)*, then *a^k ≡ b^k (mod n)* for any positive integer *k*
- Lesson 2739 — Properties of Congruence Relations
- Powers and factorials mixed
- When you see \(n^n\) or expressions where the exponent depends on n, Root Test often untangles the complexity better than Ratio Test.
- Lesson 1746 — Applying the Root Test
- Practical power
- Orthogonality underlies decompositions, projections, and many algorithms you'll encounter later
- Lesson 2206 — Angle Between Vectors and Orthogonality
- Practical significance
- asks: *How large is the effect, and does it matter?
- Lesson 3041 — Effect Size and Practical Significance in t-Tests
- Practical workflow
- Lesson 1791 — Error Analysis in Numerical Computation
- Practice the reverse thinking
- When you see 45 ÷ 9, ask yourself "9 times what equals 45?
- Lesson 25 — Division Facts and Basic Division Fluency
- Precise
- (efficiency means tightest confidence intervals)
- Lesson 3007 — Properties and Advantages of MLEs
- Precision of our estimate
- (width of the interval—narrower is more precise)
- Lesson 3009 — Introduction to Confidence Intervals
- Prevalence
- P(Disease Present) — the prior probability, how common the disease is in the population
- Lesson 2818 — Medical Testing and Screening ProblemsLesson 2819 — False Positives and Base Rate Fallacy
- prime
- they cannot be factored into simpler polynomial factors using integers.
- Lesson 370 — Prime Trinomials and When Factoring is Not PossibleLesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial FactoringLesson 386 — Sum of Squares (Why It Doesn't Factor)Lesson 2745 — Modular Inverses via Fermat's Little TheoremLesson 2751 — Problem Solving with Fermat's and Euler's Theorems
- Prime factorization
- is the process of finding which prime numbers multiply together to make your original number.
- Lesson 57 — Prime FactorizationLesson 155 — Simplifying Square RootsLesson 2725 — Prime Factorization: Finding the Decomposition
- prime number
- is a whole number greater than 1 that has exactly two factors: **1 and itself**.
- Lesson 55 — Introduction to Prime NumbersLesson 2720 — Prime Numbers: Definition and Basic Properties
- Prime numbers
- have *exactly two factors*: 1 and themselves (like 2, 3, 5, 7, 11…).
- Lesson 56 — Composite Numbers
- principal argument
- is usually taken in the range **(-π, π]** or **[0, 2π)**
- Lesson 1210 — Argument of a Complex NumberLesson 1218 — Principal Argument and Angle Conventions
- Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
- Finds directions of maximum variance by diagonalizing the covariance matrix
- Lesson 2299 — Covariance Matrices and Applications
- principal square root
- .
- Lesson 151 — Introduction to Square RootsLesson 495 — Understanding Radicals and the Square Root Symbol
- Prior
- Your initial belief about a parameter before seeing data.
- Lesson 3112 — Prior, Likelihood, and Posterior: Bayes' Theorem RevisitedLesson 3114 — Conjugate Priors: Beta-Binomial ModelLesson 3115 — Conjugate Priors: Normal-Normal Model
- Prior elicitation
- is the process of translating expert knowledge, historical data, or domain information into a mathematical prior distribution.
- Lesson 3118 — Prior Elicitation and Informative vs. Noninformative Priors
- prior probability
- ), and then observe new evidence, you can use Bayes' Theorem to calculate an updated, improved belief (your **posterior probability**).
- Lesson 2817 — Prior and Posterior ProbabilitiesLesson 2820 — Sequential Updating with Bayes' Theorem
- private key
- )
- Lesson 2761 — Public-Key Cryptography ConceptLesson 2769 — RSA Example with Small Primes
- Pro tip
- You can use *either* point—you'll get the same final equation both ways!
- Lesson 914 — Equations from Two PointsLesson 973 — Combined Problems with Distance and HeightLesson 1038 — Determining Phase Shift from EquationsLesson 1482 — Distance and Position Related RatesLesson 2087 — Verifying a Set is a BasisLesson 2178 — Computing Eigenvalues for 3×3 Matrices
- Probability Connection
- Notice that E[I_A] = 1·P(A) + 0·P(A^c) = P(A).
- Lesson 2830 — Indicator Random Variables
- probability density function (PDF)
- f(x) describes the likelihood of outcomes.
- Lesson 1702 — Other Physical Applications: Energy and ProbabilityLesson 2836 — Introduction to Probability Density Functions (PDFs)Lesson 2837 — Properties of Probability Density FunctionsLesson 2839 — Graphical Interpretation of PDFsLesson 2855 — Definition of Expectation for Continuous Random VariablesLesson 2895 — PDF and CDF of the Uniform Distribution
- Probability Mass Function (PMF)
- is a function that tells you the probability that a discrete random variable equals each specific value in its range.
- Lesson 2832 — Introduction to Probability Mass Functions (PMFs)Lesson 2833 — Properties of Probability Mass Functions
- Problem
- 23 students need to form teams of 4.
- Lesson 28 — Division with RemaindersLesson 117 — Unit Rates in ProportionsLesson 189 — Writing Equations from Word ProblemsLesson 655 — Finding the First Term from Given InformationLesson 1878 — Solving Two-Variable Constrained ProblemsLesson 2575 — Pigeonhole Principle in GeometryLesson 2582 — Permutations with Restrictions: Fixed PositionsLesson 2593 — Combinations in Real-World Problems (+4 more)
- Product
- If f(x) and g(x) are continuous at x = a, then f(x) · g(x) is continuous at a.
- Lesson 1355 — Continuity of Combinations of FunctionsLesson 1436 — Combining Product, Quotient, and Exponential RulesLesson 1819 — Properties and Composition of Continuous FunctionsLesson 2642 — Using Generating Functions to Count Distributions
- Product Property
- (√(a · b) = √a · √b), radicals have a similar rule for division:
- Lesson 500 — Quotient Property of RadicalsLesson 504 — Combining Simplification Techniques
- Product Property of Radicals
- states that the square root of a product equals the product of the square roots:
- Lesson 154 — The Product Property of RadicalsLesson 155 — Simplifying Square RootsLesson 159 — Multiplying Radical ExpressionsLesson 497 — Product Property of RadicalsLesson 499 — Simplifying Square Roots with VariablesLesson 509 — Multiplying Radicals Using the Product Property
- Product Rule
- `x^(a/b) · x^(c/d) = x^(a/b + c/d)`
- Lesson 533 — Simplifying Expressions with Fractional ExponentsLesson 534 — Multiplying and Dividing with Fractional ExponentsLesson 621 — The Product Rule for LogarithmsLesson 624 — Combining Logarithm PropertiesLesson 636 — Solving Logarithmic Equations with Multiple LogsLesson 1399 — The Product Rule FormulaLesson 1400 — Applying the Product Rule to PolynomialsLesson 1405 — Choosing Between Product and Quotient Rules (+4 more)
- Product rule first
- `dy/dx = [(3x + 1)⁴]' · (2x² - 5)³ + (3x + 1)⁴ · [(2x² - 5)³]'`
- Lesson 1415 — Chain Rule with Product and Quotient Rules
- Product/Quotient Rules
- – Combine bases that are multiplying or dividing
- Lesson 149 — Combining Multiple Exponent Rules
- Products
- that telescope nicely when you form the ratio a_{n+1}/a_n
- Lesson 1747 — Comparing Ratio and Root Tests
- Products with Different Arguments
- Lesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- Professional mathematics
- – Published solutions and formal proofs use rationalized forms as standard notation.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- Project and reduce
- Transform data via **X̃V** and keep only the top *k* columns for dimensionality reduction
- Lesson 2289 — Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and SVD
- Project the region
- onto the appropriate coordinate plane
- Lesson 1928 — Changing the Order of Integration in Triple Integrals
- Projectile motion
- Solving `h = -16t² + vt + h₀` for time
- Lesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial FactoringLesson 400 — Applications and Word ProblemsLesson 420 — Applications: Projectile Motion and Area ProblemsLesson 1682 — Applications: Arc Length in Physics and Geometry
- Proof
- Suppose {**v**₁, **v**₂, .
- Lesson 2210 — Orthogonal Sets of VectorsLesson 2490 — What Does It Mean to Prove Something?Lesson 2493 — Direct Proof Examples and PracticeLesson 2573 — Pigeonhole Principle in Number TheoryLesson 2575 — Pigeonhole Principle in GeometryLesson 2749 — Proof of Euler's TheoremLesson 2803 — Independence vs. Disjoint Events
- Proof by Contradiction
- Lesson 767 — Proof by ContradictionLesson 2497 — Proof by Contradiction: Basic IdeaLesson 2722 — Infinitude of Primes: Euclid's ProofLesson 2726 — Uniqueness of Prime Factorization: The ProofLesson 3024 — The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
- propagated error
- .
- Lesson 1473 — Applications of Differentials in MeasurementLesson 1839 — Applications to Measurement and Error Propagation
- Proper rational function
- The degree (highest power) of the numerator is *less than* the degree of the denominator.
- Lesson 1622 — Proper vs Improper Rational Functions
- Proper Subspaces
- Any subspace that's strictly between these two extremes is called a **proper subspace**.
- Lesson 2079 — Trivial and Proper SubspacesLesson 2224 — Gram-Schmidt for Subspaces
- Properties
- Lesson 766 — Common Reasons in Proofs
- Property
- When you multiply any matrix **A** by the identity matrix (of compatible dimensions), you get **A** back unchanged:
- Lesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and ZeroLesson 2671 — Binary Trees and Complete Trees
- proportion
- is a special kind of equation that states two ratios are equal to each other.
- Lesson 114 — What is a Proportion?Lesson 120 — Maps and Scale DrawingsLesson 215 — Ratios and Proportions Leading to Linear Equations
- Prove
- Lesson 762 — Introduction to Geometric ProofLesson 767 — Proof by ContradictionLesson 768 — Direct Proof TechniquesLesson 770 — Proving Theorems About Lines and AnglesLesson 771 — Proving Properties of Parallel LinesLesson 1790 — Applications to Common FunctionsLesson 2491 — Direct Proof: Basic StructureLesson 2493 — Direct Proof Examples and Practice
- Prove triangle congruence
- Use SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, or HL
- Lesson 747 — CPCTC: Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles
- Proving Irrationality
- Lesson 2498 — Proof by Contradiction: Common Patterns
- Proving non-planarity
- If V - E + F ≠ 2, the graph cannot be planar
- Lesson 2691 — Euler's Formula for Planar Graphs
- Proving Nonexistence
- Lesson 2498 — Proof by Contradiction: Common Patterns
- Proving Uniqueness
- Lesson 2498 — Proof by Contradiction: Common Patterns
- Pull out constants
- using the constant multiple rule
- Lesson 1542 — Antiderivatives of Polynomial Functions
- PyMC, NIMBLE
- Flexible, programmable frameworks
- Lesson 3121 — Computational Tools: Introduction to MCMC and Bayesian Software
- Pyramid structures
- Objects decreasing by 1 per layer from bottom to top
- Lesson 693 — Stacking and Construction Problems
- Pythagorean identities
- sin²θ + cos²θ = 1, 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ, 1 + cot²θ = csc²θ
- Lesson 1050 — Simplifying Trigonometric ExpressionsLesson 1090 — Equations Involving Multiple Functions
- Pythagorean Identity
- because it comes directly from the Pythagorean Theorem applied to the unit circle.
- Lesson 1045 — The Pythagorean IdentityLesson 1440 — Derivative of Arcsine Using Implicit Differentiation
- Pythagorean identity for sine
- since sin²(θ) + cos²(θ) = 1, when you substitute x = a sin(θ), the radical simplifies to a cos(θ).
- Lesson 1612 — The Three Standard Forms
- Pythagorean theorem
- tells us that in a right triangle, a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse.
- Lesson 437 — Geometry: Pythagorean ApplicationsLesson 855 — Applications of Tangents and ChordsLesson 958 — Given Two Sides: Finding the Third SideLesson 963 — Solving When Given Both LegsLesson 1479 — Related Rates with Triangles
- Pythagorean triple
- is a set of three positive integers (whole numbers) that satisfy the Pythagorean Theorem: a² + b² = c².
- Lesson 783 — Introduction to Pythagorean Triples
- Pythagorean triples
- are sets of three whole numbers that satisfy the Pythagorean Theorem.
- Lesson 784 — Verifying Pythagorean Triples
Q
- Q ᵀ
- gives:
- Lesson 2228 — Applications: QR Factorization PreviewLesson 2247 — QR and Least Squares Problems
- Q-Q plot
- ) gives you an immediate visual assessment.
- Lesson 3086 — Normal Probability Plots (Q-Q Plots)
- Q-Q plots
- (normal probability plots) or formal tests like Shapiro-Wilk to check if residuals follow a normal distribution.
- Lesson 3101 — Checking ANOVA Assumptions
- Q(x, y)
- is the *vertical component function* (how much the vector points in the y-direction)
- Lesson 1964 — Component Functions of Vector FieldsLesson 2479 — Predicates and Propositional Functions
- Q^T
- preserves norms (think of **Q** as a rigid rotation—it doesn't stretch or compress).
- Lesson 2237 — Least Squares with QR DecompositionLesson 2246 — Solving Linear Systems Using QR
- Q^T b
- , then solve the triangular system **Rx̂ = Q^T b**.
- Lesson 2237 — Least Squares with QR DecompositionLesson 2246 — Solving Linear Systems Using QR
- Q^T Q = I
- Lesson 2241 — Orthogonal Matrices and Their PropertiesLesson 2246 — Solving Linear Systems Using QR
- Q1 (First Quartile)
- = 25th percentile: 25% of data falls below this value
- Lesson 2990 — Percentiles and Quartiles
- Q3 (Third Quartile)
- = 75th percentile: 75% of data falls below this value
- Lesson 2990 — Percentiles and Quartiles
- QR
- (where **Q** is orthogonal and **R** is upper triangular), two natural questions arise: Does this decomposition always exist?
- Lesson 2244 — Uniqueness and Existence of QR Decomposition
- QR decomposition
- expresses a matrix A as the product of an **orthogonal matrix Q** (whose columns are orthonormal) and an **upper triangular matrix R**.
- Lesson 2242 — QR Decomposition via Gram-SchmidtLesson 2243 — Computing QR: Step-by-Step AlgorithmLesson 2248 — Computational Advantages of QR Decomposition
- QRx = b
- .
- Lesson 2228 — Applications: QR Factorization PreviewLesson 2246 — Solving Linear Systems Using QR
- Quadrant
- II (since 90° < 150° < 180°)
- Lesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°Lesson 1210 — Argument of a Complex Number
- Quadrant I
- Upper-right (where both x and y are positive)
- Lesson 238 — The Four QuadrantsLesson 1003 — Reference AnglesLesson 1217 — Finding the Argument (Angle)
- Quadrant II
- Upper-left (where x is negative and y is positive)
- Lesson 238 — The Four QuadrantsLesson 1003 — Reference AnglesLesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°Lesson 1217 — Finding the Argument (Angle)
- Quadrant III
- Lower-left (where both x and y are negative)
- Lesson 238 — The Four QuadrantsLesson 1003 — Reference AnglesLesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°Lesson 1217 — Finding the Argument (Angle)
- Quadrant IV
- Lower-right (where x is positive and y is negative)
- Lesson 238 — The Four QuadrantsLesson 1003 — Reference AnglesLesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°Lesson 1217 — Finding the Argument (Angle)
- Quadrant rules
- Which trig functions are positive or negative in each quadrant
- Lesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°
- Quadrants I and II
- (0° to 180°, or 0 to π radians): sine is **positive** → use **+**
- Lesson 1068 — Half Angle Formula for Sine
- Quadrants III and IV
- (180° to 360°, or π to 2π radians): sine is **negative** → use **−**
- Lesson 1068 — Half Angle Formula for Sine
- quadratic equation
- that we must solve.
- Lesson 437 — Geometry: Pythagorean ApplicationsLesson 482 — Rational Equations Leading to Quadratics
- Quadratic Family
- The parent function is `f(x) = x²`, which creates a U-shaped parabola centered at the origin.
- Lesson 588 — Transformations and Function Families
- quadratic form
- is an expression like Q(**x**) = x₁² + 4x₁x₂ + 3x₂², which involves squared and cross-product terms of variables.
- Lesson 2277 — Principal Axes and Quadratic FormsLesson 2291 — Quadratic Forms and Their Matrix RepresentationLesson 2296 — Diagonalization of Quadratic Forms
- quadratic formula
- !
- Lesson 408 — Deriving the Quadratic FormulaLesson 412 — Understanding the Structure of the Quadratic Formula
- Quadratic functions
- like `f(x) = x²` have a limited range.
- Lesson 553 — Finding Range from EquationsLesson 1382 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Quadratic Functions
- quadrilateral
- (4 sides) splits into 2 triangles → (4 - 2) × 180° = **360°**
- Lesson 808 — Interior Angle Sum Formula for PolygonsLesson 815 — Defining Quadrilaterals and Basic Properties
- Quality control
- If two independent machines each work properly with probability 0.
- Lesson 2805 — Independence and the Multiplication RuleLesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- Quantile-Quantile plot
- or **Q-Q plot**) gives you an immediate visual assessment.
- Lesson 3086 — Normal Probability Plots (Q-Q Plots)
- Quantities
- (people, objects) must be **whole numbers** and **non-negative**
- Lesson 557 — Real-World Context and Restricted Domains
- Quartiles
- are specific percentiles that divide data into four equal parts:
- Lesson 2990 — Percentiles and Quartiles
- Quasilinear PDE
- Linear in the highest-order derivatives, but lower-order terms or coefficients may depend on u or its lower derivatives.
- Lesson 2409 — Classification: Order and Linearity
- Quick estimates
- Great when you need an approximate answer fast
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- Quick estimation
- If you observe the mean number of occurrences, you immediately know the variance
- Lesson 2891 — Mean and Variance of the Poisson Distribution
- Quick test
- Three or more points are collinear if you can draw exactly one straight line that passes through all of them.
- Lesson 698 — Collinear and Coplanar Points
- Quick verification
- If you graph both a function and its supposed inverse and they're not mirror images across y = x, something went wrong
- Lesson 565 — Graphs of Inverse Functions
- Quotient
- The answer you get from the division
- Lesson 344 — Introduction to Polynomial DivisionLesson 490 — Slant (Oblique) AsymptotesLesson 502 — Simplifying nth Roots with VariablesLesson 1355 — Continuity of Combinations of FunctionsLesson 1436 — Combining Product, Quotient, and Exponential RulesLesson 1819 — Properties and Composition of Continuous Functions
- quotient identities
- reveal a beautiful relationship between the six trigonometric functions.
- Lesson 1044 — Quotient IdentitiesLesson 1050 — Simplifying Trigonometric ExpressionsLesson 1090 — Equations Involving Multiple Functions
- Quotient Law
- Split into numerator limit ÷ denominator limit
- Lesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit Laws
- Quotient Property of Radicals
- tells us that the square root of a fraction equals the square root of the numerator divided by the square root of the denominator:
- Lesson 156 — The Quotient Property of Radicals
- Quotient Rule
- `x^(a/b) ÷ x^(c/d) = x^(a/b - c/d)`
- Lesson 533 — Simplifying Expressions with Fractional ExponentsLesson 534 — Multiplying and Dividing with Fractional ExponentsLesson 624 — Combining Logarithm PropertiesLesson 636 — Solving Logarithmic Equations with Multiple LogsLesson 1405 — Choosing Between Product and Quotient RulesLesson 1423 — Derivatives of cot(x), sec(x), and csc(x)Lesson 1446 — Products and Quotients Involving Inverse Trig FunctionsLesson 1453 — Implicit Differentiation with Products and Quotients (+2 more)
- Quotient Rule for Exponents
- , which says when you divide powers with the same base, you subtract the exponents:
- Lesson 147 — Zero Exponent RuleLesson 148 — Negative Exponent Rule
- Quotient Rule for Logarithms
- Lesson 622 — The Quotient Rule for Logarithms
R
- r dr dθ dz
- (not just dr dθ dz).
- Lesson 1937 — Evaluating Triple Integrals Using Cylindrical CoordinatesLesson 1956 — Computing Total Mass with Triple Integrals
- R is reflexive
- Lesson 2542 — Reflexive Relations
- R(x)
- = outer radius = distance from x-axis to outer curve
- Lesson 1659 — Washer Method: Rotation About the x-axis
- R(y)
- is the radius function (distance from the y-axis to the curve, expressed in terms of y)
- Lesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axisLesson 1660 — Washer Method: Rotation About the y-axis
- R^n
- consists of all ordered lists of n real numbers.
- Lesson 2076 — Examples of Vector SpacesLesson 2132 — The Four Fundamental Subspaces
- R^n: The Classic
- Lesson 2076 — Examples of Vector Spaces
- r²
- .
- Lesson 917 — Finding Center and Radius from Circle EquationsLesson 2061 — Geometric Span in R²: Lines and PlanesLesson 2086 — What is a Basis?Lesson 2088 — Standard BasesLesson 2091 — Dimension of a Vector SpaceLesson 2093 — The Basis TheoremLesson 3065 — The Coefficient of Determination (R²)
- R² = 0
- The predictor explains *none* of the variance; the regression line does no better than simply using the mean of y.
- Lesson 3065 — The Coefficient of Determination (R²)
- R² = 0.75
- The model explains 75% of the variance in y; 25% remains unexplained (residual variance).
- Lesson 3065 — The Coefficient of Determination (R²)
- R² = 1
- The regression line perfectly predicts every observation.
- Lesson 3065 — The Coefficient of Determination (R²)
- R³
- `{(1,0,0), (0,1,0), (0,0,1)}` is the standard basis.
- Lesson 2086 — What is a Basis?Lesson 2088 — Standard BasesLesson 2091 — Dimension of a Vector SpaceLesson 2093 — The Basis Theorem
- Radial
- Arrows point away from/toward a center; magnitude often grows with distance
- Lesson 1967 — Radial and Rotational Vector Fields
- Radial direction (ρ)
- The thickness is simply `dρ`
- Lesson 1940 — Volume Elements in Spherical Coordinates
- Radial equation
- Lesson 2441 — Laplace's Equation in Polar Coordinates
- radians
- Lesson 837 — Arc Length FormulaLesson 842 — Sector Area FormulaLesson 987 — Arc Length Using RadiansLesson 988 — Sector Area Using RadiansLesson 1210 — Argument of a Complex Number
- radical
- √25 = 5.
- Lesson 151 — Introduction to Square RootsLesson 495 — Understanding Radicals and the Square Root Symbol
- radical equation
- is any equation where the variable appears inside a radical symbol (like a square root, cube root, or other root).
- Lesson 522 — Introduction to Radical EquationsLesson 524 — Solving Simple Radical Equations
- Radicals
- (like √ or ∛): identify domain restrictions and where the function might have cusps or vertical tangents
- Lesson 1526 — Sketching Complex Functions
- radicand
- the number under the symbol (in √25, the radicand is 25)
- Lesson 495 — Understanding Radicals and the Square Root SymbolLesson 550 — Domain Restrictions from Square Roots
- Radioactive decay
- If a substance decays as `A(t) = 100e^(-0.
- Lesson 1437 — Applications: Exponential Growth and Decay RatesLesson 2327 — Applications: RC Circuits and DecayLesson 2374 — Exponential Growth and Decay ModelsLesson 2893 — Applications of the Poisson Distribution
- radius
- is a line segment connecting the center to any point on the circle.
- Lesson 827 — Parts of a Circle: Center, Radius, Diameter, and ChordLesson 834 — Distance from Center to ChordLesson 891 — Surface Area of SpheresLesson 983 — What is a Radian?Lesson 991 — Defining the Unit CircleLesson 1141 — Finding Circle Properties from General FormLesson 1654 — Disk Method: Rotation About the x-axisLesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axis (+9 more)
- radius of convergence
- R that creates a "zone of convergence" around the center point c.
- Lesson 1763 — Radius of ConvergenceLesson 1764 — Finding Radius of Convergence Using the Ratio TestLesson 1765 — Finding Radius of Convergence Using the Root TestLesson 1766 — Interval of Convergence
- Radius of each disk
- The distance from the axis to the curve at that point
- Lesson 1653 — Volume of Revolution: Introduction and Disk Method Concept
- Ramsey Theory
- extends this idea profoundly: it asks "how large must a structure be before some specific pattern *must* appear, no matter how you try to avoid it?
- Lesson 2577 — Advanced Pigeonhole Arguments and Ramsey Theory
- Ramsey's Theorem
- In any two-coloring (say, red and blue) of the edges of a sufficiently large complete graph, there must exist a monochromatic complete subgraph of a specified size.
- Lesson 2577 — Advanced Pigeonhole Arguments and Ramsey Theory
- Random Arrivals
- Suppose a bus arrives uniformly between 2:00 PM and 2:10 PM.
- Lesson 2897 — Applications of the Uniform Distribution
- Random experiments
- Lesson 2771 — What is a Random Experiment?
- Random Number Generators
- Computer random number generators typically produce values uniformly on [0, 1].
- Lesson 2897 — Applications of the Uniform Distribution
- Randomization
- Randomly assigning subjects to groups reduces bias and supports the independence assumption
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- Range
- From vertex y-value to infinity (up if a > 0, down if a < 0)
- Lesson 433 — Key Features Summary and Complete GraphingLesson 548 — What Are Domain and Range?Lesson 553 — Finding Range from EquationsLesson 554 — Range from GraphsLesson 556 — Domain and Range of Piecewise FunctionsLesson 566 — Domain and Range of Inverse FunctionsLesson 578 — Vertical Shifts of FunctionsLesson 594 — The Absolute Value Function (+14 more)
- Range of R
- = {a, c} — only these elements from B are actually paired
- Lesson 2540 — Domain, Codomain, and Range of Relations
- rank
- of that matrix—the number of pivot positions (leading 1's in row echelon form)—tells you exactly how many vectors in your set are linearly independent.
- Lesson 2070 — Linear Independence and the Rank of a MatrixLesson 2092 — Dimension of SubspacesLesson 2126 — Definition of Matrix RankLesson 2127 — Computing Rank via Row ReductionLesson 2128 — The Column SpaceLesson 2286 — SVD and the Matrix RankLesson 3105 — Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
- Rank by importance
- The singular values (diagonal of **Σ**) tell you the importance of each component
- Lesson 2289 — Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and SVD
- Rank each variable separately
- The smallest value gets rank 1, next gets rank 2, and so on.
- Lesson 3109 — Spearman's Rank Correlation
- Rank equals trace
- The rank of P (dimension of the subspace) equals its trace (sum of diagonal entries)
- Lesson 2232 — Properties of Projection Matrices
- Rank-Nullity Theorem
- states that for any matrix **A** with *n* columns:
- Lesson 2095 — Rank-Nullity TheoremLesson 2263 — Rank-Nullity Theorem for Linear Transformations
- rank(A)
- = dimension of the column space (how many linearly independent columns)
- Lesson 2095 — Rank-Nullity TheoremLesson 2133 — The Rank-Nullity Theorem
- rate
- is a special type of ratio that compares two quantities that have *different units*.
- Lesson 109 — Introduction to RatesLesson 439 — Work and Mixture Rate Problems
- Rate (β)
- Controls how quickly events occur.
- Lesson 2917 — The Gamma Distribution: Definition and Parameters
- rate in
- minus the **rate out**:
- Lesson 2326 — Applications: Mixing ProblemsLesson 2377 — Mixing Problems and Compartment Models
- rate of change
- equals the **current value**.
- Lesson 613 — The Derivative Property: Why e is SpecialLesson 2317 — Applications: Mixing and Velocity ProblemsLesson 2326 — Applications: Mixing ProblemsLesson 3064 — Interpreting Slope and Intercept
- rate out
- Lesson 2326 — Applications: Mixing ProblemsLesson 2377 — Mixing Problems and Compartment Models
- ratio
- is a way to compare two quantities by showing how much of one thing there is compared to another.
- Lesson 105 — What is a Ratio?Lesson 983 — What is a Radian?Lesson 1946 — The Jacobian Determinant
- Ratio method
- Divide one equation by another to eliminate λ
- Lesson 1878 — Solving Two-Variable Constrained Problems
- Ratio Test
- asks: "What happens when I divide the next term by the current term?
- Lesson 1742 — The Ratio Test: Statement and LogicLesson 1747 — Comparing Ratio and Root TestsLesson 1748 — Series with Factorials and ExponentialsLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence TestLesson 1759 — Choosing the Right Test for Alternating Series
- rational expression
- is simply a fraction where both the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) are polynomials.
- Lesson 442 — What is a Rational Expression?Lesson 476 — Introduction to Rational Equations
- rational expressions
- these are fractions involving variables that you manipulate and simplify.
- Lesson 476 — Introduction to Rational EquationsLesson 1526 — Sketching Complex Functions
- rational function
- is simply a function that can be written as the quotient (division) of two polynomials.
- Lesson 485 — Introduction to Rational FunctionsLesson 1384 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Rational FunctionsLesson 1622 — Proper vs Improper Rational Functions
- Rational functions
- like `f(x) = 1/x` can take almost any value except where horizontal asymptotes block them—this one never equals zero, so its range is all real numbers except 0.
- Lesson 553 — Finding Range from EquationsLesson 1343 — Limits at Infinity and Horizontal AsymptotesLesson 1621 — Introduction to Partial Fraction DecompositionLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence TestLesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct SubstitutionLesson 1818 — Continuity on a Region
- Rational numbers
- A number *r* is rational if there exist integers *p* and *q* with *q ≠ 0* such that *r = p/q*.
- Lesson 2492 — Direct Proof: Working with DefinitionsLesson 2558 — Applications and Quotient Sets
- Rationalization
- is the process of eliminating imaginary parts from the denominator, and then expressing the result in **standard form**: *a + bi*, where *a* and *b* are real numbers.
- Lesson 1206 — Rationalization and Standard Form
- Rationalize denominators
- by multiplying by the conjugate when dividing
- Lesson 1202 — Simplifying Complex Expressions
- Rationalizing
- Lesson 1341 — Algebraic Manipulation for 0/0
- Ray AB
- Starts at A, passes through B, and continues forever beyond B.
- Lesson 697 — Line Segments and Rays
- Ray BA
- Starts at B, passes through A, and continues forever beyond A.
- Lesson 697 — Line Segments and Rays
- RC circuit
- ), the voltage across the capacitor decreases over time according to a first-order linear ODE.
- Lesson 2327 — Applications: RC Circuits and Decay
- Reach perfectly
- when *a* is long enough or angle *A* is large enough (one triangle)
- Lesson 1121 — Introduction to the Ambiguous Case (SSA)
- Read and Understand
- Lesson 1516 — Applied Optimization Strategy
- Read and Visualize
- Lesson 982 — Mixed Application Problems and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Read carefully
- and identify what's proportional
- Lesson 123 — Real-World Proportion ProblemsLesson 529 — Word Problems Involving Radical EquationsLesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between Curves
- Read the coordinates
- (x, y) = (cos θ, sin θ)
- Lesson 1010 — Using the Unit Circle to Evaluate Trig Functions
- Read the problem carefully
- – identify what's changing and what drives the change
- Lesson 2335 — Applications of Exact and Bernoulli Equations
- Real consequences
- In medicine, a false positive might mean prescribing unnecessary treatment; in quality control, it might mean discarding good products.
- Lesson 3052 — Type I Error: False Positives
- Real eigenvalues
- For any symmetric matrix **A**, all eigenvalues are real (you proved this earlier).
- Lesson 2272 — The Spectral Theorem for Symmetric Matrices
- real part
- (an ordinary real number)
- Lesson 1190 — Standard Form of Complex NumbersLesson 1191 — Identifying Real and Imaginary PartsLesson 1192 — Plotting Complex Numbers on the Complex PlaneLesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1208 — The Argand Diagram
- Real-world analogies
- Lesson 2661 — Cut Vertices and Cut Edges
- Real-world measurements
- – If you're calculating the length of lumber needed (`12/√5` feet), a contractor wants `5.
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- Real-world uses
- Lesson 103 — Percentages Greater Than 100% and Less Than 1%
- reason
- justifies why that statement is valid—it might be a definition (like "definition of midpoint"), a postulate (like "SSS Congruence"), a theorem you've already learned (like "Vertical Angles Theorem"), or algebraic properties.
- Lesson 762 — Introduction to Geometric ProofLesson 766 — Common Reasons in Proofs
- reasons
- (why each statement is true).
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence ProofsLesson 763 — Two-Column Proof FormatLesson 765 — Flow Chart Proof Format
- Recipes and Cooking
- Adjusting ingredient amounts when changing serving sizes.
- Lesson 123 — Real-World Proportion Problems
- reciprocal
- is what you get when you flip a fraction upside down.
- Lesson 77 — Reciprocals and Division SetupLesson 135 — Negative Integer Exponents
- Reciprocal identities
- sin θ = 1/csc θ, cos θ = 1/sec θ, tan θ = 1/cot θ
- Lesson 1050 — Simplifying Trigonometric ExpressionsLesson 1090 — Equations Involving Multiple Functions
- Reciprocal property
- If X ~ F(d₁, d₂), then 1/X ~ F(d₂, d₁)
- Lesson 2926 — Properties and Applications of the F-Distribution
- recognize
- when to use them in real problems.
- Lesson 342 — Using Special Products to Simplify ExpressionsLesson 482 — Rational Equations Leading to Quadratics
- Recognize the pattern
- Both x² and 16 are perfect squares (16 = 4²)
- Lesson 398 — Solving Special Forms: Difference of SquaresLesson 1079 — Simplifying Expressions with Product and Sum Formulas
- Recognize the resulting sums
- as G(x) or shifted/scaled versions of it
- Lesson 2643 — Solving Recurrence Relations with Generating Functions
- Recognize the right triangle
- (the ground, wall, and ladder form one)
- Lesson 974 — Setting Up Right Triangle Problems from Word Descriptions
- Recommendation systems
- Compress user-rating matrices
- Lesson 2288 — Low-Rank Approximation and Data Compression
- rectangle
- is a parallelogram with an extra requirement: all four angles must be right angles (90°).
- Lesson 818 — Rectangles: Properties and CharacteristicsLesson 825 — The Quadrilateral Family TreeLesson 856 — Perimeter of PolygonsLesson 857 — Area of Rectangles and SquaresLesson 942 — Line Symmetry (Reflectional Symmetry)
- Rectangular
- `−√(a² − x²) ≤ y ≤ √(a² − x²)` (square roots everywhere!
- Lesson 1913 — Why Use Polar Coordinates for IntegrationLesson 1943 — Choosing the Best Coordinate System
- recurrence relation
- is an equation that defines a sequence by describing how to compute each term from one or more earlier terms in the sequence.
- Lesson 2627 — What is a Recurrence Relation?Lesson 2628 — Initial Conditions and SolutionsLesson 2916 — Introduction to the Gamma Function
- Recurse
- treat *u* as the new starting point and repeat
- Lesson 2673 — Finding Spanning Trees: Depth-First Search
- Recursive formula
- a_n = 2 × a_(n-1), with a_1 = 3
- Lesson 664 — Recursive Formulas for Geometric Sequences
- Redescribe the region
- from the other variable's viewpoint
- Lesson 1905 — Changing the Order of Integration
- Reduce early and often
- Since (a · b) mod n = [(a mod n) · (b mod n)] mod n, we can take the modulus after each multiplication
- Lesson 2734 — Powers in Modular Arithmetic
- Reduced (Thin) QR
- **Q** is *m × n* with orthonormal columns, **R** is *n × n* upper triangular
- Lesson 2245 — QR Decomposition for Square vs Rectangular Matrices
- Reduced QR
- is more computationally efficient and commonly used in applications like least squares, since the extra columns in full **Q** multiply zeros in **R** anyway.
- Lesson 2245 — QR Decomposition for Square vs Rectangular Matrices
- reduced row echelon form
- ), where:
- Lesson 2105 — Introduction to Gaussian EliminationLesson 2120 — Reduced Row Echelon Form: Definition
- Reducible fractions
- – If you have `6/12` or `15/10`, reduce it.
- Lesson 520 — Simplifying After Rationalizing
- Reduction
- Lesson 119 — Scale Factors
- Reduction formulas
- are recursive formulas that express an integral involving tanⁿ(x) or secⁿ(x) in terms of a similar integral with a *lower power* (n-2 typically).
- Lesson 1604 — Reduction Formulas for Tangent and Secant
- reference angle
- is the acute angle (between 0° and 90°) formed between the terminal side of your angle and the x- axis.
- Lesson 994 — Reference Angles and the First QuadrantLesson 997 — Fourth Quadrant PointsLesson 1003 — Reference AnglesLesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°
- Reflecting across the x-axis
- Lesson 242 — Reflections and Symmetry in the Coordinate Plane
- Reflecting across the y-axis
- Lesson 242 — Reflections and Symmetry in the Coordinate Plane
- Reflection
- Flipping a figure over a line, like looking at your image in a mirror.
- Lesson 724 — Congruence TransformationsLesson 925 — Reflections Across the Axes
- Reflections
- (across x-axis or y-axis)
- Lesson 584 — Combining Multiple TransformationsLesson 589 — Inverse Relationships in TransformationsLesson 939 — Introduction to Rigid Motions (Isometries)Lesson 941 — Congruence Through Rigid MotionsLesson 1196 — Complex Conjugates
- Reflections across the x-axis
- preserve symmetry type.
- Lesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under Transformation
- Reflections across the y-axis
- preserve evenness (already symmetric about y-axis) and preserve oddness (flipping both sides maintains origin symmetry).
- Lesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under Transformation
- reflective property of ellipses
- .
- Lesson 1165 — Reflective Property of EllipsesLesson 1166 — Applications of Ellipses
- reflexive
- if and only if:
- Lesson 2542 — Reflexive RelationsLesson 2546 — Combining Properties: Partial OrdersLesson 2549 — Inverse RelationsLesson 2550 — Definition of Equivalence RelationsLesson 2551 — Verifying Equivalence RelationsLesson 2556 — Partitions Induce Equivalence RelationsLesson 2557 — Congruence Modulo nLesson 2731 — Equivalence Classes in Modular Arithmetic
- Reflexivity
- Lesson 2550 — Definition of Equivalence RelationsLesson 2709 — Divisibility: Definition and Basic Properties
- Region 1
- (from *a* to *b*): Integrate |*f(x)* − *g(x)*|
- Lesson 1650 — Area Enclosed by Intersecting Curves
- Region 2
- (from *b* to *c*): Integrate |*g(x)* − *f(x)*| (they switched!
- Lesson 1650 — Area Enclosed by Intersecting Curves
- Register allocation
- Assign computer registers to variables in a program
- Lesson 2695 — Graph Coloring and the Chromatic Number
- regression
- , gives you a mathematical model to predict values or understand the relationship.
- Lesson 649 — Fitting Exponential and Logarithmic Models to DataLesson 3066 — Correlation vs Regression
- Regular hexagon
- (n = 6): Each exterior angle = 360° ÷ 6 = **60°**
- Lesson 812 — Finding Individual Exterior Angles in Regular PolygonsLesson 856 — Perimeter of Polygons
- Regular hexagons
- have point symmetry at their center (among other rotational symmetries)
- Lesson 944 — Point Symmetry
- Regular octagon
- (n = 8): Each exterior angle = 360° ÷ 8 = **45°**
- Lesson 812 — Finding Individual Exterior Angles in Regular PolygonsLesson 814 — Determining the Number of Sides from Angle Information
- regular polygon
- , all sides are equal length AND all interior angles are equal measure.
- Lesson 809 — Finding Individual Interior Angles in Regular PolygonsLesson 812 — Finding Individual Exterior Angles in Regular PolygonsLesson 863 — Area of Regular PolygonsLesson 945 — Symmetry in Regular Polygons
- regular polygons
- , if you know one exterior angle, use:
- Lesson 814 — Determining the Number of Sides from Angle InformationLesson 856 — Perimeter of PolygonsLesson 946 — Applications of Symmetry in Design and Nature
- Regular singular point
- if $(x - x_0)p(x)$ and $(x - x_0)^2q(x)$ are both analytic at $x_0$
- Lesson 2401 — Regular Singular Points and the Method of FrobeniusLesson 2402 — Frobenius Method: Finding Indicial Equations
- reject H₀
- (conclude there's sufficient evidence for H₁) or **fail to reject H₀** (insufficient evidence to abandon the null hypothesis).
- Lesson 3020 — Introduction to Hypothesis TestingLesson 3024 — The Logic of Hypothesis TestingLesson 3097 — The ANOVA Table and Hypothesis Testing
- Related rates preview
- Two changing quantities connected by an equation (you'll explore this deeper later).
- Lesson 1418 — Chain Rule Applications and Problem-Solving
- relation
- between sets A and B is simply a subset of `A × B`.
- Lesson 2538 — Applications and Higher-Order ProductsLesson 2539 — Definition of a RelationLesson 2549 — Inverse Relations
- Relations
- "Every student has taken at least one course":
- Lesson 2486 — Nested Quantifiers in Mathematics
- relative frequency
- k/n as our estimate
- Lesson 2975 — Applications: Estimating Probabilities and MeansLesson 2992 — Histograms and Frequency Distributions
- relatively prime
- or **coprime**
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): DefinitionLesson 2718 — Relatively Prime IntegersLesson 2746 — Euler's Totient Function φ(n)
- Reliable
- (consistency ensures accuracy with large samples)
- Lesson 3007 — Properties and Advantages of MLEs
- remainder
- is what's "left over" after division.
- Lesson 28 — Division with RemaindersLesson 344 — Introduction to Polynomial DivisionLesson 351 — The Remainder TheoremLesson 502 — Simplifying nth Roots with VariablesLesson 1201 — Powers of iLesson 1733 — Estimating Remainders with the Integral TestLesson 1784 — Taylor's Theorem Statement and Motivation
- remainder term
- that captures exactly what you're missing.
- Lesson 1784 — Taylor's Theorem Statement and MotivationLesson 1789 — Proving Convergence with the Remainder Term
- Remaining balance
- after \(k\) payments is the present value of remaining payments, also a geometric series calculation.
- Lesson 689 — Loan Amortization
- Remarkable property
- Mean equals variance!
- Lesson 2862 — Expectation and Variance in Common Distributions
- Remember
- You might need to use alternate interior angles when angles of depression create congruent angles in different positions within your diagram.
- Lesson 972 — Multi-Step Elevation and Depression ProblemsLesson 1393 — Combining Basic Rules for PolynomialsLesson 1455 — Second Derivatives by Implicit DifferentiationLesson 2170 — Finding Eigenvectors from Eigenvalues
- Remember the reciprocal rule
- negative exponents flip the base
- Lesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer Exponents
- Remember the sign rule
- when you multiply or divide both sides by a negative number, you must flip the inequality sign.
- Lesson 220 — Solving Multi-Step Linear Inequalities
- Remember the sign-flip rule
- if you multiply or divide by a negative number
- Lesson 221 — Inequalities with Variables on Both Sides
- Remove genuine outliers
- (after careful investigation—never automatically!
- Lesson 3092 — Model Refinement Based on Diagnostics
- Remove one redundant vector
- (typically one that can be expressed in terms of the others)
- Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning Set
- Remove redundant constraints
- Drop the dependent constraint(s) from your system
- Lesson 1889 — Dealing with Redundant Constraints
- Repeat
- until you have a simple fraction
- Lesson 474 — Nested Complex FractionsLesson 1311 — Row Reduction to Echelon FormLesson 1312 — Back Substitution from Echelon FormLesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning SetLesson 2090 — Extending to a BasisLesson 2108 — Forward Elimination ProcessLesson 2676 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Prim's AlgorithmLesson 2702 — The Hungarian Algorithm for Maximum Bipartite Matching (+1 more)
- Repeat for each piece
- until you reach simple limits you can evaluate directly
- Lesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit Laws
- Repeat upward
- Continue substituting and solving until you reach the top row.
- Lesson 2110 — Back Substitution
- Repeat with different x-values
- Choose x = -1 to eliminate B and solve for A
- Lesson 1624 — Solving for Coefficients: Substitution Method
- Repeatability
- – The experiment can be performed multiple times under the same conditions
- Lesson 2771 — What is a Random Experiment?
- repeated root
- use `y_p = Ax²e^(rx)`
- Lesson 2351 — Particular Solutions for Exponential FunctionsLesson 2631 — Repeated Roots in the Characteristic Equation
- repeated roots
- .
- Lesson 2184 — Algebraic Multiplicity of EigenvaluesLesson 2632 — Higher-Order Linear Homogeneous Recurrences
- Repeated squaring
- Express the exponent in binary to minimize multiplications
- Lesson 2734 — Powers in Modular Arithmetic
- Repeating When Not Indeterminate
- Lesson 1534 — Common Mistakes and When Not to Use L'Hôpital's Rule
- Replace dA
- with the polar area element: r dr dθ
- Lesson 1915 — Setting Up Double Integrals in Polar Coordinates
- Replace f(x) with y
- to make the equation easier to work with
- Lesson 563 — Finding Inverse Functions Algebraically
- Replace the infinite limit
- with a variable *t*
- Lesson 1634 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Upper Limit
- Replace x and y
- with their polar equivalents: x = r cos θ and y = r sin θ
- Lesson 1915 — Setting Up Double Integrals in Polar Coordinates
- Replication
- Multiple observations per group increase power and allow variance estimation
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- residual
- (error): the difference between the actual $y_i$ and the predicted value $mx_i + b$.
- Lesson 2238 — Applications: Linear RegressionLesson 3083 — What Are Residuals?
- Residual error
- Lesson 3100 — Two-Way ANOVA With Interaction
- Residual size
- how poorly the model fits that point
- Lesson 3088 — Cook's Distance and Influence Measures
- Resonance
- occurs when the driving frequency `ω` nearly equals the system's natural frequency `ω₀ = √(k/m)`.
- Lesson 2371 — Forced Harmonic Motion and Resonance
- Resonance warning
- If any part of your guess solves the homogeneous equation, multiply the *entire guess* by t (or t² if needed).
- Lesson 2353 — Products of Basic Functions
- Respect order
- "5 less than a number" means *x - 5*, not *5 - x*
- Lesson 172 — Writing Expressions from Word Problems
- Restrict to Level Curves
- Lesson 1868 — Inconclusive Cases and Further Analysis
- Restricted values
- are the specific numbers that would make the denominator zero—and we *must* exclude them from the domain (the set of allowable inputs).
- Lesson 444 — Finding Restricted ValuesLesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational Equations
- Result
- 6 × 10⁹
- Lesson 165 — Multiplying Numbers in Scientific NotationLesson 322 — Subtracting Polynomials: Distributing the NegativeLesson 455 — Dividing and Simplifying in One StepLesson 456 — Mixed Operations: Multiplication and Division TogetherLesson 502 — Simplifying nth Roots with VariablesLesson 995 — Second Quadrant PointsLesson 1219 — Converting from Polar to Rectangular FormLesson 1221 — Multiplying Complex Numbers in Polar Form (+11 more)
- Result F(s)
- Encodes information about *f(t)* in a form where derivatives become multiplication
- Lesson 2388 — Definition of the Laplace Transform
- Result: 2/3
- Lesson 65 — Simplifying Fractions
- Result: 3/5
- Lesson 65 — Simplifying Fractions
- Revenue/profit models
- Finding break-even points
- Lesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial Factoring
- Rewrite
- the complex fraction as a division problem
- Lesson 80 — Complex FractionsLesson 233 — Absolute Value Inequalities of the Form |x| < aLesson 358 — Factoring Out the GCF from PolynomialsLesson 372 — Factoring Higher-Degree Trinomials Using SubstitutionLesson 448 — Simplifying with Trinomial FactorsLesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational EquationsLesson 1412 — Chain Rule with RadicalsLesson 1600 — Powers of Sine and Cosine: Odd Powers (+1 more)
- Rewrite before deciding
- Sometimes rewriting (like expanding products or splitting fractions) makes differentiation easier.
- Lesson 1407 — Common Errors and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Rewrite each rational
- as an equivalent expression with the LCD
- Lesson 467 — Adding and Subtracting Three or More Rationals
- Rewrite the bounds
- for R in terms of r and θ
- Lesson 1915 — Setting Up Double Integrals in Polar Coordinates
- Rewrite the exponent
- *m^(ed) = m^(1 + k·φ(n)) = m · m^(k·φ(n)) = m · (m^φ(n))^k*
- Lesson 2768 — Why RSA Works: Euler's Theorem
- Rewrite the integral
- ∫[g(a) to g(b)] (expression in u) du
- Lesson 1586 — Definite Integrals and Changing Limits
- Rewrite the middle term
- (bx) using those two numbers
- Lesson 363 — The AC Method for General Trinomials
- Rewrite the solution vector
- by factoring out the parameters
- Lesson 2064 — Applications: Expressing Solutions as Linear Combinations
- Rewrite your curve
- as x = f(y) instead of y = f(x)
- Lesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axis
- rhombus
- is a special type of parallelogram where **all four sides are congruent** (equal in length).
- Lesson 819 — Rhombuses: Properties and CharacteristicsLesson 825 — The Quadrilateral Family Tree
- Riemann sum
- Σ(i=1 to n) f(xᵢ)·Δx = Σ(i=1 to n) (2i/n)·(2/n) = (4/n²)·Σ(i=1 to n) i
- Lesson 1556 — Computing Simple Integrals Using Riemann Sum Limits
- right
- of zero
- Lesson 40 — Representing Negative Numbers on the Number LineLesson 41 — Comparing and Ordering Negative NumbersLesson 150 — Common Mistakes with Exponent RulesLesson 163 — Converting from Standard Form to Scientific NotationLesson 164 — Converting from Scientific Notation to Standard FormLesson 239 — Plotting Points on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 547 — Common Function Notation MistakesLesson 579 — Horizontal Shifts of Functions (+11 more)
- right 3
- units (the `x - 3` inside)
- Lesson 584 — Combining Multiple TransformationsLesson 1038 — Determining Phase Shift from Equations
- right angle
- measures exactly 90° (like the corner of a square)
- Lesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle NotationLesson 704 — Classifying Angles by MeasureLesson 738 — Medians, Altitudes, and Angle BisectorsLesson 847 — Tangent Lines to Circles
- Right column (Reasons)
- Justifications like definitions, postulates, theorems, or given information
- Lesson 763 — Two-Column Proof Format
- Right Rectangles
- Use the *right* endpoint
- Lesson 1546 — Approximating Area Under a Curve with Rectangles
- Right Riemann Sums
- work almost identically, except now we use the **right endpoint** of each subinterval to set the height of each rectangle.
- Lesson 1548 — Right Riemann Sums
- Right side
- Already in that form
- Lesson 1071 — Verifying Identities with Double and Half Angle FormulasLesson 2001 — Connection to Curl in Two DimensionsLesson 2026 — Introduction to Stokes' TheoremLesson 2038 — Statement of the Divergence TheoremLesson 2043 — Physical Interpretation: Conservation Laws
- Right singular vectors (V)
- The first r columns of **V** span the **row space** of **A**.
- Lesson 2283 — Left and Right Singular Vectors
- Right sum
- Uses the right edge of each interval
- Lesson 1550 — Comparing Left, Right, and Midpoint Approximations
- Right Triangle
- Lesson 731 — Classifying Triangles by AnglesLesson 788 — Using the Converse to Identify Right TrianglesLesson 839 — Angles Inscribed in a SemicircleLesson 978 — Finding Distances Using Angles of DepressionLesson 1110 — The Law of Cosines and the Pythagorean Theorem
- Right-hand limit
- lim(x→ a ) f(x) — the superscript plus means "from the right"
- Lesson 1326 — Limits Approaching from Left and RightLesson 1329 — Understanding One-Sided LimitsLesson 1331 — Evaluating One-Sided Limits GraphicallyLesson 1333 — One-Sided Limits at Jump Discontinuities
- Right-skewed
- Most probability mass is near zero; long tail extends right
- Lesson 2926 — Properties and Applications of the F-DistributionLesson 2993 — Shape of Distributions: Symmetry and SkewnessLesson 3047 — The F Distribution
- Right-skewed (positively skewed)
- A long tail stretches to the right.
- Lesson 2993 — Shape of Distributions: Symmetry and Skewness
- Right-skewed shape
- The distribution is asymmetric, skewing right, especially for small *k*
- Lesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi-Squared
- rigid motion
- or **isometry**) is a movement that slides, flips, or turns a figure without changing its dimensions.
- Lesson 724 — Congruence TransformationsLesson 924 — Properties of Translations
- Rise
- = the vertical change (how far up or down)
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope GeometricallyLesson 245 — Calculating Slope from Two PointsLesson 248 — Finding Slope from a Graph
- rise over run
- or `(y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁)`.
- Lesson 251 — Average Rate of Change vs Constant RateLesson 253 — Finding Missing Coordinates Using SlopeLesson 1369 — Understanding Average Rate of Change
- Roadway and track design
- Engineers need the precise length of curved highway ramps or racetracks for material estimates and speed calculations.
- Lesson 1682 — Applications: Arc Length in Physics and Geometry
- Robin (Type III)
- Specifies a linear combination
- Lesson 2404 — Boundary Value Problems: Introduction and Types
- Robust interpretation
- Tau directly measures the probability that two randomly chosen pairs are in the same order
- Lesson 3110 — Kendall's Tau
- Robust regression methods
- that downweight extreme points
- Lesson 3092 — Model Refinement Based on Diagnostics
- Robustness
- Valid conclusions even with messy, non-normal data
- Lesson 3103 — Introduction to Nonparametric Methods
- Rolle's Theorem
- states: If a function *f* is continuous on [a, b], differentiable on (a, b), and **f(a) = f(b)**, then there exists at least one point *c* in (a, b) where **f'(c) = 0**.
- Lesson 1487 — Rolle's Theorem as a Special Case
- Rolling a six-sided die
- Lesson 2772 — Sample Spaces: The Set of All Possible Outcomes
- Rolling two dice
- The result of the first die doesn't affect the second.
- Lesson 2805 — Independence and the Multiplication Rule
- Root Test
- examines the nth root of the absolute value of each term.
- Lesson 1745 — The Root Test: Statement and MotivationLesson 1747 — Comparing Ratio and Root TestsLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence TestLesson 1759 — Choosing the Right Test for Alternating SeriesLesson 1765 — Finding Radius of Convergence Using the Root Test
- Rose curves
- (like r = sin(3θ)): Flower-petal patterns.
- Lesson 1919 — Computing Areas Using Polar Integrals
- Rotate about the origin
- Apply the standard rotation rules you already know (90°, 180°, 270°, etc.
- Lesson 932 — Rotations About Points Other Than the Origin
- Rotation
- Turning a figure around a fixed point by a certain angle.
- Lesson 724 — Congruence TransformationsLesson 930 — Introduction to Rotations in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 1224 — Geometric Interpretation of Polar OperationsLesson 2009 — Interpreting Curl PhysicallyLesson 2034 — Physical Interpretations: Circulation and Rotation
- Rotational
- Arrows form circular or spiral patterns; perpendicular to position vectors
- Lesson 1967 — Radial and Rotational Vector Fields
- Rotations
- – Turning the figure around a fixed point
- Lesson 939 — Introduction to Rigid Motions (Isometries)Lesson 941 — Congruence Through Rigid Motions
- Round-Off Errors
- When you round measurements to the nearest unit, the rounding error is approximately uniform on [-0.
- Lesson 2897 — Applications of the Uniform Distribution
- Round-off errors accumulate
- during the many arithmetic operations required
- Lesson 2147 — Computational Considerations and Singular Matrices
- Route Planning
- Postal workers, garbage collectors, and street sweepers need routes that cover every street without wasteful repetition.
- Lesson 2682 — Applications of Eulerian Paths: The Königsberg Bridge Problem
- Row Addition
- Add a multiple of one row to another row
- Lesson 2106 — Elementary Row OperationsLesson 2141 — Row Operations and Matrix Inverses
- row echelon form
- (REF) when it has a staircase-like structure:
- Lesson 1311 — Row Reduction to Echelon FormLesson 1312 — Back Substitution from Echelon FormLesson 2105 — Introduction to Gaussian EliminationLesson 2116 — Row Echelon Form: Definition and PropertiesLesson 2120 — Reduced Row Echelon Form: Definition
- Row reduce
- the augmented matrix [A | 0] to reduced row echelon form (RREF)
- Lesson 2130 — The Null SpaceLesson 2170 — Finding Eigenvectors from EigenvaluesLesson 2252 — Computing Transition Matrices
- Row Replacement (Addition)
- Lesson 2118 — Elementary Row Operations
- Row Scaling
- Multiply an entire row by a nonzero constant
- Lesson 2106 — Elementary Row OperationsLesson 2141 — Row Operations and Matrix Inverses
- Row Scaling (Multiplication)
- Lesson 2118 — Elementary Row Operations
- Row Space
- (C(A ᵀ)): All linear combinations of A's rows; lives in ℝⁿ
- Lesson 2096 — Bases for Important SubspacesLesson 2129 — The Row SpaceLesson 2134 — Orthogonality of Fundamental SubspacesLesson 2283 — Left and Right Singular Vectors
- Row space view
- The rank also equals the dimension of the span of the matrix's rows.
- Lesson 2126 — Definition of Matrix Rank
- Row Space, C(A^T)
- Lesson 2132 — The Four Fundamental Subspaces
- Row Sums
- Add all numbers in row *n*, and you get 2ⁿ.
- Lesson 2598 — Pascal's Triangle: Construction and Patterns
- Row Swap
- Exchange two rows
- Lesson 2106 — Elementary Row OperationsLesson 2141 — Row Operations and Matrix Inverses
- Row Swapping (Interchange)
- Lesson 2118 — Elementary Row Operations
- row vector
- (or row matrix) has exactly **one row** but can have multiple columns.
- Lesson 1272 — Types of Matrices: Square, Row, Column, and ZeroLesson 2097 — Matrix Notation and Dimensions
- Row-reduce
- Use row operations to reach reduced row echelon form
- Lesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear Independence
- rows × columns
- (read "rows by columns").
- Lesson 1271 — What is a Matrix? Dimensions and NotationLesson 2097 — Matrix Notation and Dimensions
- rule
- that makes them work.
- Lesson 148 — Negative Exponent RuleLesson 925 — Reflections Across the AxesLesson 931 — Rotations of 90°, 180°, and 270° About the OriginLesson 1295 — Determinants of Special Matrices
- Rule of thumb
- For moderately skewed distributions, n ≥ 30 is often sufficient.
- Lesson 2981 — Sample Size and Normal ApproximationLesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and DisplaysLesson 3080 — Multicollinearity: Detection and Consequences
- Ruler Postulate
- it establishes a one-to-one correspondence between points on a line and real numbers.
- Lesson 702 — Distance and the Ruler Postulate
- Run
- = the horizontal change (how far left or right)
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope GeometricallyLesson 245 — Calculating Slope from Two PointsLesson 248 — Finding Slope from a Graph
- Runs
- Long stretches of consecutive positive residuals followed by negative ones (or vice versa)
- Lesson 3090 — Checking for Independence: Residual Sequence Plots
- Rx = c
- by back substitution
- Lesson 2246 — Solving Linear Systems Using QRLesson 2247 — QR and Least Squares Problems
- Rx = Q ᵀb
- Lesson 2228 — Applications: QR Factorization PreviewLesson 2247 — QR and Least Squares Problems
S
- S = 2π∫ y√(1+(dy/dx)²)dx
- , combining circular motion (2πy) with the curve's arc length element.
- Lesson 1685 — Surface Area Formula for Revolution Around x-axis
- S is decreasing
- Survival probability decreases over time
- Lesson 2851 — Applications: Reliability and Survival Functions
- S-shaped (sigmoid) curve
- slow start, rapid middle growth, then leveling off at $K$.
- Lesson 2375 — Logistic Growth Model
- S(0) = 1
- Everything starts working (100% survival at time 0)
- Lesson 2851 — Applications: Reliability and Survival Functions
- S(x)
- = P(X > x) = probability of survival beyond time x
- Lesson 2851 — Applications: Reliability and Survival Functions
- saddle point
- , the function curves up in some directions and down in others—like sitting on a horse's saddle.
- Lesson 1863 — Classifying Critical Points: Local Extrema and Saddle PointsLesson 1866 — The Second Derivative Test: Statement and ConditionsLesson 1867 — Applying the Second Derivative Test
- Salary with Fixed Raises
- If you start at $30,000 per year and receive a $2,000 raise annually, your yearly salaries form an arithmetic sequence: 30000, 32000, 34000, 36000.
- Lesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic Sequences
- same base
- , you keep the base and **add the exponents**.
- Lesson 142 — Product Rule for ExponentsLesson 143 — Quotient Rule for ExponentsLesson 609 — Solving Simple Exponential EquationsLesson 630 — Solving Simple Exponential EquationsLesson 2634 — Finding Particular Solutions
- same degree
- (same highest exponent), the horizontal asymptote is simply the ratio of their leading coefficients.
- Lesson 489 — Finding Horizontal Asymptotes by Leading CoefficientsLesson 2634 — Finding Particular Solutions
- same denominator
- (the bottom number), comparing them becomes incredibly simple.
- Lesson 66 — Comparing Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 67 — Comparing Fractions with Unlike DenominatorsLesson 459 — Adding Rationals with Like Denominators
- same index
- (like square root, cube root, etc.
- Lesson 505 — Adding and Subtracting Like RadicalsLesson 510 — Dividing Radicals with the Same IndexLesson 511 — Dividing Radicals Using the Quotient Property
- same line
- (not just parallel lines).
- Lesson 265 — Slopes of Parallel LinesLesson 290 — Special Cases: No Solution and Infinite SolutionsLesson 298 — Dependent Three-Variable Systems
- same point
- on the unit circle, they have **identical coordinates**.
- Lesson 1006 — Coterminal Angles and PeriodicityLesson 1007 — Negative Angles and Trigonometric Values
- same sign
- (both positive OR both negative), your answer is always **positive**.
- Lesson 45 — Multiplying Positive and Negative NumbersLesson 362 — Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficient 1
- same slope
- as the original line with **point-slope form** using your new point.
- Lesson 266 — Writing Equations of Parallel LinesLesson 269 — Determining Parallel, Perpendicular, or Neither
- Same-side interior angles
- are supplementary (sum to 180°) when lines are parallel
- Lesson 718 — Using Angle Relationships to Find Measures
- sample mean
- is simply the average of a collection of random observations drawn from a population.
- Lesson 2968 — Understanding Sample Means and AveragesLesson 2970 — Weak Law of Large Numbers: StatementLesson 2984 — CLT for Sample SumsLesson 3000 — Sample Mean and Variance as Estimators
- Sample size
- Larger samples make it easier to detect real effects (lower β)
- Lesson 3053 — Type II Error: False NegativesLesson 3054 — The Relationship Between Type I and Type II Errors
- Sample size (n)
- Larger samples give more precise estimates.
- Lesson 3012 — Margin of Error and Interval Width
- Sample size matters intensely
- With small samples, chi-squared tests produce unreliable p-values when expected frequencies drop below 5.
- Lesson 3051 — Applications and Limitations
- Sample sizes are small
- (so you can't rely on the Central Limit Theorem)
- Lesson 3103 — Introduction to Nonparametric MethodsLesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- sample space
- is the complete set of all possible outcomes of a random experiment.
- Lesson 2772 — Sample Spaces: The Set of All Possible OutcomesLesson 2773 — Finite vs Infinite Sample SpacesLesson 2774 — Events as Subsets of the Sample Space
- Sampling without replacement
- from a finite population
- Lesson 2884 — Introduction to the Hypergeometric Distribution
- SAS
- , △ ABD ≅ △ ACD.
- Lesson 750 — Congruence in Isosceles and Equilateral TrianglesLesson 1102 — Introduction to the Law of CosinesLesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
- SAS Congruence
- (which you learned earlier): instead of the sides being *equal*, they must be *proportional* with the same ratio.
- Lesson 754 — SAS Similarity Criterion
- SAS Congruence Postulate
- states that if two sides and the **included angle** (the angle formed between those two sides) of one triangle are congruent to two sides and the included angle of another triangle, then the triangles themselves are congruent.
- Lesson 742 — SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Congruence Postulate
- SAS Similarity Criterion
- (Side-Angle-Side Similarity) states that if two triangles have one angle that is congruent *and* the two sides that form (include) that angle are proportional with the same scale factor, then the triangles are similar.
- Lesson 754 — SAS Similarity Criterion
- SAS situations
- (Side-Angle-Side) where you know two sides and the angle sandwiched between them.
- Lesson 1113 — Area Formula Using Two Sides and Included Angle
- Save one factor
- of tan(x)sec(x) for your du
- Lesson 1602 — Powers of Tangent and Secant: Odd Powers of Tangent
- Saving Plans
- You deposit $50 in January, $75 in February, $100 in March, adding $25 more each month.
- Lesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic Sequences
- Scalar multiplication
- multiply each matrix by its coefficient
- Lesson 1278 — Linear Combinations of MatricesLesson 1794 — Vectors in 3D SpaceLesson 2099 — Scalar Multiplication of MatricesLesson 2640 — Operations on Generating Functions: Addition and Scalar Multiplication
- scalar projection
- tells you exactly this: given two vectors, it measures how much of one vector extends in the direction of the other.
- Lesson 1258 — Scalar Projection of a VectorLesson 1259 — Vector Projection Formula
- Scale consistently
- You may need to shrink very large vectors so arrows don't overlap—just keep the direction and relative size
- Lesson 1968 — Sketching Vector Fields by Hand
- scale factor
- is a number you multiply by to make something bigger or smaller while keeping its proportions the same.
- Lesson 119 — Scale FactorsLesson 727 — Scale FactorLesson 728 — Properties of Similar FiguresLesson 752 — Definition of Similar TrianglesLesson 756 — Scale Factor in Similar TrianglesLesson 894 — Similar Solids and Surface AreaLesson 934 — Introduction to Dilations and Scale Factor
- Scale the pivot row
- so the pivot becomes exactly 1 (if it isn't already)
- Lesson 2121 — Converting REF to RREF
- Scalene Triangle
- Lesson 730 — Classifying Triangles by SidesLesson 942 — Line Symmetry (Reflectional Symmetry)
- Scaling
- Multiply the moduli (distances from origin)
- Lesson 1224 — Geometric Interpretation of Polar OperationsLesson 2058 — Geometric Interpretation of Linear CombinationsLesson 2853 — Properties of Expectation: LinearityLesson 2864 — Moment Generating Functions (MGFs)
- Scaling along axes
- The diagonal matrix **Σ** stretches or compresses along these aligned directions by the singular values
- Lesson 2281 — Geometric Interpretation of SVD
- Scaling amplifies spread quadratically
- If you convert measurements from meters to centimeters (multiplying by 100), distances between values grow by factor 100.
- Lesson 2859 — Properties of Variance: Scaling and Translation
- Scan the matrix first
- look for zeros, patterns, or near-triangular structure
- Lesson 2158 — Practice: Mixed Determinant Computation
- Scatter plots
- show relationships between two variables and correlation strength
- Lesson 2997 — Choosing Appropriate Summaries and Displays
- Scenario 1
- Selecting 3 students from a class of 10 to form a study group.
- Lesson 2594 — Distinguishing When to Use Combinations vs PermutationsLesson 2604 — Pascal's Identity and Recursive Properties
- Scenario 2
- Awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals to 3 runners from 10 finalists.
- Lesson 2594 — Distinguishing When to Use Combinations vs PermutationsLesson 2604 — Pascal's Identity and Recursive Properties
- Scheduling
- Assign time slots to exams so students taking multiple exams don't have conflicts
- Lesson 2695 — Graph Coloring and the Chromatic NumberLesson 2752 — Systems of Linear Congruences
- Search
- for an augmenting path starting from any unmatched vertex in one partition
- Lesson 2702 — The Hungarian Algorithm for Maximum Bipartite MatchingLesson 2706 — The Ford- Fulkerson Algorithm
- Seating Arrangements
- An auditorium has 20 seats in the first row, 24 in the second, 28 in the third, and so on.
- Lesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic Sequences
- Secant
- Asymptotes wherever cosine equals zero: **x = π/2 + nπ**
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig FunctionsLesson 1604 — Reduction Formulas for Tangent and Secant
- Secant (sec)
- is the reciprocal of cosine: `sec(θ) = 1/cos(θ)`
- Lesson 1009 — Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions: Secant, Cosecant, Cotangent
- Secant & Cosecant
- Unbounded; U-shaped curves with values ≥1 or ≤-1
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- Secant and Cosecant
- Like their reciprocals (cosine and sine), these have a period of **2π**.
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- secant identity
- saves us.
- Lesson 1442 — Derivative of ArctangentLesson 1612 — The Three Standard Forms
- secant line
- .
- Lesson 1369 — Understanding Average Rate of ChangeLesson 1373 — From Secant Lines to Tangent LinesLesson 1377 — Average Rate of Change
- Second
- Reflect across the x-axis
- Lesson 929 — Composition of Translations and ReflectionsLesson 972 — Multi-Step Elevation and Depression ProblemsLesson 1397 — Higher-Order Derivatives
- Second column
- Get a 1 in position (2,2) and zeros above and below it
- Lesson 1305 — Row Reduction to Find Inverses of 3×3 Matrices
- second derivative
- .
- Lesson 1397 — Higher-Order DerivativesLesson 1497 — Introduction to ConcavityLesson 1498 — The Second Derivative and ConcavityLesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of ConcavityLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1504 — Applications: Real-World Monotonicity and ConcavityLesson 1521 — Second Derivative and Concavity
- Second Derivative Test
- offers a shortcut: once you find a critical point c (where f'(c) = 0), you can evaluate the **second derivative** f''(c) to classify it immediately.
- Lesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local ExtremaLesson 1502 — Comparing First and Second Derivative TestsLesson 1515 — Optimization on Open IntervalsLesson 1523 — The Second Derivative Test for ExtremaLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching AlgorithmLesson 1863 — Classifying Critical Points: Local Extrema and Saddle PointsLesson 1866 — The Second Derivative Test: Statement and ConditionsLesson 1867 — Applying the Second Derivative Test
- second factor
- is a trinomial with three parts:
- Lesson 339 — Sum and Difference of CubesLesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit Laws
- Second leading principal minor
- (full 2×2): det(A) = 2·3 − (−1)(−1) = 6 − 1 = 5 > 0
- Lesson 2294 — Principal Minors and Sylvester's Criterion
- Second moment
- Lesson 2961 — Finding Moments from MGFs
- second number
- (y) is called the **y-coordinate** – it shows vertical position
- Lesson 236 — Understanding Ordered Pairs and CoordinatesLesson 1221 — Multiplying Complex Numbers in Polar Form
- second position
- , you have **(n-1) choices** (any remaining book)
- Lesson 2579 — Counting Permutations of n Distinct ObjectsLesson 2580 — Permutations of n Objects Taken r at a Time
- Second relationship
- "one is 8 more than the other" → x = y + 8
- Lesson 282 — Application Problems Using Systems and Substitution
- Second rotation
- (or reflection): The matrix **U** rotates the scaled result into the output space
- Lesson 2281 — Geometric Interpretation of SVD
- Second term times everything
- Multiply *2* by each of the three terms: *2·x*, *2·1*, *2·4*
- Lesson 329 — Multiplying Two Trinomials
- Second-order PDE
- Contains at least one second derivative like ∂²u/∂x² or ∂²u/∂x∂y
- Lesson 2409 — Classification: Order and Linearity
- Second-order tests
- (when applicable): These can sometimes classify extrema, though they're trickier with constraints.
- Lesson 1891 — Verifying and Interpreting Solutions
- Second-stage branches
- emanate from each first-stage outcome, labeled with *conditional* probabilities
- Lesson 2796 — Sequential Experiments and Tree Diagrams
- sector
- of the circular pizza—it's the region bounded by two radii and the arc connecting them.
- Lesson 842 — Sector Area FormulaLesson 843 — Segment AreaLesson 846 — Applications of Arcs and SectorsLesson 864 — Area of Sectors and Arc LengthLesson 988 — Sector Area Using RadiansLesson 1917 — Integrating over Sectors and Wedges
- sector area
- is that same fraction of the circle's total area
- Lesson 864 — Area of Sectors and Arc LengthLesson 865 — Area of Segments
- Seismology
- Earthquake wave analysis through Earth's interior
- Lesson 2434 — The Three-Dimensional Wave Equation
- Select specific solutions
- by choosing initial conditions (a point the curve must pass through)
- Lesson 2302 — Solutions and Solution Curves
- semiperimeter
- (half the perimeter):
- Lesson 1115 — Heron's Formula: Introduction and DerivationLesson 1117 — Area from Inradius and Semiperimeter
- Sensitivity
- (True Positive Rate): P(Positive Test | Disease Present) — how good the test is at detecting the disease when you have it
- Lesson 2818 — Medical Testing and Screening Problems
- separable
- integrands like f(x,y) = x²y, which splits neatly into g(x)·h(y) = x² · y, letting you evaluate:
- Lesson 1899 — Double Integrals of Non-Separable FunctionsLesson 2334 — Special Cases: n=0 and n=1 in Bernoulli EquationsLesson 2336 — Strategy Guide: Choosing the Right Solution Method
- separable equation
- .
- Lesson 2316 — Applications: Exponential Growth and DecayLesson 2375 — Logistic Growth Model
- Separate and integrate
- the ODE to find the general solution (with constant *C*)
- Lesson 2311 — Initial Value Problems with Separable ODEs
- Separate into standard form
- Write the result as *a + bi*
- Lesson 1206 — Rationalization and Standard Form
- Separate the terms
- using the sum/difference rule
- Lesson 1542 — Antiderivatives of Polynomial Functions
- separate variables
- in a differential equation and rewrite it so each side can be integrated independently.
- Lesson 2309 — The Separation of Variables MethodLesson 2431 — Fourier Series Solutions for Bounded Domains
- separately
- , not as a single quotient.
- Lesson 1529 — Applying L'Hôpital's Rule to 0/0 FormsLesson 1766 — Interval of Convergence
- Separating logs
- If you have `log(x²) - log(x) = 2`, use the power and quotient rules:
- Lesson 629 — Applying Logarithm Properties to Solve Equations
- separation constant
- , often denoted `λ` or `-λ`).
- Lesson 2445 — What Is Separation of Variables?Lesson 2452 — Separation of Variables for the Wave Equation
- separation of variables
- technique assumes that a solution to a PDE can be written as a *product* of functions, each depending on only one variable.
- Lesson 2419 — The Method of Separation of VariablesLesson 2439 — Separation of Variables for Laplace's EquationLesson 2447 — Separating Variables in the Heat EquationLesson 2466 — Fourier Series and Partial Differential Equations
- sequences
- ordered lists of numbers like 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
- Lesson 677 — What is a Series?Lesson 694 — Signal Processing and SamplingLesson 2574 — Pigeonhole Principle with Subsets and Sequences
- sequential updating
- or **Bayesian updating**.
- Lesson 2820 — Sequential Updating with Bayes' TheoremLesson 3114 — Conjugate Priors: Beta-Binomial Model
- Series like Σ(2ⁿ/n!)
- The ratio gives 2/(n+1) → 0 < 1, so it converges
- Lesson 1743 — Applying the Ratio Test to Common Series
- Series like Σ(n²/3ⁿ)
- The ratio simplifies to (n+1)²/(3n²) → 1/3 < 1, convergence
- Lesson 1743 — Applying the Ratio Test to Common Series
- Series like Σ(nⁿ/n!)
- The ratio involves (n+1)ⁿ ¹·n!
- Lesson 1743 — Applying the Ratio Test to Common Series
- Series with nth powers
- For \(\sum \left(\frac{2n+1}{3n-2}\right)^n\), taking the nth root immediately gives you \ (\frac{2n+1}{3n-2}\), which simplifies to \(L = \frac{2}{3} < 1\) → converges!
- Lesson 1746 — Applying the Root Test
- Set f'(x) = 0
- and solve for x (these are critical points)
- Lesson 1507 — Critical Points in Optimization
- Set form
- "All elements satisfying P also satisfy Q"
- Lesson 2489 — Structure of Mathematical Statements
- Set them equal
- E[X] = m₁, E[X²] = m₂, and so on for k equations
- Lesson 3003 — Method of Moments for Multiple Parameters
- Set up
- the expression from the word problem
- Lesson 458 — Applications of Multiplying and Dividing RationalsLesson 475 — Applications and Word Problems with Complex FractionsLesson 747 — CPCTC: Corresponding Parts of Congruent TrianglesLesson 1305 — Row Reduction to Find Inverses of 3×3 MatricesLesson 1597 — Cyclic Integration by PartsLesson 1623 — Linear Factors: Distinct DenominatorsLesson 1698 — Applications of Average ValueLesson 2040 — Applying the Theorem to a Sphere
- Set up a proportion
- Place a stick vertically in the ground and measure its height and shadow length
- Lesson 761 — Applications and Proofs with Similar Triangles
- Set up an equation
- based on the problem's condition
- Lesson 192 — Age Problems and Consecutive Integer Problems
- Set up hypotheses
- Your null hypothesis typically states H₀: μ = μ₀ (some claimed value), while your alternative might be H₁: μ ≠ μ₀ (two-sided), H₁: μ > μ₀, or H₁: μ < μ₀
- Lesson 3025 — One-Sample z-Test for MeansLesson 3048 — F Test for Equality of Variances
- Set up limits
- Establish integration bounds for your chosen system
- Lesson 1956 — Computing Total Mass with Triple Integrals
- Set up separate integrals
- for each region
- Lesson 1647 — Area with Multiple RegionsLesson 1650 — Area Enclosed by Intersecting CurvesLesson 1909 — Regions Requiring Multiple Integrals
- Set up the constraint
- Express the area requirement as an equation (e.
- Lesson 1510 — Geometric Optimization: Minimizing Perimeter
- Set up the division
- just like you would with whole numbers
- Lesson 90 — Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers
- Set up the equation
- with the new scenario
- Lesson 130 — Real-World Inverse Variation ProblemsLesson 400 — Applications and Word ProblemsLesson 2130 — The Null Space
- Set up the inequality
- `M · |x - c|^(n+1) / (n+1)!
- Lesson 1787 — Determining Required Degree for Given Accuracy
- Set up the integral
- with respect to y:
- Lesson 1648 — Area Between Curves: Horizontal SlicingLesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between CurvesLesson 1657 — Washer Method: Introduction and SetupLesson 1932 — Applications: Density and Total Mass
- Set up the system
- $A\mathbf{c} \approx \mathbf{y}$ where $\mathbf{y}$ contains your data values
- Lesson 2239 — Applications: Data Fitting and Approximation
- Set up two columns
- one for the polynomial part (which you'll differentiate repeatedly) and one for the exponential or trig part (which you'll integrate repeatedly).
- Lesson 1596 — Tabular Integration
- Set up your bounds
- for r, θ, and z based on the region's geometry
- Lesson 1937 — Evaluating Triple Integrals Using Cylindrical Coordinates
- Set up your equation
- – Substitute known values into the formula
- Lesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word Problems
- Setting up the integral
- The shell method formula adapts as follows:
- Lesson 1671 — Shell Method with Functions of y
- Setup
- ⅔ + ¾
- Lesson 82 — Word Problems Involving Fraction OperationsLesson 2726 — Uniqueness of Prime Factorization: The Proof
- Setup Phase
- Lesson 2769 — RSA Example with Small Primes
- Shape
- The curve is always increasing, always concave up (curves upward), and passes through (0, 1).
- Lesson 612 — Properties of e^x: Growth and BehaviorLesson 1018 — Vertical Shift: y = sin(x) + D and the MidlineLesson 1806 — Graphing Surfaces in 3DLesson 2992 — Histograms and Frequency DistributionsLesson 2993 — Shape of Distributions: Symmetry and SkewnessLesson 2994 — Comparing DistributionsLesson 3042 — Chi-Squared Distribution Basics
- Shape (α)
- Controls the "shape" of the distribution.
- Lesson 2917 — The Gamma Distribution: Definition and Parameters
- Shared boundaries
- If you have a surface that's part of a closed boundary, you might use Stokes' on the open part and the Divergence Theorem on the entire closed region.
- Lesson 2045 — Combining with Stokes' Theorem and Applications
- Shared parts are key
- A common side belongs to both triangles (reflexive property).
- Lesson 749 — Proving Overlapping Triangles Congruent
- Sharing
- means giving each friend the same number of cookies.
- Lesson 23 — Understanding Division as Sharing and Grouping
- shell method
- uses this approach: you take a vertical (or horizontal) slice of your region, rotate it around an axis, and it sweeps out a hollow cylinder—a "shell.
- Lesson 1664 — Introduction to the Shell MethodLesson 1665 — Setting Up a Shell IntegralLesson 1669 — Revolving Around Horizontal Lines (y = k)
- Shortest side × √3
- = medium side (opposite 60°)
- Lesson 795 — Finding Missing Sides in 30-60-90 Triangles
- Show your work step-by-step
- Don't try to do everything mentally.
- Lesson 540 — Evaluating Functions with Numeric Inputs
- SI units
- Force in newtons (N), distance in meters (m) → Work in joules (J)
- Lesson 1692 — Work Done by a Constant Force
- Sides
- The two rays that form the angle
- Lesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle NotationLesson 725 — Corresponding Parts of Congruent Figures
- Sierpiński's Triangle
- , one of mathematics' most famous fractals.
- Lesson 2606 — Binomial Coefficients Modulo 2 and Sierpiński's Triangle
- Sieve of Eratosthenes
- for primes—crossing out multiples systematically.
- Lesson 2623 — The Sieve Method in Practice
- Sigma notation
- (using the Greek letter Σ) gives us a compact way to write these series without listing every term.
- Lesson 678 — Finite Series and Sigma Notation
- sign
- of a slope tells you exactly which way a line tilts on the coordinate plane.
- Lesson 250 — Slope and Direction of LinesLesson 422 — Parabola Basics: Shape and OrientationLesson 3075 — Interpretation of Regression Coefficients
- Sign doesn't matter
- gcd(*a*, *b*) = gcd(|*a*|, |*b*|)
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): DefinitionLesson 3062 — The Least Squares Criterion
- Sign in Quadrant II
- sine is positive
- Lesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°
- signed area
- .
- Lesson 1557 — The Definite Integral as Signed AreaLesson 1573 — Area and Signed AreaLesson 1643 — Area Between a Curve and the x-axis
- significance level
- , denoted **α** (alpha), is the probability threshold you set *before* collecting data.
- Lesson 3023 — Significance Levels and Critical RegionsLesson 3055 — Significance Level and Error Control
- Significance level (α)
- typically 0.
- Lesson 3035 — Calculating the t-Statistic and Finding Critical Values
- significance level α
- (alpha) is the probability threshold we set *before* conducting a test.
- Lesson 3052 — Type I Error: False PositivesLesson 3053 — Type II Error: False Negatives
- similar
- if they have the same shape but not necessarily the same size.
- Lesson 121 — Similar Figures and ProportionsLesson 726 — Introduction to SimilarityLesson 728 — Properties of Similar FiguresLesson 729 — Distinguishing Congruence from SimilarityLesson 759 — Parallel Lines and Triangle SimilarityLesson 2177 — Similar Matrices and Eigenvalue InvarianceLesson 2187 — Similar Matrices Have the Same Characteristic PolynomialLesson 2256 — Similarity Transformations
- Similar in form
- to make the inequality easy to verify
- Lesson 1736 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving Convergence
- Similar triangle ratios
- Proportional sides when triangles maintain shape
- Lesson 1479 — Related Rates with Triangles
- Similar triangles
- are different: they have the *same shape* but can be *different sizes*.
- Lesson 752 — Definition of Similar TrianglesLesson 1481 — Ladder and Shadow Problems
- Similarity
- means two figures have the same shape but *different sizes*.
- Lesson 729 — Distinguishing Congruence from Similarity
- similarity transformation
- .
- Lesson 2255 — Change of Basis for Linear TransformationsLesson 2256 — Similarity Transformations
- simple event
- Lesson 2774 — Events as Subsets of the Sample SpaceLesson 2775 — Simple Events vs Compound Events
- Simple events
- Lesson 2775 — Simple Events vs Compound Events
- Simple Linear Arguments
- Lesson 1610 — Strategy Selection for Trigonometric Integrals
- Simpler algebra
- Terms like (x - 0) just become x
- Lesson 1774 — Maclaurin Series: Taylor Series at Zero
- Simpler antiderivatives
- If integrating with respect to `x` first gives you a messy expression, try `y` first instead
- Lesson 1900 — Choosing Integration Order Strategically
- Simplicity
- They convert event-based questions into arithmetic.
- Lesson 2830 — Indicator Random Variables
- Simplification
- Starting at n=0 or n=1 can make formulas cleaner
- Lesson 1720 — Reindexing and Shifting Series
- Simplified expression, restricted domain
- Lesson 450 — Writing Simplified Expressions with Domain Restrictions
- Simplified ratio: 3:4
- Lesson 107 — Simplifying Ratios
- Simplify
- the resulting fraction if possible
- Lesson 75 — Multiplying FractionsLesson 76 — Multiplying Mixed NumbersLesson 80 — Complex FractionsLesson 185 — Evaluating Expressions with FractionsLesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing DenominatorsLesson 245 — Calculating Slope from Two PointsLesson 342 — Using Special Products to Simplify ExpressionsLesson 421 — Verifying Solutions by Substitution (+21 more)
- Simplify and rearrange
- to match `(x - h)² = 4p(y - k)`
- Lesson 1150 — Converting to Standard Form by Completing the Square
- Simplify boundary descriptions
- (from curves to constants)
- Lesson 1944 — Motivation for Change of Variables in Multiple Integrals
- Simplify by factoring
- Lesson 520 — Simplifying After Rationalizing
- Simplify calculations
- by breaking complex intervals into easier pieces
- Lesson 1560 — Properties of Definite Integrals: IntervalsLesson 2907 — Standardization and Z-Scores
- Simplify completely
- using your reference triangle
- Lesson 1619 — Combining Trig Substitution with Other Techniques
- Simplify each piece
- by extracting what comes out of the radical
- Lesson 504 — Combining Simplification Techniques
- Simplify each radical
- using prime factorization or recognizing perfect squares
- Lesson 507 — Simplifying Before Adding or Subtracting
- simplify first
- before you can see like radicals:
- Lesson 158 — Adding and Subtracting RadicalsLesson 186 — Simplifying Before Evaluating
- Simplify if needed
- – Reduce the fraction to lowest terms
- Lesson 69 — Adding Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 70 — Subtracting Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 1400 — Applying the Product Rule to Polynomials
- Simplify it completely
- using LCD or division methods you've learned
- Lesson 474 — Nested Complex Fractions
- Simplify step-by-step
- Lesson 414 — Solving Quadratics When a ≠ 1
- Simplify the angle
- Make sure nθ is in standard position (adjust by ±2π if needed)
- Lesson 1226 — Using De Moivre's Theorem to Compute Powers
- Simplify the arithmetic
- under the square root and in the denominator
- Lesson 414 — Solving Quadratics When a ≠ 1
- Simplify the constant outside
- Distribute any changes and combine constants
- Lesson 406 — Converting to Vertex Form
- Simplify the denominator
- into a single fraction
- Lesson 471 — Simplifying Complex Fractions by Simplifying Numerator and Denominator
- Simplify the numerator
- Perform any necessary multiplication in the numerator
- Lesson 462 — Building Equivalent RationalsLesson 471 — Simplifying Complex Fractions by Simplifying Numerator and Denominator
- Simplify the perfect square
- by taking its square root outside
- Lesson 782 — Simplifying Radical Answers
- Simplify using log properties
- Break down products, quotients, and powers
- Lesson 1459 — Logarithmic Differentiation: Basic TechniqueLesson 1462 — Variable Bases and Variable Exponents
- Simplify using other identities
- reciprocal, quotient, or Pythagorean identities
- Lesson 1056 — Verifying Identities with Sum and Difference Formulas
- Simplifying
- (6x³ - x² + 4) ÷ (2x + 1) converts a complex rational expression into quotient + remainder/divisor form, revealing its structure more clearly.
- Lesson 354 — Applications of Polynomial Division
- Simplifying (x⁵)
- Lesson 157 — Simplifying Higher-Order Radicals
- Simplifying 54
- Lesson 157 — Simplifying Higher-Order Radicals
- Simplifying 80
- Lesson 157 — Simplifying Higher-Order Radicals
- Simplifying calculations
- You only need to estimate one parameter (λ) to know both center and spread
- Lesson 2891 — Mean and Variance of the Poisson Distribution
- Simplifying Complex Fractions
- Lesson 1341 — Algebraic Manipulation for 0/0
- Simply connected
- A solid disk, all of ℝ², a sphere's interior—no holes, no obstacles
- Lesson 1990 — Simply Connected Domains and Why They Matter
- simply connected domain
- is a region with no "holes"—you can shrink any closed loop to a point without leaving the region.
- Lesson 1987 — Testing for Conservative Fields: The Curl Test in ℝ³Lesson 1990 — Simply Connected Domains and Why They Matter
- Simpson's Rule
- Lesson 1681 — Numerical Approximation of Arc Length
- sin(x)
- and **cos(x)**:
- Lesson 1014 — Period of Sine and Cosine FunctionsLesson 1421 — Derivatives of sin(x) and cos(x): Pattern Recognition
- sin(x) and cos(x)
- have period **2π**
- Lesson 1083 — General Solutions Using PeriodLesson 1584 — u-Substitution with Trigonometric FunctionsLesson 1790 — Applications to Common Functions
- Since
- 2k² is an integer, n² has the form 2m (where m = 2k²)
- Lesson 2491 — Direct Proof: Basic Structure
- Sine
- = opposite side ÷ hypotenuse
- Lesson 947 — Introduction to Trigonometric RatiosLesson 949 — The Sine Ratio (SOH)Lesson 974 — Setting Up Right Triangle Problems from Word DescriptionsLesson 1427 — Higher-Order Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions
- Sine (SOH)
- Use when working with **opposite** and **hypotenuse**
- Lesson 956 — Choosing the Appropriate Trig Ratio
- Sine & Cosine
- Bounded between -1 and 1; smooth oscillation
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- Sine and Cosine
- Both have a period of **2π** (360°).
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- Sine and cosine functions
- These classic trigonometric functions repeat every `2π` units, so their period is `2π`
- Lesson 570 — Periodic Functions
- singular
- .
- Lesson 2138 — Definition of Matrix InverseLesson 2183 — Roots of the Characteristic Polynomial as EigenvaluesLesson 2401 — Regular Singular Points and the Method of Frobenius
- Singular continuous
- Spread over uncountably many points, yet assigning zero probability to any interval (rare and pathological)
- Lesson 2831 — Mixed and Other Types of Random Variables
- Singular Value Decomposition (SVD)
- is a factorization that breaks *any* matrix **A** (m×n) into three components:
- Lesson 2280 — What is the Singular Value Decomposition?
- Singular values
- are the square roots of the eigenvalues of the matrix **A^T A** (or equivalently, **A^H A** for complex matrices).
- Lesson 2282 — Singular Values and Their MeaningLesson 2286 — SVD and the Matrix Rank
- Sink (t)
- A special vertex where flow terminates (like a drain)
- Lesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- Sinusoidal forcing
- If **f**(t) = [cos(2t), sin(2t)]ᵀ, guess **x_p** = **a**cos(2t) + **b**sin(2t).
- Lesson 2386 — Non-Homogeneous Systems: Undetermined Coefficients
- Sinusoidal resonance
- If your trial includes *cos(ωx)* or *sin(ωx)* and these appear in the complementary solution, multiply the entire trial by *x*.
- Lesson 2354 — The Modification Rule for Resonance
- size
- of `a` affects how "wide" or "narrow" the parabola appears, but the **sign** of `a` alone determines the orientation.
- Lesson 422 — Parabola Basics: Shape and OrientationLesson 921 — Introduction to Geometric TransformationsLesson 1271 — What is a Matrix? Dimensions and Notation
- Size matters
- If you choose small primes like `p = 61` and `q = 53`, factoring `n = 3233` takes milliseconds.
- Lesson 2770 — Security and Practical Considerations
- Sketch
- Draw the parabola opening toward the focus, symmetric about the axis.
- Lesson 1151 — Graphing Parabolas from Standard FormLesson 1652 — Applied Problems: Area Between CurvesLesson 1657 — Washer Method: Introduction and Setup
- Sketch and label
- – Draw the shape with given measurements (feet, meters, etc.
- Lesson 873 — Composite Figures in Real-World Contexts
- Sketch and Understand
- Lesson 1673 — Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Sketch or visualize
- the 3D region bounded by your surfaces
- Lesson 1929 — Triple Integrals over General 3D Regions
- Sketch the branches
- between asymptotes, descending from left to right
- Lesson 1027 — Transformations of Cotangent
- Sketch the circle
- connecting these four points smoothly
- Lesson 1137 — Graphing Circles from Standard Form
- Sketch the framework
- Lesson 1040 — Graphing with All Transformations Combined
- Sketch the hyperbola branches
- starting at each vertex, curving toward the asymptotes
- Lesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the Origin
- Sketch the region
- (even roughly) to visualize which intersection points are relevant
- Lesson 1656 — Finding Limits of Integration for Disk MethodLesson 1665 — Setting Up a Shell IntegralLesson 1905 — Changing the Order of IntegrationLesson 1928 — Changing the Order of Integration in Triple Integrals
- Sketching inverses
- You can sketch an approximate inverse graph by reflecting key points across y = x
- Lesson 565 — Graphs of Inverse Functions
- Skew < 0
- Left-skewed (long left tail, mean < median)
- Lesson 2861 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Skew > 0
- Right-skewed (long right tail, mean > median)
- Lesson 2861 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Skew-symmetric
- and **skew-Hermitian** matrices are normal
- Lesson 2276 — The Spectral Theorem for Normal Matrices
- Skewness
- measures *asymmetry*: Does the distribution lean more to one side?
- Lesson 2861 — Higher Moments: Skewness and KurtosisLesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Skewness < 0
- Left-skewed (negative skew)—the left tail is longer, mass concentrates on the right
- Lesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Skewness = 0
- Symmetric distribution (like the normal distribution)
- Lesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Skewness > 0
- Right-skewed (positive skew)—the right tail is longer, mass concentrates on the left
- Lesson 2863 — Higher Moments: Skewness and Kurtosis
- Skewness check
- If the population is strongly skewed or has extreme outliers, you may need n ≥ 50 or even n ≥ 100
- Lesson 2986 — Rule of Thumb for CLT Applicability
- slant asymptotes
- that you've already studied.
- Lesson 492 — End Behavior of Rational FunctionsLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching Algorithm
- Slanted triangle
- Height might fall *outside* the triangle when using certain bases
- Lesson 1112 — Area Formula Using Base and Height
- Slice area
- (sector area): How much pizza surface you're getting
- Lesson 846 — Applications of Arcs and Sectors
- Slope
- tells you how steep that hill is by answering: "For every step I take forward (horizontally), how much do I go up or down (vertically)?
- Lesson 244 — Rise Over Run: Understanding Slope GeometricallyLesson 248 — Finding Slope from a GraphLesson 251 — Average Rate of Change vs Constant RateLesson 254 — Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + bLesson 255 — Graphing Lines from Slope-Intercept FormLesson 951 — The Tangent Ratio (TOA)Lesson 3063 — Calculating the Regression CoefficientsLesson 3064 — Interpreting Slope and Intercept
- slope-intercept form
- is a special way to write linear equations that makes important features instantly visible.
- Lesson 254 — Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + bLesson 264 — Choosing the Best Form for a ProblemLesson 911 — Slope-Intercept Form in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 912 — Point-Slope Form and Writing Line Equations
- Small `d` attack
- If your private exponent is too small, the Wiener attack can recover it.
- Lesson 2770 — Security and Practical Considerations
- smaller
- .
- Lesson 219 — The Multiplication/Division Sign RuleLesson 1736 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving ConvergenceLesson 1769 — Operations on Power Series
- smallest
- common multiple.
- Lesson 54 — Least Common Multiple (LCM)Lesson 309 — Applications: Minimization Problems
- Smoothness
- Because *u* at each point is an average of nearby values, harmonic functions cannot have sudden jumps or sharp corners—they're infinitely differentiable.
- Lesson 2444 — Mean Value Property and Applications , is the sum of just the first n terms: Lesson 1713 — Definition of an Infinite Series
- Social networks
- An influencer who is the *only* link between two friend groups.
- Lesson 2661 — Cut Vertices and Cut Edges
- Socks in a drawer
- You have 10 pairs of socks (5 black, 5 blue) mixed randomly.
- Lesson 2570 — The Pigeonhole Principle: Statement and Intuition
- SOH-CAH-TOA
- Lesson 947 — Introduction to Trigonometric RatiosLesson 949 — The Sine Ratio (SOH)Lesson 951 — The Tangent Ratio (TOA)
- SOH, CAH, or TOA
- based on what you know and what you're finding
- Lesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression Angles
- Solution
- All numbers between -3 and 7 (not including -3 and 7).
- Lesson 233 — Absolute Value Inequalities of the Form |x| < aLesson 277 — Introduction to the Substitution MethodLesson 585 — Writing Transformed Functions from DescriptionsLesson 655 — Finding the First Term from Given InformationLesson 1878 — Solving Two-Variable Constrained ProblemsLesson 2302 — Solutions and Solution CurvesLesson 2571 — Simple Applications of the Pigeonhole PrincipleLesson 2582 — Permutations with Restrictions: Fixed Positions
- Solution approach
- Lesson 2812 — Applying the Law of Total Probability
- Solution curves
- follow the flow of the field, always staying tangent to the segments
- Lesson 2305 — Direction Fields
- solution set
- is the collection of all values that work.
- Lesson 197 — Solution Sets and Checking SolutionsLesson 227 — Solving Basic Absolute Value Equations
- Solutions
- The number of pivots tells you how many independent equations you have
- Lesson 2117 — Leading Entries and Pivot Positions
- Solutions when assumptions fail
- combine categories (if sensible), collect more data, or use Fisher's exact test (for 2×2 tables) or other exact methods.
- Lesson 3046 — Expected Frequencies and Assumptions
- Solve
- 8/12 + 9/12 = 17/12 = 1 5/12 miles
- Lesson 82 — Word Problems Involving Fraction OperationsLesson 130 — Real-World Inverse Variation ProblemsLesson 192 — Age Problems and Consecutive Integer ProblemsLesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 216 — Mixed Practice: Complex Linear EquationsLesson 233 — Absolute Value Inequalities of the Form |x| < aLesson 235 — Applications and Mixed Absolute Value ProblemsLesson 403 — Solving Quadratics by Completing the Square (a = 1) (+15 more)
- Solve algebraically
- Move all terms containing I to one side, then divide
- Lesson 1597 — Cyclic Integration by Parts
- Solve by factoring
- – get everything to one side (standard form), factor, and use the Zero Product Property
- Lesson 400 — Applications and Word Problems
- Solve division problems
- Don't know 56 ÷ 8?
- Lesson 24 — The Relationship Between Multiplication and Division
- Solve each sub-problem
- Use separation of variables on each (now manageable) piece
- Lesson 2440 — Superposition and Non-Homogeneous Boundaries
- Solve each triangle separately
- Lesson 1124 — Solving for Two Possible Triangles
- Solve easily
- Each component **y ᵢ** satisfies **dyᵢ/dt = λᵢyᵢ**, giving **yᵢ(t) = yᵢ(0)e^(λ ᵢt)**
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- Solve for ∂z/∂x
- Lesson 1829 — Implicit Partial DifferentiationLesson 1856 — Implicit Differentiation in Multiple Variables
- Solve for dy/dx
- dy/dx = y · [result from step 4]
- Lesson 1435 — Derivatives of Exponential Expressions with Variable BasesLesson 1449 — The Basic Technique of Implicit DifferentiationLesson 1459 — Logarithmic Differentiation: Basic TechniqueLesson 1460 — Differentiating Products with Many FactorsLesson 1462 — Variable Bases and Variable ExponentsLesson 1463 — Logarithmic Differentiation with Radicals
- solve for n
- .
- Lesson 657 — Finding the Number of Terms in a Finite SequenceLesson 1787 — Determining Required Degree for Given Accuracy
- Solve for roots
- The roots are your eigenvalues.
- Lesson 2188 — Using the Characteristic Polynomial in Practice
- Solve for the unknown
- Use algebra to isolate and calculate the missing length
- Lesson 757 — Finding Missing Sides Using Similarity
- Solve for the variable
- Lesson 477 — Finding Restricted Values and DomainLesson 551 — Domain Restrictions from Rational ExpressionsLesson 615 — Natural Exponential EquationsLesson 638 — Exponential and Logarithmic Equations with Quadratic Form
- Solve for x
- Lesson 405 — Solving General Quadratics by Completing the SquareLesson 409 — Complex Solutions via Completing the SquareLesson 1646 — Finding Intersection Points
- Solve for y
- isolate y on one side of the equation
- Lesson 563 — Finding Inverse Functions AlgebraicallyLesson 2323 — Solving Non-Homogeneous Linear ODEsLesson 2325 — Linear ODEs with Constant Coefficients
- Solve for λ
- by factoring or using the cubic formula (though factoring is usually easier in practice problems)
- Lesson 2178 — Computing Eigenvalues for 3×3 Matrices
- Solve problems
- Sometimes you need to know where `f(x) = g(x)` or which function gives a larger value
- Lesson 542 — Working with Multiple Functions
- Solve problems faster
- Know one fact, and you actually know four facts
- Lesson 13 — The Relationship Between Addition and Subtraction
- Solve recurrence relations
- by turning them into algebraic equations
- Lesson 2638 — What Is a Generating Function?
- Solve simultaneously
- Find all (x, y) pairs that satisfy both equations
- Lesson 1862 — Critical Points in Two Variables
- Solve step-by-step
- , often finding one angle before you can find another
- Lesson 712 — Solving Multi-Step Angle Problems
- Solve the algebraic system
- You now have a system of algebraic equations in the transformed variables (like X(s) and Y(s) instead of x(t) and y(t)).
- Lesson 2397 — Solving Systems of ODEs with Laplace Transforms
- Solve the equation
- – Use inverse operations to find the unknown
- Lesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 804 — Finding Missing Lengths with Geometric MeansLesson 2643 — Solving Recurrence Relations with Generating Functions
- Solve the homogeneous equation
- first (find the complementary solution $y_c$)
- Lesson 2357 — Higher-Order ODEs and Undetermined Coefficients
- Solve the inequality
- find which x-values make it true
- Lesson 550 — Domain Restrictions from Square Roots
- Solve the leading variables
- in terms of these parameters
- Lesson 1315 — Systems with Infinitely Many Solutions
- Solve the normal equations
- $A^T A \mathbf{c} = A^T \mathbf{y}$ to get optimal coefficients
- Lesson 2239 — Applications: Data Fitting and Approximation
- Solve the ODE
- using the integrating factor method to get the general solution *y(x) = [something] + C*
- Lesson 2324 — Initial Value Problems for Linear ODEs
- Solve the quadratic
- Use factoring, the quadratic formula, or completing the square
- Lesson 638 — Exponential and Logarithmic Equations with Quadratic Form
- Solve the recurrence relation
- to express later coefficients in terms of earlier ones (usually a₀ and a₁, your initial conditions)
- Lesson 2400 — Finding Power Series Solutions Near Ordinary Points
- Solve the reduced system
- Use only the independent constraints with their corresponding multipliers
- Lesson 1889 — Dealing with Redundant Constraints
- Solve the resulting equation
- using familiar methods
- Lesson 209 — Equations with Fractions: Clearing DenominatorsLesson 277 — Introduction to the Substitution MethodLesson 444 — Finding Restricted ValuesLesson 478 — Solving by Cross- MultiplicationLesson 524 — Solving Simple Radical EquationsLesson 526 — Equations with Radicals on Both SidesLesson 528 — Radical Equations with Higher Index RootsLesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational Equations (+2 more)
- Solve the simplified equation
- You get a direct answer for one coefficient
- Lesson 1624 — Solving for Coefficients: Substitution Method
- Solve the spatial problem
- X'' + λX = 0 with boundary conditions yields eigenfunctions X_n(x) = sin(nπx/L)
- Lesson 2431 — Fourier Series Solutions for Bounded Domains
- Solve the system
- You have two equations and two unknowns (height and distance_A).
- Lesson 980 — Two Right Triangle Problems and Indirect MeasurementLesson 1269 — Tension in Cables and RopesLesson 2064 — Applications: Expressing Solutions as Linear CombinationsLesson 3003 — Method of Moments for Multiple Parameters
- Solve the temporal problem
- T'' + λc²T = 0 gives T_n(t) = A_n cos(ω t) + B_n sin(ω t), where ω = nπc/L
- Lesson 2431 — Fourier Series Solutions for Bounded Domains
- Solve the trajectory
- (solve the resulting IVP using methods you know)
- Lesson 2406 — Solving Boundary Value Problems: Shooting Method Concept
- Solve using cross multiplication
- Lesson 123 — Real-World Proportion Problems
- Solve using one operation
- Lesson 190 — Solving One-Step Word Problems
- Solve using substitution
- – Use the method you've learned to find both values
- Lesson 282 — Application Problems Using Systems and Substitution
- Solve: |x| = 7
- Lesson 227 — Solving Basic Absolute Value Equations
- Sort all edges
- by weight, from lightest to heaviest
- Lesson 2675 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Kruskal's Algorithm
- Sound waves
- Pitch corresponds to frequency (how fast the wave oscillates); loudness relates to amplitude.
- Lesson 1022 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- Source (s)
- A special vertex where flow originates (like a water pump)
- Lesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- Space complexity
- O(V + E), where V = vertices, E = edges.
- Lesson 2656 — Graph Representations: Adjacency List and Edge List
- span
- of those vectors.
- Lesson 2056 — Computing Linear Combinations in R²Lesson 2059 — The Span of a Set of VectorsLesson 2061 — Geometric Span in R²: Lines and PlanesLesson 2064 — Applications: Expressing Solutions as Linear CombinationsLesson 2082 — Span as a Subspace
- Span(v₁, v₂, ..., v )
- Lesson 2059 — The Span of a Set of Vectors
- Spanning
- ensures completeness: every vector in the space can be written as a linear combination of basis vectors.
- Lesson 2086 — What is a Basis?Lesson 2087 — Verifying a Set is a Basis
- Spanning ℝⁿ
- means the columns can build any vector in n-dimensional space
- Lesson 2144 — The Invertible Matrix Theorem
- spanning tree
- does for a graph.
- Lesson 2672 — Spanning Trees of a GraphLesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First Search
- Spatial ODE
- $X''(x) + \lambda X(x) = 0$
- Lesson 2419 — The Method of Separation of VariablesLesson 2447 — Separating Variables in the Heat Equation
- Spearman's rank correlation
- solves this by converting each observation to its rank within its variable, then calculating how similarly the two sets of ranks behave.
- Lesson 3109 — Spearman's Rank Correlation
- special angles
- are like the "landmark exits" on a highway—memorizing them makes navigation effortless.
- Lesson 993 — Special Angles in Degrees and RadiansLesson 1061 — Sum Formulas with Special Angle Combinations
- Special case
- When multiplying conjugates like (a + √b)(a - √b), the radical terms cancel out, leaving you with just integers—very handy for simplifying!
- Lesson 159 — Multiplying Radical ExpressionsLesson 223 — Special Cases: All Reals and No SolutionLesson 1110 — The Law of Cosines and the Pythagorean TheoremLesson 1773 — The Taylor Series FormulaLesson 2061 — Geometric Span in R²: Lines and Planes
- Special Case — Resonance
- If sin(ωx) or cos(ωx) is already part of your homogeneous solution (meaning ωi is a root of the characteristic equation), multiply your guess by x:
- Lesson 2352 — Particular Solutions for Sine and Cosine Functions
- special cases
- of others—meaning they have all the properties of their "parent" shape, plus additional unique features.
- Lesson 825 — The Quadrilateral Family TreeLesson 1217 — Finding the Argument (Angle)
- Special triangle ratios
- (45-45-90 and 30-60-90 patterns)
- Lesson 799 — Comparing Special Triangles with Pythagorean Theorem
- Specificity
- (True Negative Rate): P(Negative Test | Disease Absent) — how good the test is at returning negative when you're healthy
- Lesson 2818 — Medical Testing and Screening Problems
- Specify everything
- significance level α, sample size n, population standard deviation (or estimate), and the specific alternative parameter value μ₁ you want to detect
- Lesson 3058 — Calculating Power for Simple Tests
- Spectral Decomposition
- takes this one step further by expanding this product into an explicit sum.
- Lesson 2273 — Spectral Decomposition
- Spectral Theorem
- states that every symmetric matrix can be orthogonally diagonalized.
- Lesson 2272 — The Spectral Theorem for Symmetric MatricesLesson 2273 — Spectral Decomposition
- Speed of Convergence
- When both converge, geometric series (with small |r|) typically converge much faster than p- series because exponential decay beats polynomial decay.
- Lesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-Series
- sphere
- is a perfectly round three-dimensional object, like a basketball or a soap bubble.
- Lesson 882 — Volume of SpheresLesson 1480 — Volume Related Rates: Spheres and ConesLesson 2040 — Applying the Theorem to a Sphere
- Spheres
- The equation **ρ = c** (where c is constant) describes a sphere of radius c centered at the origin.
- Lesson 1939 — Graphing Surfaces in Spherical Coordinates
- spherical
- (ρ, θ, φ).
- Lesson 1943 — Choosing the Best Coordinate SystemLesson 2454 — Separation in Other Coordinate Systems
- Split into two limits
- Lesson 1419 — Derivative of sin(x) from First Principles
- Split the integral
- at those points
- Lesson 1573 — Area and Signed AreaLesson 1643 — Area Between a Curve and the x-axis
- Split the middle term
- Rewrite 7x as 6x + 1x:
- Lesson 364 — Factoring by Grouping After Splitting the Middle Term
- Split the problem
- Create multiple simpler problems, each with only *one* non-homogeneous boundary and all others zero
- Lesson 2440 — Superposition and Non-Homogeneous Boundaries
- Splitting
- the polynomial into smaller groups (usually pairs of terms)
- Lesson 374 — Introduction to Factoring by Grouping
- Spot inner products
- – Does the numerator or denominator contain functions multiplied together?
- Lesson 1406 — Combining Product and Quotient Rules
- Spot the operation words
- which math action is happening?
- Lesson 172 — Writing Expressions from Word Problems
- spread
- (width)
- Lesson 2905 — Parameters: Mean and Standard DeviationLesson 2992 — Histograms and Frequency DistributionsLesson 2994 — Comparing Distributions
- Spread differences
- Which group shows more variability (wider IQR)?
- Lesson 2994 — Comparing Distributions
- spring constant
- (measures the spring's stiffness)
- Lesson 1694 — Hooke's Law and Spring ProblemsLesson 2368 — Spring-Mass Systems: Setting Up the Differential Equation
- square
- this is always true for maximum area with fixed perimeter!
- Lesson 435 — Area and Perimeter Optimization ProblemsLesson 529 — Word Problems Involving Radical EquationsLesson 812 — Finding Individual Exterior Angles in Regular PolygonsLesson 820 — Squares: The Ultimate Special QuadrilateralLesson 825 — The Quadrilateral Family TreeLesson 857 — Area of Rectangles and SquaresLesson 862 — Area of CirclesLesson 894 — Similar Solids and Surface Area (+4 more)
- Square all three numbers
- Lesson 784 — Verifying Pythagorean Triples
- Square both sides
- to eliminate the square root
- Lesson 524 — Solving Simple Radical EquationsLesson 526 — Equations with Radicals on Both SidesLesson 527 — Equations Requiring Multiple Squaring StepsLesson 530 — Mixed Radical and Rational Equations
- Square each leg
- Take the length of each leg and multiply it by itself
- Lesson 775 — Finding the Hypotenuse
- Square it
- to work with `D² = (x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)²` (easier derivatives!
- Lesson 1512 — Distance Optimization ProblemsLesson 1676 — Computing Arc Length: Polynomial Functions
- square matrix
- has the same number of rows and columns.
- Lesson 1272 — Types of Matrices: Square, Row, Column, and ZeroLesson 2097 — Matrix Notation and Dimensions
- Square root functions
- like `f(x) = √x` only produce non-negative outputs, so the range is `y ≥ 0`.
- Lesson 553 — Finding Range from Equations
- Square roots
- Require non-negative inputs (for real functions)
- Lesson 1803 — Domain and Range of Multivariable Functions
- Square roots (n=2)
- Two points, 180° apart (opposite ends of a diameter)
- Lesson 1230 — Geometric Interpretation of nth Roots
- square units
- (cm², m², in², etc.
- Lesson 829 — Area of a CircleLesson 857 — Area of Rectangles and Squares
- Squared terms opposite signs
- → Hyperbolic paraboloid (saddle)
- Lesson 1807 — Common Surfaces: Planes, Paraboloids, and Saddles
- Squaring both sides
- (turns negative values positive)
- Lesson 1091 — Extraneous Solutions and Verification
- Squaring something
- (3y - 5)² → square of a binomial
- Lesson 341 — Recognizing Special Products in Context
- Squeeze it
- Since *x² ≤ x² + y²* and *y² ≤ x² + y²*, we have:
- Lesson 1816 — Squeeze Theorem in Several Variables
- Squeeze Theorem
- (which you just learned!
- Lesson 1345 — Special Trigonometric Limit: sin(x)/xLesson 1709 — The Squeeze Theorem for SequencesLesson 1820 — Limits and Continuity in Three or More Variables
- SS_Between
- measures squared deviations of group means from the grand mean (weighted by group size)
- Lesson 3095 — Between-Group and Within-Group Variation
- SS_Total
- measures total squared deviations from the grand mean
- Lesson 3095 — Between-Group and Within-Group Variation
- SS_Within
- measures squared deviations of individual observations from their own group mean
- Lesson 3095 — Between-Group and Within-Group Variation
- SSA
- when you know two sides and an angle that's *not* between them—is special and trickier.
- Lesson 1096 — The SSA Configuration IntroductionLesson 1102 — Introduction to the Law of CosinesLesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
- SSA is ambiguous
- meaning it might produce no triangle, one triangle, or even two completely different triangles!
- Lesson 1121 — Introduction to the Ambiguous Case (SSA)
- SSS
- (all three sides but no angles)?
- Lesson 1102 — Introduction to the Law of CosinesLesson 1106 — Choosing Between Law of Sines and Law of Cosines
- SSS Congruence Postulate
- states that if three sides of one triangle are congruent (equal in length) to the three corresponding sides of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
- Lesson 741 — SSS (Side-Side-Side) Congruence Postulate
- SSS Similarity Criterion
- states that if the three sides of one triangle are proportional to the three sides of another triangle, then the triangles are similar.
- Lesson 755 — SSS Similarity Criterion
- Stability
- in numerical algorithms
- Lesson 2211 — Orthogonal BasesLesson 2412 — Well-Posed Problems: Existence, Uniqueness, Stability
- Stable node
- Both eigenvalues negative → all trajectories spiral inward toward equilibrium
- Lesson 2383 — Phase Portraits and Stability Analysis
- Stable spiral
- Real part α < 0 → trajectories spiral inward
- Lesson 2383 — Phase Portraits and Stability Analysis
- Stack the polynomials
- one above the other, aligning like terms in columns (though this alignment is flexible)
- Lesson 330 — Multiplying Polynomials Vertically
- Stadium seating
- If the first row has 20 seats, and each row has 2 more seats than the one in front, with 30 rows total
- Lesson 693 — Stacking and Construction Problems
- Staircases
- Blocks needed where each step adds a constant amount
- Lesson 693 — Stacking and Construction Problems
- Stan
- Uses HMC for faster convergence; popular in research
- Lesson 3121 — Computational Tools: Introduction to MCMC and Bayesian Software
- standard basis
- as the "factory settings" of a vector space—it's the simplest, most obvious way to describe any vector using coordinates.
- Lesson 2088 — Standard BasesLesson 2213 — Coordinates with Respect to Orthogonal BasesLesson 2218 — Standard Orthonormal Bases in Euclidean Space
- Standard continuous functions
- like sin, cos, exponentials
- Lesson 1813 — Computing Limits Using Direct Substitution
- standard deviation
- σ = √Var(X) for interpretation.
- Lesson 2856 — Variance: Definition and InterpretationLesson 2858 — Standard DeviationLesson 2891 — Mean and Variance of the Poisson DistributionLesson 2905 — Parameters: Mean and Standard DeviationLesson 2989 — Measures of Spread: Range, Variance, and Standard Deviation
- standard error
- tells you how much the sample mean typically varies from the true population mean.
- Lesson 2978 — The Standard Error and StandardizationLesson 2979 — CLT for Independent Identically Distributed VariablesLesson 3015 — Confidence Interval for a Population ProportionLesson 3016 — Confidence Interval for the Difference of Two Means
- Standard form
- is the normal way we write numbers, all digits together:
- Lesson 5 — Expanded Form and Standard FormLesson 264 — Choosing the Best Form for a ProblemLesson 314 — Standard Form of a PolynomialLesson 317 — Leading Coefficient and Leading TermLesson 332 — Simplifying Products by Combining Like TermsLesson 395 — Standard Form and Setting Equal to ZeroLesson 406 — Converting to Vertex FormLesson 412 — Understanding the Structure of the Quadratic Formula (+14 more)
- Standard forms
- Some tests (upcoming in your studies) work best when series start at a particular index
- Lesson 1720 — Reindexing and Shifting Series
- Standardize
- the values using z-scores
- Lesson 2909 — Finding Probabilities with Normal DistributionsLesson 2978 — The Standard Error and Standardization
- Standardize and find probabilities
- Convert to *Z*-scores and use the standard normal table
- Lesson 2985 — Approximating Binomial Distributions
- Standardized or studentized residuals
- help identify outliers (typically |residual| > 2 or 3 suggests an outlier)
- Lesson 3089 — Outliers in Regression
- Start
- y = f(x)^g(x)
- Lesson 1462 — Variable Bases and Variable ExponentsLesson 2226 — Gram-Schmidt in Inner Product SpacesLesson 2673 — Finding Spanning Trees: Depth-First SearchLesson 2674 — Finding Spanning Trees: Breadth-First SearchLesson 2702 — The Hungarian Algorithm for Maximum Bipartite Matching
- Start with
- a linearly independent set of vectors in a vector space (say, in R³)
- Lesson 2090 — Extending to a Basis
- Start with easier facts
- (dividing by 1, 2, 5, 10) and work toward the trickier ones (7, 8, 9).
- Lesson 25 — Division Facts and Basic Division Fluency
- Start with your basis
- Put the basis vectors of your subspace as columns of matrix A
- Lesson 2231 — The Projection Matrix
- State hypotheses
- about the population mean μ (null: μ = μ₀; alternative: μ ≠ μ₀, μ > μ₀, or μ < μ₀)
- Lesson 3034 — One-Sample t-Test: Testing a Population MeanLesson 3043 — Chi-Squared Goodness-of- Fit Test
- State restrictions
- from the original denominator
- Lesson 448 — Simplifying with Trinomial FactorsLesson 458 — Applications of Multiplying and Dividing Rationals
- State the domain
- write your answer in interval notation or set-builder notation
- Lesson 550 — Domain Restrictions from Square Roots
- statement
- is a fact or conclusion you make.
- Lesson 762 — Introduction to Geometric ProofLesson 766 — Common Reasons in ProofsLesson 2496 — Contrapositive Proof Examples
- Statement 2
- AB = CD → **Reason:** Definition of congruent segments
- Lesson 762 — Introduction to Geometric Proof
- statements
- (what you know or what you're claiming), and the right column contains **reasons** (why each statement is true).
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence ProofsLesson 763 — Two-Column Proof Format
- Statements and Reasons
- Lesson 762 — Introduction to Geometric Proof
- Statistical significance
- means your result landed in the critical region—it's unlikely enough under H₀ to warrant rejection
- Lesson 3023 — Significance Levels and Critical Regions
- stays constant
- (steady state)
- Lesson 2179 — Applications: Steady States and DynamicsLesson 2887 — Hypergeometric vs. Binomial: When to Use Each
- stays the same
- .
- Lesson 218 — Solving One-Step InequalitiesLesson 1294 — Determinant Properties: Row Operations
- Steady-state heat distribution
- When a heated object reaches equilibrium (temperature no longer changing with time), the heat equation simplifies to Laplace's equation.
- Lesson 2436 — Introduction to Laplace's Equation
- Steady-state solution
- b/a (what y approaches as x → ∞ if a > 0)
- Lesson 2325 — Linear ODEs with Constant CoefficientsLesson 2371 — Forced Harmonic Motion and Resonance
- Step
- Consider *(k+1)³ - (k+1)*.
- Lesson 2504 — Proving Divisibility PropertiesLesson 2514 — Proving Divisibility Results with Strong Induction
- Step 1 (inner)
- Integrate with respect to y, treating x as constant:
- Lesson 1899 — Double Integrals of Non-Separable Functions
- Step 1: Base Case
- Lesson 2501 — The Principle of Mathematical Induction
- Step 1: Define Variables
- Lesson 291 — Word Problems Solved by Elimination
- Step 1: Differentiate u
- Lesson 1581 — Computing du and Substituting
- Step 1: Distribute
- Lesson 180 — Using the Distributive Property to SimplifyLesson 208 — Equations with Parentheses and the Distributive Property
- Step 1: Find Eigenvalues
- Lesson 2275 — Computing Orthogonal Diagonalization
- Step 1: Identify u
- Lesson 1582 — Simple u-Substitution Examples
- Step 1: Read carefully
- and identify all the variables involved.
- Lesson 131 — Mixed Variation ApplicationsLesson 191 — Multi-Step Word Problems with Combined Operations
- Step 1: Substitute
- Lesson 183 — Order of Operations in EvaluationLesson 1086 — Quadratic-Type Trigonometric Equations
- Step 2 (outer)
- Now integrate this result with respect to x:
- Lesson 1899 — Double Integrals of Non-Separable Functions
- Step 2: Apply PEMDAS
- Lesson 183 — Order of Operations in Evaluation
- Step 2: Check Spanning
- Lesson 2087 — Verifying a Set is a Basis
- Step 2: Compute du
- Lesson 1582 — Simple u-Substitution Examples
- Step 2: Inductive Step
- Lesson 2501 — The Principle of Mathematical Induction
- Step 3 (optional)
- Convert back to radical/fraction form if needed
- Lesson 1396 — Rewriting Functions Before Differentiating
- Step 3: Check cross-sections
- Lesson 902 — Problem Solving with Cavalieri's Principle
- Step 3: Substitute
- Lesson 1582 — Simple u-Substitution Examples
- Step 3: Substitute back
- Lesson 1086 — Quadratic-Type Trigonometric Equations
- Step 3: Substitute completely
- Lesson 1581 — Computing du and Substituting
- Step 3: Translate back
- Lesson 936 — Dilations Centered at Points Other Than the Origin
- Step 3: Use Elimination
- Lesson 291 — Word Problems Solved by Elimination
- Step 4: Add periodicity
- Lesson 1081 — Linear Trigonometric Equations
- Step 4: Apply inclusion-exclusion
- Plug into the formula, then subtract from the universe if counting "good" objects.
- Lesson 2626 — Complex Applications and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Step 4: Integrate
- Lesson 1582 — Simple u-Substitution Examples
- Step 4: Use symmetry
- to plot matching points on the opposite side of the axis.
- Lesson 427 — Graphing Parabolas in Vertex Form
- Step 5: Back-substitute
- Lesson 1582 — Simple u-Substitution Examples
- Step 5: Check
- if your answer makes sense in context.
- Lesson 191 — Multi-Step Word Problems with Combined Operations
- Step 5: State restrictions
- Lesson 453 — Multiplying Complex Rational Expressions
- Step 6
- Final answer: `(2x - 3)(3x² - 2)`
- Lesson 381 — Applications and Mixed PracticeLesson 408 — Deriving the Quadratic FormulaLesson 411 — Deriving the Quadratic Formula by Completing the SquareLesson 1614 — Substitution for √(a²+x²): Using x = a tan θLesson 2757 — Solving Two-Congruence Systems
- Step 6: Verify
- Lesson 2275 — Computing Orthogonal Diagonalization
- Step 7
- Subtract `b/(2a)` from both sides:
- Lesson 411 — Deriving the Quadratic Formula by Completing the Square
- Step 8
- Combine into one fraction:
- Lesson 411 — Deriving the Quadratic Formula by Completing the Square
- step-by-step
- , applying one rule at a time until the expression is fully simplified.
- Lesson 149 — Combining Multiple Exponent RulesLesson 1766 — Interval of ConvergenceLesson 2758 — Solving Systems with Three or More Congruences
- Step-by-step approach
- Lesson 938 — Combining Rotations and Dilations with Other Transformations
- Step-by-step process
- Lesson 155 — Simplifying Square RootsLesson 452 — Simplifying Before Multiplying
- Steps
- Lesson 63 — Converting Between Improper and MixedLesson 214 — Literal Equations: Solving for a Specified VariableLesson 459 — Adding Rationals with Like DenominatorsLesson 658 — Arithmetic Means and Inserting TermsLesson 1309 — Writing Systems as Augmented MatricesLesson 1839 — Applications to Measurement and Error PropagationLesson 2681 — Finding Eulerian Paths and Circuits: Algorithms
- Steps to estimate error
- Lesson 1838 — Estimating Error in Linear Approximation
- Stokes' Theorem
- , which works for curved surfaces in three dimensions.
- Lesson 2003 — Applications and Extensions of Green's TheoremLesson 2033 — Conservative Fields and Stokes' TheoremLesson 2034 — Physical Interpretations: Circulation and Rotation
- Stokes' Theorem still works
- , but you must account for how pieces connect.
- Lesson 2032 — Stokes' Theorem on Piecewise Smooth Surfaces
- stop
- .
- Lesson 1314 — Identifying Inconsistent SystemsLesson 1340 — Indeterminate Forms: 0/0 and ∞/∞Lesson 2675 — Minimum Spanning Trees: Kruskal's AlgorithmLesson 2713 — The Euclidean Algorithm
- Stop when numbers repeat
- Once you reach pairs you've already found (like 6 × 4), you're done.
- Lesson 48 — Understanding Factors
- straight
- no bends or curves
- Lesson 696 — Lines: Infinite Straight PathsLesson 704 — Classifying Angles by Measure
- straight angle
- measures 180° (a straight line)
- Lesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle NotationLesson 704 — Classifying Angles by Measure
- Straight diagonal line
- = residuals are normally distributed
- Lesson 3086 — Normal Probability Plots (Q-Q Plots)
- Straightforward limits
- When x approaches a value where the function is defined, substitute directly:
- Lesson 1347 — Exponential and Logarithmic Limits
- Strategic choice
- Combine equations 1 and 3 first to eliminate z quickly, then tackle another pair.
- Lesson 295 — Choosing Strategic Pairs for Elimination
- Strategic ordering
- Tackle the simplest constraint equations first
- Lesson 1888 — Three or More Constraints
- Strategic substitution
- for linear factors (plug in values that zero out most terms)
- Lesson 1631 — Complex Mixed Denominator Cases
- Strategy
- Take only the prime factors that appear in BOTH numbers, using the smallest power of each.
- Lesson 58 — Using Prime Factorization for GCF and LCMLesson 499 — Simplifying Square Roots with VariablesLesson 561 — Decomposing FunctionsLesson 1066 — Using Double Angle Formulas to Simplify ExpressionsLesson 1264 — Equilibrium: Balancing Multiple ForcesLesson 1492 — The MVT and Constant FunctionsLesson 1816 — Squeeze Theorem in Several VariablesLesson 1899 — Double Integrals of Non- Separable Functions (+2 more)
- Strengths
- Always works when f′ exists near the critical point.
- Lesson 1502 — Comparing First and Second Derivative Tests
- strictly increasing
- on an interval if, whenever you pick two points where `x₁ < x₂`, you always have `f(x₁) < f(x₂)`.
- Lesson 571 — Monotonicity: Increasing and Decreasing FunctionsLesson 1490 — Applying the MVT to Prove Increasing/Decreasing Behavior
- strong induction
- prove statements for all integers n ≥ some base case.
- Lesson 2512 — Review: Ordinary vs. Strong InductionLesson 2513 — The Strong Induction PrincipleLesson 2519 — Equivalence of Induction and Well-OrderingLesson 2520 — Choosing the Right Proof Technique
- Strong Induction Principle
- To prove that a predicate `P(n)` is true for all natural numbers n ≥ n₀:
- Lesson 2513 — The Strong Induction Principle
- Strong induction structure
- Lesson 2515 — Strong Induction for Sequences and Recurrences
- Strong Law
- The *entire sequence* of sample means approaches $\mu$, and this happens for almost every possible outcome
- Lesson 2973 — Strong Law of Large Numbers: Statement
- strongly connected
- if there's a directed path from every vertex to every other vertex.
- Lesson 2664 — Strongly Connected DigraphsLesson 2665 — Weakly Connected Digraphs
- Strongly connected components
- in directed social graphs (like Twitter's follow relationships) reveal tight-knit communities where everyone can reach everyone else through the network.
- Lesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- Structural Engineering
- Predicting how beams and columns resist bending (larger *k* means better resistance to buckling)
- Lesson 1962 — Radius of Gyration and Applications
- Structural induction
- adapts the inductive principle to prove properties about these recursively defined objects.
- Lesson 2516 — Structural Induction on Trees and Graphs
- Structural Supports
- Lesson 981 — Applications in Construction and Engineering
- Structure
- Lesson 765 — Flow Chart Proof FormatLesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-SeriesLesson 2117 — Leading Entries and Pivot PositionsLesson 2507 — Multiple Base Cases
- Student's t-distribution
- (often just called the t-distribution) is a continuous probability distribution that looks similar to the standard normal distribution but with heavier tails.
- Lesson 2923 — The Student's t-Distribution: DefinitionLesson 3032 — Why t-Tests? When the Population Variance is Unknown
- Sturm-Liouville problems
- are a particular class of BVPs with the form:
- Lesson 2405 — Eigenvalue Problems and Sturm-Liouville Theory
- Subdivide intelligently
- Break the region into 2 or more simpler subregions (usually rectangles, triangles, or simple curves)
- Lesson 1909 — Regions Requiring Multiple Integrals
- subset
- of B, written A ⊆ B.
- Lesson 2523 — Subsets and Proper SubsetsLesson 2774 — Events as Subsets of the Sample Space
- subspace
- is a subset of a vector space that is itself a vector space using the same operations (addition and scalar multiplication).
- Lesson 2078 — Subspaces: Definition and Subspace TestLesson 2082 — Span as a SubspaceLesson 2128 — The Column Space
- Substitute
- the fractional value for each variable
- Lesson 185 — Evaluating Expressions with FractionsLesson 187 — Using Formulas and Literal EquationsLesson 278 — Substitution When One Equation is Already SolvedLesson 372 — Factoring Higher-Degree Trinomials Using SubstitutionLesson 443 — Evaluating Rational ExpressionsLesson 638 — Exponential and Logarithmic Equations with Quadratic FormLesson 659 — Applications of Arithmetic SequencesLesson 954 — Finding Side Lengths Using Tangent (+11 more)
- Substitute and calculate
- as you would with any function
- Lesson 545 — Evaluating Piecewise-Defined Functions
- Substitute back
- into one of your reduced two-variable equations to find the second variable (like y).
- Lesson 296 — Back-Substitution in Three VariablesLesson 372 — Factoring Higher-Degree Trinomials Using SubstitutionLesson 1415 — Chain Rule with Product and Quotient RulesLesson 1462 — Variable Bases and Variable ExponentsLesson 1579 — What is u-Substitution?
- Substitute both known values
- back into one of the original three-variable equations to find the last variable (like x).
- Lesson 296 — Back-Substitution in Three Variables
- Substitute each integer
- from start to stop into the expression
- Lesson 670 — Evaluating Finite Sums with Sigma Notation
- Substitute everything
- Replace all instances of x with expressions in u
- Lesson 1585 — u-Substitution with Exponential and Logarithmic FunctionsLesson 2400 — Finding Power Series Solutions Near Ordinary Points
- Substitute immediately
- plug in the numbers right away, then calculate
- Lesson 186 — Simplifying Before Evaluating
- Substitute into the formula
- Lesson 245 — Calculating Slope from Two Points
- Substitute it back
- into the original equation for *x*
- Lesson 421 — Verifying Solutions by Substitution
- Substitute known values
- and solve for the unknown rate
- Lesson 1478 — Related Rates with Rectangles and SquaresLesson 1479 — Related Rates with TrianglesLesson 1480 — Volume Related Rates: Spheres and ConesLesson 1483 — Angle Related Rates
- Substitute the initial condition
- values into your general solution
- Lesson 2311 — Initial Value Problems with Separable ODEs
- Substitute the known values
- Lesson 804 — Finding Missing Lengths with Geometric Means
- Substitute u = tan(x)
- , so du = sec²(x) dx
- Lesson 1603 — Powers of Tangent and Secant: Even Powers of Secant
- substitution
- plug your answer back into the original problem and see if it makes sense.
- Lesson 195 — Checking Solutions and Problem-Solving StrategiesLesson 372 — Factoring Higher-Degree Trinomials Using SubstitutionLesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial FactoringLesson 1878 — Solving Two-Variable Constrained ProblemsLesson 1885 — Solving Systems with Multiple Lagrange MultipliersLesson 1888 — Three or More Constraints
- substitution method
- is a way to solve for both variables by converting the system into a single equation with just one variable.
- Lesson 277 — Introduction to the Substitution MethodLesson 1624 — Solving for Coefficients: Substitution Method
- Subtler case
- After simplifying, you might get something like `|x - 1| - |x - 1| = 0`, which reduces to `0 = 0` — always true!
- Lesson 229 — Absolute Value Equations with No Solution or All Solutions
- Subtract
- when things are being taken away, separated, or compared (finding the difference)
- Lesson 18 — Word Problems with Addition and SubtractionLesson 29 — Long Division AlgorithmLesson 73 — Subtracting Fractions with Unlike DenominatorsLesson 150 — Common Mistakes with Exponent RulesLesson 199 — Solving One-Step Addition/Subtraction EquationsLesson 843 — Segment AreaLesson 865 — Area of SegmentsLesson 869 — Finding Area Using Subtraction Method (+5 more)
- Subtract 3 first
- (undo the addition)
- Lesson 202 — Combining Addition/Subtraction with Multiplication/Division
- Subtract projections
- For each subsequent vector v , compute:
- Lesson 2226 — Gram-Schmidt in Inner Product Spaces
- subtract the exponents
- .
- Lesson 143 — Quotient Rule for ExponentsLesson 166 — Dividing Numbers in Scientific Notation
- Subtract the numerators
- (subtract the top numbers)
- Lesson 70 — Subtracting Fractions with Like DenominatorsLesson 464 — Subtracting Rationals with Unlike Denominators
- subtracting
- angles, you **add** the sine terms.
- Lesson 1053 — Sum and Difference Formulas for CosineLesson 2618 — Inclusion-Exclusion for Three Sets
- Subtracting inside shifts RIGHT
- `f(x - 3)` moves the graph 3 units to the right
- Lesson 579 — Horizontal Shifts of Functions
- Subtracting like radicals
- Lesson 158 — Adding and Subtracting Radicals
- Subtraction
- "There were 42 birds on a fence.
- Lesson 18 — Word Problems with Addition and SubtractionLesson 172 — Writing Expressions from Word ProblemsLesson 285 — Eliminating a Variable by Subtracting EquationsLesson 424 — Finding the Vertex from Vertex FormLesson 1197 — Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
- Subtraction clues
- left, remaining, fewer than, how many more, difference
- Lesson 18 — Word Problems with Addition and Subtraction
- Subtraction phrases
- Lesson 188 — Translating Words into Mathematical Expressions
- Subtraction Property of Equality
- If you subtract the same number from both sides of an equation, the sides remain equal.
- Lesson 198 — Addition and Subtraction Properties of Equality
- Sufficiency ( )
- (By induction on |X|) Assume Hall's condition holds.
- Lesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage Theorem
- sum
- itself.
- Lesson 677 — What is a Series?Lesson 1819 — Properties and Composition of Continuous FunctionsLesson 2084 — Sum of SubspacesLesson 2355 — Superposition for Multiple TermsLesson 2912 — Linear Combinations of Normal VariablesLesson 2984 — CLT for Sample Sums
- Sum all three terms
- Lesson 2150 — Determinant of a 3×3 Matrix: Cofactor Expansion
- sum and difference formulas
- let you rewrite these as combinations of known angles.
- Lesson 1052 — Sum and Difference Formulas for SineLesson 1059 — Sum and Difference Formulas in Equation Solving
- Sum Formula
- Geometric series have a closed-form sum when convergent.
- Lesson 1728 — Comparing Geometric and p-Series
- Sum of Cubes
- Lesson 339 — Sum and Difference of CubesLesson 389 — Applying Cube Formulas with Coefficients
- Sum of integers
- Σ(i=1 to n) i = n(n+1)/2
- Lesson 1556 — Computing Simple Integrals Using Riemann Sum Limits
- sum of squares
- a² + b² should factor too, but it doesn't—at least not with real numbers.
- Lesson 386 — Sum of Squares (Why It Doesn't Factor)Lesson 1556 — Computing Simple Integrals Using Riemann Sum Limits
- Sum ranks per group
- Calculate the sum of ranks for each group separately.
- Lesson 3107 — Kruskal-Wallis Test
- Sum Rule
- says: the derivative of `f(x) + g(x)` is `f'(x) + g'(x)`
- Lesson 1424 — Derivatives of Trig Functions with Coefficients and SumsLesson 1708 — Limit Laws for Sequences
- Sum the flux contributions
- or use the triple integral of divergence instead!
- Lesson 2042 — The Divergence Theorem for General Regions
- Sum the results
- Add all the integrals together
- Lesson 1909 — Regions Requiring Multiple IntegralsLesson 1979 — Line Integrals Over Piecewise Smooth Curves
- Sum to one
- The sum over all possible pairs (x, y) equals 1
- Lesson 2927 — Joint Probability Distributions: Discrete Case
- Sum/Difference
- If f(x) and g(x) are continuous at x = a, then f(x) + g(x) and f(x) - g(x) are also continuous at a.
- Lesson 1355 — Continuity of Combinations of Functions
- Sum/Difference Rule
- Lesson 672 — Properties of Summation: LinearityLesson 1559 — Properties of Definite Integrals: Linearity
- Sum/Difference Rules
- you learned earlier for polynomials.
- Lesson 1424 — Derivatives of Trig Functions with Coefficients and Sums
- summation
- Lesson 2933 — Joint Cumulative Distribution FunctionsLesson 2937 — Mixed Discrete-Continuous Joint Distributions
- summation notation
- (also called sigma notation) to express sums efficiently.
- Lesson 669 — Introduction to Summation NotationLesson 674 — Writing Series in Summation Notation
- superposition principle
- lets you combine *all* of these individual solutions into one general solution.
- Lesson 2421 — The General Series SolutionLesson 2466 — Fourier Series and Partial Differential Equations
- supplementary
- , their measures sum to 180°.
- Lesson 707 — Supplementary AnglesLesson 708 — Linear Pairs
- support
- ) of a discrete random variable is the complete set of all distinct numerical values it can possibly produce.
- Lesson 2824 — The Range of a Discrete Random VariableLesson 3042 — Chi-Squared Distribution Basics
- surface area
- of a pyramid is the total area of all its outer surfaces.
- Lesson 889 — Surface Area of PyramidsLesson 891 — Surface Area of SpheresLesson 893 — Nets and Surface AreaLesson 1683 — Introduction to Surface Area of RevolutionLesson 1690 — Comparing Surface Area and Volume Calculations
- Surface Area = 4πr²
- Lesson 891 — Surface Area of Spheres
- Surface element
- dS = ρ₀² sin φ dφ dθ (this captures how area elements distort on a sphere).
- Lesson 2025 — Surface Integrals in Different Coordinate Systems
- surface of revolution
- .
- Lesson 1683 — Introduction to Surface Area of RevolutionLesson 1801 — Surfaces of Revolution
- Surface parametrization
- Lesson 2025 — Surface Integrals in Different Coordinate Systems
- surjective
- (or "onto") when its range equals the entire codomain:
- Lesson 2262 — The Range (Image) of a Linear TransformationLesson 2559 — Introduction to Function TypesLesson 2562 — Surjective Functions (Onto)Lesson 2563 — Testing for SurjectivityLesson 2564 — Bijective Functions (One-to-One Correspondence)Lesson 2565 — Inverse Functions and BijectionsLesson 2568 — Examples with Finite SetsLesson 2569 — Applications to Infinite Sets
- Surjectivity (onto)
- Every possible output actually appears.
- Lesson 2565 — Inverse Functions and Bijections
- Surprising result
- Even with a positive test, you only have about a 16% chance of being sick, because the disease is rare!
- Lesson 2815 — Basic Applications of Bayes' Theorem
- Surveying
- calculating land boundaries or distances across rivers and canyons
- Lesson 1100 — Applications of the Law of Sines
- Swap
- the main diagonal elements (swap `a` and `d`)
- Lesson 1302 — Finding the Inverse of a 2×2 MatrixLesson 1997 — Using Green's Theorem to Evaluate Line Integrals
- swap two rows
- , the determinant changes sign (gets multiplied by -1).
- Lesson 1294 — Determinant Properties: Row OperationsLesson 2105 — Introduction to Gaussian Elimination
- Swap x and y
- this reverses the input-output relationship
- Lesson 563 — Finding Inverse Functions Algebraically
- Swapping two rows
- Multiplies the determinant by **-1**
- Lesson 2155 — Computing Determinants via Row Reduction
- Switch to spherical coordinates
- (ρ, φ, θ) where 0 ≤ ρ ≤ R
- Lesson 2040 — Applying the Theorem to a Sphere
- Switch tools mid-problem
- After finding that gateway piece, reassess.
- Lesson 1111 — Complex Problems Combining Triangle Laws
- Sylvester's Criterion
- gives us a shortcut: just check the determinants of certain submatrices.
- Lesson 2294 — Principal Minors and Sylvester's CriterionLesson 2298 — Applications to Optimization and Hessian Matrices
- symmetric
- if it equals its own transpose: **A** = **A ᵀ**.
- Lesson 2270 — Symmetric Matrices and Their PropertiesLesson 2543 — Symmetric RelationsLesson 2544 — Antisymmetric RelationsLesson 2549 — Inverse RelationsLesson 2550 — Definition of Equivalence RelationsLesson 2551 — Verifying Equivalence RelationsLesson 2556 — Partitions Induce Equivalence RelationsLesson 2557 — Congruence Modulo n (+3 more)
- Symmetric arguments
- If z has argument θ, then z̄ has argument −θ (or equivalently, 360° − θ).
- Lesson 1213 — Complex Conjugates on the Plane
- Symmetric matrices
- No need to handle complex numbers when computing eigenvalues
- Lesson 2176 — Eigenvalues of Special Matrices: Symmetric and OrthogonalLesson 2276 — The Spectral Theorem for Normal Matrices
- Symmetric matrices are special
- For every eigenvalue λ, these two multiplicities are always equal.
- Lesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric Matrices
- symmetric matrix
- .
- Lesson 1864 — The Hessian MatrixLesson 2176 — Eigenvalues of Special Matrices: Symmetric and OrthogonalLesson 2291 — Quadratic Forms and Their Matrix Representation
- Symmetry
- Lesson 824 — Kites: Properties and Diagonal RelationshipsLesson 1517 — Domain, Intercepts, and SymmetryLesson 1525 — Comprehensive Curve Sketching AlgorithmLesson 1888 — Three or More ConstraintsLesson 2200 — Definition of Inner Product SpacesLesson 2202 — Inner Products on Function SpacesLesson 2232 — Properties of Projection MatricesLesson 2550 — Definition of Equivalence Relations (+3 more)
- Synthetic division
- is a faster, cleaner method that works specifically when dividing by a linear binomial like (x - 3) or (x + 2).
- Lesson 349 — Synthetic Division Setup
- System
- Lesson 1877 — Setting Up the Lagrange SystemLesson 2387 — Applications: Coupled Oscillators and Mixing ProblemsLesson 2397 — Solving Systems of ODEs with Laplace Transforms
- system of linear equations
- is simply a collection of two or more linear equations that we consider simultaneously.
- Lesson 273 — Introduction to Systems of Linear EquationsLesson 274 — Solving Systems by Graphing: Basic Technique
- System solvability
- A zero determinant signals either no solution or infinitely many solutions
- Lesson 2165 — Determinant and Matrix Rank
T
- T (t)
- are time-evolution factors (how each pattern changes over time)
- Lesson 2421 — The General Series Solution
- T is one-to-one
- (injective): different inputs give different outputs
- Lesson 2268 — Invertible Linear Transformations
- t-distribution
- looks like a normal distribution but with thicker tails, meaning it places more probability on extreme values.
- Lesson 2924 — Properties and Uses of the t-DistributionLesson 3014 — Confidence Interval for a Population Mean (σ Unknown)Lesson 3036 — One-Sample t-Test: Confidence Intervals
- T: V → W
- is **invertible** if there exists another linear transformation **T ¹: W → V** such that:
- Lesson 2268 — Invertible Linear Transformations
- T(n) = Θ(f(n))
- Lesson 2636 — Divide-and-Conquer Recurrences
- T(n) = Θ(n^(log_b a))
- Lesson 2636 — Divide-and-Conquer Recurrences
- Take absolute values
- Form the series ∑|a | from your original series ∑a
- Lesson 1757 — The Absolute Convergence Test
- Take each solution
- you found using the quadratic formula
- Lesson 421 — Verifying Solutions by Substitution
- Take the dot product
- **F**(**r**(t)) · **r**'(t)
- Lesson 1977 — Computing Vector Line Integrals via ParametrizationLesson 2021 — Computing Flux for Parametric Surfaces
- Take the limit
- lim[h → 0] m = m
- Lesson 1381 — Computing Derivatives from the Definition: Linear FunctionsLesson 1634 — Type 1 Improper Integrals: Infinite Upper Limit
- Take the square root
- of both sides, writing √(negative) as √(positive) · i.
- Lesson 409 — Complex Solutions via Completing the SquareLesson 775 — Finding the HypotenuseLesson 1676 — Computing Arc Length: Polynomial Functions
- Taking the limit
- lim(n → ∞) 2(1 + 1/n) = 2(1 + 0) = **2**
- Lesson 1556 — Computing Simple Integrals Using Riemann Sum Limits
- Tangent
- = opposite side ÷ adjacent side
- Lesson 947 — Introduction to Trigonometric RatiosLesson 951 — The Tangent Ratio (TOA)Lesson 977 — Finding Heights Using Angles of ElevationLesson 996 — Third Quadrant PointsLesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig FunctionsLesson 1604 — Reduction Formulas for Tangent and Secant
- Tangent (TOA)
- Use when working with **opposite** and **adjacent**
- Lesson 956 — Choosing the Appropriate Trig RatioLesson 969 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Elevation Angles
- Tangent & Cotangent
- Unbounded; shoot to ±∞ at asymptotes
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- Tangent and Cotangent
- Both have a period of **π** (180°).
- Lesson 1032 — Comparing and Analyzing All Six Trig Functions
- tangent line
- to a circle is a straight line that touches the circle at exactly one point—no more, no less.
- Lesson 847 — Tangent Lines to CirclesLesson 1143 — Tangent Lines to CirclesLesson 1373 — From Secant Lines to Tangent LinesLesson 1388 — The Derivative of a Constant Function
- tangent plane
- does the same thing for a surface in 3D—it's the flat plane that "just touches" the surface at a point and best approximates the surface locally.
- Lesson 1832 — Tangent Planes: Geometric IntuitionLesson 1835 — Normal Lines to SurfacesLesson 1836 — Linear Approximation in Two Variables
- Taylor's Theorem
- makes the relationship between a function and its Taylor polynomial precise.
- Lesson 1784 — Taylor's Theorem Statement and MotivationLesson 1785 — The Lagrange Form of the Remainder
- Technology
- Computer algebra systems become essential for k ≥ 3
- Lesson 1888 — Three or More Constraints
- telescoping series
- works the same way mathematically—when you write out the terms, consecutive terms cancel each other, and only the first few and last few terms remain.
- Lesson 684 — Telescoping SeriesLesson 1717 — Telescoping SeriesLesson 1729 — Telescoping SeriesLesson 1750 — Strategy: Choosing the Right Convergence Test
- Telescoping series clues
- Lesson 1730 — Mixed Examples: Known Series
- Temperature
- A city averages 70°F with 15° variation over a year (period = 365 days), warmest on day 200.
- Lesson 1022 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- Temperature change
- How fast is temperature rising right now?
- Lesson 1376 — Applications: Velocity and Other Rates
- Temperature function
- If `T(h) = 68 - 2h` represents temperature in degrees Fahrenheit as a function of hours after noon, then:
- Lesson 546 — Function Evaluation in ContextLesson 577 — Zeros and Intercepts
- Temporal ODE
- $T'(t) + \alpha^2 \lambda T(t) = 0$
- Lesson 2419 — The Method of Separation of VariablesLesson 2447 — Separating Variables in the Heat Equation
- Tens place
- (the left digit) — tells you how many groups of 10
- Lesson 3 — Understanding Place Value: Ones and TensLesson 4 — Place Value: HundredsLesson 7 — Rounding to the Nearest Ten and Hundred
- term
- is a single part of an expression separated by `+` or `−` signs.
- Lesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 312 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 318 — What is a Polynomial? Terms and Like TermsLesson 1703 — Definition of a Sequence and Notation
- Terms
- `5x`, `2y`, and `−8` (three terms)
- Lesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 310 — What is a Polynomial?Lesson 318 — What is a Polynomial? Terms and Like Terms
- Terms below were extracted from bolded phrases in lesson content. Click a lesson reference to jump
- Test
- Compute ∂Q/∂x and ∂P/∂y
- Lesson 1988 — Testing for Conservative Fields: Cross-Partial Test in ℝ²Lesson 2336 — Strategy Guide: Choosing the Right Solution MethodLesson 2939 — Independence via Joint and Marginal Distributions
- Test critical points
- Use the First or Second Derivative Test to confirm it's a maximum
- Lesson 1513 — Cost and Revenue Optimization
- Test for exactness
- The equation $M\,dx + N\,dy = 0$ is exact if and only if:
- Lesson 2328 — Exact Differential Equations: Definition and Test
- Test for linear independence
- using the matrix test you learned earlier
- Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning Set
- Test intervals
- These critical values divide the number line into intervals.
- Lesson 1499 — Finding Intervals of Concavity
- Test Nearby Points
- Lesson 1868 — Inconclusive Cases and Further Analysis
- Test specific points
- Pick a value of *x* in your interval and evaluate both functions.
- Lesson 1645 — Identifying Top and Bottom Functions
- test statistic
- is a single number computed from your sample data that measures how far your data deviates from what H₀ predicts.
- Lesson 3020 — Introduction to Hypothesis TestingLesson 3022 — Test Statistics and P-valuesLesson 3026 — Two-Tailed z-TestsLesson 3028 — z-Test for ProportionsLesson 3029 — Two-Sample z-TestsLesson 3037 — Two-Sample t-Test: Independent Samples with Equal Variances
- Test the absolute series
- Use any convergence test that works with non-negative terms:
- Lesson 1757 — The Absolute Convergence Test
- Test type
- one-tailed or two-tailed
- Lesson 3035 — Calculating the t-Statistic and Finding Critical Values
- Testing invertibility
- If `det(A) = 0`, you immediately know A is not invertible (singular)
- Lesson 2165 — Determinant and Matrix Rank
- Their combinations become manageable
- Complex-looking terms unravel into limits you can actually evaluate
- Lesson 1748 — Series with Factorials and Exponentials
- Then
- `F'(x) = f(x)` for every `x` in `(a, b)`.
- Lesson 1567 — The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Part 1Lesson 1737 — Direct Comparison Test: Proving DivergenceLesson 1742 — The Ratio Test: Statement and LogicLesson 2394 — Second Shifting Theorem and Unit Step FunctionLesson 2491 — Direct Proof: Basic Structure
- Then divide by 2
- (undo the multiplication)
- Lesson 202 — Combining Addition/Subtraction with Multiplication/Division
- Then separately
- examine the boundary circle x² + y² = 1 (often using substitution or Lagrange multipliers, which you'll learn later)
- Lesson 1869 — Boundary Considerations for Optimization
- Theorem
- A bipartite graph G = (X ∪ Y, E) has a matching that covers all of X (a perfect matching from X to Y) **if and only if** Hall's condition holds.
- Lesson 2700 — Hall's Marriage Theorem
- Theoretical insights
- This connects matrix products to geometric scaling in a clean way
- Lesson 2159 — Determinant of a Product
- there.
- Therefore
- Lesson 2185 — The Trace and Determinant via Characteristic PolynomialLesson 2491 — Direct Proof: Basic Structure
- thermal diffusivity
- .
- Lesson 2416 — Introduction to the Heat EquationLesson 2425 — Physical Interpretation and Decay Rates
- Thermodynamics
- Minimize energy subject to entropy and volume constraints
- Lesson 1890 — Application: Optimization in Physics and Engineering
- They match
- the value equals the limit: *f(a)* equals the limit
- Lesson 576 — Continuity of FunctionsLesson 1817 — Continuity at a Point
- Thickness
- An infinitesimally small width (we'll use dx or dy)
- Lesson 1653 — Volume of Revolution: Introduction and Disk Method ConceptLesson 1654 — Disk Method: Rotation About the x-axisLesson 1659 — Washer Method: Rotation About the x-axisLesson 1664 — Introduction to the Shell Method
- Think binomial
- If the true median equals M₀, then each observation has probability 0.
- Lesson 3104 — Sign Test for Median
- Think of it as
- For each possible outcome pair \((x, y)\), you measure how far each is from its mean, multiply those deviations together, weight by the joint probability, and sum everything up.
- Lesson 2948 — Computing Covariance from Joint Distributions
- Third column
- Get a 1 in position (3,3) and zeros above it
- Lesson 1305 — Row Reduction to Find Inverses of 3×3 Matrices
- Third Law (Harmonic Law)
- The square of a planet's orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis length (the value *a* in your ellipse equation).
- Lesson 1184 — Planetary Orbits and Kepler's Laws
- third position
- , you have **(n-1) choices** (any remaining book)
- Lesson 2579 — Counting Permutations of n Distinct ObjectsLesson 2580 — Permutations of n Objects Taken r at a Time
- Third quartile
- Q₃ (75th percentile): Solve F(x) = 0.
- Lesson 2849 — Percentiles and Quantiles from the CDF
- Third term times everything
- Multiply *3* by each of the three terms: *3·x*, *3·1*, *3·4*
- Lesson 329 — Multiplying Two Trinomials
- This is Bayes' Theorem
- Lesson 2814 — Deriving Bayes' Theorem
- This is constrained optimization
- finding extreme values of a function *f(x, y)* subject to a constraint equation *g(x, y) = c*.
- Lesson 1873 — Optimization Problems with Constraints
- Three angles
- the right angle (always 90°) and the two acute angles
- Lesson 957 — What Does 'Solving a Right Triangle' Mean?
- Three common approaches
- Lesson 1546 — Approximating Area Under a Curve with Rectangles
- three conditions
- on the interval [1, ∞):
- Lesson 1731 — The Integral Test: Statement and ConditionsLesson 2078 — Subspaces: Definition and Subspace Test
- three dimensions
- .
- Lesson 1808 — Level Surfaces for Functions of Three VariablesLesson 2437 — Basic Solutions in Cartesian Coordinates
- three or more
- categories?
- Lesson 2609 — From Binomial to Multinomial CoefficientsLesson 3093 — Introduction to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- three terms
- `7y`, `−2`, and `4z`
- Lesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 391 — Mixed Practice: Identifying Special FormsLesson 2608 — Multinomial Theorem Preview via Trinomial Expansion
- three variables
- (x, y, and z), everything moves into **three-dimensional space**.
- Lesson 293 — Visualizing Three-Variable SystemsLesson 1840 — Higher-Dimensional Linear Approximation
- Three vectors
- (not all on the same plane) span **all of R³**
- Lesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³
- three-dimensional wave equation
- is:
- Lesson 2434 — The Three-Dimensional Wave EquationLesson 2435 — Applications: Vibrating Strings, Membranes, and Sound
- Three-term cubes or sums/differences
- Possibly sum or difference of cubes
- Lesson 341 — Recognizing Special Products in Context
- Three+ independent groups
- Kruskal-Wallis Test
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- Tides
- If high tide is 12 feet at noon, low tide is 4 feet, and the cycle repeats every 12 hours, you'd use:
- Lesson 1022 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- time constant
- it tells you how fast the circuit decays.
- Lesson 2327 — Applications: RC Circuits and DecayLesson 2425 — Physical Interpretation and Decay Rates
- Time on a clock
- Hours modulo 12 creates a quotient set with 12 equivalence classes
- Lesson 2558 — Applications and Quotient Sets
- Time-consuming
- Drawing accurate graphs takes effort
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- Time-dependent boundary conditions
- Lesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- Timing attacks
- Measuring how long decryption takes can leak information about `d`.
- Lesson 2770 — Security and Practical Considerations
- To condense (combine)
- Lesson 621 — The Product Rule for Logarithms
- To expand (break apart)
- Lesson 621 — The Product Rule for Logarithms
- To find earlier terms
- Lesson 652 — Finding Terms Using the Common Difference
- To find f(1)
- Since 1 < 2, use the first formula: f(1) = 1 + 3 = 4
- Lesson 545 — Evaluating Piecewise-Defined Functions
- To find f(2)
- Since 2 ≥ 2 (the boundary belongs to the second piece), use the second formula: f(2) = 2² - 1 = 4 - 1 = 3
- Lesson 545 — Evaluating Piecewise-Defined Functions
- To find f(5)
- Since 5 ≥ 2, use the second formula: f(5) = 5² - 1 = 25 - 1 = 24
- Lesson 545 — Evaluating Piecewise-Defined Functions
- TOA
- **T**angent = **O**pposite / **A**djacent.
- Lesson 954 — Finding Side Lengths Using TangentLesson 970 — Using SOH-CAH-TOA with Depression Angles
- Tossing two coins
- Lesson 2772 — Sample Spaces: The Set of All Possible Outcomes
- Total
- 24 + 14.
- Lesson 871 — Composite Figures with Circles and SemicirclesLesson 3044 — Chi-Squared Test for Independence
- Total approximation
- = 0 + 1 + 4 = 5 square units
- Lesson 1546 — Approximating Area Under a Curve with Rectangles
- Total Area
- = |∫ₐᶜ f(x) dx| + |∫ᶜᵇ f(x) dx|
- Lesson 1573 — Area and Signed AreaLesson 1650 — Area Enclosed by Intersecting CurvesLesson 1651 — Applications: Net vs Total AreaLesson 2839 — Graphical Interpretation of PDFs
- Total arrangements
- 1 × 1 × 6 = **6 ways**
- Lesson 2582 — Permutations with Restrictions: Fixed Positions
- total energy
- at time $t$ as:
- Lesson 2432 — Energy Conservation in Wave MotionLesson 2465 — Parseval's Theorem
- Total interest paid
- = \(n \cdot P - L\) (total paid minus the principal).
- Lesson 689 — Loan Amortization
- total mass
- M of the rod.
- Lesson 1700 — Center of Mass for One-Dimensional SystemsLesson 1932 — Applications: Density and Total MassLesson 1954 — Mass and Density FunctionsLesson 1958 — Center of Mass in Two DimensionsLesson 1959 — Center of Mass in Three Dimensions
- Total probability equals 1
- The sum of *p*(*x*) over all possible values equals 1
- Lesson 2832 — Introduction to Probability Mass Functions (PMFs)
- Total probability is 1
- ∫∫ f(x,y) dx dy = 1 (integrating over all possible values)
- Lesson 2928 — Joint Probability Distributions: Continuous Case
- total surface area
- combines all three pieces:
- Lesson 888 — Surface Area of CylindersLesson 889 — Surface Area of PyramidsLesson 890 — Surface Area of Cones
- Total work
- = 1 complete job (usually)
- Lesson 468 — Applications of Adding and Subtracting RationalsLesson 1695 — Pumping Liquids from Tanks
- Touch or point
- – Make sure you count each object exactly once
- Lesson 1 — Counting Objects from 1 to 10
- trace
- is the curve you get when you slice a surface with a plane parallel to a coordinate plane.
- Lesson 1799 — Cylindrical Surfaces and TracesLesson 2188 — Using the Characteristic Polynomial in Practice
- Trace from the left
- Follow the curve as x approaches a from values less than a.
- Lesson 1322 — Estimating Limits from Graphs
- Trace from the right
- Follow the curve as x approaches a from values greater than a.
- Lesson 1322 — Estimating Limits from Graphs
- Trace the outer boundary
- Imagine walking around the outside of the figure with your finger.
- Lesson 870 — Perimeter of Composite Figures
- Traces
- work the same way for mathematical surfaces: they're the curves you get when you hold one variable constant and let the others vary.
- Lesson 1809 — Traces and Cross-Sections
- Trade-off
- Reducing Type I errors often increases Type II errors (failing to detect real effects).
- Lesson 3052 — Type I Error: False Positives
- Trail
- A walk in which *no edge is repeated* (but vertices may repeat).
- Lesson 2657 — Walks, Trails, and Paths
- Transcendental functions
- (exponentials, logarithms, trig): anticipate their characteristic growth/decay patterns and periodic behavior
- Lesson 1526 — Sketching Complex Functions
- transform
- the difference into a quotient using algebra:
- Lesson 1532 — Indeterminate Differences: ∞ - ∞Lesson 1600 — Powers of Sine and Cosine: Odd Powers
- Transform back
- **x(t) = Py(t)** gives the solution in original coordinates
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- Transform each equation
- Apply the Laplace transform to every equation in your system, using the transforms of derivatives you already know (from lesson 2391).
- Lesson 2397 — Solving Systems of ODEs with Laplace Transforms
- Transform the matrix
- D = P ¹AP is A represented in the eigenvector basis
- Lesson 2258 — Applications: Diagonalization via Change of Basis
- transformation
- is a rule or mapping that takes every point in a geometric figure and moves it to a new location in the plane.
- Lesson 921 — Introduction to Geometric TransformationsLesson 1945 — Transformations and the Jacobian Matrix
- Transient solution
- Ce^(-ax) (decays exponentially if a > 0)
- Lesson 2325 — Linear ODEs with Constant CoefficientsLesson 2371 — Forced Harmonic Motion and Resonance
- Transition matrices compose naturally
- If you change from basis B to C, then from C to D, the combined effect is the same as a single transition from B to D.
- Lesson 2253 — Properties of Transition Matrices
- transitive
- if whenever one element relates to a second, and that second relates to a third, then the first must also relate directly to the third.
- Lesson 2545 — Transitive RelationsLesson 2546 — Combining Properties: Partial OrdersLesson 2549 — Inverse RelationsLesson 2550 — Definition of Equivalence RelationsLesson 2551 — Verifying Equivalence RelationsLesson 2556 — Partitions Induce Equivalence RelationsLesson 2557 — Congruence Modulo nLesson 2731 — Equivalence Classes in Modular Arithmetic
- Transitivity
- Lesson 2550 — Definition of Equivalence RelationsLesson 2709 — Divisibility: Definition and Basic Properties
- Translate
- words into an equation with radicals
- Lesson 529 — Word Problems Involving Radical EquationsLesson 936 — Dilations Centered at Points Other Than the OriginLesson 938 — Combining Rotations and Dilations with Other TransformationsLesson 974 — Setting Up Right Triangle Problems from Word Descriptions
- Translate back
- Reverse the first translation by adding h back to x-coordinates and k back to y-coordinates.
- Lesson 932 — Rotations About Points Other Than the OriginLesson 936 — Dilations Centered at Points Other Than the Origin
- Translate the hypothesis
- *n* is even means *n = 2k* for some integer *k*.
- Lesson 2492 — Direct Proof: Working with Definitions
- Translate to the origin
- Move the center of rotation to (0, 0) by shifting the entire figure.
- Lesson 932 — Rotations About Points Other Than the Origin
- Translation
- Sliding a figure in any direction without rotating or flipping it.
- Lesson 724 — Congruence TransformationsLesson 922 — Translations in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 924 — Properties of TranslationsLesson 1733 — Estimating Remainders with the Integral TestLesson 2415 — Physical Interpretation and ModelingLesson 2864 — Moment Generating Functions (MGFs)
- Translation (adding a constant)
- If you add any constant *b* to every outcome, the variance stays exactly the same: **Var(X + b) = Var(X)**
- Lesson 2859 — Properties of Variance: Scaling and Translation
- Translation doesn't affect spread
- Think of test scores: if everyone gets 5 bonus points, the average shifts up by 5, but the *spread* between scores stays identical.
- Lesson 2859 — Properties of Variance: Scaling and Translation
- Translations
- – Sliding every point the same distance in the same direction
- Lesson 939 — Introduction to Rigid Motions (Isometries)Lesson 941 — Congruence Through Rigid Motions
- Transportation
- A bridge (cut edge) connects two landmasses; destroying it isolates them.
- Lesson 2661 — Cut Vertices and Cut Edges
- transpose
- of a matrix is a new matrix created by exchanging the rows and columns of the original matrix.
- Lesson 1279 — The Transpose of a MatrixLesson 2102 — The Transpose of a Matrix
- transversal
- is simply a line that intersects (crosses) two or more other lines at distinct points.
- Lesson 713 — Introduction to TransversalsLesson 714 — Corresponding Angles
- transverse axis
- (the axis along which the hyperbola opens).
- Lesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and FociLesson 1169 — The Transverse and Conjugate AxesLesson 1172 — Hyperbolas with Horizontal vs Vertical Transverse Axes
- Trapezoidal Rule
- Lesson 1681 — Numerical Approximation of Arc Length
- Traveling in opposite directions
- (combined rates add)
- Lesson 484 — Distance-Rate-Time and Mixture Problems
- Traveling Salesman Problem
- finding the shortest Hamiltonian cycle in a weighted graph where vertices represent cities and edge weights represent distances.
- Lesson 2688 — Applications: Traveling Salesman Problem and DNA Sequencing
- Treat each transversal separately
- Apply the angle relationships you know (corresponding angles are equal, alternate interior angles are equal, same-side interior angles are supplementary, etc.
- Lesson 720 — Parallel Lines Cut by Multiple Transversals
- Treating f(x) as Multiplication
- Lesson 547 — Common Function Notation Mistakes
- tree
- is a connected graph that contains no cycles.
- Lesson 2668 — Definition and Properties of TreesLesson 2696 — Coloring Special Graphs
- tree diagram
- approach still applies: draw branches from `w` to each intermediate variable (`x`, `y`, `z`), then from each of those to the independent variables (`s`, `t`).
- Lesson 1857 — Chain Rule with Three or More VariablesLesson 2796 — Sequential Experiments and Tree Diagrams
- Trends
- Residuals gradually increasing or decreasing over time
- Lesson 3090 — Checking for Independence: Residual Sequence Plots
- Trial and Error
- Test different factor combinations of both a and c until the middle term checks out
- Lesson 368 — Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficient Greater Than 1Lesson 373 — Applications and Strategy Selection for Trinomial Factoring
- Triangle 1
- From point A, you measure an angle of elevation to the cliff top.
- Lesson 980 — Two Right Triangle Problems and Indirect MeasurementLesson 1124 — Solving for Two Possible Triangles
- Triangle 2
- Move to point B (closer or farther).
- Lesson 980 — Two Right Triangle Problems and Indirect MeasurementLesson 1124 — Solving for Two Possible Triangles
- Triangle Angle Sum Theorem
- .
- Lesson 732 — Triangle Angle Sum TheoremLesson 733 — Exterior Angle TheoremLesson 807 — Interior Angles of a Triangle
- triangle inequality
- for norms
- Lesson 2204 — The Cauchy-Schwarz InequalityLesson 2205 — The Triangle Inequality
- Triangle Inequality Theorem
- states that *the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side*.
- Lesson 737 — Triangle Inequality Theorem
- Triangular
- (upper or lower, when diagonalization isn't possible)
- Lesson 2257 — Finding Convenient Bases
- triangular matrix
- (upper triangular or lower triangular), the determinant equals simply the **product of the diagonal entries**.
- Lesson 2154 — Determinant of Triangular MatricesLesson 2174 — Eigenvalues of Triangular Matrices
- Trigonometric Functions
- sin(x), cos(x), and tan(x) are continuous on their domains.
- Lesson 1354 — Continuity of Elementary FunctionsLesson 1646 — Finding Intersection Points
- Trigonometric Identities
- If your derivative involves trig functions, use identities like `1 + tan²θ = sec²θ` to simplify under the radical.
- Lesson 1680 — Simplifying Arc Length Integrals
- Trigonometric substitution
- solves this problem by exploiting Pythagorean identities.
- Lesson 1611 — Introduction to Trigonometric SubstitutionLesson 1612 — The Three Standard FormsLesson 1620 — Applications and Strategy SelectionLesson 1677 — Arc Length with Radical and Rational Functions
- Trinomial squared
- (a + b + c)² → extended square formula
- Lesson 341 — Recognizing Special Products in Context
- triple integral
- ∭ f(x,y,z)dV accumulates values throughout a solid region in space (3D)
- Lesson 1922 — Introduction to Triple IntegralsLesson 1932 — Applications: Density and Total Mass
- Triple integrals
- take this one step further: they integrate functions over three-dimensional regions in space.
- Lesson 1922 — Introduction to Triple IntegralsLesson 1923 — Setting Up Triple Integrals over Rectangular Boxes
- true
- , shade the side containing that test point.
- Lesson 300 — Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two VariablesLesson 525 — Checking for Extraneous SolutionsLesson 2468 — Propositions and Truth ValuesLesson 2469 — Logical NegationLesson 2470 — Conjunction (AND)Lesson 2471 — Disjunction (OR)Lesson 2473 — Biconditional Statements (If and Only If)Lesson 2479 — Predicates and Propositional Functions (+1 more)
- Try the Integral Test
- if the function is continuous, positive, and decreasing
- Lesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is Inconclusive
- twice
- to reduce the system down to something you can solve.
- Lesson 295 — Choosing Strategic Pairs for EliminationLesson 432 — Using the Discriminant to Predict InterceptsLesson 1593 — Polynomial Times Trigonometric FunctionsLesson 2650 — Degree of a Vertex and the Handshaking Lemma
- Twin Prime Conjecture
- states there are infinitely many such pairs.
- Lesson 2729 — Special Primes: Mersenne, Fermat, and Twin Primes
- Twin primes
- are pairs of primes that differ by 2: (3,5), (5,7), (11,13), (17,19), (29,31).
- Lesson 2729 — Special Primes: Mersenne, Fermat, and Twin Primes
- two
- inputs: an `x` value and a `y` value
- Lesson 543 — Function Notation with Multiple VariablesLesson 1884 — The Method with Two ConstraintsLesson 2433 — The Two-Dimensional Wave EquationLesson 2449 — Solving the Temporal ODELesson 2609 — From Binomial to Multinomial Coefficients
- Two columns
- Lesson 763 — Two-Column Proof Format
- two complex solutions
- (involving imaginary numbers) because you cannot take the square root of a negative number in the real number system.
- Lesson 416 — The Discriminant: b² - 4acLesson 417 — Interpreting Discriminant Values
- Two independent groups
- Mann-Whitney U Test
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- Two intersecting lines
- Lesson 1134 — Degenerate Cases
- Two main problem types
- Lesson 1447 — Applications and Implicit Differentiation Problems
- two numbers
- (or infinity symbols) separated by a comma, surrounded by brackets or parentheses:
- Lesson 222 — Interval Notation for SolutionsLesson 227 — Solving Basic Absolute Value EquationsLesson 2905 — Parameters: Mean and Standard Deviation
- two or more
- other variables simultaneously.
- Lesson 126 — Joint VariationLesson 2775 — Simple Events vs Compound Events
- Two paired samples
- Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
- Lesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- Two parallel lines
- Lesson 1134 — Degenerate Cases
- Two secants
- Each secant intercepts two points, creating two arcs.
- Lesson 841 — Angles Formed by Secants and Tangents Outside
- two separate equations
- Lesson 227 — Solving Basic Absolute Value EquationsLesson 228 — Absolute Value Equations with Expressions
- two solutions
- x = 5 and x = −5.
- Lesson 393 — Solving x² = c by Square RootsLesson 414 — Solving Quadratics When a ≠ 1Lesson 920 — Intersection of Lines and Circles
- Two tangents
- Each tangent intercepts one point.
- Lesson 841 — Angles Formed by Secants and Tangents Outside
- two terms
- `3x` and `5`
- Lesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 391 — Mixed Practice: Identifying Special Forms
- Two triangles
- The opposite side is long enough to "overshoot" and create two valid configurations
- Lesson 1096 — The SSA Configuration IntroductionLesson 1122 — The Ambiguous Case with Acute AnglesLesson 1123 — Using the Height to Determine Triangle Existence
- Two vectors
- (not on the same line) span a **plane** through the origin
- Lesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³
- Two x-intercepts
- The parabola crosses the x-axis at two different points (the discriminant b² - 4ac > 0)
- Lesson 431 — x-Intercepts and Zeros of Quadratic Functions
- Two-way ANOVA without interaction
- lets you test both factors at once, under the assumption that each factor's effect is *additive* and independent.
- Lesson 3099 — Two-Way ANOVA Without Interaction
- Type 1 region
- in three dimensions is like a sandwich where the "bread slices" are surfaces that depend on x and y.
- Lesson 1924 — Type 1 Regions: z Between Functions of x and yLesson 1930 — Volume as a Triple Integral
- Type I
- (vertically simple): bounded by x = a to x = b, and y = g₁(x) to y = g₂(x)
- Lesson 1911 — Volume Under Surfaces over General Regions
- Type I (vertically simple)
- regions where vertical slices were easiest.
- Lesson 1903 — Type II Regions: Horizontally Simple RegionsLesson 1904 — Setting Up Integrals for Triangular RegionsLesson 1905 — Changing the Order of IntegrationLesson 1908 — Evaluating Double Integrals over General Regions
- Type I error
- occurs when we reject the null hypothesis even though it's actually true.
- Lesson 3052 — Type I Error: False Positives
- Type I Error (α)
- Rejecting a true null hypothesis (false positive)
- Lesson 3054 — The Relationship Between Type I and Type II Errors
- Type I region
- (or **vertically simple region**) is one where:
- Lesson 1902 — Type I Regions: Vertically Simple RegionsLesson 1906 — Regions Bounded by CurvesLesson 1907 — Finding Limits from Graphs and InequalitiesLesson 1910 — Applications: Area of General RegionsLesson 1911 — Volume Under Surfaces over General Regions
- Type II
- (horizontally simple): bounded by y = c to y = d, and x = h₁(y) to x = h₂(y)
- Lesson 1911 — Volume Under Surfaces over General Regions
- Type II (Horizontally Simple)
- For each fixed y-value, x ranges from a left boundary to a right boundary.
- Lesson 1904 — Setting Up Integrals for Triangular RegionsLesson 1905 — Changing the Order of IntegrationLesson 1908 — Evaluating Double Integrals over General Regions
- Type II error
- occurs when we **fail to reject the null hypothesis when it is actually false**.
- Lesson 3053 — Type II Error: False Negatives
- Type II Error (β)
- Failing to reject a false null hypothesis (false negative)
- Lesson 3054 — The Relationship Between Type I and Type II ErrorsLesson 3056 — Introduction to Statistical Power
- Type II region
- is called **horizontally simple** when you can describe it by:
- Lesson 1903 — Type II Regions: Horizontally Simple RegionsLesson 1906 — Regions Bounded by CurvesLesson 1907 — Finding Limits from Graphs and InequalitiesLesson 1910 — Applications: Area of General Regions
- Typical scenario
- You want the height of a cliff, but there's a lake in the way.
- Lesson 980 — Two Right Triangle Problems and Indirect Measurement
U
- u
- } by normalizing each vector:
- Lesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2225 — Why Gram-Schmidt Works: The ProofLesson 2230 — Orthogonal Projection onto a Subspace
- u
- } is an orthonormal basis and you want to express vector **v** in this basis, the coordinates are simply:
- Lesson 2212 — Orthonormal BasesLesson 2219 — Motivation for Orthonormal BasesLesson 2273 — Spectral Decomposition
- U_k
- and **V_k** contain only the first *k* columns.
- Lesson 2290 — Applications of SVD: Image Compression and Noise Reduction
- u₁
- = (3, 0)
- Lesson 2221 — Gram-Schmidt in ℝ²: First ExampleLesson 2222 — Gram-Schmidt in ℝ³: Complete ExampleLesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2230 — Orthogonal Projection onto a SubspaceLesson 2273 — Spectral Decomposition
- u₂
- = (2, 4)
- Lesson 2221 — Gram-Schmidt in ℝ²: First ExampleLesson 2222 — Gram-Schmidt in ℝ³: Complete ExampleLesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2230 — Orthogonal Projection onto a SubspaceLesson 2273 — Spectral Decomposition
- uᵢ
- is simply:
- Lesson 2214 — Coordinates with Respect to Orthonormal BasesLesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2273 — Spectral Decomposition
- unbiased
- if its expected value equals the true parameter.
- Lesson 2999 — Properties of Good EstimatorsLesson 3000 — Sample Mean and Variance as Estimators
- Uncountable values
- Between any two values of a continuous random variable, there are infinitely many other possible values.
- Lesson 2825 — Continuous Random Variables: Definition and Examples
- Undefined
- Line is vertical |
- Lesson 246 — Positive, Negative, Zero, and Undefined SlopesLesson 250 — Slope and Direction of LinesLesson 443 — Evaluating Rational ExpressionsLesson 1009 — Reciprocal Trigonometric Functions: Secant, Cosecant, CotangentLesson 1456 — Horizontal and Vertical TangentsLesson 1543 — The Special Case: Antiderivative of 1/x
- Undefined slope
- Vertical lines are infinitely steep—steeper than any line with a defined numerical slope
- Lesson 249 — Comparing Steepness Using SlopeLesson 263 — Horizontal and Vertical LinesLesson 270 — Special Cases: Horizontal and Vertical Lines
- Underdamped
- (Δ < 0, complex conjugate roots)
- Lesson 2347 — Applications: Free Oscillations and Damped Motion
- Understand behavior differences
- One function might grow faster than another
- Lesson 542 — Working with Multiple Functions
- Understanding behavior
- The eigenvector basis reveals the "natural directions" along which A acts independently
- Lesson 2258 — Applications: Diagonalization via Change of Basis
- Understanding restrictions
- If a function isn't one-to-one, its reflection won't pass the vertical line test, confirming it has no inverse
- Lesson 565 — Graphs of Inverse Functions
- Undetermined coefficients
- is your power drill: fast, efficient, but limited.
- Lesson 2367 — Comparing Methods: When to Use Variation of Parameters
- Undirected
- The connection goes both ways (like mutual friendship)
- Lesson 2647 — What is a Graph? Vertices and Edges
- Undo addition/subtraction first
- (get rid of the constant term)
- Lesson 220 — Solving Multi-Step Linear Inequalities
- Undo multiplication/division next
- Lesson 220 — Solving Multi-Step Linear Inequalities
- Uniform convergence
- is stronger: the series converges to f(x) *equally well* across the entire interval, with no "bad spots" where convergence is slow or fails.
- Lesson 2460 — Convergence of Fourier Series
- Unilaterally connected
- For every pair of vertices u and v, there's a directed path from u to v *or* from v to u (or both), but not necessarily both ways.
- Lesson 2665 — Weakly Connected Digraphs
- union
- (combination) of both sets—any value that satisfies *at least one* of the inequalities.
- Lesson 232 — Solving 'Or' Compound InequalitiesLesson 2524 — Union of SetsLesson 2529 — Laws of Set OperationsLesson 2620 — Counting with At Least One Property
- Union ( )
- The event "A or B" occurs when *at least one* of the events happens
- Lesson 2777 — Operations on Events: Union and Intersection
- unique
- .
- Lesson 2244 — Uniqueness and Existence of QR DecompositionLesson 2295 — The Cholesky DecompositionLesson 2306 — Existence and Uniqueness TheoremsLesson 2346 — Existence and Uniqueness for Second-Order ODEsLesson 2710 — Division AlgorithmLesson 2724 — Unique Factorization: Statement of the Theorem
- Unique divisibility
- If a relatively prime pair both divide some number n, then their product must also divide n.
- Lesson 2718 — Relatively Prime Integers
- Unique path property
- – There's exactly one path between any two vertices
- Lesson 2668 — Definition and Properties of Trees
- unique solution
- by calculating ratios of determinants.
- Lesson 1317 — Cramer's RuleLesson 2074 — Applications to Solutions of Linear SystemsLesson 2124 — Solving Systems Using RREFLesson 2125 — Recognizing Inconsistent and Dependent SystemsLesson 2137 — Applications to System SolvabilityLesson 2346 — Existence and Uniqueness for Second-Order ODEs
- Unique solutions
- means the transformation **A** is reversible—you can always work backward
- Lesson 2144 — The Invertible Matrix Theorem
- Uniqueness
- Suppose v = w₁ + w₁ ⊥ = w₂ + w₂ ⊥.
- Lesson 2217 — Decomposition into Orthogonal SubspacesLesson 2412 — Well-Posed Problems: Existence, Uniqueness, StabilityLesson 2488 — Uniqueness Quantifier and ApplicationsLesson 2724 — Unique Factorization: Statement of the TheoremLesson 2753 — The Chinese Remainder Theorem StatementLesson 2864 — Moment Generating Functions (MGFs)
- unit circle
- is simply a circle with a radius of exactly 1 unit, centered at the origin (0, 0) of the coordinate plane.
- Lesson 991 — Defining the Unit CircleLesson 1011 — Applications: Angles of Any Measure in Problems
- unit rate
- is a special kind of rate where the second quantity is exactly 1.
- Lesson 110 — Unit RatesLesson 111 — Comparing Rates to Make DecisionsLesson 252 — Slope in Real- World Applications
- unit vector
- is simply a vector with magnitude (length) of exactly 1.
- Lesson 1239 — Unit Vector Notation: i, j, and kLesson 1249 — Unit Vectors and NormalizationLesson 1259 — Vector Projection FormulaLesson 1843 — Directional Derivatives: Motivation and DefinitionLesson 1849 — Directional Derivatives in Non-Unit DirectionsLesson 2054 — Unit Vectors and Normalization
- Units
- Density has units like kg/m² (2D) or kg/m³ (3D), so integrating gives total mass in kg.
- Lesson 1954 — Mass and Density FunctionsLesson 2738 — Complete and Reduced Residue SystemsLesson 3064 — Interpreting Slope and Intercept
- Universal form
- "For all x in domain D, if P(x), then Q(x)"
- Lesson 2489 — Structure of Mathematical Statements
- Unknown
- `w = ?
- Lesson 193 — Perimeter and Area Word ProblemsLesson 3016 — Confidence Interval for the Difference of Two MeansLesson 3034 — One-Sample t-Test: Testing a Population Mean
- Unlike radicals
- Lesson 506 — Identifying Like and Unlike Radicals
- Unpredictability
- – You cannot predict the exact outcome in advance
- Lesson 2771 — What is a Random Experiment?
- Unreliable interpretation
- Can't trust which variables truly matter
- Lesson 3080 — Multicollinearity: Detection and Consequences
- unstable
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and DynamicsLesson 2383 — Phase Portraits and Stability Analysis
- Unstable coefficients
- Small changes in data can produce wildly different estimates
- Lesson 3080 — Multicollinearity: Detection and Consequences
- Unstable node
- Both eigenvalues positive → all trajectories move away from equilibrium
- Lesson 2383 — Phase Portraits and Stability Analysis
- Unstable spiral
- Real part α > 0 → trajectories spiral outward
- Lesson 2383 — Phase Portraits and Stability Analysis
- up
- , you multiply all parts of a ratio by the same number to make them bigger.
- Lesson 118 — Scaling Up and DownLesson 239 — Plotting Points on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 578 — Vertical Shifts of FunctionsLesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical Shift
- Upper Sum
- U = Σ M_i · Δx, where M_i is the maximum value of *f* on the *i*-th subinterval
- Lesson 1554 — Upper and Lower Sums
- Upper sums
- use the **maximum** function value on each subinterval as the rectangle height, guaranteeing an overestimate (assuming a positive function).
- Lesson 1554 — Upper and Lower Sums
- Upper triangular
- matrices have zeros below the diagonal; **lower triangular** matrices have zeros above it.
- Lesson 1295 — Determinants of Special MatricesLesson 2154 — Determinant of Triangular Matrices
- upward
- (focus above vertex)
- Lesson 1145 — Standard Form: Vertex at Origin, Vertical AxisLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1501 — The Second Derivative Test for Local Extrema
- Urban Planning
- Analyzing pedestrian flow and designing efficient inspection routes for infrastructure (like checking every bridge or road segment) relies on Eulerian path concepts.
- Lesson 2682 — Applications of Eulerian Paths: The Königsberg Bridge Problem
- Use addition or subtraction
- to move variable terms to one side
- Lesson 203 — Equations with Variables on One SideLesson 221 — Inequalities with Variables on Both Sides
- Use congruence when
- Lesson 729 — Distinguishing Congruence from Similarity
- Use constraints
- (given conditions) to reduce everything to one variable
- Lesson 1511 — Box and Container Optimization
- Use context
- If you're minimizing cost, the smallest function value wins.
- Lesson 1891 — Verifying and Interpreting Solutions
- Use Contradiction when
- Lesson 2500 — Choosing the Right Proof Method
- Use Contrapositive when
- Lesson 2500 — Choosing the Right Proof Method
- Use correct postulates
- Match your given information to SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, or HL
- Lesson 748 — Writing Two-Column Congruence Proofs
- Use Direct Comparison
- if you can match it to a known series
- Lesson 1744 — When the Ratio Test is Inconclusive
- Use direct proof techniques
- to show ¬P must follow
- Lesson 2495 — Proof by Contrapositive: Method and Strategy
- Use Direct Proof when
- Lesson 2500 — Choosing the Right Proof Method
- Use fact families
- 3 × 9 = 27, 9 × 3 = 27, 27 ÷ 3 = 9, 27 ÷ 9 = 3 all belong together.
- Lesson 25 — Division Facts and Basic Division Fluency
- Use Form 1
- when you only know cos θ and need to work with squares.
- Lesson 1070 — Half Angle Formula for Tangent
- Use Green's Theorem when
- Lesson 1997 — Using Green's Theorem to Evaluate Line Integrals
- Use Higher-Order Derivatives
- Lesson 1868 — Inconclusive Cases and Further Analysis
- Use integration by parts
- for products like x·eˣ or x·ln(x) without radicals.
- Lesson 1620 — Applications and Strategy Selection
- Use invariant subspaces
- If certain subspaces map to themselves, choose basis vectors adapted to that structure.
- Lesson 2257 — Finding Convenient Bases
- Use known values
- (√2/2)(√3/2) − (√2/2)(1/2)
- Lesson 1055 — Evaluating Non-Standard Angles Using Sum Formulas
- Use logarithm properties
- to break down products, quotients, and powers
- Lesson 1463 — Logarithmic Differentiation with Radicals
- Use multiplication or division
- to isolate the variable
- Lesson 203 — Equations with Variables on One Side
- Use normal parameters
- Approximate *X* with a normal distribution having:
- Lesson 2985 — Approximating Binomial Distributions
- Use other proof techniques
- Combine with previously proven theorems (like vertical angles, linear pairs, or angle addition)
- Lesson 771 — Proving Properties of Parallel Lines
- Use periodicity
- to identify if that solution repeats within your interval
- Lesson 1082 — Finding All Solutions in an Interval
- Use point-slope form
- with the new slope and the given point to write your equation
- Lesson 268 — Writing Equations of Perpendicular LinesLesson 1468 — Normal Lines to Curves
- Use polar coordinates when
- Lesson 1920 — Choosing Between Rectangular and Polar
- Use rectangular coordinates when
- Lesson 1920 — Choosing Between Rectangular and Polar
- Use row operations
- to create zeros in all positions directly below it
- Lesson 2108 — Forward Elimination ProcessLesson 2121 — Converting REF to RREF
- Use similarity
- The sun's rays create similar triangles (AA criterion—both have a right angle and share the sun's angle)
- Lesson 761 — Applications and Proofs with Similar Triangles
- Use similarity when
- Lesson 729 — Distinguishing Congruence from Similarity
- Use special triangle values
- Calculate cos and sin of the reference angle using your knowledge from the first quadrant (30-60- 90 and 45-45-90 triangles).
- Lesson 997 — Fourth Quadrant Points
- Use standard tables
- All your probability calculations can reference a single Z-table instead of infinite possible normal distributions
- Lesson 2907 — Standardization and Z-Scores
- Use subtraction strategically
- Sometimes it's faster to find the area of a large simple shape and subtract cut-out regions rather than add many small positive areas together.
- Lesson 874 — Optimizing Composite Figure Problems
- Use symmetry
- if the integrand has rotational symmetry in θ, that integral becomes just 2π
- Lesson 1942 — Evaluating Triple Integrals Using Spherical Coordinates
- Use the distance formula
- d = √[(x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)²]
- Lesson 1482 — Distance and Position Related Rates
- Use the linear approximation
- to predict values near your known point
- Lesson 1474 — Tangent Line Approximation in Applied Problems
- Use the power rule
- to bring down the exponent:
- Lesson 631 — Using Logarithms to Solve Exponential Equations
- Use the quotient property
- if you have a fraction under the radical
- Lesson 504 — Combining Simplification Techniques
- Use the reference angle
- to find the "base" coordinates as if you were in quadrant I
- Lesson 995 — Second Quadrant Points
- Use the smaller U
- to find your p-value from tables or approximations
- Lesson 3106 — Mann-Whitney U Test (Wilcoxon Rank-Sum)
- Use this angle
- with your right triangle and SOH-CAH-TOA
- Lesson 976 — Angles of Depression: Definition and Setup
- Use trigonometric identities
- for integrals like sin³(x)cos²(x) that don't involve algebraic radicals.
- Lesson 1620 — Applications and Strategy Selection
- Use u-substitution
- if you spot an inner function whose derivative appears nearby (it's faster and simpler).
- Lesson 1620 — Applications and Strategy Selection
- Using ASA or AAS
- Surveyors use angle measurements from known distances to map terrain.
- Lesson 751 — Applications: Constructing Congruent Figures
- Using colons
- Lesson 114 — What is a Proportion?
- Using derivatives
- Treat b as a function f(x) and compute f'(x).
- Lesson 1753 — Verifying Conditions for the Alternating Series Test
- Using HL
- For right-angled structures (like corner braces), measuring just the hypotenuse and one leg ensures you can build a congruent duplicate.
- Lesson 751 — Applications: Constructing Congruent Figures
- Using identities
- that expand the domain or change restrictions
- Lesson 1091 — Extraneous Solutions and Verification
- Using Method 2
- The denominator becomes `(x + 2)/x`, so:
- Lesson 472 — Complex Fractions with Single-Variable Expressions
- Using SAS
- To duplicate a triangular roof truss, measure two beams and the angle between them.
- Lesson 751 — Applications: Constructing Congruent Figures
- Using SSS
- If you know all three side lengths of a triangular garden bed, you can recreate an identical bed elsewhere by cutting three boards to the exact same lengths and assembling them.
- Lesson 751 — Applications: Constructing Congruent Figures
- Using the 360° Property
- If you have multiple arcs making up the entire circle:
- Lesson 844 — Arc Addition and Subtraction
V
- v
- vᵢ**⟩ = ⟨**0**, **v ᵢ**⟩ = 0
- Lesson 2210 — Orthogonal Sets of VectorsLesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2225 — Why Gram-Schmidt Works: The Proof
- v
- and scalars c₁, c₂, .
- Lesson 2055 — What is a Linear Combination?Lesson 2059 — The Span of a Set of VectorsLesson 2060 — Determining if a Vector is in a Span
- V = (1/3)Bh
- Lesson 880 — Volume of Pyramids
- V = (1/3)πr²h
- Lesson 881 — Volume of Cones
- V_k
- contain only the first *k* columns.
- Lesson 2290 — Applications of SVD: Image Compression and Noise Reduction
- V^T
- is the transpose of an n×n orthogonal matrix (columns of V are orthonormal eigenvectors of A^TA)
- Lesson 2280 — What is the Singular Value Decomposition?Lesson 2281 — Geometric Interpretation of SVDLesson 2285 — Reduced and Full SVD
- v₁
- , **v₂**, .
- Lesson 2055 — What is a Linear Combination?Lesson 2057 — Computing Linear Combinations in R³ and BeyondLesson 2059 — The Span of a Set of VectorsLesson 2060 — Determining if a Vector is in a SpanLesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³Lesson 2068 — Testing Linear Independence in R³Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning SetLesson 2191 — Constructing P and D from Eigenvectors (+4 more)
- v₁, v₂, ..., v
- are linearly independent if the only solution to the equation
- Lesson 2065 — Definition of Linear IndependenceLesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear IndependenceLesson 2081 — Column Space and Null SpaceLesson 2163 — Determinants and Linear Independence
- v₂
- , .
- Lesson 2055 — What is a Linear Combination?Lesson 2057 — Computing Linear Combinations in R³ and BeyondLesson 2059 — The Span of a Set of VectorsLesson 2060 — Determining if a Vector is in a SpanLesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³Lesson 2068 — Testing Linear Independence in R³Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning SetLesson 2191 — Constructing P and D from Eigenvectors (+4 more)
- v₃
- = ⟨0, 1, -1⟩.
- Lesson 2057 — Computing Linear Combinations in R³ and BeyondLesson 2062 — Geometric Span in R³: Lines, Planes, and All of R³Lesson 2068 — Testing Linear Independence in R³Lesson 2089 — Finding a Basis from a Spanning SetLesson 2222 — Gram-Schmidt in ℝ³: Complete Example
- Validation
- Check assumptions through residual diagnostics before trusting conclusions
- Lesson 3102 — ANOVA Applications and Experimental Design
- Value from reference
- sin(30°) = 1/2
- Lesson 1005 — Evaluating Trig Functions for Angles Greater than 90°
- Values between
- Indicate the strength and direction of linear association
- Lesson 2952 — Properties of Correlation
- Var(aX) = a²Var(X)
- Lesson 2859 — Properties of Variance: Scaling and Translation
- Var(X) = np(1-p)
- , derived by viewing X as a sum of independent Bernoulli trials.
- Lesson 2877 — Expectation and Variance of Binomial Distribution
- Var(X) = α/β²
- Lesson 2918 — Properties of the Gamma Distribution
- Variability in the data
- More noise makes real signals harder to detect
- Lesson 3053 — Type II Error: False Negatives
- variable
- is a symbol (usually a letter) that stands in for a number we don't know yet or a number that can change.
- Lesson 169 — What is a Variable?Lesson 170 — Writing Expressions with VariablesLesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 310 — What is a Polynomial?
- Variable Bases and Exponents
- Lesson 1458 — When to Use Logarithmic Differentiation
- Variable coefficients
- At least one of `P(x)` or `Q(x)` depends on `x` (like `y'' + xy' + y = 0`)
- Lesson 2337 — Form and Classification of Second-Order Linear ODEsLesson 2455 — Limitations and Extensions of the Method
- Variable density
- The density function captures how mass is distributed—higher values mean more mass concentrated there.
- Lesson 1954 — Mass and Density Functions
- Variables
- `x` and `y`
- Lesson 171 — Terms, Coefficients, and ConstantsLesson 176 — Exponents in Variable ExpressionsLesson 2479 — Predicates and Propositional Functions
- Variables in denominators
- – Dividing by a variable is forbidden
- Lesson 311 — Identifying Polynomials vs Non-Polynomials
- Variance
- measures this spread.
- Lesson 2856 — Variance: Definition and InterpretationLesson 2858 — Standard DeviationLesson 2861 — Higher Moments: Skewness and KurtosisLesson 2886 — Mean and Variance of the Hypergeometric DistributionLesson 2891 — Mean and Variance of the Poisson DistributionLesson 2897 — Applications of the Uniform DistributionLesson 2900 — Mean and Variance of Exponential DistributionsLesson 2920 — Properties and Applications of the Beta Distribution (+6 more)
- Variance Inflation Factor
- quantifies how much the variance of a regression coefficient is inflated due to multicollinearity.
- Lesson 3080 — Multicollinearity: Detection and Consequences
- Variance testing
- Tests hypotheses about population variance, since (n-1)s²/σ² ~ χ²(n-1)
- Lesson 2922 — Properties and Applications of Chi-Squared
- Variances scale with squares
- The new variance is *a²* times the first variance plus *b²* times the second variance (because variance scales with the square of constants)
- Lesson 2912 — Linear Combinations of Normal Variables
- variation of parameters
- , a universal method that works for *any* continuous function on the right-hand side and any homogeneous solution you can find—no guessing required.
- Lesson 2359 — Motivation and Limitations of Undetermined CoefficientsLesson 2360 — The Variation of Parameters Formula for Second-Order ODEsLesson 2365 — Handling Logarithmic and Rational Forcing FunctionsLesson 2367 — Comparing Methods: When to Use Variation of Parameters
- vector
- that:
- Lesson 1212 — Geometric Interpretation of SubtractionLesson 1235 — Introduction to Vectors: Magnitude and DirectionLesson 1841 — The Gradient Vector: Definition and NotationLesson 2007 — The Curl of a Vector FieldLesson 2046 — Vectors as Ordered Lists of Numbers
- Vector decomposition
- lets you separate any vector into these two components relative to another direction.
- Lesson 1260 — Decomposing Vectors into Components
- vector field
- at every point (x, y), there's a corresponding gradient vector.
- Lesson 1842 — Computing Gradient VectorsLesson 1963 — Introduction to Vector FieldsLesson 1964 — Component Functions of Vector Fields
- vector projection
- of vector **u** onto vector **v** tells us how much of **u** lies in the direction of **v**.
- Lesson 1259 — Vector Projection FormulaLesson 1260 — Decomposing Vectors into ComponentsLesson 1268 — Component of Force Along a Direction
- vector space
- .
- Lesson 2050 — Algebraic Properties of Vector OperationsLesson 2075 — Definition of a Vector Space
- Velocity
- 60 mph northbound on a highway (not just speed)
- Lesson 1235 — Introduction to Vectors: Magnitude and DirectionLesson 1265 — Velocity and Displacement VectorsLesson 1376 — Applications: Velocity and Other RatesLesson 1428 — Applications: Rates of Change in Oscillatory MotionLesson 1545 — Applications: Position from Velocity, Velocity from Acceleration
- Velocity vector
- Shows both *speed and direction* of motion.
- Lesson 1265 — Velocity and Displacement Vectors
- Velocity with resistance
- An object falls or moves through air/water where resistance is proportional to velocity.
- Lesson 2317 — Applications: Mixing and Velocity Problems
- Venn diagram
- is a visual tool that uses overlapping circles (or other shapes) to show how sets relate to each other.
- Lesson 2527 — Venn Diagrams: Two Sets
- Verification
- If you substitute `y = y_h + y_p` into the original ODE:
- Lesson 2348 — Non-Homogeneous ODEs: Structure of SolutionsLesson 2669 — Counting Vertices and Edges in TreesLesson 2757 — Solving Two-Congruence Systems
- Verification and alternative paths
- Sometimes computing flux directly is hard, but converting to a volume integral via divergence is easy—or vice versa with Stokes' converting circulation to surface curl.
- Lesson 2045 — Combining with Stokes' Theorem and Applications
- Verification Problems
- Given three measurements (like fence posts, property boundaries, or garden edges), you can use the converse: calculate whether a² + b² = c².
- Lesson 790 — Applications of Triples and the Converse
- Verify
- by checking that the middle term matches.
- Lesson 365 — Trial and Error Method for Factoring TrinomialsLesson 941 — Congruence Through Rigid MotionsLesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix EquationsLesson 1511 — Box and Container OptimizationLesson 1753 — Verifying Conditions for the Alternating Series TestLesson 2742 — Verifying Fermat's Little Theorem with ExamplesLesson 2930 — Conditional Distributions: Discrete Case
- Verify continuity
- Confirm that f is continuous on [a, b]
- Lesson 1357 — Using the IVT to Show Roots Exist
- Verify each one
- Plug *y = c* back into the original ODE.
- Lesson 2314 — Losing Solutions Through Division
- Verify equality
- Check that all three pairs of corresponding sides are congruent
- Lesson 741 — SSS (Side-Side-Side) Congruence Postulate
- Verify it's a maximum
- (optional): check the second derivative is negative
- Lesson 3005 — Finding MLEs by Differentiation
- Verify it's a minimum
- Use the first or second derivative test
- Lesson 1510 — Geometric Optimization: Minimizing Perimeter
- Verify the minimum
- using the first or second derivative test
- Lesson 1512 — Distance Optimization Problems
- Verify when possible
- check that your answer makes sense (e.
- Lesson 2158 — Practice: Mixed Determinant Computation
- Verify x = 2
- Lesson 421 — Verifying Solutions by Substitution
- Verify x = 3
- Lesson 421 — Verifying Solutions by Substitution
- Verify Your Answer
- Lesson 1516 — Applied Optimization Strategy
- Verifying
- the theorem means computing both sides separately and checking they give the same answer.
- Lesson 2028 — Verifying Stokes' Theorem on Simple Surfaces
- Vertex
- `(50, 5000)`.
- Lesson 410 — Applications and Problem SolvingLesson 422 — Parabola Basics: Shape and OrientationLesson 423 — Vertex Form of a Quadratic FunctionLesson 433 — Key Features Summary and Complete GraphingLesson 434 — Projectile Motion: Height and TimeLesson 436 — Revenue and Profit MaximizationLesson 594 — The Absolute Value FunctionLesson 703 — Measuring Angles and Angle Notation (+6 more)
- Vertex and directrix
- Another way to describe the same information
- Lesson 1152 — Finding Equations from Geometric Information
- Vertex and focus
- This tells you where the parabola sits and which way it opens
- Lesson 1152 — Finding Equations from Geometric Information
- vertex connectivity
- (denoted κ(G)) of a connected graph G is the minimum number of vertices that must be removed to either:
- Lesson 2662 — Vertex ConnectivityLesson 2663 — Edge ConnectivityLesson 2666 — Menger's TheoremLesson 2667 — Applications of Connectivity
- Vertex form
- `y = a(x - h)² + k` reveals this instantly—the vertex sits at the point `(h, k)`.
- Lesson 406 — Converting to Vertex FormLesson 407 — Finding the Vertex by Completing the SquareLesson 410 — Applications and Problem SolvingLesson 423 — Vertex Form of a Quadratic FunctionLesson 424 — Finding the Vertex from Vertex FormLesson 425 — The Axis of SymmetryLesson 427 — Graphing Parabolas in Vertex Form
- Vertex Version
- Lesson 2666 — Menger's Theorem
- Vertex: (4, 6)
- Lesson 302 — Vertices of the Feasible Region
- Vertical
- Clearer for complex polynomials with many terms; reduces alignment errors
- Lesson 323 — Subtracting Polynomials Horizontally and VerticallyLesson 491 — Graphing Rational Functions with AsymptotesLesson 1171 — Graphing Hyperbolas Centered at the OriginLesson 1172 — Hyperbolas with Horizontal vs Vertical Transverse AxesLesson 1456 — Horizontal and Vertical TangentsLesson 1468 — Normal Lines to Curves
- Vertical and horizontal lines
- are perpendicular to each other.
- Lesson 268 — Writing Equations of Perpendicular Lines
- Vertical angles
- are the pairs of angles that sit directly opposite each other—across the intersection point, not next to each other.
- Lesson 709 — Vertical AnglesLesson 718 — Using Angle Relationships to Find Measures
- vertical asymptote
- is an invisible vertical line that a rational function approaches but never touches or crosses.
- Lesson 486 — Vertical AsymptotesLesson 576 — Continuity of FunctionsLesson 1327 — Infinite Limits and Vertical Asymptotes
- Vertical asymptotes
- create breaks—x-values where the function doesn't exist
- Lesson 493 — Domain and Range from GraphsLesson 494 — Applications of Rational FunctionsLesson 552 — Domain from GraphsLesson 1023 — Graphing the Tangent FunctionLesson 1025 — Transformations of Tangent: Phase Shift and Vertical ShiftLesson 1026 — Graphing the Cotangent FunctionLesson 1028 — Graphing the Secant FunctionLesson 1030 — Graphing the Cosecant Function (+4 more)
- vertical axis
- (y-axis) represents the **imaginary part**
- Lesson 1207 — Complex Numbers as Points in the PlaneLesson 1208 — The Argand DiagramLesson 3084 — Residual Plots: Fitted Values vs. Residuals
- Vertical axis (imaginary axis)
- represents the imaginary part of the complex number
- Lesson 1192 — Plotting Complex Numbers on the Complex Plane
- Vertical hyperbola
- (opens up/down): vertices at (h, k ± a)
- Lesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and FociLesson 1169 — The Transverse and Conjugate AxesLesson 1170 — Asymptotes of a Hyperbola
- vertical leg
- (running parallel to the y-axis)
- Lesson 779 — Right Triangles on the Coordinate PlaneLesson 903 — Distance Formula in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 968 — Drawing Diagrams for Angle ProblemsLesson 975 — Angles of Elevation: Definition and SetupLesson 978 — Finding Distances Using Angles of Depression
- vertical line
- has undefined slope because there's no run—you can't move left or right.
- Lesson 246 — Positive, Negative, Zero, and Undefined SlopesLesson 425 — The Axis of SymmetryLesson 1662 — Rotation About Vertical Lines x = h
- Vertical major axis
- `x²/b² + y²/a² = 1` (where a > b)
- Lesson 1158 — Graphing Ellipses Centered at the OriginLesson 1162 — Finding the Equation from Given Information
- Vertical parabolas
- Lesson 1151 — Graphing Parabolas from Standard Form
- vertical shells
- .
- Lesson 1666 — Revolving Around the y-axisLesson 1669 — Revolving Around Horizontal Lines (y = k)
- vertical shift
- (up or down) changes the y-coordinate
- Lesson 922 — Translations in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + DLesson 1031 — Transformations of CosecantLesson 1039 — Vertical Shift: D Parameter
- Vertical Shift (D)
- The midline or average value (e.
- Lesson 1022 — Applications: Modeling Periodic PhenomenaLesson 1031 — Transformations of CosecantLesson 1042 — Applications: Modeling Periodic Phenomena
- Vertical Shift = D
- The midline moves to y = D instead of y = 0
- Lesson 1019 — Combined Transformations: y = A·sin(B(x - C)) + D
- Vertical shifts
- (these happen "outside" the function)
- Lesson 584 — Combining Multiple TransformationsLesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under TransformationLesson 589 — Inverse Relationships in Transformations
- vertical stretch
- (amplitude-like factor) and reflection
- Lesson 1031 — Transformations of CosecantLesson 1033 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretch and Compression
- Vertical Stretch (A)
- Multiplying by A stretches the branches of cosecant vertically away from the sine curve it wraps around.
- Lesson 1031 — Transformations of Cosecant
- Vertical stretches/compressions
- Lesson 584 — Combining Multiple TransformationsLesson 587 — Even and Odd Functions Under TransformationLesson 589 — Inverse Relationships in Transformations
- vertical stretching
- (if |A| > 1) or **vertical compression** (if 0 < |A| < 1).
- Lesson 1015 — Amplitude: Vertical Stretching with y = A·sin(x)Lesson 1024 — Transformations of Tangent: Period and Vertical Stretch
- Vertical tangent lines
- These occur where the curve goes straight up or down for an instant — like a cliff face.
- Lesson 1467 — Horizontal and Vertical Tangent Lines
- Vertical tangents
- occur when the slope is **undefined**: the denominator of dy/dx = 0 (but the numerator ≠ 0)
- Lesson 1456 — Horizontal and Vertical TangentsLesson 1467 — Horizontal and Vertical Tangent Lines
- Vertical traces
- (fix y = 0): \(z = x^2\) is a parabola opening upward
- Lesson 1809 — Traces and Cross-Sections
- Vertical transverse axis
- Lesson 1173 — Writing Equations from Given InformationLesson 1174 — Hyperbolas Centered at (h, k)
- vertically
- .
- Lesson 578 — Vertical Shifts of FunctionsLesson 1148 — Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k): Vertical AxisLesson 1172 — Hyperbolas with Horizontal vs Vertical Transverse AxesLesson 1649 — Choosing Vertical vs Horizontal SlicingLesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axis
- vertices
- (corner points) of this polygon are critically important because, in optimization problems, the best solutions typically occur at these corners.
- Lesson 302 — Vertices of the Feasible RegionLesson 306 — The Corner Point TheoremLesson 725 — Corresponding Parts of Congruent FiguresLesson 1156 — Parts of an Ellipse: Vertices, Co-vertices, and FociLesson 1168 — Components of a Hyperbola: Center, Vertices, and FociLesson 1174 — Hyperbolas Centered at (h, k)Lesson 2647 — What is a Graph? Vertices and Edges
- Vertices (nodes)
- for each element in the set(s)
- Lesson 2541 — Representing Relations: Matrices and DigraphsLesson 2704 — Networks and Flows: Definitions and Notation
- vᵢ
- , **vⱼ**⟩ = 0 whenever i ≠ j
- Lesson 2210 — Orthogonal Sets of VectorsLesson 2211 — Orthogonal BasesLesson 2223 — Normalizing to Obtain an Orthonormal BasisLesson 2225 — Why Gram-Schmidt Works: The ProofLesson 2380 — Eigenvalue Method for 2×2 Systems: Real Distinct Eigenvalues
- VIF
- measures how much a predictor's variance is "inflated" due to correlation with other predictors.
- Lesson 3091 — Multicollinearity Diagnostics
- Visual clarity
- You can literally *see* where lines intersect
- Lesson 281 — Comparing Graphing and Substitution Methods
- Visual verification
- You can quickly check if two complex numbers are conjugates by seeing if they're mirror images across the real axis.
- Lesson 1213 — Complex Conjugates on the Plane
- Visualize
- the clockwise rotation from the positive x-axis
- Lesson 1007 — Negative Angles and Trigonometric ValuesLesson 2302 — Solutions and Solution Curves
- Voltage across the capacitor
- *V_C = Q/C* (stores charge, like a compressed spring)
- Lesson 2372 — RLC Circuits: Kirchhoff's Laws and the Governing ODE
- Voltage across the inductor
- *V_L = L·(dI/dt)* (resists changes in current, like mass resisting acceleration)
- Lesson 2372 — RLC Circuits: Kirchhoff's Laws and the Governing ODE
- Voltage across the resistor
- *V_R = R·I* (proportional to current, like friction)
- Lesson 2372 — RLC Circuits: Kirchhoff's Laws and the Governing ODE
- Volume
- is the amount of three-dimensional space that an object occupies or contains.
- Lesson 875 — Volume Concept and Cubic UnitsLesson 1290 — What is a Determinant?Lesson 1659 — Washer Method: Rotation About the x-axisLesson 1690 — Comparing Surface Area and Volume CalculationsLesson 1901 — Applications: Volume Under a SurfaceLesson 1922 — Introduction to Triple IntegralsLesson 1930 — Volume as a Triple Integral
- Volume (Disk Method)
- Lesson 1690 — Comparing Surface Area and Volume Calculations
- Volume element
- dS adapts naturally: for a cylinder, dS = a dθ dz (the "a" comes from the radius stretching the arc length).
- Lesson 2025 — Surface Integrals in Different Coordinate Systems
- Volume of one disk
- π × (radius)² × thickness
- Lesson 1653 — Volume of Revolution: Introduction and Disk Method ConceptLesson 1654 — Disk Method: Rotation About the x-axis
W
- W ⁺
- , the sum of ranks for positive differences.
- Lesson 3105 — Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test (read "W perp"), is the set of *all* vectors in **V** that are orthogonal to *every* vector in **W**. Lesson 2215 — Orthogonal ComplementsLesson 2216 — Properties of Orthogonal ComplementsLesson 2233 — Orthogonal Complement and Direct Sum Decomposition
- W = W(y₁, y₂)
- is the Wronskian.
- Lesson 2360 — The Variation of Parameters Formula for Second-Order ODEs
- Waiting time problems
- If you've flipped a coin 10 times without heads, the expected number of *additional* flips until heads is the same as if you just started: 1/p flips.
- Lesson 2883 — Memoryless Property and Applications
- Walk
- Any sequence of vertices where each consecutive pair is connected by an edge.
- Lesson 2657 — Walks, Trails, and Paths
- washer
- is simply a disk with a hole punched out of the center.
- Lesson 1657 — Washer Method: Introduction and SetupLesson 1663 — Choosing Between Disk and Washer Methods
- washer method
- comes in.
- Lesson 1657 — Washer Method: Introduction and SetupLesson 1659 — Washer Method: Rotation About the x-axisLesson 1661 — Rotation About Horizontal Lines y = kLesson 1663 — Choosing Between Disk and Washer Methods
- Watch for constant bounds
- that make integration easier (common with θ from 0 to 2π)
- Lesson 1937 — Evaluating Triple Integrals Using Cylindrical Coordinates
- Watch for opposites
- Sometimes you'll see `(a - b)` and `(b - a)` — these are opposites and need special handling (later!
- Lesson 377 — Identifying the Common Binomial Factor
- Watch for the cycle
- Notice when your original integral reappears
- Lesson 1597 — Cyclic Integration by Parts
- Watch the signs carefully
- The equation shows **(x - h)** and **(y - k)**, so:
- Lesson 917 — Finding Center and Radius from Circle Equations
- Wave propagation
- in strings, membranes, and electromagnetic fields
- Lesson 2408 — What is a Partial Differential Equation?
- Weak Law
- For any given large $n$, the sample mean is *probably* close to $\mu$
- Lesson 2973 — Strong Law of Large Numbers: Statement
- weighted average
- the point "leans" toward whichever endpoint has the larger ratio number.
- Lesson 908 — Partitioning Segments with RatiosLesson 2852 — Definition of Expectation (Mean) for Discrete Random VariablesLesson 3115 — Conjugate Priors: Normal-Normal Model
- Weighted average temperature
- Integrate temperature weighted by area
- Lesson 2018 — Surface Integrals of Scalar Functions
- Welch-Satterthwaite approximation
- Lesson 3038 — Two-Sample t-Test: Welch's Test for Unequal Variances
- Welch's t-test
- solves this by *not pooling* the sample variances.
- Lesson 3038 — Two-Sample t-Test: Welch's Test for Unequal Variances
- Well-Ordering → Induction
- Suppose P(0) holds and P(k) → P(k+1) for all k, but P doesn't hold for all n.
- Lesson 2519 — Equivalence of Induction and Well-Ordering
- Well-Ordering Principle
- states: *Every nonempty set of positive integers has a least element.
- Lesson 2517 — The Well-Ordering PrincipleLesson 2518 — Proofs Using Well-Ordering
- What
- that maximum or minimum value is (it's `k`)
- Lesson 410 — Applications and Problem SolvingLesson 929 — Composition of Translations and Reflections
- What function
- f(x) tells you which function to examine
- Lesson 1320 — Limit Notation and Reading Limits
- What Gram-Schmidt does
- Lesson 2225 — Why Gram-Schmidt Works: The Proof
- What happens
- Lesson 580 — Vertical Stretches and CompressionsLesson 759 — Parallel Lines and Triangle SimilarityLesson 1320 — Limit Notation and Reading Limits
- What input value
- x→ a tells you which point to approach
- Lesson 1320 — Limit Notation and Reading Limits
- What to do
- Don't automatically delete influential points—investigate *why* they're unusual.
- Lesson 3088 — Cook's Distance and Influence Measures
- What to look for
- Lesson 3086 — Normal Probability Plots (Q-Q Plots)
- What you know immediately
- Lesson 2274 — Eigenspaces and Multiplicity for Symmetric Matrices
- What's the probability
- of any one specific arrangement?
- Lesson 2875 — Binomial Probability Mass Function
- When |B| > 1
- The coefficient is larger, making the function cycle *faster*.
- Lesson 1035 — Period: Horizontal Stretch and Compression
- When decimals suffice
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- When gcd = 1
- If gcd(*a*, *b*) = 1, we say *a* and *b* are **relatively prime** or **coprime**
- Lesson 2711 — Greatest Common Divisor (GCD): Definition
- When it works
- You need $np_0 \geq 10$ and $n(1-p_0) \geq 10$ for the normal approximation to be valid.
- Lesson 3028 — z-Test for Proportions
- When n is composite
- φ(n) gives us the right exponent to make a^φ(n) ≡ 1 (mod n)
- Lesson 2748 — Statement of Euler's Theorem
- When n is prime
- φ(n) = n - 1, so Euler's Theorem reduces exactly to Fermat's Little Theorem
- Lesson 2748 — Statement of Euler's Theorem
- When rationalization is preferred
- Lesson 521 — Applications and When Not to Rationalize
- When to reconsider
- If your substitution leads to an integral messier than the original, backtrack and try a different *u*.
- Lesson 1589 — Practice Problems and Strategy
- When to use
- You have reliable prior knowledge, want to incorporate expert opinion, or are working with limited new data.
- Lesson 3118 — Prior Elicitation and Informative vs. Noninformative Priors
- Where are the asymptotes
- Lesson 1030 — Graphing the Cosecant Function
- Where arrows converge
- Often indicates local minima (arrows point inward) or maxima (arrows point outward)
- Lesson 1850 — Gradient Fields and Visualization
- Where your model struggles
- Which observations are hardest to predict
- Lesson 3083 — What Are Residuals?
- Whether assumptions hold
- Patterns in residuals can reveal problems (non-linearity, unequal variance, outliers)
- Lesson 3083 — What Are Residuals?
- Whispering galleries
- Elliptical domes in buildings where whispers carry across large distances
- Lesson 1165 — Reflective Property of EllipsesLesson 1187 — Real-World Conic Applications Review
- Why
- Think of integration as moving *from* `a` *to* `b`.
- Lesson 1560 — Properties of Definite Integrals: IntervalsLesson 1815 — Using Polar Coordinates to Evaluate LimitsLesson 2145 — Inverses of Products and TransposesLesson 2157 — Determinant of Special MatricesLesson 2227 — Numerical Stability and Modified Gram-SchmidtLesson 2577 — Advanced Pigeonhole Arguments and Ramsey TheoryLesson 2580 — Permutations of n Objects Taken r at a TimeLesson 2663 — Edge Connectivity (+1 more)
- Why does this matter
- At an ordinary point, we're *guaranteed* that a power series solution exists and converges in some neighborhood around $x_0$.
- Lesson 2399 — Power Series Solutions: Introduction and Ordinary Points
- Why does this work
- Recall that a triangular matrix already has zeros either above or below the diagonal.
- Lesson 2174 — Eigenvalues of Triangular Matrices
- Why it works
- Each row corresponds to one round of integration by parts.
- Lesson 1596 — Tabular IntegrationLesson 2067 — Testing Linear Independence in R²Lesson 2142 — The Gauss-Jordan Method for Finding InversesLesson 2225 — Why Gram-Schmidt Works: The ProofLesson 2857 — Computing Variance Using the Shortcut Formula
- Why the wider interval
- Because 2x runs *twice as fast* as x, you must solve over [0, 4π) for the multiple angle to capture all solutions in [0, 2π) for x.
- Lesson 1084 — Equations with Multiple Angles
- Why this works
- Recall that the derivative of ln(u) is 1/u · u'.
- Lesson 1627 — Integrating Partial Fractions with Linear TermsLesson 1833 — Equation of a Tangent Plane
- Why uniqueness matters
- Suppose two different matrices **B** and **C** both acted as inverses to **A**.
- Lesson 2139 — Properties of Invertible Matrices
- Width
- Larger |a| makes the parabola narrower; smaller |a| makes it wider.
- Lesson 423 — Vertex Form of a Quadratic FunctionLesson 1552 — Sigma Notation for Riemann Sums
- Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
- builds on the sign test by incorporating not just the *direction* of differences, but also their *magnitude*.
- Lesson 3105 — Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
- Wind/Current vector
- The push from external forces (wind for planes, water current for boats)
- Lesson 1266 — Navigation Problems: Heading and Course
- With binomials in numerators
- Lesson 459 — Adding Rationals with Like Denominators
- With D
- For `y = sin(x) + 3`, the midline shifts up to `y = 3`
- Lesson 1039 — Vertical Shift: D Parameter
- With grouping
- Lesson 32 — Parentheses and Grouping Symbols
- With multiple terms
- Lesson 174 — The Distributive Property with Variables
- With negative terms
- Lesson 1197 — Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
- With preprocessing
- Lesson 1464 — Combining Logarithm Properties Before Differentiating
- With the Product Rule
- Lesson 1415 — Chain Rule with Product and Quotient Rules
- With the Quotient Rule
- Lesson 1415 — Chain Rule with Product and Quotient Rules
- With variables
- ∛(x⁷) = ∛(x⁶ · x) = ∛(x⁶) · ∛x = x²∛x
- Lesson 501 — Higher-Order Radicals: Cube Roots and Beyond
- Within-group variation
- How much do individual observations vary within each group?
- Lesson 3049 — One-Way ANOVA F Test IntroductionLesson 3093 — Introduction to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- Within-group variation (SSW)
- How much do individual scores vary *within* each method?
- Lesson 3095 — Between-Group and Within-Group Variation
- Without grouping
- Lesson 32 — Parentheses and Grouping Symbols
- Without preprocessing
- , you'd need the product rule, quotient rule, and chain rule all tangled together.
- Lesson 1464 — Combining Logarithm Properties Before Differentiating
- without replacement
- , where each item can be classified as a "success" or "failure.
- Lesson 2885 — Hypergeometric Probability FormulaLesson 2887 — Hypergeometric vs. Binomial: When to Use Each
- Work
- is the line integral of a force field **F** along a curve *C*:
- Lesson 1981 — Applications: Work and Circulation
- Work = 0
- around closed paths in conservative fields (like gravity)
- Lesson 1981 — Applications: Work and Circulation
- Work forward
- Substitute: *n² = (2k)² = 4k² = 2(2k²)*.
- Lesson 2492 — Direct Proof: Working with Definitions
- Work from outside in
- Lesson 1338 — Combining Multiple Limit Laws
- Work rate problems
- describe how fast tasks get completed when people or machines work together.
- Lesson 439 — Work and Mixture Rate Problems
- Work systematically
- – Apply the outer rule first, then handle the derivatives of the composite pieces.
- Lesson 1406 — Combining Product and Quotient Rules
- Working backward
- If angle XYZ = 50° and YW bisects it, you know angle XYW and angle WYZ are each 25°.
- Lesson 710 — Angle Bisectors
- Working Backwards
- Start from the answer you want and trace steps backward to understand what you need.
- Lesson 195 — Checking Solutions and Problem-Solving StrategiesLesson 585 — Writing Transformed Functions from Descriptions
- Wrapping a gift
- You need enough paper to cover all six faces of a rectangular box (a prism).
- Lesson 895 — Word Problems Involving Surface Area
- Write
- the resulting fraction
- Lesson 65 — Simplifying FractionsLesson 113 — Solving Rate ProblemsLesson 598 — Writing Functions as Piecewise DefinitionsLesson 1965 — Evaluating Vector Fields at Points
- Write a formula
- for that quantity using variables for dimensions
- Lesson 1511 — Box and Container Optimization
- Write an equation
- translate the relationships in the problem into math using that variable
- Lesson 189 — Writing Equations from Word ProblemsLesson 1479 — Related Rates with Triangles
- Write constraint inequalities
- These represent your limits—flour, sugar, time, plus *x* ≥ 0 and *y* ≥ 0 (you can't make negative treats!
- Lesson 308 — Applications: Maximization Problems
- Write down the expression
- Lesson 182 — Evaluating Expressions by Substitution
- Write equations
- from problem constraints
- Lesson 1318 — Applications: Real-World Matrix SystemsLesson 1516 — Applied Optimization Strategy
- Write expressions
- for related quantities using your variable
- Lesson 192 — Age Problems and Consecutive Integer ProblemsLesson 343 — Special Products in Word Problems
- Write relationships as expressions
- – use the problem's words to build algebraic expressions
- Lesson 400 — Applications and Word Problems
- Write the constraint equation
- (usually the volume you must maintain)
- Lesson 896 — Optimization Problems with Surface AreaLesson 1481 — Ladder and Shadow Problems
- Write the equation
- using `y = kx`
- Lesson 129 — Real-World Direct Variation ProblemsLesson 1478 — Related Rates with Rectangles and Squares
- Write the general solution
- as a linear combination of basis vectors
- Lesson 2170 — Finding Eigenvectors from Eigenvalues
- Write the objective function
- This is what you want to maximize.
- Lesson 308 — Applications: Maximization Problems
- Write the particular solution
- by plugging this specific *C* value back in
- Lesson 2311 — Initial Value Problems with Separable ODEsLesson 2324 — Initial Value Problems for Linear ODEs
- Write the proportion
- Set up an equation showing that one pair of corresponding sides has the same ratio as another pair
- Lesson 757 — Finding Missing Sides Using Similarity
- Write the ratio
- Lesson 727 — Scale Factor
- Write the solution
- as an ordered pair (x, y)
- Lesson 274 — Solving Systems by Graphing: Basic TechniqueLesson 2130 — The Null Space
- Write the solution set
- as expressions involving the parameters
- Lesson 1315 — Systems with Infinitely Many Solutions
- Write the tangent equation
- tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent
- Lesson 954 — Finding Side Lengths Using Tangent
- Write the volume formula
- for the shape.
- Lesson 1480 — Volume Related Rates: Spheres and ConesLesson 1484 — Water Tank and Fluid Flow Problems
- Write theoretical moments
- as functions of the parameters: E[X], E[X²], E[X³], etc.
- Lesson 3003 — Method of Moments for Multiple Parameters
- Write two equations
- – Translate each fact into mathematical form
- Lesson 282 — Application Problems Using Systems and Substitution
- Write what remains
- of each term inside the parentheses
- Lesson 360 — GCF with Four or More TermsLesson 445 — Simplifying by Canceling Common Factors
- Write your answer
- Lesson 14 — Adding and Subtracting with Larger Numbers
- Write your constraints
- – these are your minimum requirements ("at least 10 grams of protein," "no fewer than 3 workers," etc.
- Lesson 309 — Applications: Minimization Problems
- WRONG
- 2³ + 2⁴ = 2⁷
- Lesson 150 — Common Mistakes with Exponent RulesLesson 547 — Common Function Notation MistakesLesson 1398 — Why We Need the Product RuleLesson 1534 — Common Mistakes and When Not to Use L'Hôpital's RuleLesson 2809 — Common Misconceptions About IndependenceLesson 3019 — Interpreting Confidence Intervals Correctly
- Wrong coefficient
- Volume uses `π`, surface area uses `2π` (the circumference factor).
- Lesson 1690 — Comparing Surface Area and Volume Calculations
- Wronskian
- of two functions $y_1$ and $y_2$ is defined as:
- Lesson 2342 — Linear Independence and the WronskianLesson 2361 — Computing the WronskianLesson 2366 — Higher-Order ODEs and Variation of Parameters
X
- x̄
- .
- Lesson 3011 — Confidence Interval for a Population Mean (σ Known)Lesson 3035 — Calculating the t- Statistic and Finding Critical ValuesLesson 3036 — One-Sample t-Test: Confidence Intervals
- x (x² ≥ 0)
- means "For all real numbers x, x squared is non-negative.
- Lesson 2480 — The Universal Quantifier ( ∀)Lesson 2484 — Negating Quantified Statements
- x → ∞
- (x approaches positive infinity), we observe whether:
- Lesson 575 — End Behavior and Limits at InfinityLesson 1515 — Optimization on Open Intervals
- x < 0
- and positive for **x > 0**, confirming a concavity change at **(0, 0)**.
- Lesson 1500 — Inflection PointsLesson 1543 — The Special Case: Antiderivative of 1/x
- x = -2
- Lesson 394 — Solving Quadratics in Factored FormLesson 396 — Solving by Factoring: Simple Trinomials
- x = −3
- the equals sign stays put.
- Lesson 219 — The Multiplication/Division Sign RuleLesson 399 — Solving Special Forms: Perfect Square Trinomials
- x = 0
- .
- Lesson 1500 — Inflection PointsLesson 1774 — Maclaurin Series: Taylor Series at ZeroLesson 2069 — The Matrix Test for Linear Independence
- x = 2
- Lesson 609 — Solving Simple Exponential EquationsLesson 1327 — Infinite Limits and Vertical AsymptotesLesson 1527 — Indeterminate Forms 0/0 and ∞/∞Lesson 1668 — Revolving Around Vertical Lines (x = k)
- x = 3
- , OR
- Lesson 392 — Zero Product PropertyLesson 394 — Solving Quadratics in Factored FormLesson 425 — The Axis of SymmetryLesson 487 — Holes in Rational FunctionsLesson 609 — Solving Simple Exponential EquationsLesson 1312 — Back Substitution from Echelon Form
- x = 4
- Lesson 202 — Combining Addition/Subtraction with Multiplication/DivisionLesson 1316 — Solving with Matrix Inverses
- x = 5
- cm.
- Lesson 437 — Geometry: Pythagorean ApplicationsLesson 1668 — Revolving Around Vertical Lines (x = k)
- x = a
- , we:
- Lesson 1372 — The Concept of Instantaneous Rate of ChangeLesson 1693 — Work Done by a Variable ForceLesson 1700 — Center of Mass for One-Dimensional Systems
- X = A ⁻¹B
- Lesson 1307 — Using Inverses to Solve Matrix EquationsLesson 1308 — Applications of Inverse MatricesLesson 1316 — Solving with Matrix InversesLesson 2146 — Solving Systems Using Matrix Inverses
- x = b
- , the work done is:
- Lesson 1693 — Work Done by a Variable ForceLesson 1700 — Center of Mass for One-Dimensional Systems
- x > 0
- , confirming a concavity change at **(0, 0)**.
- Lesson 1500 — Inflection PointsLesson 1543 — The Special Case: Antiderivative of 1/x
- X ~ Binomial(n, p)
- (number of successes in n independent trials with success probability p):
- Lesson 2862 — Expectation and Variance in Common Distributions
- X ~ Geometric(p)
- (number of trials until first success):
- Lesson 2862 — Expectation and Variance in Common Distributions
- X̄ ~ N(μ, σ²/n)
- Lesson 2977 — Introduction to the Central Limit TheoremLesson 2979 — CLT for Independent Identically Distributed Variables
- X ~ N(μ₁, σ₁²)
- and **Y ~ N(μ₂, σ₂²)** are independent, then any linear combination **aX + bY** (where *a* and *b* are constants) is also normal:
- Lesson 2912 — Linear Combinations of Normal Variables
- X ~ Poisson(λ)
- (number of events in a fixed interval, where λ is the rate):
- Lesson 2862 — Expectation and Variance in Common Distributions
- x_{n+1} = Ax_n
- , where **A** is a fixed matrix and **n** represents the time step.
- Lesson 2179 — Applications: Steady States and DynamicsLesson 2199 — Applications of Diagonalization
- x_p
- is a particular solution.
- Lesson 2385 — Non-Homogeneous Systems: Variation of ParametersLesson 2386 — Non-Homogeneous Systems: Undetermined Coefficients
- x-axis
- is a horizontal number line that runs left and right across the page.
- Lesson 237 — The x-axis and y-axisLesson 238 — The Four QuadrantsLesson 583 — Reflections Across the y-axisLesson 584 — Combining Multiple TransformationsLesson 925 — Reflections Across the AxesLesson 1667 — Shell Method with Horizontal ShellsLesson 1671 — Shell Method with Functions of yLesson 1688 — Parametric Curves and Surface Area (+1 more)
- x-axis reflection
- (x, y) → (x, -y)
- Lesson 242 — Reflections and Symmetry in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 925 — Reflections Across the Axes
- x-coordinate
- – it shows horizontal position
- Lesson 236 — Understanding Ordered Pairs and CoordinatesLesson 1000 — Using the Unit Circle to Find Exact ValuesLesson 1020 — Comparing Sine and Cosine: The Phase RelationshipLesson 1062 — Proof and Geometric Interpretation of Sum FormulasLesson 1687 — Surface Area for Revolution Around y-axis
- x-intercepts
- of a parabola are the points where the graph touches or crosses the x-axis.
- Lesson 431 — x-Intercepts and Zeros of Quadratic FunctionsLesson 491 — Graphing Rational Functions with Asymptotes
- x'
- (t) = A**x**(t)
- Lesson 2378 — Introduction to Systems of Linear ODEsLesson 2380 — Eigenvalue Method for 2×2 Systems: Real Distinct EigenvaluesLesson 2382 — Repeated Eigenvalues and Generalized EigenvectorsLesson 2383 — Phase Portraits and Stability AnalysisLesson 2385 — Non-Homogeneous Systems: Variation of ParametersLesson 2386 — Non-Homogeneous Systems: Undetermined Coefficients
- X'X
- captures how your predictors relate to each other, while **X'Y** captures how they relate to the response.
- Lesson 3074 — Least Squares Estimation in Multiple Regression
- X'Y
- captures how they relate to the response.
- Lesson 3074 — Least Squares Estimation in Multiple Regression
- x₁
- (t) = e^(λt)**v**
- Lesson 2382 — Repeated Eigenvalues and Generalized EigenvectorsLesson 2384 — Fundamental Matrices and the Matrix Exponential
- x₂
- (t) = e^(λt)(t**v** + **w**)
- Lesson 2382 — Repeated Eigenvalues and Generalized EigenvectorsLesson 2384 — Fundamental Matrices and the Matrix Exponential
- X̃V
- and keep only the top *k* columns for dimensionality reduction
- Lesson 2289 — Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and SVD
Y
- Y ~ N(μ₂, σ₂²)
- are independent, then any linear combination **aX + bY** (where *a* and *b* are constants) is also normal:
- Lesson 2912 — Linear Combinations of Normal Variables
- y-axis
- is a vertical number line that runs up and down.
- Lesson 237 — The x-axis and y-axisLesson 238 — The Four QuadrantsLesson 583 — Reflections Across the y-axisLesson 925 — Reflections Across the AxesLesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axisLesson 1660 — Washer Method: Rotation About the y-axisLesson 1664 — Introduction to the Shell MethodLesson 1666 — Revolving Around the y-axis (+3 more)
- y-axis reflection
- (x, y) → (-x, y)
- Lesson 242 — Reflections and Symmetry in the Coordinate PlaneLesson 925 — Reflections Across the Axes
- y-axis symmetry
- the left side mirrors the right side perfectly.
- Lesson 569 — Even and Odd FunctionsLesson 1001 — Symmetry Properties of the Unit Circle
- y-coordinate
- – it shows vertical position
- Lesson 236 — Understanding Ordered Pairs and CoordinatesLesson 1000 — Using the Unit Circle to Find Exact ValuesLesson 1020 — Comparing Sine and Cosine: The Phase RelationshipLesson 1062 — Proof and Geometric Interpretation of Sum Formulas
- y-intercept
- (where the line crosses the y-axis)
- Lesson 254 — Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + bLesson 255 — Graphing Lines from Slope-Intercept FormLesson 433 — Key Features Summary and Complete GraphingLesson 491 — Graphing Rational Functions with AsymptotesLesson 612 — Properties of e^x: Growth and BehaviorLesson 1517 — Domain, Intercepts, and SymmetryLesson 3064 — Interpreting Slope and Intercept
- y-values
- Lesson 1655 — Disk Method: Rotation About the y-axisLesson 1660 — Washer Method: Rotation About the y-axisLesson 1671 — Shell Method with Functions of y
- y₁(t)
- and **y₂(t)** are both solutions to the equation, then:
- Lesson 2343 — The Principle of SuperpositionLesson 2360 — The Variation of Parameters Formula for Second-Order ODEs
- y₂(t)
- are both solutions to the equation, then:
- Lesson 2343 — The Principle of SuperpositionLesson 2360 — The Variation of Parameters Formula for Second-Order ODEs
- Yes
- Use the first piece: 2x + 1
- Lesson 591 — Evaluating Piecewise FunctionsLesson 784 — Verifying Pythagorean TriplesLesson 1193 — Equality of Complex NumbersLesson 2060 — Determining if a Vector is in a SpanLesson 2091 — Dimension of a Vector Space
- yᵢ(t) = y ᵢ(0)e^(λ ᵢt)
- , where λᵢ are eigenvalues.
- Lesson 2199 — Applications of DiagonalizationLesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- Your data is ordinal
- (rankings, Likert scales) rather than truly continuous
- Lesson 3103 — Introduction to Nonparametric MethodsLesson 3111 — Choosing and Interpreting Nonparametric Tests
- Your position
- (where the angle of elevation is measured from)
- Lesson 975 — Angles of Elevation: Definition and Setup
- Your toolkit
- Lesson 1051 — Verifying Trigonometric Identities
Z
- Zero
- is still the center point
- Lesson 40 — Representing Negative Numbers on the Number LineLesson 241 — Points on the AxesLesson 246 — Positive, Negative, Zero, and Undefined SlopesLesson 250 — Slope and Direction of LinesLesson 392 — Zero Product PropertyLesson 394 — Solving Quadratics in Factored FormLesson 395 — Standard Form and Setting Equal to ZeroLesson 557 — Real-World Context and Restricted Domains (+4 more)
- Zero always wins
- any nonzero number to the power of zero is 1
- Lesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer Exponents
- Zero covariance
- No linear relationship between X and Y
- Lesson 2947 — Covariance: Definition and Interpretation
- Zero divergence
- is a region where people just pass through without accumulating or dispersing
- Lesson 2006 — Interpreting Divergence Physically
- Zero divergence (div
- F** = 0):** The amount of fluid entering equals the amount leaving.
- Lesson 2006 — Interpreting Divergence Physically
- Zero exponent
- = equals 1
- Lesson 135 — Negative Integer ExponentsLesson 141 — Mixed Practice with Integer ExponentsLesson 147 — Zero Exponent RuleLesson 601 — Evaluating Exponential Expressions
- Zero flux
- field flows parallel to the surface, or inflow equals outflow
- Lesson 2019 — Vector Fields and Surface Integrals
- zero matrix
- is any matrix where every entry is zero.
- Lesson 1272 — Types of Matrices: Square, Row, Column, and ZeroLesson 2103 — Special Matrices: Identity and ZeroLesson 2157 — Determinant of Special Matrices
- Zero Product Property
- states: **If a × b = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0 (or both).
- Lesson 392 — Zero Product PropertyLesson 394 — Solving Quadratics in Factored FormLesson 395 — Standard Form and Setting Equal to ZeroLesson 399 — Solving Special Forms: Perfect Square Trinomials
- Zero real parts
- neutrally stable or needs further analysis
- Lesson 2278 — Applications to Differential Equations and Dynamics
- Zero residual
- Perfect prediction (the point lies exactly on the regression line)
- Lesson 3083 — What Are Residuals?
- Zero Rule
- Every nonzero integer divides 0, but 0 only divides 0
- Lesson 2709 — Divisibility: Definition and Basic Properties
- zero vector
- , denoted **0** or **0**, is the vector with all components equal to zero:
- Lesson 2047 — Vector Equality and Zero VectorLesson 2084 — Sum of Subspaces
- Zero-length vectors
- Mark critical points where ∇f = **0**
- Lesson 1850 — Gradient Fields and Visualization
- zeros
- or **roots** of the quadratic function.
- Lesson 431 — x-Intercepts and Zeros of Quadratic FunctionsLesson 577 — Zeros and InterceptsLesson 578 — Vertical Shifts of Functions