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APPENDIX B: Glossary
Angle. A shape formed by two lines or rays that diverge from a common point or vertex.
Algebra. The part of mathematics in which letters and other general symbols are used to represent numbers
and quantities in formulae and equations.
Area. The amount of space a two‐dimensional shape occupies, measured in squares.
Associative property for addition. The sum of three or more numbers, which is always the same when
added together, no matter what order they are in. This is illustrated by a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c; 2 + (3 + 4) =
(2 + 3) + 4.
Associative property for multiplication. The product of three or more numbers, which is always the same
when multiplied together, regardless of their grouping. This is illustrated by a(bc) = (ab)c; 2(3×4) = (2×3)4.
Attributes. Characteristics of an object or geometric shape. These include qualities of shape, color, size, side,
length, and so forth.
Base. The surface a solid object stands on, or the bottom line of a shape, such as a triangle or rectangle.
Categorical data. Types of data, which may be divided into groups, such as race, sex, age group, and
educational level, when categorized into a small number of groups.
Circle. A round plane figure with a boundary (i.e., circumference) that consists of points equidistant from a
fixed point (i.e., center).
Commutative property of addition. The sum of numbers is always the same when added together, no
matter if the order of the addends is changed. This is illustrated by a + b = b + a (2 + 1 = 1 + 2).
Commutative property of multiplication. The product of numbers is always the same when multiplied
together, even if the order of factors is changed (i.e., if a and b are two real numbers, then a × b = b × a.)
Compose numbers. To combine parts/components to form a number (adding parts to obtain a number).
Congruent figures. Figures that have the same size and shape.
Congruent. The same.
Cubed. A number multiplied by itself three times.
Decompose numbers. The process of separating numbers into their components (i.e., to divide a number
into smaller parts). Example: 456 can be decomposed as 456 = 400 + 50 + 6.
Denominator. The “bottom” number of a fraction; the number that represents the total number of parts
into which one whole is divided (e.g., in 3/4, the 4 is the denominator and indicates that one whole is divided
into 4 parts).
Decimal. A number with a decimal point in it
Dependent event. Two events are dependent if the outcome or occurrence of the first affects the outcome
or occurrence of the second so that the probability is changed.
Distributive property. The distributive property lets you multiply a sum by multiplying each addend
separately and then add the products.
Equation. A mathematical sentence of equality between two expressions; equations have an equal sign (e.g.,
n + 50 = 75 or 75 = n + 50 means that n + 50 must have the same value as 75).
Event. A set of possible outcomes resulting from a particular experiment.
Exponent. A quantity representing the power to which a given number or expression is to be raised, usually
expressed as a raised symbol beside the number or expression.