Note: The definitions included here are those that are used in the Saskatchewan Education document "Mathematics 6-9: A Curriculum Guide for the Middle Level".

Various mathematics dictionaries may have different definitions. These definitions are designed to be meaningful to middle level mathematics teachers.

face

• any of the flat sides of a polyhedron.

factor

• one of the numbers that make up a number by multiplication. E.g. 3 is a factor of 6 since 6 = 3x2..

factor tree

• a diagram representing a systematic way of determining all the prime factors of a number. e.g.

flip

• see reflection.

fraction

• see rational number
  
  
• any number that can be written in the form a/b where a and b are integers and b cannot equal 0. It is a negative fraction number if it is less than zero i.e. either a or b, but not both, is negative.

frequency diagram

• used in statistics as a method of recording the data collected. A tally is often used in the frequency diagram to keep track of the number of times something occurs.

frustum

• the region a solid cone or pyramid between the base and a plane parallel to the base.

function

a set of ordered pairs where each first element is paired with one and only one second element and no element in either pair is without a partner.

G

golden rectangle

• a rectangle where the ratio of its length to its width is (1 + sqrt 5)/2 :1, i.e. about 1.618:1.

H

hectare (hm²)

• a unit of area that is 100 m by 100 m. It is equivalent to 10 000 m².

height of a triangle

• see altitude.

histogram

• a type of statistical graph that uses bars, where each bar represents a range of values and the data is continuous.

  hypotenuse

• the side opposite the right angle in a right triangle. It is always the longest side in the triangle.

  image

• the result of a transformation on an object.

improper fraction

• a fraction whose numerator is greater than or equal to its denominator. e.g. 11/7.

Note: 11/7 and 1 4/7 are both in simplest form.

inequality

• a mathematical sentence that includes one of the symbols >, <, or the symbols for greater than or equal to, less than or equal to, or not equal.

integer

• any number in the set 0,+/- l,+/- 2,+/- 3, ...

interior angles of a polygon

• angles within a polygon formed by the intersection of two sides.

  interest

• money paid for the use of someone else's money.
• Simple interest is calculated using the formula i = prt.
• Compound interest is calculated by adding the interest on to the principal each time the interest is calculated.

isosceles

• a polygon with two sides equal in length. Usually used to refer to either a triangle or a trapezoid.

Questions or comments about the glossary can be directed to TheCentralizer@MathCentral.uregina.ca or see About Us page for more information.