Topics in a Pre-Algebra Course

To learn more about a topic listed below, click the topic name to go to
the corresponding MathWorld classroom page.

Absolute Value

Arithmetic

Arithmetic Series

The distance of a number from the

origin. Absolute value is an example of a
norm.
The branch of mathematics dealing with
numerical computation. Arithmetical
operations include addition, congruence
calculation, division, factorization,
multiplication, power computation, root
extraction, and subtraction.
A series in which the difference between
any two consecutive terms is a constant.

Divisor

An integer that divides a given integer

with no remainder. A synonym for factor.

Factorial

The product of the first n positive

integers, denoted n!.

Fraction

A rational number expressed in the

form a/b, where a is known as the
numerator and b as the denominator.

Function Graph

The set of points showing the values

taken by a function. This type of plot is
called simply a "graph" in common
parlance, but is distinct from a collection
of points and lines that mathematicians
refer to when they speak of a "graph."

Geometric Series

A series in which the ratio of any two

consecutive terms is always the same.

Greatest Common Divisor

For two or more integers, the largest

integer dividing all of them.

Integer

One of the numbers ..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ....

Intersection

(1) For two sets A and B, the set of

elements common to A and B. (2) For
two or more geometric objects, the set of
points that are common to both of them.

Associative

An operation * is associative
if x*(y*z) = (x*y)*z for all x, y, and z.

Base

The number of digits in a number

system. The same word is used in the
context of logarithms.

Cartesian Coordinates

The usual coordinate system, originally

described by Descartes, in which points
are specified as distances to a set of
perpendicular axes. Also called
rectangular coordinates.

Interval

A connected piece of the real number

line. An interval can be open or closed at
either end.

Commutative

An operation * is commutative
if x*y = y*x for all x and y.

Irrational Number

Decimal Expansion

The usual "base 10" representation of a

real number.

A number that cannot be written as a

fraction. Irrational numbers have decimal
expansions that neither terminate nor
become periodic.

Least Common Multiple

For two or more integers, the smallest

number that is a multiple of all of them.

Line

The infinite extension in both directions

Distributive

Having the property, in multiplication,

that x(y+z) = xy + xz.

of a line segment, which is the path of

shortest distance between two points.
Origin

The point with all-zero coordinates in

Cartesian coordinates, or the central
point in polar coordinates.

Polynomial

A mathematical expression involving a

sum of powers in one or more variables
multiplied by coefficients.

Power

An exponent to which a given quantity is

raised.

Prime Factor

A divisor that is also a prime number.

Prime Factorization

The factorization of a number into its

constituent primes. Also called prime
decomposition.

Prime Number

A positive integer that has exactly one

positive integer divisor other than 1 (i.e.,
no factors other than 1 and itself). Prime
numbers are often simply called primes.

Pythagorean Theorem

An equation relating the lengths of the

sides of a right triangle. Given two sides,
the length of the third can be
determined.

Quotient

The result of dividing one number by

another.

Rational Number

A real number that can be written as a

quotient of two integers.

Real Line

A line with a fixed scale so that every

real number corresponds to a unique
point on the line.

Real Number

The set of all rational and irrational

numbers.

Relatively Prime

A term describing integers that share no

common positive divisors except 1.

Right Angle

An angle that measures exactly 90

degrees.

Rounding

The approximation of a number by

truncating and possibly adjusting the last
digit of interest based on digits
appearing after it.

Sequence

A (possibly infinite) ordered list of

numbers.

Series

An often infinite sum of terms specified

by some rule.

Set

A finite or infinite collection of objects in

which order has no significance and
multiplicity is generally also ignored.

Square Number

An integer that is the square (i.e.,

second power) of another integer.

Square Root

A square root of x is a number r such

that r*r = x.