UNIT 1

VARIABLE- A symbol, usually a letter, that represents an unknown number.

TERM A single number or variable or numbers/variables multiplied/divided together

6x 2 y 3
3
eg. 3x2 , x5, 5xy, 9 z
EXPRESSION is a set of numbers/variables added or subtracted to one another with NO
sign of comparison (no equal sign, or inequality signs)

RELATION - A relation is a relationship that maps inputs (x-values) to outputs ( y-values)

with no restriction.

ZEROS Sometimes also known as ROOTS or SOLUTIONS, A zero of a function is the x-

value(s) that occur when y = 0. It is the x-value where the relation intersects the x-axis.

LINEAR A relationship where y = mx + b, where m is the slope, b is the y-intercept and

(x, y) is a point that lies on the line. (One special linear relationship is x = #, which
results in a vertical line)

UNIT 2
DOMAIN The set of all inputs into a particular function.
The x-values (or independent variables)

RANGE The set of all outputs for a given set of inputs for a particular function. The y-
values (or dependent variables)

FUNCTION - A function is a special relationship where each input has a single output. It
is often written as "f(x)" where x is the input value. (We always remember that the x-values
cannot repeat in order to be a function)

UNIT 3
FUNCTION COMPOSITION - function composition is the pointwise application of
one function to the result of another to produce a third function.

FUNCTION NOTATION - y = f(x) means that a relationship y is a function in respect to x.

The point is represented as (x, f(x)).

1.1 FUNCTION Is first a function ( passes the vertical line test) then it assigns each
input to a UNIQUE output. Therefore the y-values, also, cannot repeat. (passes the
horizontal line test)

INVERSE FUNCTION The inverse of a function is when the x and y change places. For
example, if (3, -5) is a point on f(x), then (-5,3) is a point on the functions inverse f -1(x).

VARIES DIRECTLY (PROPORTIONAL) : y varies directly with x means that there is a

constant K such that
y = Kx. This results in a linear relationship. Where k is the slope of the line.

FORMS OF A LINEAR FUNCTION

Standard form: Ax + By = C Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b point slope
form: y y2= m(x x2)
 where A,B,C where (x,y) is a point where (x 2,
y2) is a point
are real #s m=slope, b=y-intercept
m=slope

DOMAIN RESTRICTION: Sometimes we want to look at or graph only a portion of a

function, so we consider a
Domain restriction, usually written a x b, which reads x is
between a and b, inclusively
If < is used instead of , it does not include the a/b, so we do not say
inclusively.

SET NOTATION: Roster notation Set builder notation Interval notation

{a, b, c, d} {x|9<x15} (-2, 8) means -2
<x<8
Basically write out reads x such that [-2,8]
means -2 x 8
all elements in the x is between 9 and (-2,8]
means -2 < x 8
set. 15, including 15 not 9 [-2,8) means -2 x
<8

RATE OF CHANGE: is often used when speaking about momentum, and it can generally be
expressed as a ratio between a change in one variable relative to a corresponding change in
another; graphically, the rate of change is represented by the slope of a line.

MODELING: Mathematical modeling is the process of using various mathematical structures -

graphs, equations, diagrams, scatterplots, tree diagrams, and so forth - to represent real world
situations

UNIT 4

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

PRODUCT PROPERTY OF EXPONENTS

RATIONAL NUMBERS - A rational number is a number that can be written as a ratio (or a fraction)

IRRATIONAL NUMBERS - a real number that cannot be expressed as a ratio of

integers, i.e. as a fraction. Therefore, irrational numbers, when written as
decimal numbers, do not terminate, nor do they repeat.
RATIONAL EXPONENTS An exponent that is a fraction. The
numerator represents the power and denominator represents the root.

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS - a function whose value is a constant

raised to the power that is a variable. f(x) = 2 x

FIXED PERCENTAGE - A fixed percentage loan maintains the same interest rate over the term of
the loan

EXPONENTIAL GROWTH - growth whose rate becomes ever more rapid in proportion to the growing
total number or size. f(x) = initial amount (1 + rate)time(It represents an increasing function because
the base>1)

EXPONENTIAL DECAY - When a population or group of something is declining, and the amount that
decreases is proportional to the size of the population. f(x) = initial amount (1 + rate)time
It represents a decreasing function because the base<1)

UNIT 5

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE A sequence that adds the same number to arrive at the next
term.
Examples: 2, 5, 8, 11, (add 3) 20, 15, 10, 5, 0 , -5 (add -5)
The nth term (on reference sheet): a n a1 d ( n 1) where a = the first term,
1
an= last term and
d=common difference

ARITHMETIC SERIES - A series is a summation of the first n terms, using the formula:
n
S n ( a1 a n )
2
Where n = # of terms; a1= first term and an= last term
This formula is not on the reference sheetso you need to memorize it!

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE A sequence that multiplies the same number to arrive at the
next term.
Examples: 2, 4, 6, 8, (multiplies 2) 100, 50, 25, 12.5,
(multiplies )
 a n a1r n 1
The nth term (on reference sheet): where n = # of terms; a1=
the first term;
r=common ratio

GEOMETRIC SERIES A series is a summation of the first n terms, using the formula:
a1r n 1
1 r
This formula is found on the reference sheet!

A RECURSIVE SEQUENCE Is a sequence where the nth term is dependent upon the
previous term(s).
Examples: a1 3 and a n 3a n 1 (reads: the term = 3 times the previous
term)
a1 5 and a n a n 1 10 (reads: the term = the previous
term minus 10)

A NON-RECURSIVE SEQUENCE Is a sequence that is only dependent upon the term

number,
not any previous term.
Example: f(n) = 2n 1 therefore: f(1) = 2(1) 1 = 1; f(2) = 2(2) -1 = 3;
f(50) = 2(50) 1 = 99

SIGMA NOTATION Sometimes referred to Summation Notation is the sum of a series

that gives you an index (usually letters i, j, or k ) that has a beginning term and an
ending term.
2

3k
Example: k 1 = 3(-1) + 3(0) + 3(1) + 3(2) = -3+ 0 + 3 + 6 = 6

UNIT 6

QUADRATIC FUNCTION - Any function in the form: f(x) = ax2 + bx + c where a 0

A PARABOLA The graph of a quadratic function:

a>0 a<0
VERTEX The turning point of a quadratic function.
AXIS OF SYMMETRY - The imaginary line that goes
through the
vertex and reflects one side of the parabola onto the
other side.
b
Formula: x = 2a

A FACTOR - Any individual component of a product.

Example: 12 = 6 x 2 so, 6 and 2 are factors of 12.

TO FACTOR To re-write a quantity as an equivalent

product. Examples: 12 = 6 x 2 ; x2 + 3x + 2 = (x+2)(x
+ 1)

QUADRATIC TRINOMIALS 3 terms that contain a quadratic term,

a linear term and a constant. Example: 2x2+ 6x 8

CONJUGATES Two binomial factors with different signs

Examples: (x + 2)(x 2) (a + b)(a b)

DOPS DIFFERENCE OF PERFECT SQUARES An easy factoring method that result in

conjugates when we see two perfect squares that are being subtracted. Examples: x2
25 = (x + 5)(x 5) ; 81 - x2 = (9 x)(9 + x)

COMPLETE FACTORING - To factor two or more times. Sometimes the GCF first, followed
by DOPS or trinomial factoring.
Examples: 3x2 - 27 = 3(x2- 9) = 3(x + 3)(x 3)

ZERO PRODUCT LAW When there are two or more factors set equal to zero, then one or
more of the factors must equal zero. Examples: (x + 8)(x 1) = 0 then x + 8 = 0
and/or x 1 = 0 which means x = -8 or 1
ZEROS OR ROOTS When y = 0, what is/are the value(s) of x? Also, the solution(s) to
the related quadratic equation. On a graph, it/they are the points where the function
crosses the x-axis.

FOCUS The focus of a parabola is the point that

determines the locus, together with the directrix.

DIRECTRIX The imaginary line of a parabola that

together with the focus determines the locus of points.