A Glossary of Mathematical Terms - C
Calculus
The branch of Maths that deals with the limits, differentiation and integration of functions and reelated topics.
Cardinal number
A "number" that tells us how many objects are in a set.
Chord
See Circle.
Circle
The set of all points on a plane whose distance from a fixed point (the center) is less than or
equal to a given number (the radius -pl.radii);
circumference: the circle perimeter;
arc: the part of a circumference between to points; if you need to distinguish between the two arcs
that share the same endpoints, the greatest is the major arc, the smallest is the minor arc;
chord: a segment whose endpoints are on the circumference;
central angle: an angle whose vertex is the center of the circle;
interior of a circle: the set of all points whose distance from the center is less than the
radius;
sector: a part of a circle between two radii and an arc;
circular segment: a part of a circle between two chords or a chord and an arc;
semicircle: a sector whose central angle is 180°;
concentric circles: circles that have the same center.
Circle graph (Pie chart)
A graph of statistical data where a circle is subdivided into sectors that represent the percent of the total.
Clockwise
Used in orientation (the opposite is counterclockwise).
Closure
In operations between numbers: the outcome of the operation is in the same set as the
operands.
In topology used as closure of a set.
Coefficient
Mainly the numerical part of a term in an algebraic expression.
Also used in other circumstances.
Coincidental lines
Two (or more) lines that are identical.
Colinear
In the same line.
Combinations
Arrangements of lists where the order is neither important nor significant.
Common factor
A common factor of two or more numbers is a number which is a factor of each of the two numbers.
Common multiple
A common factor of two or more numbers is a number which is a multiple of each of the two numbers.
Commutative law
The law states that when performing an operation on two or more objects, the order of objects does not affect the outcome. Addition and multiplication between numbers are commutative, subtraction and division are not commutative.
Complementary
See Angle.
Complex number
A number that can be written as the some of a real and an imaginary number.
Composite integer
An integer that has two or more prime factors.
Concave
Used for angles (greater than 180°) and polygons (that have at least one concave angle).
Conditional sentence
A sentence of the form "if ... then ... ".
Congruent
Two figures or shapes that have exactly the same size and shape.
Conic sections
The curves cut by a plane with a double cone: circle, ellipse, hyperbola, parabola, two intersecting lines, a point.
Consecutive
"In sequence": used is several contexts (consecutive numbers, consecutive segments, consecutive sides of a polygon, consecutive vertices of a polygon...).
Consequent
In a conditional expression: the then part;
in a proportion: the second term of each ratio.
Contraction
A size change, with coefficient less than 1.
Convex
Used for angles (lesser than 180°), polygons (whose angles are all convex), sets (a set of points in wich all segments connecting points of the set lie entirely in the set).
Coplanar
Within the same plane.
Corollary to a theorem
A theorem that easily follows from another theorem.
Corresponding
See Angle.
Counterclockwise
Used in orientation (the opposite is clockwise).
Counting numbers
The same as Natural numbers: {1,2,...} (see also Whole Numbers).
Couple
See Ordered pair.
Cube root
A number that, when raised to the power of 3 gives the original number.
Curly brackets { }
See Braces.