Math II – Glossary | Open Up HS Math (CCSS), Family

A–F

AA similarity theorem

Two triangles are similar if they have two corresponding angles that are congruent.

absolute value

A number’s distance from zero on the number line.

The symbol $| a |$ means the absolute value of $a$ .

Recall that distance is always positive.

The diagram shows that $| 2 | = + 2$ and $| - 2 | = + 2$ .

absolute value function

A function that contains an algebraic expression within absolute value symbols. The absolute value parent function, written as:

$f (x) = | x | = x, if x > 0$

$f (x) = | x | = 0, if x = 0$

$f (x) = | x | = - x, if x < 0$

adjacent

adjacent angles

Two non-overlapping angles with a common vertex and one common side.

$∠ 1$ and $∠ 2$ are adjacent angles:

alternate exterior angles

A pair of angles formed by a transversal intersecting two lines. The angles lie outside of the two lines and are on opposite sides of the transversal.

See angles made by a transversal.

alternate interior angles

A pair of angles formed by a transversal intersecting two lines. The angles lie between the two lines and are on opposite sides of the transversal.

See also angles made by a transversal.

altitude

Altitude of a triangle:

A perpendicular segment from a vertex to the line containing the base.

Altitude of a solid:

A perpendicular segment from a vertex to the plane containing the base.

angle

Two rays that share a common endpoint called the vertex of the angle.

angle bisector

A ray that has its endpoint at the vertex of the angle and divides the angle into two congruent angles.

angle of depression/angle of elevation

Angle of depression: the angle formed by a horizontal line and the line of sight of a viewer looking down. Sometimes called the angle of decline.

Angle of elevation: the angle formed by a horizontal line and the line of sight of a viewer looking up. Sometimes called the angle of incline.

angles associated with circles: central angle, inscribed angle, circumscribed angle

Central angle: An angle whose vertex is at the center of a circle and whose sides pass through a pair of points on the circle.

Inscribed angle: An angle formed when two secant lines, or a secant and tangent line, intersect at a point on a circle.

Circumscribed angle: The angle made by two intersecting tangent lines to a circle.

angles made by a transversal

arc length

The distance along the arc of a circle. Part of the circumference.

Equation for finding arc length:

$s = r θ$

Where $r$ is the radius and $θ$ is the central angle in radians.

arc of a circle, intercepted arc

Arc: A portion of a circle.

Intercepted arc: The portion of a circle that lies between two lines, rays, or line segments that intersect the circle.

asymptote

A line that a graph approaches, but does not reach. A graph will never touch a vertical asymptote, but it might cross a horizontal or an oblique (also called slant) asymptote.

Horizontal and oblique asymptotes indicate the general behavior of the ends of a graph in both positive and negative directions. If a rational function has a horizontal asymptote, it will not have an oblique asymptote.

Oblique asymptotes only occur when the numerator of $f (x)$ has a degree that is one higher than the degree of the denominator.