CogAT Quantitative key terms

A symbol representing a quantity whose permitted values must follow the stated domain and the units of the problem rather than an unstated assumption.

The allowed inputs or values for a mathematical statement, including any restrictions from the context, a denominator, an even root or a count.

A claim that two expressions have equal values, whose solutions must make the original relation true and satisfy the declared restrictions.

A comparison describing values above or below a boundary, with inclusion or exclusion of the boundary indicated by the relation used.

A rule or relation assigning each permitted input exactly one output, distinguished from a general relation that may assign multiple outputs to one input.

The change in the vertical variable divided by the change in the horizontal variable between appropriate points on a nonvertical line.

A point where a graph meets a specified coordinate axis, whose interpretation depends on the variable definitions and whether that point belongs to the model domain.

A multiplicative component of an expression or integer, distinguished from a term separated by addition when deciding whether cancellation is valid.

Expressions that represent the same value on the relevant common domain, with any original exclusions preserved when a simplification changes the displayed form.

A comparison by division between quantities, interpreted with the quantities in the stated order and with compatible units when required.

A relative increase or decrease calculated by dividing the difference by the specified baseline, then expressing that fraction per hundred.

A unit for the arithmetic difference between two percentages, distinct from the relative percent change obtained by dividing by a baseline.

The sum of a finite collection of numerical observations divided by its count, not an unweighted average of group means with unequal sizes.

The central ordered observation, or the average of the two central ordered observations for an even count, in the conventional numerical definition.

The difference between the largest and smallest observations in a data set, describing one aspect of spread without specifying its full distribution.

An average in which contributions depend on specified weights, with the total weighted contribution divided by the sum of the weights.

An explicit condition limiting the allowed values or combinations in a model, which must be checked alongside any solved equation or proposed answer.

A permitted case contradicting a universal claim, sufficient to refute that claim even if several other examples appeared to support it.

The property of given information determining the answer to the exact question throughout the permitted domain, rather than merely allowing one successful example.

The ability of a proposed rule or interpretation to fit all supplied conditions without contradiction, which alone does not always establish uniqueness.

A stated reason or piece of evidence used to support an argument, distinguished from the conclusion that the argument asks the reader to accept.

The claim an argument attempts to establish from its premises, whose strength and scope should be compared with the evidence actually supplied.

An unstated condition required by a proposed argument or model, which should not be treated as an established fact without support.

A conclusion drawn from supplied information, justified by the available relationships and their limits rather than by unrelated background knowledge or speculative steps.