CSEC Mathematics key terms

A counting number starting from 1, 2, 3 and continuing without end. It is used to count whole objects and does not include zero, fractions, or negative values.

Any counting number including zero, such as 0, 1, 2, 3 and so on. It contains no fractions, decimals, or negative values.

Any positive or negative whole number, or zero, such as -4, 0, or 7. It has no fractional or decimal part.

A number that can be written as one integer divided by another non-zero integer, such as 3/4, -5, or 0.25. Its decimal form either stops or repeats a pattern.

A number that cannot be written as a simple fraction of two integers. Its decimal form continues forever without repeating, as with pi or the square root of 2.

A whole number greater than 1 whose only whole-number factors are 1 and itself, such as 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11. The number 1 is not prime.

A whole number greater than 1 that has at least one factor other than 1 and itself, such as 4, 9, or 15. It can be built by multiplying smaller whole numbers.

A whole number that divides another number exactly, leaving no remainder. For example, the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

The result of multiplying a given number by a whole number. The multiples of 5 are 5, 10, 15, 20 and so on, continuing without end.

The largest whole number that divides exactly into two or more given numbers. For 18 and 24 the highest common factor is 6.

The smallest non-zero number that is a multiple of two or more given numbers. For 4 and 6 the lowest common multiple is 12.

Writing a number as a product of its prime factors only. For example, 60 is written as 2 x 2 x 3 x 5, often using index form as 2 squared times 3 times 5.

The small raised number that shows how many times a base is multiplied by itself. In 2 to the power 5, the index is 5, meaning 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2.

A number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the stated value. The square root of 49 is 7 because 7 x 7 equals 49.

A square root or similar root of a number that cannot be simplified to a whole number or exact fraction, such as the square root of 3. Answers may be left in this exact form.

A way of writing very large or very small numbers as a value between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. For example, 4500 is written as 4.5 times 10 to the power 3.

A position of a digit to the right of the decimal point. Rounding to two decimal places means keeping two digits after the point and adjusting the second digit if needed.

A digit that carries meaning about the size or accuracy of a measurement, counting from the first non-zero digit. Rounding to significant figures keeps the most useful digits.

A value close to, but not exactly equal to, a true answer, often obtained by rounding. It is useful when an exact figure is unnecessary or impossible to state.

A comparison of two or more quantities of the same kind, written with a colon such as 3:2. It shows how many parts of one quantity compare with parts of another.

A statement that two ratios are equal, or a relationship in which quantities change at the same rate. Direct proportion means both increase together; inverse proportion means one falls as the other rises.

A fraction expressed out of 100, shown with the percent sign. For example, 45% means 45 out of every 100, or the fraction 45/100.

A number written as one whole number over another, showing parts of a whole. In 3/4, the 3 is the numerator and the 4 is the denominator.

Interest calculated only on the original amount of money, using the formula principal times rate times time divided by 100. The interest is the same each year.

Interest calculated on the original amount plus any interest already added, so the money grows faster each period. It is found by repeated percentage increase.

The original sum of money borrowed or invested, before any interest is added. Interest is calculated as a percentage of this starting amount.

The profit made on a sale, expressed as a percentage of the cost price. It is found by dividing profit by cost price and multiplying by 100.

A tax added to the price of goods and services, charged as a percentage of the selling price. The final bill equals the marked price plus this tax.

A combination of numbers, letters, and operations that represents a value, such as 3x + 5. It has no equals sign, so it cannot be solved, only simplified or evaluated.

A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal, containing an equals sign, such as 2x + 1 = 9. Solving it means finding the value of the unknown that makes it true.

A statement comparing two expressions that are not necessarily equal, using symbols such as less than, greater than, or not equal to. Its solution is a range of values.

Terms in an expression that contain exactly the same letters raised to the same powers, such as 4x and 7x. They can be added or subtracted to simplify the expression.

Replacing letters in an expression or formula with given numbers and then calculating the result. For example, finding 3x + 2 when x equals 4 gives 14.

Two or more equations that must be solved together so the same values satisfy all of them. The solution is the pair of values, often found by elimination or substitution.

A rule written with letters and symbols that shows how quantities are related, such as area equals length times width. You substitute known values to find the unknown.

The single variable, usually alone on one side of an equals sign, that a formula expresses in terms of the others. Rearranging a formula changes which variable is the subject.

A rule that assigns exactly one output value to each input value. It may be shown as an equation, a table, a graph, or a mapping diagram.

A function formed by applying one function and then feeding its result into another. The order matters, so f of g of x is usually not the same as g of f of x.

A function that reverses the effect of another, so doing one and then the other returns the original input. It is found by swapping the input and output and rearranging.

The steepness of a straight line, found by dividing the vertical change by the horizontal change between two points. It is positive for rising lines and negative for falling ones.

The point where a graph crosses an axis. The y-intercept is where the line meets the vertical axis, and the x-intercept is where it meets the horizontal axis.

The graph of an equation of the form y equals mx plus c, which is always a straight line. Here m is the gradient and c is the y-intercept.

An equation in which the highest power of the unknown is two, often written as ax squared plus bx plus c equals zero. It can be solved by factorising, completing the square, or using the formula.

A straight line marked with numbers in order, used to show values and their positions. It helps display inequalities and the order of positive and negative numbers.