VITEEE key terms

In calculus, the value a function approaches as its input approaches a specified point. It underpins continuity, derivatives, and integrals, and may exist even when the function is undefined at that point.

A measure of how quickly a function changes as its input changes, defined as the limit of a difference quotient. It gives the slope of the tangent line at a point.

The signed area under a curve between two limits, computed as the limit of a sum of many thin rectangles. It accumulates quantities such as distance or charge over an interval.

A number between zero and one that expresses how likely an event is, often found by dividing favourable outcomes by total equally likely outcomes. It underlies statistics and random experiments.

An arrangement of a set of items in a specific order. The number of permutations of n distinct items taken r at a time is n! divided by (n-r)! when repetition is not allowed.

A scalar value computed from a square matrix that indicates whether the matrix is invertible and how it scales areas or volumes. A zero determinant means the matrix has no inverse.

A quantity with both magnitude and direction, often represented by an arrow or an ordered list of components. Vectors can be added, scaled, and multiplied using dot or cross products.

A type of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the same chromosome number as the parent. It supports growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in many organisms.

The process by which a cell copies its DNA before division, producing two identical double helices from one original molecule. Each new molecule contains one old strand and one newly built strand.

A biological catalyst, usually a protein, that speeds up chemical reactions in living cells by lowering activation energy. Enzymes are specific to substrates and can be affected by temperature and pH.

The curved path of an object thrown or launched into the air, moving under gravity alone after launch. Its horizontal and vertical motions are analysed separately, with constant horizontal velocity and constant vertical acceleration.

A measure of an object's resistance to changes in its rotational motion, depending on mass and how that mass is distributed around the axis of rotation. It plays the role in rotation that mass plays in straight-line motion.

The emission of electrons from a metal surface when light of sufficient frequency strikes it. It shows that light behaves as particles called photons and that electron energy depends on frequency, not intensity.

The ability of a system to store electric charge per unit potential difference, measured in farads. For parallel plates it increases with plate area and decreases with separation distance.

The total magnetic field passing through a given area, calculated as the field strength times the area times the cosine of the angle between them. Its rate of change induces an electromotive force.

The force on a charged particle moving through electric and magnetic fields. The electric part acts along the field, while the magnetic part acts perpendicular to both velocity and magnetic field.

A condition in which a system vibrates with large amplitude when driven at its natural frequency. In circuits it occurs when inductive and capacitive reactances cancel, leaving impedance at a minimum or maximum.

The minimum speed an object needs to leave a planet or moon's gravitational pull without further propulsion. It depends on the body's mass and radius, not on the escaping object's mass.

The combining of two or more waves to produce a resultant wave with greater or smaller amplitude. Constructive interference adds amplitudes; destructive interference reduces them, producing patterns of bright and dark fringes.

The amount of substance containing the same number of elementary entities as there are atoms in 12 grams of carbon-12, approximately 6.022 × 10^23. It connects mass, volume, and particle counts.

A measure of how strongly an atom attracts shared electrons in a chemical bond. Differences in electronegativity between bonded atoms help predict bond polarity and types of bonding.

The mixing of atomic orbitals in an atom to form new equivalent orbitals that explain molecular geometry. For example, one s and three p orbitals mix to give four sp3 orbitals.

A rule stating that when a system at equilibrium is disturbed by a change in concentration, temperature, or pressure, it shifts to counteract that change and restore equilibrium.

A scale from 0 to 14 that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, defined as the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration. Lower values are acidic; higher values are basic.

A solution that resists large changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added, usually containing a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

The existence of two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms or different spatial orientations, leading to different physical or chemical properties.

A number assigned to an atom in a compound that reflects its apparent charge if bonding electrons were transferred completely. It helps identify oxidation, reduction, and balancing redox equations.

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy, without being consumed in the overall reaction. It does not change equilibrium position.

A covalent bond in which both shared electrons come from the same atom, often called a dative bond. It forms when one atom donates a lone pair to another atom that accepts it.

A form of logical reasoning in which two or more statements, called premises, are combined to reach a conclusion. In aptitude tests you judge whether the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.

A reasoning task where letters, numbers, or symbols are replaced by a rule-based code, and you must identify the rule to encode a new word or decode a given code.

A sequence of numbers arranged according to a hidden pattern, such as addition, multiplication, or alternating operations. You must identify the rule and find the missing or next term.

A puzzle that describes family relationships in words and asks you to determine how two people are related. You draw a family tree using consistent symbols for gender and generations.

A reasoning problem involving a person moving in different directions, often with turns, and asking for final position, distance, or facing direction. Drawing a simple map helps avoid mistakes.

A question type where you must decide whether the given statements provide enough information to answer a question, without actually calculating the final answer. Options typically combine sufficiency of each statement.

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a particular context. Synonym questions test vocabulary breadth and sensitivity to slight differences in tone or usage.

A word that expresses the opposite meaning of another word. Antonym questions check whether you can identify contrast in meaning, including near-opposites rather than exact logical opposites.

The grammatical rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs, with care needed for collective nouns and intervening phrases.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be understood by combining the literal meanings of its individual words. Idiom questions ask you to choose the correct meaning or usage in context.

The ability to read a passage, understand its main idea and details, infer implied meaning, and answer questions accurately. It requires active reading, vocabulary knowledge, and attention to the author's tone.