y = x 2 + 3 x – 4Īlgorithm: a step by step procedure by which an operation can be carried outĪmicable numbers: pairs of numbers for which the sum of the divisors of one number equals the other number, e.g. x 2 + 3 x – 4Īlgebraic equation: a combination of numbers and letters equivalent to a sentence in language, e.g. More detailed glossaries can be found at and (among others).Ī B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZĪbstract algebra: the area of modern mathematics that considers algebraic structures to be sets with operations defined on them, and extends algebraic concepts usually associated with the real number system to other more general systems, such as groups, rings, fields, modules and vector spacesĪlgebra: a branch of mathematics that uses symbols or letters to represent variables, values or numbers, which can then be used to express operations and relationships and to solve equationsĪlgebraic expression: a combination of numbers and letters equivalent to a phrase in language, e.g. This is not a comprehensive dictionary of mathematical terms, just a quick reference for some of the terms commonly used in this website. GLOSSARY OF MATHEMATICAL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Positive and negative infinitesimals