SAT Math Vocabulary

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Integer

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A whole number that can be positive, negative, or zero. It cannot be a fraction or decimal.

Example

-3, 0, 4, 15

SAT Math Glossary

All terms included in this flashcard deck.

Integer

A whole number that can be positive, negative, or zero. It cannot be a fraction or decimal.

Ex:-3, 0, 4, 15

Prime Number

An integer greater than 1 that has only two factors: 1 and itself.

Ex:2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13

Rational Number

Any number that can be expressed as a fraction p/q, where p and q are integers and q is not zero.

Ex:1/2, -3, 0.75, 4

Irrational Number

A number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction. Its decimal goes on forever without repeating.

Ex:π, √2, √3

Coefficient

A number multiplied by a variable in an algebraic expression.

Ex:In 5x, 5 is the coefficient.

Constant

A fixed value that does not change. A number on its own.

Ex:In x + 7, 7 is the constant.

Domain

The set of all possible input values (x-values) for which a function is defined.

Ex:For f(x) = 1/x, the domain is all real numbers except x = 0.

Range

The set of all possible output values (y-values) a function can produce.

Ex:For f(x) = x², the range is y ≥ 0.

Slope (m)

The steepness of a line, calculated as 'rise over run' or the change in y divided by the change in x.

Ex:m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

Y-intercept

The point where a line or curve crosses the y-axis (where x = 0).

Ex:In y = 2x + 3, the y-intercept is 3.

Vertex (Parabola)

The highest or lowest point on a parabola. The turning point.

Ex:For y = (x-2)² + 3, the vertex is (2, 3).

Root / Zero

The x-values where the function equals zero (where the graph crosses the x-axis).

Ex:For y = x² - 4, the roots are x = 2 and x = -2.

System of Equations

A set of two or more equations with the same variables. The solution is the point(s) where their graphs intersect.

Ex:y = 2x and y = x + 1

Mean

The average of a set of numbers, found by adding them all up and dividing by the total count.

Ex:Mean of 2, 4, 6 is (2+4+6)/3 = 4.

Median

The middle number in a sorted, ascending or descending, list of numbers.

Ex:Median of 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 is 5.

Mode

The number that appears most frequently in a data set.

Ex:Mode of 1, 2, 2, 3 is 2.

Standard Deviation

A measure of how spread out numbers are from the mean. A low standard deviation means data is clustered around the mean.

Ex:A class where everyone scores 80 has a standard deviation of 0.

Hypotenuse

The longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.

Ex:In a 3-4-5 right triangle, 5 is the hypotenuse.

Tangent (Geometry)

A line that touches a circle at exactly one point, never entering the circle's interior.

Ex:A tangent line is perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency.

Arc Length

The distance along the curved line making up the arc of a circle.

Ex:Arc Length = (central angle / 360) × 2πr