Mathematics is the science of numbers as Aristotle defined. Here we have collected all the important mathematics definitions. Browse these definitions or use the Search function for a specific definition.
Math Definitions
There are currently 30 definitions in this directory beginning with the letter C.
Calculate
To work out an answer, usually by adding, multiplying etc.
Example: Calculate the cost of 10 apples when each apple costs 0.50.
Answer: 10 x 0.50 = 5.00
Example: Calculate the cost of 10 apples when each apple costs 0.50.
Answer: 10 x 0.50 = 5.00
Calculus
A branch of mathematics that looks at how things change, or how things add up, by breaking them into really small pieces.
Differential Calculus cuts things into small pieces to find how they change, so we can work out slopes, speed, etc
Integral Calculus joins (integrates) the small pieces together to find how much there is, so we can work out areas within curves, volumes, and more.
Differential Calculus cuts things into small pieces to find how they change, so we can work out slopes, speed, etc
Integral Calculus joins (integrates) the small pieces together to find how much there is, so we can work out areas within curves, volumes, and more.
Capacity
The amount that something can hold.
Usually it means volume, such as milliliters (ml) or liters (l) in Metric, or pints or gallons in Imperial.
Example: This glass has a capacity of 300 ml (but is actually holding only 160 ml)
Usually it means volume, such as milliliters (ml) or liters (l) in Metric, or pints or gallons in Imperial.
Example: This glass has a capacity of 300 ml (but is actually holding only 160 ml)
Capital gain
Money gained when you sell an asset (such as personal property, real estate, etc) for more than it cost.
Example: Buy a building for $1,000,000, then sell it next year for $1,200,000. The capital gain is $200,000
Example: Buy a building for $1,000,000, then sell it next year for $1,200,000. The capital gain is $200,000
Capital loss
Money lost when you sell an asset (such as personal property, real estate, etc.) for less than it cost.
Example: Buy a building for $1,000,000, then sell it next year for $950,000. The capital loss is $50,000
Example: Buy a building for $1,000,000, then sell it next year for $950,000. The capital loss is $50,000
Celsius
Celsius (or "degrees Celsius", or sometimes "Centigrade") is a temperature scale.
It is used to tell how hot or cold something is
It is often written as °C
Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C
It is used to tell how hot or cold something is
It is often written as °C
Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C
Cent
The smallest money value in many countries.
100 cents equals one dollar in the US, Canada and Australia.
100 cents equals one euro in Europe.
100 cents equals one dollar in the US, Canada and Australia.
100 cents equals one euro in Europe.
Centimeter
A measure of length. It is about the width of a fingernail.
There are 100 centimeters in a meter.
The abbreviation is cm
A typical ruler measures up to 30 cm, like the one shown below. It has cm along the top and inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) along the bottom.
There are 100 centimeters in a meter.
The abbreviation is cm
A typical ruler measures up to 30 cm, like the one shown below. It has cm along the top and inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) along the bottom.
Century
One hundred years.
The 1st Century was from the Year 1 to the Year 100
The 2nd Century was from 101 to 200
The 20th Century was from 1901 to 2000
The 21st Century is from 2001 to 2100
We are currently in the 21st century.
This is a 5 Dollar gold coin from 1855, which is in the 19th Century
The 1st Century was from the Year 1 to the Year 100
The 2nd Century was from 101 to 200
The 20th Century was from 1901 to 2000
The 21st Century is from 2001 to 2100
We are currently in the 21st century.
This is a 5 Dollar gold coin from 1855, which is in the 19th Century
Closed Curve
A curve that joins up so there are no end points.
Example: an ellipse is a closed curve. So is a circle.
Example: an ellipse is a closed curve. So is a circle.
Coefficient
A number used to multiply a variable.
Example: 6z means 6 times z, and "z" is a variable, so 6 is a coefficient.
Variables with no number have a coefficient of 1.
Example: x is really 1x.
Sometimes a letter stands in for the number.
Example: In ax2 + bx + c, "x" is a variable, and "a" and "b" are coefficients.
Example: 6z means 6 times z, and "z" is a variable, so 6 is a coefficient.
Variables with no number have a coefficient of 1.
Example: x is really 1x.
Sometimes a letter stands in for the number.
Example: In ax2 + bx + c, "x" is a variable, and "a" and "b" are coefficients.
Collateral
In Finance, collateral is property that a borrower promises to give to a lender if they can't pay back a loan.
Example: you borrow $2,000 and use your car as collateral. If you don't pay back the loan according to the agreement (maybe you miss a monthly payment) they can take your car.
Example: you borrow $2,000 and use your car as collateral. If you don't pay back the loan according to the agreement (maybe you miss a monthly payment) they can take your car.
Compass
An instrument that shows us direction (such as North, South, East and West) by a small magnetic needle that points North/South.
Composite Function
A function made of other functions, where the output of one is the input to the other.Example: the functions 2x+3 and x2 together make the composite function (2x+3)2
Composite Numbers
Composite number has more than two factors. The composite numbers are numbers which are not prime numbers. The number 1 is neither prime nor composite.
Compound Interest
Where interest is calculated on both the amount borrowed plus previous interest. Usually calculated one or more times per year.
Computer
A machine that can be programmed to do things with data.
Computers can usually:
• "input" data from a mouse, keyboard or touch-screen,
• "process" the data using a CPU and memory, and
• "output" the result onto a screen or save it to disk.
Computers can usually:
• "input" data from a mouse, keyboard or touch-screen,
• "process" the data using a CPU and memory, and
• "output" the result onto a screen or save it to disk.
Cone
A solid (3-dimensional) object that has a circular base joined to point by a curved side.
The point is called a vertex.
The point is called a vertex.
Convex
Curved outwards.
Example: A polygon (which has straight sides) is convex when there are NO "dents" or indentations in it (no internal angle is greater than 180°)
The opposite idea is called "concave".
Example: A polygon (which has straight sides) is convex when there are NO "dents" or indentations in it (no internal angle is greater than 180°)
The opposite idea is called "concave".
Coordinates
A set of values that show an exact position.
On graphs it is usually a pair of numbers: the first number shows the distance along, and the second number shows the distance up or down.
Example: the point (12,5) is 12 units along, and 5 units up.
On graphs it is usually a pair of numbers: the first number shows the distance along, and the second number shows the distance up or down.
Example: the point (12,5) is 12 units along, and 5 units up.
Cotangent
In a right angled triangle, the cotangent of an angle is:
The length of the adjacent side divided by the length of the side opposite the angle.
The abbreviation is cot
cot(θ) = adjacent / opposite
The length of the adjacent side divided by the length of the side opposite the angle.
The abbreviation is cot
cot(θ) = adjacent / opposite
Cube Root
The cube root of a number is a special value that, when used in a multiplication three times, gives that number.
Example: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27, so the cube root of 27 is 3.
Example: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27, so the cube root of 27 is 3.
Cubic Meter
A volume that is made by a cube that is 1 meter on each side.
Its symbol is m3
It is equal to 1000 (one thousand) liters.
Example: A box that is 2 meters wide, 2 meters long and 0.25 meters deep has a volume of 2×2×0.25 = 1 m3
Its symbol is m3
It is equal to 1000 (one thousand) liters.
Example: A box that is 2 meters wide, 2 meters long and 0.25 meters deep has a volume of 2×2×0.25 = 1 m3
Curve
A smoothly-flowing line (no sharp changes).
In normal language a curve must bend (change direction), but in mathematics a straight line is also a curve.
In normal language a curve must bend (change direction), but in mathematics a straight line is also a curve.
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