MATH DICTIONARY


J
joint variation:  y varies jointly as x and z if y = kxz.


L

latus rectum:  the chord through the focus of a parabola parallel to the directrix.   The

                            chord through a focus of an ellipse perpendicular to the major axis.

law of cosines:    c2 = a2 + b2 - 2abCosC

law of sines:   a/sin A = b/sin B = c/sin C

least common denominator:   the least common denominator of two fractions, a/b and c/d,

least common multiple:   the least common multiple of two numbers, a and b, is the

                                        smallest  number that contains both a and b as factors.

lemma:  a theorem that is proved mainly as an aid in proving another theorem.

like terms:  two terms each of whose parts, with the exception of their coefficients, is the

                     same.

line:   a straight set of points that extends off into infinity in both directions.

line segment:  two points on a line, and all the points between those two points.

logarithm:  if y = bx, then logb y = x.

logic:  the study of sound reasoning.


BACK TO BEGINNING OF MATH DICTIONARY

BACK TO THE FRONT PAGE