calculate: To compute or simplify.
calculator: A machine used for computation.
calculus: The branch of mathematics involving derivatives and integrals. The study of motion in which changing values are studied.
capacity: The amount a container holds.
cardinal number: A whole number, used to answer the question "how many?"
Cartesian coordinates: A system in which points on a plane are identified by an ordered pair of numbers, representing the distances to two or three perpendicular axes.
Celsius: A temperature scale in which water freezes at and boils at
census: Information gathered from all people in a population.
centi-: In the metric system, a prefix meaning hundredth.
central angle: An angle that has its vertex at the center of a circle.
center of rotation: The point around which an object is rotated.
Chain Rule: A formula for the derivative of the composite of two functions:
chord: A line segment that connects two points on a curve.
circle: The set of points in a plane that are a fixed distance from a given point, called the center.
circle graph: A pictorial way of displaying how an entire thing, represented by the circle's interior, is distributed.
circumference: The distance around a circle.
closed curve: A string of connected points in which the beginning of the string joins the end of the string.
coefficient: A constant that multiplies a variable.
collinear: Points are collinear if they lie on the same line.
combination: A selection in which order has no importance.
combine: To join, or bring together.
commission: Earnings based on the amount of total sales.
common denominator: A denominator shared by two or more fractions.
common factor: A factor of two or more numbers.
common multiple: A multiple of two or more numbers.
commutative property: The order of numbers in a calculation does not affect the result.
commutative property of addition: a+b=b+a
commutative property of multiplication: a · b=b · a
compass: An instrument used for drawing circles, describing circles, or measuring distances. Consists of two hinged, movable legs.
compatible numbers: Numbers that are easy to manipulate mentally. Example: 25 · 4, 8+2
compensation: Adjusting an estimated answer up or down to more closely approximate the value.
complement: The difference between a right angle and the angle.
complementary angles: Two angles whose sum is
complement set: A set whose elements do not belong to a given set.
complex numbers: Numbers that have the form where and are real numbers and satisfies the equation
composite: A natural number that is not prime.
compound bar graph: A bar graph that compares two or more quantities simultaneously.
compound event: The outcome of a probability experiment that involves more than one object. Example: when you roll two dice and the result is a 5 on one and a 2 on the other, this is a compound event.
compound inequality: Two or more inequalities that may have a common solution.
concave polygon: A polygon with at least one interior angle with measure greater than
concentric: With reference to circles, having the same center.
cone: A three-dimensional figure with a circular base and one vertex.
congruent: Angles or figures that have the same size and shape.
conic section: The section formed by the intersection of a plane and a cone.
conjecture: An educated guess.
consecutive: Following, in succession, without interruption.
consistent system: A system of equations that has at least one solution.
constant: A fixed value that does not change.
convex polygon: A polygon with each interior angle measuring less than
coordinate: A number in an ordered pair that names the location of a point on the coordinate plane. The first number in the ordered pair is called the abscissa and the second number is the ordinate.
coordinate plane: The plane determined by a horizontal number line, called the x-axis, and a vertical number line, called the y-axis, intersecting at a point called the origin. Each point in the coordinate plane can be specified by an ordered pair of numbers.
coplanar: Points that lie within the same plane.
correlation: A type of relationship between two variables. Two variables may be related as a positive correlation, a negative correlation, or illustrate no correlation.
corresponding angles: Angles that have the same relative positions.
cosecant: In a right triangle, the ratio of the length of the hypotenuse to the length of the opposite side; the reciprocal of the sine.
cosine: In a right triangle, the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length of the hypotenuse.
cotangent: In a right triangle, the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the leng