NLN Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) Mathematics Vocabulary Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential mathematical terms, algebraic concepts, data analysis, and measurement systems defined in the NLN Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) review materials.

Rational numbers

Numbers that can be expressed as ratios (i.e., fractions) where the denominator is not zero.

Irrational numbers

Numbers that have non-repeating, non-terminating decimal expressions, such as $\pi$ or $\sqrt{2}$.

Place value

The value that each digit in a number has based on its position, where it takes ten ones to make one ten, and ten tens to make one hundred.

Percent

A fraction with a denominator (bottom number) equal to $100$, often represented by the symbol $($.

Decimals

Numbers that use place values to the right of a point to represent part of a whole, with whole numbers represented to the left.

Numerator

The top part of a fraction that shows how many equal parts of the whole or collection are taken.

Denominator

The bottom part of a fraction that shows the total number of equal parts the whole is divided into; it cannot be $0$.

Proper fraction

A fraction where the numerator is less than or equal to the denominator.

Improper fraction

A fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator; if they are equal, the fraction equals $1$ whole.

Mixed number

The sum of a whole number and a fraction, representing another way of writing an improper fraction.

Complex fraction

A fraction in which the numerator and/or the denominator are also fractions.

Equivalent fractions

Fractions that are equal in value, such as $\frac{1}{10}$ and $\frac{10}{100}$.

Least common multiple (LCM)

The smallest number into which two or more numbers divide evenly.

Greatest common factor (GCF)

The largest number that divides evenly into two or more numbers.

Reciprocal

The resulting fraction found by switching the numerator and denominator; multiplying a number by its reciprocal results in $1$.

Lowest common denominator (LCD)

The smallest number that divides evenly into all denominators in a given problem.

Variable

A symbol, usually an italicized letter, which takes the place of a number in an algebraic expression or equation.

Algebraic expression

A collection of numbers and variables connected by mathematical signs and symbols.

Term

An individual piece of an algebraic expression which can be a number, a variable, or a product of both.

Coefficient

The numerical factor of a term, such as the $3$ in the term $3x$.

Like terms

Two or more terms that have the same variables raised to the same power or exponent.

Equation

A mathematical sentence formed by joining two expressions with an equal sign $(=)$.

Inequality

A mathematical sentence stating that one expression is greater than $(>)$, less than $(<)$, or potentially equal to the other.

Exponents

A notation indicating that a number or variable (the base) is multiplied by itself a specific number of times.

Distributive Property

A multiplication property used to eliminate groups by multiplying the expression in front of parentheses by each term within.

PEMDAS

A mnemonic device for the order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (Left to Right), and Addition/Subtraction (Left to Right).

System of equations

Two or more equations with the same variables that are solved simultaneously to find a shared solution.

Intercept

The point where a graphed line crosses the $x$-axis or $y$-axis.

Slope-intercept form

The equation of a line written as $y = mx + b$, where $m$ is the slope and $b$ is the $y$-intercept.

Data

Pieces of information, facts, or observations collected and recorded in numerical, textual, visual, or symbolic forms.

Dataset

A collection of individual pieces of information known as data points or values.

Summary statistics

Values used to describe the shape, center (mean, median, mode), and spread (range, standard deviation) of a dataset.

Arithmetic mean

The average of a group of numbers found by dividing the sum of the numbers by the count of numbers.

Median

The middle number of a group of numbers when they are lined up in order.

Mode

The number that appears most often in a group of numbers.

Range

The width a group of numbers spans, calculated by subtracting the lowest number from the highest.

Standard deviation (SD)

A measure of the spread of a group of numbers around the mean; a higher value indicates greater variability.

US Customary System

A measurement system standardized in the US in 1832, featuring units like inches, feet, ounces, and pounds.

Metric Measurement System

A system based on multiples of $10$, using meters for distance, liters for capacity, and grams for weight.

Ratio

A comparison of two numbers, often written as $a:b$ or $\frac{a}{b}$.

Rate

A specific type of ratio made up of two different units of measurement, such as miles per gallon.

Proportion

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, characterized by the property that cross products are equal.

Area

The space inside a two-dimensional figure, measured in square units.

Perimeter

The total length around the outside of a polygon, found by adding the lengths of all sides.

Pythagorean Theorem

The formula $a^{2} + b^{2} = c^{2}$ used to find the missing side of a right triangle.

Hypotenuse

The side opposite the $90$-degree angle in a right triangle, designated as variable $c$.

Scale

The proportion or ratio between measurements in different units or representations.