SAT Math Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential SAT math terms and common measurement units.

Absolute value

The non-negative distance of a number from zero on the number line.

Acute angle

An angle that measures less than 90°.

Acute-angled triangle

A triangle in which all three interior angles are acute.

Add

To combine quantities to obtain their sum.

Addition

The arithmetic operation of finding a total or sum.

Adjacent

Next to or sharing a common side or vertex.

Adjacent angles

Two angles that share a common vertex and side but do not overlap.

Algebra

Branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating them.

Algebraic expression

A combination of numbers, variables, and operations without an equals sign.

Algebraic inequality

A mathematical statement comparing expressions using

Alternate angles

Non-adjacent angles that lie on opposite sides of a transversal and are equal when lines are parallel.

Altitude (height)

A perpendicular segment from a vertex to the opposite side (or its extension).

Angle

A figure formed by two rays with a common endpoint.

Arc

A portion of the circumference of a circle.

Arithmetic

The branch of mathematics dealing with basic number operations.

Arithmetic mean

The average of a set of numbers, found by dividing their sum by how many there are.

Associative property

Rule stating that how numbers are grouped does not affect the sum or product.

Assumption

A statement accepted as true without proof for the sake of argument.

Average

A number expressing the central value of a set; typically the arithmetic mean.

Base (geometry)

The bottom side of a figure or the face on which a solid stands.

Base angle

Either of the two angles adjacent to the base of an isosceles triangle.

Base (exponentiation)

The number that is raised to a power.

Binary operation

An operation that combines two elements to produce another (e.g., +, ×).

Bisect

To divide into two equal parts.

Bisector

A line or segment that divides an angle or segment into two equal parts.

Brackets

Symbols ( ), [ ], or { } used to group terms.

Calculate

To find an answer using mathematical methods.

Calculation

The process of computing a result.

Cancellation

The simplification step where common factors are divided out.

Central angle

An angle whose vertex is the center of a circle and whose sides intersect the circle.

Chart

A visual representation of data, such as a graph or diagram.

Chord

A segment whose endpoints lie on a circle.

Circle

The set of all points in a plane equidistant from a fixed center point.

Circular

Having the shape or properties of a circle.

Circumference

The perimeter of a circle.

Clockwise

Rotating in the same direction as a clock’s hands.

Closed operation

An operation where combining two elements of a set always produces another element of that set.

Coefficient

The numerical factor of a term containing a variable.

Common denominator

A shared multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions.

Commutative property

Rule stating that order doesn’t affect the sum or product: a + b = b + a; ab = ba.

Complementary angles

Two angles whose measures add up to 90°.

Composite number

A whole number greater than 1 with more than two positive factors.

Concentric circles

Circles that share the same center but have different radii.

Cone

A solid with a circular base and a single vertex.

Congruent

Having the same size and shape.

Conical

Having the shape of a cone.

Consecutive angles

Angles that share a common side in a polygon.

Consecutive whole numbers

Whole numbers that follow one another without gaps.

Constant

A fixed value that does not change.

Coordinates

Ordered pairs that locate points on a plane.

Corresponding angles

Angles in matching positions when two lines are crossed by a transversal; equal if lines are parallel.

Cube (solid)

A solid with six congruent square faces.

Cube (power)

To raise a number to the third power.

Cube root

A number that, when multiplied by itself three times, gives the original number.

Cubic

Having degree three or relating to a cube.

Curve

A smoothly bending line without sharp angles.

Curved

Having a smoothly bending shape.

Cylinder

A solid with two parallel congruent circular bases and a curved surface.

Cylindrical

Having the shape of a cylinder.

Dash line

A line made of dashes, often used in diagrams to represent hidden or temporary edges.

Decimal

A number expressed using a decimal point.

Decimal point

The dot that separates the whole part from the fractional part of a decimal number.

Decimal system

Base-10 numbering system.

Defined

Precisely described or determined.

Degrees Celsius

Metric temperature scale where water freezes at 0° and boils at 100°.

Degrees Fahrenheit

Temperature scale where water freezes at 32° and boils at 212°.

Denominator

The bottom part of a fraction that shows how many equal parts make a whole.

Depth

The distance from top to bottom; thickness.

Diagonal

A segment joining two non-adjacent vertices of a polygon.

Diameter

A chord passing through the center of a circle; twice the radius.

Different sign

Refers to numbers that are positive and negative.

Digits

The symbols 0–9 used to write numbers.

Dimension

Measure of length, width, height, or extent of an object or space.

Directly proportional

Relationship where the ratio of two variables is constant.

Distributive law

a(b + c) = ab + ac; rule for multiplying over addition or subtraction.

Divide

To separate into equal parts or groups; the inverse of multiplication.

Dividend

The number being divided.

Division

The arithmetic operation of finding how many times one number is contained in another.

Divisible

Capable of being divided evenly with no remainder.

Divisor

A number by which another number is divided.

Dot line

A line composed of dots, often indicating symmetry or construction lines.

Edge

A line segment where two faces of a solid meet.

Ellipse

An oval curve formed by a point that moves so the sum of its distances from two foci is constant.

Elliptical

Having the shape or properties of an ellipse.

Equal

Having the same value or measure.

Equation

A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal.

Equilateral triangle

A triangle with three equal sides and three equal angles.

Equivalent

Having the same value or function.

Equivalent fraction

Fractions that represent the same portion of a whole.

Even number

An integer divisible by 2.

Exponent

A number that indicates how many times the base is multiplied by itself.

Expression

A mathematical phrase that can contain numbers, variables, and operations but no equals sign.

Exterior angle

An angle formed outside a polygon when one side is extended.

External

Located outside or on the outer surface.

Face value

The value of a digit based on its place within a number.

Factor

A number that divides another number exactly.

Factorial

The product of all positive integers up to a given number n, written n!.

First-degree equation

A linear equation in which the highest power of the variable is 1.

Flat

Having a level surface; planar.

Flat angle

An angle of 180°.