Introductory Algebra Glossary

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Introductory Algebra Glossary

• Chapter Ten

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quadratic equation

• A quadratic equation is anequation that can be
  written in the form ax2 bx c 0, where a, b,
  and c are real numbers,with a 0.

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discriminant

• The quantity under the radical in the quadratic
  formula, b2 - 4ac.

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complex number

• Any number that can be written in the form a
  bi, where a and b are real numbers.

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imaginary number

• A complex number a bi
• with b ? 0.

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real part

• The real part of a complex
• number a bi is a.

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imaginary part

• The imaginary part of the
• complex number a bi is b.

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standard form of a complex number

• The standard form of a
• complex number is a bi.

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conjugate of a complex number

• The conjugate of a complex
• number a bi is a - bi.

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parabola

• The graph of a second-degree (quadratic) equation
  in two variables is called a parabola.

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parabola

• The graph of a second-degree (quadratic) equation
  in two variables is called a parabola.

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axis (axis of symmetry)

• The axis of a parabola is thevertical or
  horizontal line through the vertex of the
  parabola.

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quadratic function

• A function defined by an equation of the form
  f(x) ax2 bx c, for real numbers a, b, and
  c, with a 0.

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Return to Introductory Algebra

• Created by
• James Q. Jacobs
• Superstition Mountain Campus
• Central Arizona College