HOTmaths dictionary

This illustrated dictionary offers free access to over several hundred mathematical symbols, terms and definitions from the early secondary syllabus.

Select any letter to see examples of mathematical terms with clear explanations and helpful diagrams.

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SYMBOLS A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition geometry an analysis of lines, angles, shapes and their properties and dimensions

Related links: Length, perimeter and area — Units of length Length, perimeter and area — Measuring length Length, perimeter and area — Measuring length Length, perimeter and area — Perimeter Length, perimeter and area — Areas of rectangles and squares Length, perimeter and area — Areas of triangles Length, perimeter and area — Converting area units and estimating 2D shapes — Classifying triangles 2D shapes — Angle sum of a triangle 2D shapes — Classifying quadrilaterals 2D shapes — Angle sum of a quadrilateral 2D shapes — Line of symmetry 2D shapes — Rotational symmetry 2D shapes — Translation 2D shapes — Reflection 2D shapes — Rotation Angles — Points, lines and intervals Angles — How to name an angle Angles — How to measure an angle Angles — Types of angles Angles — Angle theorems Angles — Angles in parallel lines 3D shapes — Faces, edges and vertices 3D shapes — Classifying solids 3D shapes — Nets of solids 3D shapes — Drawing solids 3D shapes — Views of solids Pythagoras' theorem — What is Pythagoras' theorem? Pythagoras' theorem — Length of the hypotenuse Pythagoras' theorem — Length of any side Pythagoras' theorem — Pythagoras, perimeter and area Circles and cylinders — Area of a circle Circles and cylinders — Volume of a cylinder Congruent and similar shapes — Congruent shapes Congruent and similar shapes — Which shapes are similar? Congruent and similar shapes — Scale factor Congruent and similar shapes — Drawing similar figures Congruent and similar shapes — Scale drawings Exploring geometry — Exploring trapeziums and kites Exploring geometry — Exploring parallelograms and rectangles Exploring geometry — Exploring rhombuses and squares Exploring geometry — Constructing lines and angles Exploring geometry — Bisecting angles and intervals

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition golden ratio a ratio found in nature, usually denoted by the Greek letter phi () Phi 2.618 Like pi (), phi is a number that cannot be expressed exactly using decimals or fractions.

Related links: Ratios and rates — Using ratios

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition gram (g) unit of metric measurement of mass (1000 g = 1 kg)

Related links: Measuring solids — Mass Representing data — Line, conversion and step graphs

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition graph the representation of data in a diagram

Related links: Integers — What are directed numbers? Algebra — Patterns on the number grid Representing data — Sector graphs Representing data — Divided bar graphs Representing data — Scatter diagrams Representing data — Line, conversion and step graphs Representing data — Travel graphs Representing data — Histograms and polygons Representing data — Dot plots Representing data — Stem-and-leaf plots Representing data — Graphs and spreadsheets The number plane — Plotting positive integers The number plane — Extending the number plane The number plane — Graphs from equations The number plane — Comparing lines and equations The number plane — Intersecting lines Analysing data — Analysing dot plots Analysing data — Analysing stem-and-leaf plots

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) the time in Greenwich, England, at the prime meridian of longitude It is the standard we use to talk about the time in all other time zones. Example The time zone for Tokyo is GMT+9, which means it is nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Related links: Time — Time zones The number plane — Maps and plans

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition grouping symbols parentheses ( ), brackets [ ] and braces { } − symbols used to collect terms and operations together to simplify calculations or to specify the order of operations Example {4 + 2 × [17 − (4 + 5)]} = 20