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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© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition latitude imaginary lines drawn on the Earth, running parallel to the Equator The vertical lines of longitude combine with latitude to form a grid that can be used to describe locations.

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

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition LCM abbreviation for "lowest common multiple"

Related links: Number theory — Lowest common multiple (LCM) Number theory — HCF and LCM for large numbers Fractions — Adding and subtracting fractions

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition length the measurement of the distance from end to end along a line; the longest dimension of a 2D or 3D shape Units of measurement for length are millimetre, centimetre, metre and kilometre.

Related links: Length, perimeter and area — Units of 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 — Areas of parallelograms Length, perimeter and area — Converting area units and estimating Pythagoras' theorem — Length of the hypotenuse Pythagoras' theorem — Length of any side Pythagoras' theorem — Pythagoras, perimeter and area Representing data — Divided bar graphs Equations and inequalities — Equations and formulas Circles and cylinders — Area of a circle Congruent and similar shapes — Scale factor Congruent and similar shapes — Drawing similar figures Congruent and similar shapes — Scale drawings Ratios and rates — Using ratios Ratios and rates — Rates Exploring geometry — Exploring parallelograms and rectangles Exploring geometry — Exploring rhombuses and squares

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition like signs signs that are the same Example + + are two like signs − − are like signs

Related links: Integers — Adding and subtracting integers Integers — Two signs together Integers — Multiplying integers Integers — Dividing integers Algebra — Substitution

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition like terms terms with the same pronumerals and same powers Examples m and 4m and −7m are all like terms. 3k3 and −k3 and are all like terms.

Related links: Algebra — Adding and subtracting terms

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition line a continuous set of points without breadth or thickness A line may be straight or curved. A line may be closed or infinite in length. Example The diagram shows the straight line named AB which is an infinite set of points, the arrows indicating that the line AB extends infinitely in both directions.

Related links: 2D shapes — Line of symmetry Angles — Points, lines and intervals Angles — Angles in parallel lines Representing data — Line, conversion and step graphs Representing data — Travel graphs Representing data — Histograms and polygons The number plane — Graphs from equations The number plane — Equations from lines The number plane — Comparing lines and equations The number plane — Intersecting lines Exploring geometry — Constructing lines and angles Exploring geometry — Bisecting angles and intervals

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition line graph representation of data, where the data is depicted by points joined with line segments

Related links: Representing data — Line, conversion and step graphs Representing data — Travel graphs The number plane — Graphs from equations The number plane — Equations from lines The number plane — Comparing lines and equations The number plane — Intersecting lines

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition line of symmetry a line that divides a figure into two identical parts, that is, the line along which a figure can be folded to produce identical halves (see also axis of symmetry) Example The diagram is a regular pentagon showing one of its five lines of symmetry.

Related links: 2D shapes — Line of symmetry 2D shapes — Rotational symmetry 2D shapes — Reflection

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition line segment interval

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition litre (L) unit of metric measurement for capacity (1000 mL = 1 L; 1000 cc = 1 L)

Related links: Measuring solids — Capacity Circles and cylinders — Volume of a cylinder Ratios and rates — Rates

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition longitude imaginary lines drawn on the Earth, running vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole, used to describe locations (see latitude)

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

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition loss the amount of money lost by selling for less than the cost Loss = cost price − selling price

Related links: Applying percentages — Profit and loss

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition lowest common denominator (LCD) for two or more fractions the lowest common multiple of their denominators Example The LCD of , and is 30 which is the smallest number that 3, 5 and 6 will divide into exactly.

Related links: Fractions — Comparing and ordering fractions Fractions — Adding and subtracting fractions Manipulating algebra — Algebraic fractions

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition lowest common multiple (LCM) the smallest number that two or more numbers divide into evenly Example What is the lowest common multiple of 3 and 4? Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 ... Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 ... Common multiples of 3 and 4: 12, 24, 36 ... The lowest common multiple of 3 and 4 is 12.