MATH DICTIONARY
J
joint variation: y varies
jointly as x and z if y = kxz.
latus rectum: the chord through the focus of a parabola parallel to the directrix. The
chord through a focus of an ellipse perpendicular to the major axis.
law of cosines: c2 = a2 + b2 - 2abCosC
law of sines: a/sin A = b/sin B = c/sin C
least common denominator: the least common denominator of two fractions, a/b and c/d,
is the smallest number that contains both b and d as factors.
least common multiple: the least common multiple of two numbers, a and b, is the
smallest number that contains both a and b as factors.
lemma: a theorem that is proved mainly as an aid in proving another theorem.
like terms: two terms each of whose parts, with the exception of their coefficients, is the
same.
line: a straight set of points that extends off into infinity in both directions.
line segment: two points on a line, and all the points between those two points.
logarithm: if y = bx, then logb y = x.
logic: the study of sound reasoning.