Algebra Glossary

decreasing function:	A function such that for any numbers a and b in the domain. if a > b. then f(a) < f(b).
degree of a monomial:	The sum of the exponents of the variables.
degree of a polynomial:	The degree of the term (or terms) of highest degree.
dependent events:	Two events A and B are dependent if and only if (A and then B) * P(A) - P(B).
dependent system:	A system whose gr-aphs coincide and that has infinitely many solutions.
dependent variable:	If the value of a de- pends on the value of b, or if a is usually defined in terms of b, a is called the dependent variable. and it is graphed on the vertical axis.
depressed equation:	The equation Q(x) = 0. where Q(x) is the quotient when a polynomial has been divided by a factor (x - r).
descending order:	A polynomial is written in descending order when the term with highest de- gree is written first, followed by the term with next highest degree second, and so on.
determinant:	A real number represented by a square array of numbers.
determinant of a matrix:	The determinant of a matrix is the determinant with the same corre- sponding elements.
dimensions of a matrix:	The number of rows and the number of columns.
direct variation:	Two variables are said to vary directly if and only if there is a constant of variation or (constant of proportionality) k. k ¹ 0. such that y = kx.
directed network:	A network that indicates the direction of flow on each arc.
directrix:	A line used in the definition of a conic section.
discriminant:	The expression b2 - 4ac of the quadratic formula that determines several characteristics of the roots of a quadratic equation.
dispersion:	A measure of how closely a set of data are clustered about the mean.
distance formula:	For points P1(X1, Y1) and P2(Y1, Y2), P1P2 = Ö (X2-X1)^2 + (Y2-Y1)^2.
diverge:	If there is no real number that is the value of an infinite series, the series diverges.
domain of a relation:	The set of first components of the ordered pairs in the relation.
double root:	Two roots that are alike.

Note: The terms in this collection may not be entirely accurate.
They are for reference only.

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Algebra Glossary - D
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