# Definitions

## polynomial

polynomial
(algebra) An expression consisting of a sum of a finite number of terms, each term being the product of a constant coefficient and one or more variables raised to a non-negative integer power, such as $a_n x^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + ... + a_0 x^0$.

## graph

graph
(mathematics) A diagram displaying data, in particular one showing the relationship between two or more variables; specifically, for a function $f(x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n)$, the set of all tuples $(x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n, f(x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n))$.

## Axes

Axes
In mathematics, the Cartesian coordinate system (also called rectangular coordinate system) is used to determine each point uniquely in a plane through two numbers, usually called the x-coordinate or abscissa and the y-coordinate or ordinate of the point. To define the coordinates, two perpendicular directed lines (the x-axis, and the y-axis), are specified, as well as the unit length, which is marked off on the two axes. Cartesian coordinate systems are also used in space (where three coordinates are used) and in higher dimensions.

This extract is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license. It uses material from the article "Cartesian Coordinate System", retrieved 11 05 08.

## scale

scale
1. An ordered numerical sequence used for measurement. Please rate your experience on a scale from 1 to 10.
2. A means of assigning a magnitude. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on the open-ended Richter scale.

## coordinate

coordinate
A number representing the position of a point along a line, arc, or similar one-dimensional figure.

## click and drag

click and drag
 Navigate the cursor over the object you wish to move. Click and hold the (left) mouse button. Drag the object to the desired location. Release the mouse button.

## slope

slope
1. (mathematics) The ratio of the vertical and horizontal distances between two points on a line; zero if the line is horizontal, infinite if it is vertical. The slope of this line is 0.5.
2. (mathematics) The slope of the line tangent to a curve at a given point. The slope of a parabola increases linearly with x.