Introductory Algebra Glossary

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Elements (members)

The objects that belong to a set.

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Number line

A line with a scale that is used to show how numbers relate to each other.

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Negative number

A number located to the left of zero on a number line.

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Positive number

A number located to the right of zero on the number line.

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Signed numbers

Numbers that can be written with a positive or negative sign.

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Integers

The set of integers is:

{ .-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, .}.

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Graph of a number

The point on a number line that corresponds to a number is its graph.

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Rational numbers

Rational numbers can be written as the quotient of two integers, with denominator not zero.

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Set-builder notation

Set-builder notation is used to describe a set of numbers without actually having to list all of the elements.

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Irrational numbers

Irrational numbers cannot be written as the quotient of two integers but can be represented by points on the number line.

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Real numbers

All numbers that can be represented by points on the number line, that is, all rational and irrational numbers.

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Additive inverse

Two numbers that are the same distance from zero on a number line but on opposite sides of zero. The sum of two additive inverses equals zero.

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Absolute value

The distance between zero and a number on a number line.

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Multiplicative inverse (reciprocal)

The multiplicative inverse of a nonzero real number a is 1/a. The product of multiplicative inverses is one.