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As this example shows, when like terms exist in an expression, they may be combined by adding or subtracting (whatever the expression indicates) the coefficients, and maintaining the common factor of both terms. Such combination is called combining like terms or collecting like terms, and it is an important tool used for solving equations.
Unlike with functions, notational ambiguities can be overcome by means of additional definitions (e.g., rules of precedence, associativity of the operator). For example, in the programming language C , the operator - for subtraction is left-to-right-associative , which means that a-b-c is defined as (a-b)-c , and the operator = for assignment ...
For example, using a compass, straightedge, and a piece of paper on which we have the parabola y=x 2 together with the points (0,0) and (1,0), one can construct any complex number that has a solid construction. Likewise, a tool that can draw any ellipse with already constructed foci and major axis (think two pins and a piece of string) is just ...
For example, it can be stated specifically that 5 minutes is equivalent to = seconds. A more general (algebraic) description may state that the number of seconds, s = 60 × m {\displaystyle s=60\times m} , where m is the number of minutes.
The same term can also be used more informally to refer to something "standard" or "classic". For example, one might say that Euclid's proof is the "canonical proof" of the infinitude of primes. There are two canonical proofs that are always used to show non-mathematicians what a mathematical proof is like:
A plane conic passing through the circular points at infinity. For real projective geometry this is much the same as a circle in the usual sense, but for complex projective geometry it is different: for example, circles have underlying topological spaces given by a 2-sphere rather than a 1-sphere. circuit A component of a real algebraic curve.
The Elements begins with plane geometry, still taught in secondary school (high school) as the first axiomatic system and the first examples of mathematical proofs. It goes on to the solid geometry of three dimensions. Much of the Elements states results of what are now called algebra and number theory, explained in geometrical language. [1]
This also allows the representation of a division of two numbers in geometrical terms, an important feature to reformulate geometrical problems in algebraic terms. More precisely, if two numbers are given as lengths of line segments one can construct a third line segment, the length of which matches the quotient of those two numbers (see diagram).