Algebra Glossary: C

circumference: Distance around the outside of a circle.

coefficient: 1. A number that multiplies a variable and tells how many of the variable. 2. The number preceding a variable.

combinations: Method of counting that tells how many ways a designated number of objects can be selected from a given set.

common denominator: Same value on the bottom of more than one fraction.

commutative property: Characteristic of addition and multiplication that allows the order of the values in an operation to be changed without affecting the result.

composite number: Whole number larger than 1 that isn’t prime.

constant: Variable or number that never changes in value in an expression.

coordinate: Part of an ordered pair that designates a point’s location on a coordinate plane.

coordinate plane: Flat region determined by two intersecting, perpendicular, numbered lines called axes.

cube; perfect cube: 1. The third power of a number. 2. The result of multiplying a number by itself three times.

cube root: Number that you can multiply by itself three times to get a given number. For example, the cube root of eight is two because two multiplied by itself three times equals eight.

cubic: Adjective that describes an expression in which the highest power is three.