10 terms

# College Algebra

#### Terms in this set (...)

complex number
a number of the form a + bi where a and b are real numbers. Combination of real number and imaginary number.
real number
numbers that are either rational or irrational. A real number is also a complex number.
rational number
a number that can be expressed as a/b, the ratio of two integers, b is not = 0. All fractions and terminating or repeating decimals are rational. If a number is rational, it is a real number.
irrational number
a number that cannot be expressed as a/b, the ratio of two integers. Non-termination, non-repeating decimals are irrational.
inequality
a mathematical statement that two quantities are not equal.
multiplicative inverse
The reciprocal of a number a which is 1/a. Not to be confused with the inverse of a function.
distributive property
multiplying a number by a group of numbers added together is the same as doing each multiplication separately
natural number
counting numbers, defined by the set 1,2,3,4,... The three dots means that the pattern continues, this is an infinite set
whole number
defined by the set 0,1,2,3,4,...this set includes the zero in the set of whole numbers
integers
defined by the set -3, -2, -1, 0., 1, 2, 3, 4,...Contains both positive and negative whole numbers, this is an infinite set. Does not include fractions.