AC Glossary

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Algebra Connections Glossary

b
	When the equation of a line is expressed in form, the constant b gives the y-intercept of the line. For example, the y-intercept of the line is 7.
base
	(1) When working with an exponential expression in the form , a is called the base. For example, 2 is the base in . (5 is the exponent, and 32 is the value.) (Also see “exponent.”) (2) When working with geometric figures, the term “base” may be applied to a side of a triangle, rectangle, parallelogram, or trapezoid. “Base” may also be applied to the face of a prism, cylinder, pyramid, or cone.
binomial
	An expression that is the sum or difference of exactly two terms, each of which is a monomial. For example, −2x + 3y² is a binomial.
boundary line or curve

	A line or curve on a two-dimensional graph that divides the graph into two regions. A boundary line or curve is used when graphing inequalities with two variables. For example, the inequality is graphed below. The dashed boundary line has equation . A boundary line is also sometimes called a “dividing line.” See graph below.
boundary point
	The endpoint of a ray or segment on a number line where an inequality is true. For strict inequalities (that is, inequalities involving < or >), the point is not part of the solution. We find boundary points by solving the equality associated with our inequality. For example, the solution to the equation 2x + 5 = 11 is x = 3, so the inequality 2x + 5 > 11 has a boundary point at 3. The solution to that inequality is illustrated on the number line below. A boundary point is also sometimes called a “dividing point.”

A line or curve on a two-dimensional graph that divides the graph into two regions. A boundary line or curve is used when graphing inequalities with two variables. For example, the inequality

is graphed below. The dashed boundary line has equation

. A boundary line is also sometimes called a “dividing line.” See graph below.

boundary point

The endpoint of a ray or segment on a number line where an inequality is true. For strict inequalities (that is, inequalities involving < or >), the point is not part of the solution. We find boundary points by solving the equality associated with our inequality. For example, the solution to the equation 2x + 5 = 11 is x = 3, so the inequality 2x + 5 > 11 has a boundary point at 3. The solution to that inequality is illustrated on the number line below. A boundary point is also sometimes called a “dividing point.”