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Making Connections Glossary
decimal point  
  The dot separating the whole number from the decimal portion, that is, the ones and tenths places in a decimal number.
decompose  
  If a geometric figure is broken up into separate parts, then the figure is decomposed.  Similarly, if a number is written as a sum or difference (such as 28 = 30 − 2), then the number is decomposed.  (Also see recompose.)
denominator  
  The lower part of a fraction, which expresses into how many equal parts the whole is divided.
dependent events  
  Two events are dependent if the outcome of one event affects the probability of the other event.  For example, if one card is drawn out of a deck of cards, then the probability that the first card is red is  because 26 of the 52 cards are red.  However, the probability of the second card now depends on the result of the first selection.  If the first card was red, then there are now 25 red cards remaining in a deck of 51 cards, and the probability that the second card is red is .  The second event (selecting the second card) is dependent on the first event (selecting the first card).
diagonal  
  In a polygon, a diagonal is a line segment that connects two vertices of the polygon but is not a side of the polygon.
   
diameter  
  A line segment drawn through the center of a circle with both endpoints on the circle.  The length of a diameter is usually denoted
d.  Note that the length of the diameter of a circle is twice the length of its radius.  (Also see circle.)
difference  
  The result of subtraction.
digit  
  One of the ten numerals: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
dilation  
  A transformation which produces a figure similar to the original by proportionally shrinking or stretching the figure.  In a dilation, a shape is stretched (or compressed) proportionally from a point, called the point of dilation.
dimensions  
  The dimensions of a figure that is a flat region or space tell how far that the figure extends in each direction.  For example, the dimensions of a rectangle might be 16 cm wide by 7 cm high.
Distributive Property  
  For any a, b, and c, a(b + c) = ab + ac .  For example, 10( 7 + 2) = 10 · 7 + 10 · 2.
dividend  
  A quantity to be divided.  (See divisor.)
divisible  
  A number is divisible by another if the remainder of the division is zero.
division (÷)  
  The inverse operation to multiplication, or the operation that creates equal groups.
divisor  
  The quantity by which another quantity is to be divided.  dividend/divisor = quotient +  remainder (if there is any).