Algebra 2 PBL: History of Math - Vocabulary

1. Abscissa: The term for x-axis in a graph, it's a conjunction of ab (remove) and scindere (tear). The main root is related to the Latin root from which we get the word scissor. The term was coined by Leibniz around 1855.

2. Absolute Value: The word absolute comes from a variant of absolve, close in meaning to free from restrictions or condition. The phrase is known to be first used by Karl Weierstrass when referencing complex numbers.          

3. Acute: is derived from the Latin word acus for needle, with derivatives for that referring to anything sharp or pointy. An acute angle is one that is sharp or pointy.

4. Angle: comes from the Latin root angulus, which is a sharp bend. Ankle comes from the same root.

5. Algebra: comes from an Arabic book that revolutionized how mathematics worked in western cultures. The first word in the book "Al-jebr w'al-mugabalah" became the word Algebra in western languages.

6. Geometry: derived from the conjuction of the Greek word for Earth, Goes, and the term for "to measure", metros.

7. Hypotenuse: comes from the Greek root hypo (for under), and tein (for stretch). The hypotenuse was the line segment "stretched under" the right angle.

8. Multiply: Combines the roots of multi, many, and pli, for folds, as in a number folded on itself many times. Multiply seems to have been first used by Chaucer in "A Treatise on the Astrolabe".

9. Quadratic: is the Latin root for "to make square".

10. Secant: is from the Latin root Secare, meaning to cut. It is a name for the segment that cuts through a circle. The word was introduced by Thomas Fincke in 1583.

11. Subtract: is a conjuction of two roots, sub (under or below) and tract (meaning to pull or carry away).

12. Square: is derived from the Latin phrase Exquadrare, later contracted into its present meaning of the regular quadrilateral.

13. Tangent: Is from the Latin root tangere, meaning to touch, describing two curves which meet at a single point. Tangent is a creation of Thomas Fincke, written by him around 1583.

14. Zero: comes from the Arabic word "sifre".

15. Symmetry: is a conjunction of sum and metros. The prefix refers to things which are alike.

16. Sequence: is from the Latin root sequi, meaning "to follow". In mathematics, it refers to a series of terms in order, so a pattern between numbers.

17. Plus: comes from the early latin word meaning "more".This word is closely related to the Greek root "poly" (many).

18. Negative numbers: the word for negative was introduced by Brahmagupta, a Hindu mathematician around 600 A.D. The Latin root of today's word is negare, meaning "to deny".

19. Obtuse: is from the Latin formation ob(against) and tundere(to beat). An object, when beaten, becomes blunt, dull, or rounded, and the application to an obtuse angle is in this sense.

20. Fraction: comes from the Latin word frangere, meaning "to break". A fraction represents a broken whole, in this sense.