Algebra 2 Honors Semester 2 Exam Study Guide Vocabulary
Module 5:
Prime Polynomial: A polynomial that cannot be written as a product of two polynomials with
integer coefficients.
Quadratic form: A form of polynomial equation,
expression in x.
au^2 + bu + c, where u is an algebraic
Identity: An equation that is true for every value of the variable.
Polynomial identity: A polynomial equation that is true for any values that are substituted for
the variables.
Synthetic substitution: The process of using synthetic division to find a value of a
polynomial function.
Depressed polynomial: A polynomial resulting from division with a degree one less than
the original polynomial.
Multiplicity: The number of times a number is a zero for a given polynomial.
Module 6:
Composition of functions: suppose f and g are functions such the range of g is a subset of the
domain of f. The composition function of g can be described by f of g = f[g(x)]
Inverse relations: Two relations, one of which contains points of the form (a, b) while the other
contains points of the form (b, a).
Inverse functions: Two functions, one of which contains points of the form (a, b) while the
other contains points of the form (b, a).
Nth root: If an=ban=b for a positive integer n, then a is the nth root of b. The inverse of
raising a number to the nth power is finding the nth root of a number.
Index: In nth roots, the value that indicates to what root the value under the radicand is being
taken.
Radicand: The expression under a radical sign.
Principal root: The nonnegative root of a number.
Rational exponent: An exponent that is expressed as a fraction.
Radical function: A function that contains radicals with variables in the radicand.
Square root function: A radical function that contains the square root of a variable expression.
Cube root function: A radical function that contains the cube root of a variable expression
Like radical expressions conjugates: Radicals in which both the index and the radicand are the
same.
Radical equation: An equation with a variable in a radicand.
Module 7:
Exponential function: A function in which the independent variable is an exponent.
Exponential growth: Change that occurs when an initial amount increases by the same
percentage over a given period of time.
Asymptote: A line that a graph approaches.
Growth factor: the base of an exponential expression or 1 + r.
Exponential decay: Change that occurs when an initial amount decreases by the same
percentage over a given period of time.
Decay factor: The base of an exponential expression or 1 – r.
Exponential equation: An equation in which the independent variable is an exponent.
Compound interest: Interest calculated on the principal and on the accumulated interest from
previous periods. It’s paid on the principle of an investment and any previously earned interest.
Exponential inequality: An inequality in which the independent variable is an exponent.
E: An irrational number that approximately equals 2.7182818….
Sequence: A list of numbers in a specific order.
Term of a sequence: A number in a sequence.
Finite sequence: A sequence that contains a limited number of terms.
Infinite sequence: A sequence that continues without end.
Geometric sequence: A pattern of numbers that begins with a nonzero term and each term
after is found by multiplying the previous term by a nonzero constant r.
Common ratio: The ratio of consecutive terms of a geometric sequence. Constant value.
Explicit formula: A formula that allows you to find any term anan of a sequence by using
a formula written in terms of n.
Recursive formula: A formula that gives the value of the first term in the sequence and then
defines the next term by using the preceding term. Find the nth term of a sequence by
performing operations to one or more of the preceding terms.
Geometric means: the terms between two nonconsecutive terms of a geometric sequence.
Series: The indicated sum of the terms in a sequence.
Geometric series: The indicated sum of the terms in a geometric sequence.
Sigma notation: A notation that uses the Greek uppercase letter S to indicate that a sum should
be found.
Regression function: A function generated by an algorithm to find a line or curve that fits a set
of data.
Coefficient of determination: An indicator of how well a function fits a set of data.
Module 8:
Logarithm: In x = b^y, y is called the logarithm, base b, of x.
Logarithmic function: A function of the form
f(x)=logbx, where b > 0 and b ≠ 1.
Logarithmic equation: An equation that contains one or more logarithms.
Common logarithms: Logarithms of base 10.
Natural base exponential function: An exponential function with base e, written as
y=e^x
Natural logarithm: The inverse of the natural base exponential function, most often abbreviated
as ln x.
Module 9:
Rational Expression: A ratio of two polynomial expressions.
Complex Fraction: A rational expression with a numerator and/or denominator that is also a rational
expression.
Reciprocal Function: An equation of form f(x)=
expression that cannot equal 0.
where n is a real number and b(x) is a linear
Vertical Asymptote: A vertical line that a graph approaches.
Horizontal Asymptote: A horizontal line that a graph approaches.
Hyperbola: The graph of a reciprocal function.
Excluded Values: Values for which a function is not defined.
Rational Function: An equation of the form f(x)=
expressions and b(x) ≠ 0.
where a(x) and b(x) are polynomial
Oblique Asymptote: An asymptote that is neither horizontal nor vertical.
Point Discontinuity: An area that appears to be a hole in a graph.
Direct Variation: When one quantity is equal to a constant time another quantity.
Constant of Variation: The constant in a variation function.
Joint Variation: When one quantity varies directly as the product of two or more other quantities.
Inverse Variation: When the product of two quantities is equal to a constant k.
Combined Variation: When one quantity varies directly and/or inversely as two or more other
quantities.
Rational Equation: An equation that contains at least one rational expression.
Rational Inequality: An inequality that contains at least one rational expression