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Introduction to Quadrants in the Coordinate Plane [02/05/2004]

What is a quadrant? How do you find it? I had to identify 9 ordered pairs on a graph. Now I need to also name the quadrant each one is in.

Inverse of a Function vs. Inverse Proportionality [11/20/2002]

Finding the inverse of a function and graphing yields a graph that has been reflected in the line y = x relative to the function. Inverse proportionality, however, yields a reciprocal relation graphically. Why do these two things have similar names yet mean different things?

Is a Circle a Polygon? [03/07/1999]

A circle is not a polygon.

Is an Equilateral Triangle Also Isosceles? [02/19/2008]

Can equilateral triangles also be classified as isosceles? In other words, does an isosceles triangle have exactly two equal sides or at least two equal sides?

Is a Sphere 2-D or 3-D? [8/8/1996]

Is a sphere a two- or a three-dimensional object?

Is Kite the True Name? [03/29/2002]

Is kite the true math name for this shape, or is there another?

Isomorphisms [08/16/1999]

Can you give me an explanation and a nice example of isomorphism?

Is Zero Considered a Pure Imaginary Number (as 0i)? [12/02/2003]

In the complex plane, zero (0 + 0i) is on both the real and pure imaginary axes. Is 0 therefore a pure imaginary number as well as a real number?

Is Zero Really a Number or Just a Concept? [09/15/2005]

I've been taught that infinity is just a concept, not an actual number. I'm wondering if the same thing can be said of zero?

Josephus Problem [04/18/2003]

Every other person at a table is eliminated until there is only one person left. Who is the survivor?

The Königsberg Bridge [5/20/1996]

Do you have information on Konigsberg's bridge?

Lagrange Multipliers [01/08/1998]

I have a problem with Lagrange Multipliers - can you help?

Larger Than and As Large As [08/01/1999]

If the percussion section has 6 people, does the expression "the brass section is three times larger than the percussion section" mean that the brass section is 3*6 = 18 people or 4*6 = 24 people?

Latin Origins of Trig Functions [11/20/1998]

What are the etymologies of the six trigonometric functions: sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent?

Laws of Arithmetic [02/12/1999]

The Distributive Law, Associative Law, Identity, and Commutative Equations.

Leg of a Triangle [04/02/2002]

I need to know where the name "leg" of a triangle comes from, or what its origin is.

Length of a Light-Year [1/31/1996]

How far is a light year in miles or kilometers?

Limit of x sin(1/x) [04/23/2002]

I assumed from the graph that the function had a limit at x=0 of 0, but since it involves sin(1/0) I can not prove this using the basic trigonometric limits (sin x/x and (1-cos x)/x), L'Hopital's rule, or by rearranging the equation. Can you help?

Linear Algebra - Definition of Orthonormal [10/28/1997]

Show that the transition matrix P from one orthonormal basis to another is unitary, that is, P*P = I.

Linear and Board Feet [01/04/1999]

Can you explain the terms linear foot and board foot as they are used in the lumber industry?

Linear Footage [04/20/2002]

There is a fence I want to buy, but the ad says '4 foot tall, 50 linear feet. What is a linear foot compared to a regular foot?

Line of Best Fit [8/1/1996]

Are a best-fit line, a line of best fit, and a fitted line synonymous?

Line or Ray Longer? [12/11/2001]

Which is longer, a ray or a line?

Locus [05/03/1999]

What is a locus?

Mass and Weight [08/16/1997]

Why are mass and weight both measured with the same unit? If weight is different on the moon and mass is not, what is the difference?

Mass versus Weight [09/09/99]

Do mass and weight refer to the same thing on earth? Is mass equal to weight?

Mass vs. Weight [01/22/1999]

Can you give me a definition of mass and how it differs from weight?

Mathematical Induction [09/07/1998]

What is mathematical induction? Can you give an example of the ideas of math induction?

Mathematical Meaning of Undefined [12/19/2002]

What is the meaning of the word 'undefined' in mathematical terms?

Mathematical Models [07/17/2002]

What is a mathematical model, and how would it be used?

Mathematics, Logic, and Intuition [05/27/2003]

How is math related to logic and intuition?

Math Symbol for C [12/15/1997]

I am puzzled by one symbol of typing math. What does the upper case letter C mean? As in (2C1) (3C1) / (47C2) = 6/1081.

Math Symbols [04/07/1997]

What do the common math symbols (backward E, upside-down A, etc.) mean?

Matrix Multiplication [09/04/1997]

I am doing a project in Algebra 2 and must research matrix multiplication.

The Meaning of Locus [03/04/2003]

What is the locus of points equidistant from two parallel lines 8 meters apart?

Meaning of '-ominoe' [11/07/2001]

We are drawing pictures of dominoes, triominoes, tetrominoes, and pentominoes. What is the meaning of the root "ominoe"?

The Meaning of 'Or' in Logic Statements [12/19/2003]

If a logic statement says, 'James is taking fencing or algebra,' does that mean he is taking one class or the other, or could he be taking both of them?

Meaning of R++ [9/12/1996]

What do the symbols R_{+} and R_{++} mean?

The Meaning of Space [07/23/1997]

Is the term 'Space' a mathematical object? I have seen it in "Vector Space," "Banach Space," and "Hilbert Space," but are they the same thing?

Meanings of Math Symbols [06/19/1997]

In math notation, what do the vertical bar, the colon, and the solid black square (at the end of a proof) mean?

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