Math Terms to Know for CBEST Exam Study Guide (page 2)

Many times, an otherwise simple problem may seem difficult merely because the test writers have used terms with which you are not familiar. A knowledge of mathematical terms will enable you to understand the language of the problem and give you a better chance of solving that problem. This lesson presents a list of words used when speaking about numbers.

Following is a sample question that will show you why knowing these words is important. Once you've learned the words in this sample question, you should be able to answer it. You can check your answer against the explanation given later in this lesson.

Sample Definition Question

1. If x is a whole number and y is a positive integer, for what value of x MUST x < y be true?
   1. –3
   2. 0
   3. 
   4. 3
   5. Any value of x must make the statement true.

Definitions

The following are definitions of words you need to know to answer CBEST math questions. If some of these words are unfamiliar, put them on flash cards: the word on one side, and the definition and some examples on the other side. Flash cards are handy because you can carry them around with you to review during the day. If you use this method, it won't take you long to learn these words.

Integer

An integer is simply a number with no fraction or decimal attached {…–2, –1, 0, 1, 2…}. Integers include both negative (–5) and positive (9,687) numbers. Zero is also an integer, but is considered neither negative nor positive in most mathematical texts.

Positive Integer

A positive integer is an integer, according to the previous definition, that is greater than zero. Zero is not included. Positive integers begin with 1 and continue infinitely {1, 2, 3…}. Examples of positive integers are 5; 6,000; and 1,000,000.

Negative Integer

A negative integer is an integer that is less than zero. Zero is not included. The greatest negative integer is –1. The negative integers decrease infinitely {…–3, –2, –1}. Some examples of negative integers are –10, –8, and –1,476. The following numbers do not fit the definition of a negative integer: –4.5, 0, and 308.

Hot Tip

Negative numbers appear smaller when they are closer to zero. To help you make sense of this concept, think of the degrees below zero on a thermometer. Three degrees below zero is warmer than 40 degrees below, so –3 is greater than –40, even though 40 appears to be a greater number. Test makers like to test your grasp of this principle.

< and >; ≤ and ≥

The symbol < means less than, and the symbol > means greater than. The number on the closed side of the symbol is less, and the number on the open side is greater. Thus, 3 < 5 and 10 > 2.Remember: The alligator eats the bigger number.

The symbol ≤ means less than or equal to, and the symbol ≥ means greater than or equal to. These two symbols operate the same way as the < and >, but the added line means that it's possible that the two sides are equal. Thus, in the equation x ≥ 3, x can represent 3 or any number greater than 3.

Answer to Sample Definition Question

Using the definitions you just learned, can you solve sample question 1 from page 96? The variable x can be any whole number including zero. The variable y can be any positive integer, which doesn't include zero. The question reads "…for what value of x MUST x < y be true?" Must means that x has to be less than y under all circumstances, so you are being asked to replace x with a number that will be less than any positive integer that replaces y. The only whole number that would make x < y true, no matter what positive integer is put in place of y, is zero. Therefore, choice b is the correct answer.

Try another sample question. Again, the definitions will be useful in solving this problem.

Sample Digits Question

2. In a certain two-digit number, the tens digit is four more than the ones digit. The sum of the two digits is ten. What is the number?
   1. 26
   2. 82
   3. 40
   4. 37
   5. 73

Answer

There are two requirements for the unknown number: The tens digit has to be four more than the ones digit, and the two digits have to add up to 10. The best way to solve the problem is to eliminate answers that don't meet these two requirements. Consider the second criterion first. A glance at the answers shows that the digits in the answers a and c do not add up to 10. They can be eliminated. Next, consider the first requirement. Choice b contains a tens digit that is six, not four, more than the ones digit. Choice d has the ones digit four more than the tens, reversing the requirement. Therefore, choice e is the only number that correctly meets the requirements.

Practice with Definitions

Match the word on the left with the description or example on the right. You may want to write these definitions on flash cards.

Answers

3. e.
4. c.
5. f.
6. a.
7. b.
8. g.
9. i.
10. h.
11. k.
12. j.
13. d.