The Language of Mathematics

Hi, my name is Anzhelika, and I am a Health Science student at Collège Montmorency. I have been in this program for three semesters. I created this glossary for students and anyone interested in learning more about mathematics. Mathematics is an important part of Health Science and is used in many areas of science and everyday life. This glossary can help readers understand mathematical vocabulary that may be difficult or unfamiliar. It includes 20 terms, and each term has a definition, pronunciation, French translation, example, and, when appropriate, an image. To choose the words, I made a list of common mathematical terms that I have encountered in my studies. I found the definitions and additional information using reliable educational websites and online dictionaries. I invite you to explore this glossary and use it to improve your understanding of mathematical vocabulary.

angle

noun

The space or shape formed when two lines or rays meet at a common point called a vertex.

Example: For a tetrahedron the bond angles are 109º, whereas for the square planar there is an angle of 90º.

en: angle

average

noun

A single value that represents the middle, center, or typical amount of a set of numbers or conditions.

Example: The trees grow for an average of six years before being felled.

en: moyenne

constant

noun

Something that stays the same or happens over and over again without stopping.

Example: When the other parameters under examination remained constant, the growth rate of the forest was seen to have a linear relationship with the amount of incoming solar radiation.

en: constante

curve

noun

A line, path, or shape that bends smoothly and continuously in a round direction instead of being sharp or straight.

Example: The graph shows a curve representing the relationship between time and temperature.

en: courbe

data

noun

A collection of raw facts, numbers, words, or observations that have not yet been processed or given context.

Example: To prove that this market conditions affect farmers incomes in Poland is a difficult task, because of the lack of data.

en: données

division

noun

A basic mathematical operation that splits a number or an amount into equal-sized groups or parts.

Example: We used division to calculate the average number of students in each group.

en: division

equation

noun

A mathematical statement that shows two things are equal by connecting them with an equals sign (=).

Example: They used an equation to calculate the patient’s body mass index.

en: équation

formula

noun

A fixed rule, method, or symbolic expression used to solve a problem, make a substance, or achieve a result.

Example: The student used a formula to calculate the area of the circle.

en: formule

graph

noun

A visual picture that displays data or a mathematical network made of points and connecting lines.

Example: From the graph, we can see it is not zero since it is a non-linear graph.

en: graphique

interval

noun

A space between two points, objects, or moments in time.

Example: It is important to note that the scoring of attributes was done in duplicate with a 30-minute interval between sets.

en: intervalle

limit

noun

A point, boundary, or maximum amount that restricts or defines how far something can go.

Example: We calculated the limit of the function as x approached 2.

en: limite

maximum

noun

The highest amount, number, or level that is possible, allowed, or recorded.

Example: The maximum heart rate recorded during the experiment was 180 beats per minute.

en: maximum

number

noun

An abstract mathematical object used to count, measure, and label quantities.

Example: It loses a great number of birds in the free-range system.

en: nombre

percentage

noun

A number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100.

Example: The 26 most well-preserved examples in Shetland have a wall base percentage between 42.5- 57.5%.

en: pourcentage

probability

noun

The measure of how likely it is that a specific event will happen.

Example: However, at a slower pace there is a higher probability of acceptance, as cultural shifts are often slow.

en: probabilité

ratio

noun

A mathematical comparison showing how much of one thing exists compared to another.

Example: The ratio of successful treatments to unsuccessful treatments was calculated.

en: rapport

result

noun

An outcome, effect, or consequence caused by a previous action, event, or calculation.

Example: The result of the experiment was recorded and compared with the expected value.

en: résultat

sample

noun

A small part or amount of something that shows what the rest of it is like.

Example: The researchers selected a sample of patients to participate in the study.

en: échantillon

statistics

noun

The branch of applied mathematics that deals with collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data.

Example: Statistics show that only an average of 18% of drug candidates survive from a clinical phase 1 to registration 4.

en: statistiques

variable

noun

Anything that can change, or a symbol (like a letter) used to represent a value that is not fixed.

Example: Heart rate is a variable that can change during an exercise.

en: variable