Mathematics & Statistics

Vocabulary for quantitative reasoning and data analysis

Introduction

Mathematical and statistical vocabulary appears far beyond the maths classroom. From news reports citing statistics to business presentations with data visualisations, these words help you engage with quantitative information.

This chapter covers vocabulary for discussing numbers, patterns, probabilities, and data analysis. These words help you interpret statistical claims, understand research findings, and communicate quantitative concepts clearly.

Themes

All Advanced Vocabulary in This Chapter (21)

• extrapolate To extend the application of known information or data to an unknown situatio...
• interpolate To insert something between existing elements; in mathematics, to estimate a ...
• regression A return to a former or less developed state; in psychology, reverting to ear...
• coefficient A numerical or constant factor placed before a variable in an algebraic expre...
• exponential Relating to or involving exponents, or describing a rate of increase that bec...
• logarithm The power to which a base number must be raised to produce a given number. Fo...
• deviation The amount by which a single measurement or value differs from a fixed refere...
• median The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order of size. If the set ha...
• percentile A value below which a given percentage of observations in a data set falls. F...
• factorial The product of all positive integers from 1 up to a given number, denoted by ...
• permutation An arrangement of items in a specific order, or the act of changing the arran...
• theorem A mathematical statement that has been proved to be true through a chain of l...
• asymptote A line that a curve approaches ever more closely but never actually reaches, ...
• integral In mathematics, the result of integration: a function whose derivative is a g...
• derivative In calculus, the rate at which a function changes with respect to a variable,...
• matrix A rectangular array of numbers, symbols, or expressions arranged in rows and ...
• vector A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, often represented as an arr...
• scalar A quantity that has magnitude only, without any associated direction. Example...
• magnitude The size, extent, or importance of something. In mathematics and physics, it ...
• quotient The result obtained by dividing one number by another. More broadly, a degree...
• aggregate A total or combined amount formed by adding together several separate element...