Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
OpenStax Logo
College Algebra 2e

Key Terms

College Algebra 2eKey Terms

Key Terms

correlation coefficient
a value, r, r, between –1 and 1 that indicates the degree of linear correlation of variables, or how closely a regression line fits a data set.
decreasing linear function
a function with a negative slope: If f(x)=mx+b, then m<0 f(x)=mx+b, then m<0
extrapolation
predicting a value outside the domain and range of the data
horizontal line
a line defined by f(x)=b, f(x)=b, where b b is a real number. The slope of a horizontal line is 0.
increasing linear function
a function with a positive slope: If f(x)=mx+b, then m>0. f(x)=mx+b, then m>0.
interpolation
predicting a value inside the domain and range of the data
least squares regression
a statistical technique for fitting a line to data in a way that minimizes the differences between the line and data values
linear function
a function with a constant rate of change that is a polynomial of degree 1, and whose graph is a straight line
model breakdown
when a model no longer applies after a certain point
parallel lines
two or more lines with the same slope
perpendicular lines
two lines that intersect at right angles and have slopes that are negative reciprocals of each other
point-slope form
the equation for a line that represents a linear function of the form y− y 1 =m( x− x 1 ) y− y 1 =m( x− x 1 )
slope
the ratio of the change in output values to the change in input values; a measure of the steepness of a line
slope-intercept form
the equation for a line that represents a linear function in the form f(x)=mx+b f(x)=mx+b
vertical line
a line defined by x=a, x=a, where a a is a real number. The slope of a vertical line is undefined.
PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/college-algebra-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-prerequisites

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/college-algebra-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-prerequisites

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Jun 12, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.