amplitude | The distance between the highest point and the rest position (zero position) in a wave. |
base | The expression that is being raised to a power when using exponential notation. In 53, 5 is the base, which is the number that is repeatedly multiplied. 53 = 5 • 5 • 5. In ab, a is the base. |
common logarithm | A logarithm using 10 as the base (log10). |
e | An irrational number, approximately 2.718281828459; sometimes called Euler’s number. |
exponent | When a number is expressed in the form ab, b is the exponent. The exponent indicates how many times the base is used as a factor. Power and exponent mean the same thing. |
exponential decay | An exponential function of the form f(x) = bx, where 0 < b < 1. The function decreases as x increases. |
exponential function | A function of the form f(x) = bx, where b > 0 and b ≠ 1. |
exponential growth | An exponential function of the form f(x) = bx, where b > 1, and b ≠ 1. The function increases as x increases. |
half-life | The amount of time it takes a substance to decrease to half its original amount. |
logarithm | A calculation in which the exponent y in x = by is found when given x and b; the corresponding notation is logbx = y. |
logarithmic function | A function using a logarithm, in the of the form . A calculation in which the exponent y in x = by is found when given x and b; the corresponding notation is logbx= y. |
natural logarithm | A logarithm using e as the base (loge). |
principal | In finance, the amount of money on which interest is calculated. |