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Descriptions of Instruments useful in Projections ib.
USED IN THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES.
Abbreviation, in Arithmetic, &c. the reducing of Fractions to lower
terms. Aberration, in Astronomy, an apparent motion of the celestial bodies. Absciss, or Abscissa, is a part or segment cut off from a line, ter
minated at some certain point, by an ordinate to a curve. Absolute Number, in Algebra, that term or number of an equation,
that is completely known. Abundant Number, in Arithmetic, a number the sum of whose ali.
quot parts is greater than the number itself. Accelerated Motion, that which receives fresh accessions of velocity,
either uniform or variable. Adjacent angle, in Geometry, an angle which is immediately conti
guous to another, so that they have one common side. Affected or Adfected Equation, in Algebra, one which contains two,
or more several powers of the unknown quantity. Affirmative or Posilive quantity; one, which is to be added, or taken
effectively. Algebra, a method of performing the calculations of all kinds of
quantities by means of general signs or characters. Aliquot part, such a part of a number as will exactly divide it with
out a remainder. Alternation or Permulation of quantities, the varying or changing
the order or position of them. Analysis, the method of resolving problems by reducing them to
equations. Angle in geometry, the mutual inclination of two lines, or two
planes. Approrimation, a continual approach, nearer and nearer to a root or
any quantity sought. Apses or Apsides, are the two points in the orbits of planets, when they are at their greatest and least distance from the sun or the
earth, and the line which joins them is called the sign of Apsides. Asymptote, properly a right line which approaches nearer and nearer
to some curve, or it may be considered as a tangent to the curve,
when conceived to be infinitely produced. Ariom, a self-evident truth, or a proposition immediately asserted
to, when the terms of it are properly understood. Azis, in Geometry, the straight line in a plain figure, about which
it revolves, to generate a solid. Binomial, a quantity consisting of two terms or members connected
by the sigi. + or -.