Illustrated Dictionary of Mathematics (3rd Edition)

Mathematics can feel like a new language: a familiar word may take on a precise meaning, and a single unfamiliar term can interrupt an otherwise clear idea. Illustrated Dictionary of Mathematics offers an alphabetical reference for looking up that vocabulary, with definitions, examples, and visual material to help make concepts easier to follow.

Find the term, then see it in context

Entries are arranged from A to Z and span a wide range of mathematical subjects. Early examples include absolute value, abstract algebra, acute angles, and algebraic equations; elsewhere, the dictionary reaches into topics such as matrices, series, probability, and geometry. Full-sentence explanations and examples connect terminology to the way it is used in mathematical discussion.

Mathematical language with visual support

Figures and illustrations accompany the reference material, giving readers another way to approach concepts that can be difficult to picture from a definition alone. The edition also describes an easy-to-navigate layout, with guide words and an alphabetical tab index to support quick lookups.

A reference for study and review

The third edition is presented for senior high school through undergraduate students. It can be consulted while working through coursework, revisiting a definition, or strengthening familiarity with the vocabulary shared across mathematical fields. Rather than following a single course, it serves as a broad desk-side companion for questions that arise along the way.

About this edition

Edited by Britney Villhauer, this revised and updated edition includes new terms and is available in an ebook edition dated 2024. For students building confidence with mathematical terminology, it brings definitions, examples, and visual explanations together in one alphabetical reference.