Translation guide
A line that intersects a curve at two or more points, or a trigonometric function. In mathematics, the term is used in geometry and trigonometry. This guide covers both meanings.
A straight line that cuts a curve at two or more points, especially a circle.
Standard mathematical term for a secant line in geometry.
A secant of a circle intersects the circumference at two points.
Loanword from English, used in some mathematical contexts, but less common than 割線.
This secant intersects the curve at two points.
The reciprocal of the cosine function, written as sec(θ).
In geometry, 割線 (かっせん) is the native Japanese term and is preferred in textbooks. セカント is a loanword and may be understood but is less common. For trigonometry, セカント is standard.
In math class, we use the term 'kassen' (secant).
Japanese often uses loanwords for trigonometric functions: サイン (sine), コサイン (cosine), タンジェント (tangent), セカント (secant), コセカント (cosecant), コタンジェント (cotangent). The kanji terms (正弦, 余弦, 正接, 正割, 余割, 余接) exist but are less common in everyday math.
正割関数はあまり使われない。
The secant function is not used much.