1. Math
Vocabulary
© Math As A Second Language All Rights Reserved

2. abacus: a frame on which beads are moved along rods to help count, add or subtract quickly without writing.

3. acre: a measure of land equal to 4,840 square yards, or 43,560 square feet, or a little less than a football field.
4,840 square yards

4. acute angle: an angle that measures less than 90 degrees.

5. acute triangle: a triangle that has three acute angles.

6. addend: a number added to another number in an addition problem.26
= 36 10

7. angle: the space measured in degrees formed by two rays.

8. Arabic numerals: first numbers taught to the Europeans.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0

9. arc: a small part or section of a circle.

10. area: the amount or size of a surface usually measured in square units.

11. average: the answer found by dividing the sum of a group of numbers by the number of addends.9 2
100 5
460 90 45
5 addends 95 1 93 10 82
460

12. axis: a line that shows the horizontal or vertical scale of a graph.
y axis
x axis

13. bar graph: a graph that uses bars to compare data.

14. base: the lowest part, the bottom, or foundation line of a figure.

15. billion: a thousand millions.
1,000,000,000

16. capacity: the amount a container can hold.

17. Celsius: the metric temperature scale on a thermometer where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees.
100 C boiling
0 C freezing

18. centigram: a metric unit for measuring mass/ weight. cg
100cg = 1 gram

19. centiliter: a metric unit for measuring the amount a container can hold. cl
100cl = 1 liter

20. centimeter: a metric unit for measuring length. cm
100cm = 1 meter

21. chord: a straight line segment joining two points on a curve.
Chord AB B

22. circle: an unbroken line drawn around a center point where each point on the line is the same distance from the center point.

23. circle graph: a circle divided into parts to compare data.
Hockey
12.5%
Football
25%
Basketball
12.5%
Baseball
50%

24. circumference: the distance around a circle.

25. closed figure: a shape or figure that starts and ends at the same point.

26. common denominator: a common multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions.1 3 6 18
multiple of , 6, 9, 12, 18 15 18 5 6
multiple of , 12, 18 8 18 4 9
multiple of , 18

27. common factor: a number that divides two or more numbers with no remainder.
greatest common factor 18
{1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18} 1 2 3 6
{1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,12, 24} 1 2 3 6 24

28. common multiple: a number (except 0) that is a multiple of two numbers.
least common multiple
{4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24}
{6, 12, 18, 24, 30,}

29. composite numbers: whole numbers having factors other than one and itself.
{1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18} 18
{1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,12, 24} 24

30. composite function: a function with two or more operations.
x x n y
x n x y

31. concrete models: a manipulative or physical representation.
sphere
circle
symmetry

32. cone: a solid object that narrows evenly from a flat, round base at one end to a point at the other.

33. congruent: having the same size and shape.

34. consecutive: numbers or objects with a difference of one following one another in order without a break.
13, 14, 15, 16, 17…

35. conversions: exchange for an equivalent value.
96 meters = 9,600 centimeters
30 feet = 10 yards
$10.00 = 100 dimes
4/6 = 2/3

36. cube: a solid object with six square faces or sides, all the same size.

37. cubic unit: a unit used to measure the volume of a solid object.
5 cubic units
1 cubic foot = 1 foot long,
1 foot wide, and 1 foot high.

38. cup: a unit for measuring capacity in the U.S. customary measure.
2 cups = 1 pint

39. cylinder: a hollow or solid object shaped like a can with a round top or bottom of the same size.

40. data: facts and numbers that provide information.
2,000,000 people
4,863 feet
25 inch circumference

41. day: the time it takes the earth to make one complete turn on its axis.
24 hours

42. decagon: a polygon or figure with 10 sides and 10 angles.

43. decimal: based on ten. a fraction with a denominator of ten or some power of ten, such as 100.

44. decimal point: the point or period placed in front of a multiple of ten.
. 657

45. decimeter: a unit of length in the metric system.
1 dm = .1 meter or
10 centimeters

46. degree: a unit for measuring temperature and for measuring angles and curves of a circle, represented by the symbol.
temperature
A = 89

47. denominator: a bottom number of a fraction that shows the total number of equal parts.1 2 3 4
3/4

48. diagonal: a straight line that connects one corner to the opposite corner of a four sided figure.

49. difference: the number left after subtracting one number from another number.10 -4 6
= 6

50. digit: a symbol used to represent the numbers 0 - 9.
ten digits
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

51. dividend: the number being divided in a division problem.15
7515

52. divisibility: the state of being divided.
36 ÷ 6 = 6

53. divisor: the number that the dividend is divided by in a division problem.15
7515

54. edge: the line formed where two sides or faces of a solid meet.

55. endpoints: points at the opposite ends of a line segment.

56. equation: a number sentence in arithmetic that shows two amounts are equal.
25 x 10 = 250

57. equiangular triangle: a triangle with three equal angles that each measure 60 degrees.

58. equilateral triangle: a triangle with three sides of equal length and three 60 degree angles.

59. equivalent fractions: fractions that equal the same number.
2/5 = 4/10
5/8 = 10/16

60. estimate: a general but careful guess about the value, size, quantity, or cost of something.

61. even number: a number having no remainder when divided by two,
ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8.
6,581,250
353,196

62. expanded notation: a numeral written in expanded form using place values.
76, 582 = (7 x 10,000) + (6 x 1000) + (5 x 100) +
(8 x 10) + (2 x 1)

63. exponent: a number that shows how many times a base number is used as a factor.4 6
= 6 x 6 x 6 x 6
= 1296

64. expression: a group of numbers or symbols representing a quantity or operation.

65. face: the flat surface of a solid object.

66. factor: a number being multiplied to obtain an answer or product.
6 X 9 = 54

67. Fahrenheit: the temperature scale on a thermometer where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at degrees.
212 F boiling
32 F freezing

68. figure: an object that has shape, outline or form.

69. fluid ounce: a liquid unit for measuring capacity in the U. S
fluid ounce: a liquid unit for measuring capacity in the U.S. Customary System.
8 fl oz = 1 cup

70. foot: a unit of length in the U.S. Customary System.
1 ft = 12 inches

71. fraction: one or more of the equal parts into which a whole number is divided.
1/2
3/5

72. function machine: a device which allows you to put numbers in and get numbers out according to an arithmetic rule.
x 4 2 8

73. gallon: a unit for measuring liquids in the U.S. Customary System.
1 gal = 4 quarts

74. geometry: the part of mathematics that deals with and measures lines, angles planes, and solid figures.

75. grams: a metric unit for measuring weight or mass. g
1000g = 1 kilogram

76. graphs: 1. diagrams that show relationships between variables.
Temperature
Days of the Week

77. graphs: 2. the collection of all points whose coordinates satisfy a given function.
x = y
(5,5)
(4,4)
(3,3)
(2,2)
(1,1)
(0,0)

78. greater than: a term used to compare numbers.

79. grid: a pattern of evenly spaced vertical and horizontal lines that form squares, used for locating points on a map or chart.

80. gross: a group of 12 dozen, or 144 items.

81. hexagon: a polygon or figure with six sides and six angles.

82. heptagon: a polygon or figure with seven sides and seven angles.

83. hundredth: one of 100 equal parts written as 1/100 or .01.
.16 = 16 hundredths

84. inch: a unit of length in the U.S. Customary System.

85. input-output: an independent variable put in produces a dependent variable coming out.
input x y output
input output
input output

86. integers: all the positive and negative whole numbers including 0.
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 …
-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 …

87. interior angles: are the inside angles of a polygon whose sides intersect at the vertex.

88. intersection: where two lines meet or cross.

89. isosceles triangle: a triangle with two congruent sides and two congruent angles.

90. kilogram: a metric unit for measuring weight or mass. kg
1000g = 1 kg

91. kiloliter: a metric unit for measuring capacity. kl
1000 liters = 1 kl

92. kilometer: a metric unit for measuring length. km
1000 meters = 1 km

93. kite: a four-sided figure with two pairs of adjacent sides equal.

94. less than: a term used to compare numbers.

95. line: a path along a set of points that extends in both directions indefinitely.

96. line graph: a graph that uses a line to show changes over a period of time.

97. line plot: a line used to plot or place numbers.X X X X X X -2 -1 1 2

98. line segment: part of a line with two endpoints.

99. 1000 milliliters = 1 l or a little less than a quart
liter: a metric unit for measuring capacity. l
1000 milliliters = 1 l
or a little less than a quart

100. mean: the answer found by dividing the sum of a group of numbers by the number of addends. Average.9 2
100 5
460 90 45
5 addends 95 1 93 10 82
460

101. median: the middle number in a set of numbers after they have been arranged highest to lowest.
65, 60, 58, 55, 50 58

102. meter: a metric unit for measuring length. m
100 centimeters = 1m
or inches

103. metric system: a system of weights and measures based on tens, hundreds, and thousands.
grams
liters
meters

104. mile: a unit of length in the U.S. Customary System.
1 mile = 5,280 ft

105. milligram: a metric unit for measuring weight or mass. mg
1000 mg = 1 gram

106. milliliter: a metric unit for measuring capacity. ml
1000 ml = 1 liter

107. millimeter: a metric unit for measuring weight or mass. mm
1000 mm = 1 meter

108. minuend: a number from which another number is subtracted.
6, 8 9 0, 8 7 5
- 3, 2 3 6, 7 9 8
3, 6 5 4, 0 7 7

109. mixed number: a number that contains a whole number and a fraction.
5 1/2

110. multiple: the product of a given number and any whole number.
multiple of two
2, 4, 6, 8, 10…

111. multiplication: the process of repeated addition.
3 x 5 = 15
= 15

112. negative integer: an amount or number less than zero written with the symbol (-).
-14
-45
-28

113. nonagon: a polygon or figure with 9 sides and 9 angles.

114. numerator: the number above the line in a fraction that shows the number of parts chosen.8 9

115. obtuse angle: an angle that measures more than 90 degrees and less than 180.

116. obtuse triangle: a triangle with one obtuse angle.

117. octagon: a polygon or figure with 8 sides and 8 angles.

118. odd number: a number having a remainder when divided by two,
ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.
6,581,257
353,193

119. open figure: a shape or figure whose outside lines do not come together and close the figure or shape.

120. ordered pair: a pair of numbers that show a location on a grid.
3,2

121. order of operations: rules to follow: 1
order of operations: rules to follow: 1. Do what is in parenthesis first. 2. Do exponents next. 3. Multiply and divide from left to right. 4. Add and subtract from left to right. 2
(2 + 4) x 4 ÷ = b 2
(6) x 4 ÷ = b
(36) x 4 ÷ = b
144 ÷ = b
= b
= b
b = 73

122. ounce: a unit of measuring weight in the U.S. Customary System.
16 oz = 1 pound

123. parallel lines: lines that are always the same distance apart and never intersect.

124. parallelogram: a four sided figure with opposite sides parallel and of equal length.

125. pentagon: a polygon or figure with five sides and five angles.

126. percent: a quantity measured by the number of units compared with 100 represented by the symbol %.96
100 = .96 = 96%

127. perimeter: the distance around a polygon or figure.

128. pentagon: a polygon or figure with five sides and five angles.

129. perpendicular lines: two lines that intersect and form right angles.

130. pi: the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of any circle.
3.14

131. pint: a unit of measuring liquids in the U.S. Customary System.
1 pt = 2 cups

132. plane: a flat level surface extending in all directions.

133. place value: a value assigned to a position in a number.
1,000,000
100,000
10,000
1,000
100 10 1
5,327,689

134. point: an exact location in space usually labeled with a letter.

135. polygon: a closed, flat shape or figure formed by line segments.

136. positive integer: an amount or number greater than zero.
+14
+45
+28

137. pound: a unit of measuring weight in the U.S. Customary System.
1 lb = 16 oz

138. prediction: a guess about a future event based on mathematical or scientific facts.
Solar Eclipse

139. prime numbers: numbers that only have itself and one as factors (starting with 2).
2 = 2 x 1
3 = 3 x 1
5 = 5 x 1
{2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17…}

140. prime factorization: a process used to find all prime factors of a number.24
6 x 4
Prime
Factors
2 x 3 x 2 x 2

141. prism: a solid object with two ends that are equal and parallel and sides that are parallel.

142. probability: a mathematical basis for prediction
probability: a mathematical basis for prediction. How often an event happens.
How often can you flip a coin and get heads? One out of two chances, 1/2 , .50, or 50%.

143. product: the answer in a multiplication problem.
6 X 9 = 54

144. properties / attributes: a quality or trait belonging to a specific thing.
Four equal sides
Four right angles (90º)
Opposite sides parallel
Sum of interior angles equals 360º.

145. proportion: 1. The relation of one part to another or to a whole.
2. A relation of equality of two ratios. 3 4 9 12 =

146. protractor: a tool shaped like half of a circle marked off in degrees used to draw measured angles.

147. pyramid: a solid figure or object with a flat base and three or more sloping sides that are triangles that come together in a point at the top.

148. quadrilateral: a polygon or object with four sides and four angles.

149. quart: a unit for measuring capacity in the U.S. customary system.
1 qt =2 pints or ¼ gallon.

150. quotient: the answer in a division problem.
503 15
7515

151. radius: a straight line from the center to a point on the outside of a circle or sphere.

152. range: the difference between the greatest and the least numbers of a given set or group.
98, 87, 85, 76, 65, 60
98 highest number
- 60 lowest number
38 range

153. rate: an amount, pace or degree of something expressed in specific units. A jet flew at a rate of 200 miles per hour.
rate = distance
time

154. ratio: the relationship or comparison between the number or quantity of two different things.
If there are 9 apples and 3 oranges, the ratio of apples to oranges is 3 to 1.
9 : 3
3 : 1 or

155. ray: part of a line with only one endpoint and the other end going on indefinitely in one direction.

156. rectangle: a flat figure with four sides and four right angles but does not form a square.

157. reflection: a change in the location of a figure in which it is flipped over a line or point.

158. regular polygon: a figure or object in which all sides and all angles are equal.

159. remainder: 1. The amount left after a division problem is complete.15
7517

160. remainder: 2. The amount left over after one number is subtracted from another.
4 is the remainder.

161. rhombus: a flat figure with all sides equal, but usually no 90 degree angles.

162. right angle: an angle that measures 90 degrees and is formed by two perpendicular lines.

163. right triangle: a triangle that has one 90 degree or right angle.

164. Roman numeral: letters in the Roman alphabet that are used as numbers.
V=5, X=10, L=50,
C=100, D=500, M=1000.
MCCLXVI
= 1266

165. rotations (turns): the act of turning about an axis or center.

166. 30 can be a rounded number for 25 through 34.
round: changing a number to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand and so on, to make it easier to use.
30 can be a rounded number for 25 through 34.

167. scale: 1. Series of regularly spaced marks along a line.2 3 4 5 6
ruler

168. scale: 2. The size of a picture, plan or model in proportion to the actual size of the thing itself.
scaled size 1:28

169. scale: 3. A tool or device used to weigh something.

170. scalene triangle: a triangle with no two sides having the same length.

171. scientific notation: a numeral written in expanded form using exponents.
(6 x 10 ) + (5 x 10 ) +
(8 x 10 ) + (2 x 10 ) 4 3 2 1

172. sequence: a set of things whose order is determined a pattern or rule.
The days of the week are in a sequence.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Numbers can be in a sequence.
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

173. set: a group or collection of numbers or objects.
2, 4, 6, and 8 are a set of even numbers.
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13 are a set of prime numbers.

174. side: one of the lines or surfaces that form a figure or object, usually not the top or bottom.

175. simplify: to make simple or reduce to basic essentials.8 16 1 2 =
10x = 10(x + 2)

176. solid: anything that has length, width, and height
solid: anything that has length, width, and height. A cube or sphere is a solid.

177. speed: is the rate of motion; distance over time.
100mph
40mph

178. sphere: a solid round figure or object with a surface the same distance from its center at all points.
A ball, a globe, or the moon are examples of a sphere.

179. square: a polygon with four equal sides and four right angles.

180. square root: a number obtained by dividing a number into two equal factors.
The square root of 9 is 3. (3 x 3 = 9)
The square root of 25 is 5. (5 x 5 = 9)

181. stem-and-leaf plots:a technique for ordering data in increasing or decreasing order.
25, 28, 32, 36, 39, 41, 45
Stem
Leaf 2 3 4
5 8
1 5

182. straight angle: an angle that measures 180 degrees or a straight line.

183. subtrahend: a number that is subtracted from another number.
6, 8 9 0, 8 7 5
- 3, 2 3 6, 7 9 8
3, 6 5 4, 0 7 7

184. sum: the answer in an addition problem.
4,365
3,786
9,456 +
17,607 sum

185. surface area: the sum of the area of plane surfaces that make up a three dimensional figure.
6(l x w)= surface area

186. symmetry: a figure or object that has matching parts on both sides of its center line.

187. table: a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows or columns for easy reference.
Team
Wins
Losses
Red Sox 60 20
Yankees 40
Tigers 30 50
Orioles
A’s 10 70

188. tenth: one of 10 equal parts.
In the decimal 0.26, the 2 is in the tenths place.

189. tessellations: a careful positioning of elements into a coherent pattern.

190. thousandth: one of 1000 equal parts.
In the decimal 0.264, the 4 is in the thousandths’ place.

191. three dimensional: an object having length, width, and height.

192. ton: a unit for measuring weight or mass in the U.S. Customary System.
1 ton = 2,000 pounds.

193. transformation: a change made to the size or position of a figure.

194. translations (slides): a change in the location of a figure in which it is slid up or down, left or right without being turned.

195. trapezoid: a polygon with four sides. Two of the sides are parallel.

196. triangle: a polygon with three sides and three angles.

197. two dimensional: a flat surface with a length and width.

198. values: numerical quantities assigned or computed.
0 has no value.
The value of is 610.

199. variable: a letter or symbol that holds a place for a number.
X = 65
Y = 65
X + Y = 75

200. vertex: the endpoint of two lines or the point where three or more edges of a solid figure meet.

201. volume: the amount of space inside something that has length, width, and height, measured in cubic units.
3 in. x 3 in. 3 in.
3 inches
27 cubic inches
3 inches
3 inches

202. whole number: a number that is not a fraction.75
135
3,678
75 ½
5 ½
79.8

203. Yard (yd.): a unit of length in the U.S. Customary System.
1 yd. = 3 feet or 36 inches

204. Year (yr.): the time it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun one time, about 365 days.

205. Zero: 1. The number or symbol 0 that means having no quantity.
2. A point marked 0, from which something is measured.