Addition
The operation of combining numbers to find a total or sum.
Example: 7 + 5 = 12
MATHEMATICS GLOSSARY
Understand the Language of Mathematics
Use the Skymenu glossary to quickly understand important mathematical words, symbols and ideas used throughout your lessons and practice.
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Find definitions for key terms from Number, Algebra, Geometry and other mathematics topics.
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Mathematics topics
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10ⁿStandard FormPowers of ten and scientific notation
123Whole NumbersCounting, operations and place value
4.75DecimalsPlace value and decimal operations
¾FractionsParts, equivalence and operations
x + 2AlgebraVariables, expressions and equations
x²IndicesPowers, bases and index laws
△GeometryShapes, angles, area and volume
A–Z REFERENCE
Key mathematics terms
Showing all glossary terms.
A
Algebra
A branch of mathematics that uses letters and symbols to represent numbers and relationships.
Example: x + 4 = 10Angle
The amount of turn between two lines or rays that meet at a point.
Measured in degrees (°).Area
The amount of surface covered by a two-dimensional shape.
Usually measured in square units.B
Base
In an index expression, the base is the number or expression being raised to a power.
Example: in 3², 3 is the base.C
Coefficient
A number multiplied by a variable in an algebraic term.
Example: in 5x, 5 is the coefficient.Constant
A number or value that does not change.
Example: 7 is a constant in 3x + 7.Circumference
The distance around the outside of a circle.
C = 2πrD
Decimal
A number written using a decimal point to show parts of a whole.
Example: 4.75Denominator
The bottom number in a fraction. It shows how many equal parts make one whole.
Example: in 3/8, 8 is the denominator.Diameter
A straight line passing through the centre of a circle from one side to the other.
d = 2rDistributive Property
A rule used to multiply a value across the terms inside brackets.
Example: 3(x + 2) = 3x + 6E
Equation
A mathematical statement showing that two expressions are equal.
Example: 2x + 1 = 9Equivalent Fractions
Fractions that have different numerators and denominators but represent the same value.
Example: 1/2 = 2/4Expression
A combination of numbers, variables and operations without an equals sign.
Example: 4x + 3F
Factor
A number or expression that divides another number or expression exactly.
Example: 3 and 4 are factors of 12.Fraction
A number that represents part of a whole or part of a group.
Example: 3/4G
Geometry
The branch of mathematics concerned with shapes, sizes, positions, angles and space.
Examples: triangles, circles and rectangles.I
Index
The small number written above and to the right of a base to show how many times the base is multiplied by itself.
Example: in 5³, 3 is the index.Improper Fraction
A fraction in which the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
Example: 7/4L
Like Terms
Algebraic terms with the same variable parts and powers.
Example: 3x and 7x are like terms.M
Mixed Number
A number made from a whole number and a proper fraction.
Example: 2 1/3Multiple
A number obtained by multiplying a given number by a whole number.
Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20...N
Numerator
The top number in a fraction. It shows how many equal parts are being considered.
Example: in 3/8, 3 is the numerator.Negative Index
An index less than zero. It indicates a reciprocal relationship.
Example: 2⁻³ = 1/2³P
Perimeter
The total distance around the outside of a two-dimensional shape.
For a rectangle: P = 2(l + w)Place Value
The value represented by a digit because of its position in a number.
Example: in 4,582, the 5 represents 500.Proper Fraction
A fraction in which the numerator is smaller than the denominator.
Example: 3/5Product
The result obtained when two or more numbers are multiplied.
Example: 6 × 4 = 24, so 24 is the product.R
Radius
The distance from the centre of a circle to any point on its circumference.
r = d/2Reciprocal
The multiplicative inverse of a non-zero number.
The reciprocal of 3/5 is 5/3.S
Simplify
To rewrite a mathematical expression or fraction in an equivalent but simpler form.
Example: 6/8 simplifies to 3/4.Sum
The result of adding two or more numbers.
Example: the sum of 8 and 5 is 13.T
Term
A number, variable, or product of numbers and variables separated by plus or minus signs.
Example: 4x, 7 and −2y are terms.Triangle
A polygon with three sides and three angles.
The interior angles add to 180°.V
Variable
A letter or symbol used to represent a value that can change.
Example: x in 2x + 5.Volume
The amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object.
Usually measured in cubic units.⌕
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