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| MATH MATTERS GLOSSARY |
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| A•B•C•D•E•F•G•H•I•J•K•L•M•N•O•P•Q•R•S•T•U•V•W•X•Y•Z• |
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| ·A· |
| abacus
A computing device consisting
of a frame holding parallel rods strung with movable
counters. |
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abbreviation A
shortened form of a word or phrase.
absolute value The
numerical value of a real number without regard
for its sign. The distance from 0 on a number
line.
Example: |-5| = 5.
acute angle An
angle that measures less than 90°.
Example: 
acute triangle A
triangle in which all of the angles are acute
angles.
Example:
addend A number
to be added in an addition problem.
Example: In the number sentence 2 + 3 = 5, both
2 and 3 are addends.
addition The operation
of combining numbers.
algebra The branch
of mathematics that deals with generalized
arithmetic, using letters or symbols to represent
numbers.
algebraic expression
A variable, such as n, used by itself or with
other variables, numbers, or operations.
Examples: 2 + m = 5, d x t, lw, x, 2b- 3a = 24,
A =  r².
angle A figure formed
by two rays that have a common endpoint.
Example: 
apex The apex
of a pyramid is the vertex at which the triangular
faces meet.
Example: 
arc An arc
of a circle is any segment of the curve which
makes the circle.
arch A structure
forming the curved upper edge of an open space.
Example: 
Archimedes A Greek
mathematician, engineer and physicist who lived
about 200 B.C. One of the most important intellectual
figures in history.
area The number
of square units needed to cover a surface.
Example: fig fig Both figures show 6 square units.
Note: The area of a
rectangle or square can be determined by multiplying
the length times the width (A = l x w).
Aristotle A Greek
philosopher who studied under Plato and taught
Alexander the Great. He was famous for his works
on logic and the
sciences.
array An array
is an orderly display of data arranged in rows
and columns.
associative property of addition
Changing the grouping of addends does not change
the sum.
| Examples: |
2 |
+ |
(3 |
+ |
4) |
= |
(2 |
+ |
3) |
+ |
4 |
| |
2 |
+ |
|
7 |
|
= |
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5 |
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+ |
4 |
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9 |
= |
9 |
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associative property
of multiplication Changing the grouping of
factors does not change the product.
| Examples: |
5 |
x |
(3 |
x |
4) |
= |
(5 |
x |
3) |
x |
4 |
| |
5 |
x |
|
12 |
|
= |
|
15 |
|
x |
4 |
| |
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60 |
= |
60 |
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average An amount
obtained by dividing the total of all given
amounts by the number of amounts added
together.
Example: The average of these numbers 20, 30,
40, 50, 60 would be obtained by adding 20 + 30
+ 40 + 50 + 60, which is 200, and dividing by
5, which is the number of addends, to obtain the
average 40.
axes The axes are
the two fixed lines in the Cartesian coordinate
system.
Note: They are usually
identified as the x-axis
and the y-axis. The
x-axis is used to measure
distance left and right (horizontally) and the
y-axis is used to measure
distance up and down (vertically).
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| ·B· |
bar
graphs A graph that uses bars to show data.
Example: 
barrel In the United
States, 42 gallons is the equivalent amount of
oil in one barrel.
Other measures using barrels are not standardized
and could range from 5 to 50 or more gallons.
base A named face
of a solid. The bottom side of a figure. The side
or face of a geometric figure from which an altitude
can be shown.
Example: 
bisect To cut or
divide a line or a shape into two equal parts.
Example: 
binary system A
number system using only the digits 0 and 1
and having two as its base. Note: The decimal
system uses the digits
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and has ten as its base.
bit A bit
is the smallest unit of information that can be
used electronically.
byte A byte
is a group of bits (zeros and ones) that make
up another unit of information that can be used
electronically. |
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| ·C· |
capacity
The maximum amount that a container can hold.
Celsius Originally
known as the centigrade scale, the Celsius
scale
sets the freezing point of water at 0°C and
the boiling point of water
at 100°C. This scale was devised by Anders
Celsius (1701-1744), a
Swedish Astronomer.
chance The chance
of an outcome could refer to its being determined
by fate or luck or, it could refer to the mathematical
probability of that outcome.
chord A line segment
whose endpoints are two points on a circle.
Example: 
circle A round
plane figure with every point the same distance
from
the center.
Example: 
circle graph A graph
that uses a circle, and sections of a circle to
display a given set of data. Also known as circle
charts, pie charts and pie graphs.
Example: 
circular cone A
circular cone is a
cone made using a circle as its base.
Example: 
circumference The
distance around a circle.
clockwise The direction
of a movement around a circle that is the same
as the hands moving on a conventional clock.
column A column
is a set of numbers read top to bottom.
| Example: Here, three columns
of numbers are shown. |
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24 |
45 |
67 |
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28 |
50 |
70 |
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32 |
55 |
73 |
common denominator
A quantity into which all of the denominators
in a set of fractions can be divided evenly.
Example: 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 have 12 as a common
denominator.
Note - Here 12 is the
lowest common denominator.
common factor Is a
factor shared by two or more numbers.
| Example: |
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Factors of 12 are 1,2,3,4,6 and 12. |
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Factors of 18 are 1,2,3,6,9 and 18. |
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Common factors of 12 and 18 are 1,2,3, and
6. |
common multiple
A number that is a multiple of two or more numbers.
Example: Common multiples of 3 and 5 are 15, 30,
45, 60, 75…
commutative property of addition
Changing the order of addends does not change the
sum.
| Example: |
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$2.25 |
+ |
$1.50 |
= |
$1.50 |
+ |
$2.25 |
| |
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$3.75 |
= |
$3.75 |
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commutative property of multiplication Changing
the order of factors does not change the product.
| Example: |
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4 x 6 |
= |
6 x 4 |
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24 |
= |
24 |
compass An instrument
for taking measurements and describing circles.
Also, a device used to determine geographic direction.
Example:  and
compatible numbers
Numbers that are easier to work with than the actual
numbers in a problem. The answer will be an estimate
of the correct solution.
| Example: |
|
| 165
÷ 53 Compatible numbers 150 and 50
or 150 ÷ 50 = 3 |
| The
estimate would be 3. |
complementary angles
A pair of angles whose sum is 90°.
Example: Angles of 40° and 50° are complementary.
composite number
A number that has three or more factors.
Example: Some composite numbers are 4, 6, 8, 9,
10, 15, 20, 64, 100.
20 is a composite number because its factors are
1, 2, 4, 5, 10 and 20.
concentric circles
Two circles drawn, one inside the other, having
the same center.
Example: 
cone A solid figure
with a circular base, tapering to a point.
Example: 
congruent Angles
and segments are said to be congruent if their
measures are the same.
Example: 
congruent figures
Figures that have exactly the same size and shape.
Example: 
constant A quantity
that has a fixed value.
coordinate One of
the numbers in an ordered pair.
Example: (4, 3) is an ordered pair with 4 being
the x-coordinate and
3 being the y-coordinate. (Also see axes).
counterclockwise
The direction around a circle that is the opposite
of the direction of the hands on a clock.
counting numbers
The set of numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …) as
used in counting. Also known as the set of natural
numbers.
cube A solid figure
having six square faces the same size.
Example: 
cube The cube
of a number is that number multiplied by itself
and then that product is multiplied by the original
number.
Example: 2 cubed or 2³ is equal to 2 x 2
x 2 or 4 x 2 or 8. So, 2³ = 8.
cube root The cube
root of a number is another number which
when cubed will equal that number.
Example: The cube root of 27 or ³v27 is 3.
Since, 3 x 3 x 3 = 27.
cylinder A solid
that has two parallel congruent circular bases
and
one curved surface.
Example:  |
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| ·D· |
data
Known facts and figures that can be used as a
basis to draw conclusions.
database A database
is a computer program which allows information
to be stored in an organized way so that each
separate item can be easily found.
decimal A number
with one or more digits to the right of a decimal
point.
Examples: 2.5, 0.234, 1.39
decimal point A
symbol used to separate the ones place from the
numbers that follow which make up tenths, hundredths,
thousandths, etc.
Examples: 1.35, $5.99, 0.046
decimal system The
decimal system is based on 10 and groups of 10
and uses the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9.
degree A degree
is the measure of an angle made by 1/360 th part
of a full turn. A circle has 360°. Also, a
degree is a unit for measuring temperature.
denominator The
bottom number, written below the fraction line,
in a fraction.
diagonal A diagonal
of a shape is a line segment that which joins
one vertex to another vertex and which is not
an edge of that shape.
Example: 
diameter A line
segment drawn across a circle, passing through
the center.
Example: 
difference The result
of subtracting one number from another.
Example: 9 – 4 = 5. 5 is the difference.
digit Any numeral
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 used to form part
of a number.
Example: The following number 3,278 has 4 digits.
dimension A measure
of any kind.
Examples: One dimension- A measure using only
length or width but not both. The length of a
line segment is only one-dimensional. Two dimensions-
A measure that uses length and width. A shadow
would be a good example since it has length and
width, but not depth or height. Three dimensions-
A measure of something that has length, height
and depth. Solid objects are 3-dimensional.
discount A discount
is an amount that is taken off the price of something.
Example: If a product which normally sells for
$5.00 is offered at a 10% discount, then the price
of the product will be reduced by 50 cents and
sell for $4.50. $5.00 x .10 = $.50
distributive property of multiplication
The product of a number and the sum of two numbers
is equal to the sum of the two products. Also, called
the distributive property of
multiplication over addition.
| Example: |
2 |
x |
(3 |
+ |
5) |
= |
2 |
x |
3 |
+ |
2 |
x |
5 |
| |
2 |
x |
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8 |
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= |
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6 |
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+ |
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10 |
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16 |
= |
16 |
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dividend The number
that is divided in a division problem.
Example: 15 ÷ 3 = 5. 15 is the dividend.
divisible Capable
of being divided into equal parts without a remainder.
Example: 18 is divisible by 6, since 18 ÷
6 = 3.
division The operation
between two numbers which determines how many
times bigger one number is than another.
divisor The number
that is divided into the dividend in a division
problem. Example: 12 ÷ 3 = 4. 3 is the
divisor.
double-bar graph
A bar graph depicting two sets of data for comparison.
double-line graph
A line graph depicting two sets of data for comparison.
Example:  |
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| ·E· |
Earth
Third planet from the sun. The Earth has a radius
of approximately 3,800 miles (6,371 km). The distance
from the Earth to the moon is about 230,000 miles
(384,400 km). The distance from the Earth to the
sun is about 90 million miles (150 million km).
edge The line segment
where two faces of a solid meet.
Example: 
elapsed time The
length of time measured from the beginning of
an event until the end of that event.
ellipse An oval
shaped figure.
Example: 
endpoint A point
at the end of a ray or line segment.
equation A mathematical
statement with and equal sign in it. A mathematical
statement that two expressions have the same value.
Examples: 4k + 7 = 31, p = 3.14, A = ½
bh
equal ratios Ratios
that show the same proportions.
Examples: 4/5, 8/10 and 16/20 are all equal ratios.
3:1, 6:2, and 12:4 are all equal ratios.
equilateral triangle
A triangle in which all sides are congruent. That
is, all sides have the same length and all angles
have the same measure.
Example: 
equivalent Having
the same value.
equivalent decimals
Decimals that name the same number or have the
same value.
Example: 3.8, 3.80 and 3.800 are all equivalent
decimals. fig ~_
equivalent fractions
Fractions that name the same number or have the
same value.
Example: 2/6 and 20/60 are equivalent fractions.
fig ~ _
equivalent measures
Measures that name the same value.
Examples: 36 inches, 3 feet and 1 yard are equivalent
measures.
equivalent ratios
See equal ratios
estimate A number
that is close to the exact value, an approximation
of the actual answer.
Example: Although not exact, $5.00 is a good estimate
of the total of $2.99 and $1.98.
evaluate To find
the value of a mathematical expression.
Example: Evaluate 4 + y when y = 2.
4 + y = 4 + 2 = 6.
even numbers Whole
numbers that are divisible by 2. Even numbers
end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.
event A set of one
or more outcomes or results in an experiment.
expanded form A
number written as the sum of the values of the
digits.
Example: 46,258 could be written as 40,000 + 6,000
+ 200 + 50 + 8.
exponent A number
that tells how many times a number is multiplied
by itself.
Examples: 5². The exponent is 2. 5²
= 5 x 5 = 25.
2³. The exponent is 3. 2³ = 2 x 2 x
2 = 8.
expression A combination
of numbers and symbols that represent a mathematical
quantity. (Also, see algebraic
expression). |
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| ·F· |
face
A flat surface of a 3-dimensional figure.
Example:
factor (multiplication)
A number that is multiplied to produce a product.
Example: 2 x 5 = 10. 2 and 5 are both factors.
factor (division)
A number that will divide another number with
no remainder.
Examples: 2 and 3 are factors of 6.
2, 3 and 4 are factors of 12.
Fahrenheit A temperature
scale in which water freezes at 32°F and boils
at 212°F. The scale was devised by G.D. Fahrenheit
around 1720, he was a German physicist.
flip A motion which
shows a figure and its mirror image.
Example: 
formula An equation
that shows a relationship between certain quantities.
Examples:
Distance equals rate times time or d = r x t.
Area equals length time width or A = l x w.
fraction A number
that names part of a whole or part of a group.
Fractions are written with a numerator and denominator.
Examples: 7/8, 1/2, 4/5, 32/100 are all fractions.
frequency The number
of times something happens.
frequency table
A table for organizing data, showing the number
of times various events occur. Sometimes called
a frequency chart.
Example:  |
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| ·G· |
gap
An empty space in a graph. (Note
gap in graph below).
graph A diagram
that shows information using bars, lines, pictures,
symbols, and parts of a circle, box, or other
figures.
Example:
greatest common factor
The largest factor of two or more whole numbers.
Sometimes referred to as the GCF.
| Example: |
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Greatest common factor of 6,
12 and 18 is 6. |
| |
Factors of 6: |
1, 2, 3, 6 |
| |
Factors of 12: |
1, 2, 3, 4, 6,
12 |
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Factors of 18: |
1, 2, 3, 6,
9, 18 |
grouping property of addition
See associative property of addition.
grouping property of multiplication
See associative property of multiplication. |
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| ·H· |
| half turn A turn
of 180°. A turn which causes a figure to face
in the opposite direction.
heptagon A polygon
with 7 sides. A regular heptagon
has seven congruent sides and seven congruent
angles.
Example: 
hexagon A polygon
with 6 sides. A regular hexagon
has six congruent sides and six congruent angles.
Example:
horizontal axis
A left and right reference line on a grid.
Example:  |
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| ·I· |
identity
property of addition The sum of any addendand
0 equals that addend. Also known as the zero
property of addition.
| Examples: |
3 |
+ |
0 |
= |
3 |
| |
0 |
+ |
14 |
= |
14 |
| |
n |
+ |
0 |
= |
n |
identity property of
multiplication The product of any factor
and 1 equals that factor.
| Examples: |
4 |
x |
1 |
= |
4 |
| |
1 |
x |
6 |
= |
6 |
| |
a |
x |
1 |
= |
a |
| infinite
A quantity or number that cannot be measured
or counted. |
| Note:
The symbol for the word infinity
is. |
 |
improper fraction
A fraction in which the numerator is greater than
or equal to the denominator.
Example: 8/5, 100/9, 23/23 are all improper fractions.
integer A whole
number or its opposite, including 0.
Example: … -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
… represents the set of integers.
interest Money paid
for the use of money lent.
Example: Over the course of 3 years, Mr. Smith
paid $18,000 for his car, $3,000 of which was
interest.
interest rate The
percent paid per year for the use of money.
Example: The bank is offering loans of $10,000
or more at 8% interest.
intersecting lines
Lines that cross each other.
Example: 
intersecting planes
Planes that cross each other forming a line.
Example: 
interval The distance
between numbers on an axis of a graph.
irregular polygon
A polygon with sides that are not congruent.
Example: 
isosceles triangle
A triangle in which at least two sides are congruent.
Example: 
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| ·K· |
| key
The part of a graph that describes what the symbols
in the graph represent. |
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| ·L· |
| latitude
A line of latitude is
a small circle on the earth’s surface, parallel
to the equator, whose position is given north or
south of the equator.
least common denominator
The smallest common denominator of a set of fractions.
Sometimes referred to as the LCD.
Example: For the fractions 2/3, 3/5 and 4/10 the
LCD is 30.
least common multiple
The smallest common multiple of a set of numbers.
Sometimes referred to as the LCM.
Example:
The least common multiple of 2 and 5 is 10. (Other
common multiples
are 20, 30, 40, 50, etc. The least common multiple
is 10).
The least common multiple of 2, 3 and 5 is 30.
The least common multiple of 4 and 7 is 28.
leap year A year
in the Gregorian calendar having 366 days, with
the extra day, February 29, occurring every 4
years. This was devised to compensate for the
quarter-day difference between the calendar year
and the astronomical year.
light year The distance
light travels in one year, nearly 6 trillion miles.
line A set of points
along a straight path that extend in opposite
directions without end. Symbol: ?
line graph A graph
that uses one or more line segments to show changes
in data.
Example: 
line of symmetry
A line that divides a figure into two matching
halves.
Example: 
line plot A diagram
showing the frequency of data above a number line.
line segment A part
of a ray or line that has two endpoints.
longitude A line
of longitude is a meridian
whose position is given in terms of east or west
from the Greenwich Meridian. |
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| ·M· |
| mass
A measure of the amount of matter in an object.
matrix A matrix
is a rectangular array of elements.
Example: 
mean The quantity
found by adding the numbers in set of numbers
and dividing the sum by the number of numbers
in the set. See “average”.
median The middle
number in an ordered set of data. If the set has
an even number of numbers then the median is the
average or mean of the middle two numbers.
Examples:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10. 6 is the median.
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13. The median is the mean of
the middle 2 numbers 7 and 9. Therefore, 7 + 9
= 16. 16 ÷ 2 = 8. 8 is the median.
metric system A
decimal system of measurement. The basic unit
for measuring length is the meter.
The basic unit for measuring volume is the liter.
The basic unit for measuring mass is the gram.
Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius.
midpoint The point
that divides a line segment into two equal parts.
Example: 
mixed number A number
that combines a whole number and a fraction.
Examples: 2 3/5, 4 ½, 5 60/100.
mode The number
that occurs most often in a set of data.
Example: 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9.
The mode is 7.
multiple The product
of two whole numbers.
Examples:
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18,…
Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,…
Multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72,…
multiplication property
of one Any number multiplied by one will
have the same number as the product.
(Also, see identity property
of multiplication).
Examples: 5 x 1 = 5. 1 x 17 = 17. Or, 1 x h =
h.
multiplication property
of zero Any number multiplied by zero is
zero.
Examples: 0 x 3 = 0. t x 0 = 0. (Also, see zero
property of multiplication). |
|
|
| ·N· |
| natural
numbers Counting numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …
negative numbers
Numbers that are less than zero or that show a
decrease in value.
Examples: -1, -16, -25.
net A flat pattern
that folds into a solid.
Example: 
number line A line
marked at regular intervals.
numerator The number
above the bar in a fraction.
Example:
23/100. 23 is the numerator. |
|
|
| ·O· |
obtuse
angle An angle that measures more that 90°
but less than 180°.
Example: 
obtuse triangle
A triangle that has one angle more than 90°.
Example: 
octagon A figure
having 8 sides. A regular octagon
has eight congruent sides and eight congruent
angles.
Examples: 
odd number Numbers
not divisible by 2. Whole numbers ending in 1,
3, 5, 7, or 9.
open figure A figure
that does not have starting and stopping points
that are the same.
Examples: 
ordered pair A pair
of numbers that represent a location of point
on an graph.
Example: small graph showing (2,3) as coordinates
order of operations
The rules for finding the value of an expression.
Example: (6 ÷2) + 3 x (5 – 2)
= 3 + 3 x 3
= 3 + 9
= 12
Order of operations:
Do all operations in parentheses first.
Evaluate all expressions with exponents.
Multiply and divide in order from left to right.
Add and Subtract in order from left to right.
order property of addition
See commutative property of
addition.
order property of multiplication
See commutative property
of multiplication.
outcome A possible
result in an experiment. |
|
|
| ·P· |
palindrome
A number or word that is the same whether written
forward or backward.
Examples:
383, 222, 1001, 55 or dad, mom,
toot. parallel
Lines or planes that do not intersect.
Examples:
parallelogram A
quadrilateral in which both pairs of opposite
sides are parallel.
Examples: 
pentagon A polygon
with 5 sides. A regular pentagon
has 5 congruent sides and 5 congruent angles.
Example: 
percent A ratio
based on 100.
Example:
50 % = 50 parts out of 100 or 50/100.
perimeter The distance around a figure.
perpendicular lines
Lines that intersect to form right angles.
Example:
pi The circumference
of a circle divided by its diameter.
Symbol: n equals approximately
3.14 or 3 1/7.
pictograph A graph
that uses pictures to show data. The key the definition
of what each picture represents.
Example:fig
pie graph or pie chart
See circle graph or
circle chart.
place value The
value of a digit based on its position in a number.
Example:
In the number 4,500, the 5 is in the hundreds
place and has a value of 500.
plane A flat surface
that extends forever in all directions.
point An exact location
in a plane, in space or on a graph.
polygon A closed
figure formed by line segments joined at their
endpoints.
Examples:
polyhedron A three
dimensional figure formed by flat surfaces.
Examples:
positive number
A number greater than zero. Numbers that show
an increase.
Example: +10, + 32, +6.
power of 10 A number
that can be written as 10 raised to some exponent.
Examples:
10² = 10 x 10 or 100. 10³ = 10 x 10
x 10 = 1,000.
prediction An estimate
or guess about the outcome of an event.
prime factorization
A way of expressing a whole number as a product
of its prime factors.
Examples:
30 = 2 x 3 x 5.
100 = 2 x 2 x 5 x 5
prime number A whole
number, greater than 1, whose only factors are
itself and 1.
Examples: 2, 3 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 23, etc.
principal Amount
of money on which interest is paid.
prism A 3-dimensional
figure that has 2 parallel congruent bases joined
by faces that are parallelograms.
Examples:
probability The
likelihood that an event will occur.
product The answer
to a multiplication problem.
Example: 3 x 6 = 18. 18 is the product.
proportion An equations
showing that two ratios are equivalent.
Example:
2/3 = 8/12 or 3/f = g/5.
pyramid A 3-dimensional
figure that has a polygon for a base and whose
other faces are triangles that share a common
vertex.
Example:
|
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| ·Q· |
quadrant
One of four sections formed by the 2 axes on coordinate
graph.
Example:
quadrilateral A
polygon with 4 sides.
Examples: 
quarter turn A 90°
turn.
quotient The answer
to a division problem.
Example: 28 ÷ 7 = 4. 4 is the quotient.
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| ·R· |
radius
The distance from the center of a circle to any
point on the circle.
Example: 
range The difference
between the greatest number and the least number
ina set of data.
rate A ratio that
compares measurements or amounts.
Examples: A car travels at a rate of 55 miles
per hour. This ratio can be expressed as 55 miles/1
hour.
The water flows at a rate of 1,200 gallons per
minute or 1,200 gal./min.
ratio A comparison
of two quantities.
Example: 3 to 5, 3 : 5, 3/5.
ray A part of a
line that has one endpoint and continues without
end in the other direction.
Symbol: 
reciprocals Two
numbers whose product is one.
Example: 3/5 x 5/3 = 1. 5/3 is the reciprocal
of 3/5.
rectangle A quadrilateral
having four right angles.
Examples: 
rectangular prism
A prism with rectangular bases.
Example: 
regular polygon
A polygon that has congruent sides and angles.
Examples: 3 figs triangle, square, hexagon
remainder The number
left after the quotient has been found in a division
problem.
Example: 17 ÷ 5 = 3 Remainder 2.
rhombus A quadrilateral
with four congruent sides.
Example: 
right angle An angle
that measures 90°.
Example: 
right triangle A
triangle with one right angle.
Example: 
rotation A motion
that turns a figure about a point.
round To find the
nearest value of a number based on a given place.
Examples:
499 rounded to the nearest hundred is 500.
219 rounded to the nearest ten is 220.
4,109 rounded to the nearest thousand is 4,000.
row A set of numbers
or elements in a matrix that read from left to
right.
Example:
1 2 3 4 first row
a b c d second row
6 7 8 9 third row |
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| ·S· |
| sales
tax Money some government charges when you
buy an item.
scale The ratio
of lengths in a drawing comparing them with the
actual lengths.
scale drawing A
reduced or enlarged version of an actual figure.
scalene A triangle
in which no two sides are congruent.
Example:
sequence A set of
numbers or objects made and written in order according
to some mathematical rule.
Example:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, … is a sequence of even
numbers.
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, … is a sequence of numbers
divisible by 5.
semicircle One half
of a circle made by cutting along a diameter.
Example: 
side of a polygon
One of the line segments that make up a polygon.
similar figures
Figures that are the same shape but not necessarily
the same size.
Example:
simplest form A
fraction whose numerator and denominator have
no common factor other that one.
Example:
The simplest form of 5/15 is 1/3.
The simplest form of 6/20 is 3/10.
The simplest form of 9/30 is 3/10.
The simplest form of 7/100 is 7/100.
slide The motion
in which every point of a figure moves the same
distance and in the same direction.
Example: 
sphere A three dimensional
figure that is the set of all points that are
the same distance from a given point called the
center or the solid shape enclosed by that surface.
A solid figure that is in the shape of a ball.
Example: 
square A figure
with four right angles and four equal sides.
Example: 
square unit The
amount of surface area enclosed in a square with
each side having a length of 1 unit. 2 figs one
square unit and 4 square units in a box all the
same size as 1st one
standard A measurement
that has been agreed upon.
Example: The standard measure for a barrel of
oil in the United States is 42 gallons.
standard form The
usual way to write a number using digits.
Example: The standard form of one hundred sixty-two
is 162.
straight angle An
angle whose measure is exactly 180°.
Example: 
sum The answer to
an addition problem.
supplementary angles
Two angles whose total measure is 180°.
surface area The
total area of all of the faces of a 3-dimensional
figure.
survey A way to
collect data by asking questions or recording
events. symmetry Part of an object corresponds
to or matches another part of the object.
Example: fig |
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| ·T· |
tessellate
To fit plane figure together without overlapping
or leaving spaces between them.
Example: fig
tessellation An
arrangement of repeated shapes that covers a space
with no overlaps or spaces.
Example: See tessellate
above.
three (3-dimensional) dimensional
A figure having length, width and height. A solid
figure.
trapezoid A quadrilateral
having only one pair of parallel sides.
Example: 
triangle A polygon
with 3 sides and three angles.
Example:
turn A motion in
which a figure moves around a center.
Example: 
turn image A figure
that has just gone through the motion of a turn.
two (2-dimensional) dimensional
A figure having length and width but no depth.
Example: |
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| ·U· |
| unit
price The cost of a single item or cost per
unit of weight or volume. |
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| ·V· |
| value
The product of a digit multiplied by its place.
variable A symbol
used to represent a number or numbers.
Examples:
a, b, c, d, t, y, x,
could all be used as variables
in an expression, ratio, formula or equation.
velocity The measure
of the rate of movement.
Venn diagram A diagram
of consisting of overlapping circles that show
a relationship between two sets of data. Named
after John Venn, a British logician about 1900.
Example: 
vertex A common
endpoint of two rays or two line segments.
(Plural: vertices).
Example: 
vertical axis A
vertical, up and down, reference line on a grid.
Example: 
volume The amount
of space enclosed by a 3-dimensional figure, measured
in cubic units.
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| ·W· |
| whole
number Any one of the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3,
4, and so on. |
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| ·X· |
x-axis
The horizontal axis in a coordinate graph.
Example: |
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| ·Y· |
y-axis
The vertical axis in a coordinate graph.
Example: |
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| ·Z· |
| zero
property of addition The sum of any number
and 0 is that same number. Also called the identity
property of addition.
Examples: 0 + 3 = 3, 17 + 0 = 17, n +
0 = n.
zero property of multiplication
The product of any factor and 0 equals 0.
Examples: 0 x 4 = 0, 18 x 0 = 0, m x
0 = 0 |
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