Meaning & use
mathematics
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Meanings
noununcountable
The study of numbers, quantities, shapes and patterns, and the rules for working with them.
Grammar: Takes a singular verb: mathematics is taught daily, not mathematics are.
Patterns
- study mathematics
- a degree in mathematics
- teach mathematics
She studied mathematics at university before becoming an engineer.
Mathematics is used in everything from banking to music.
He teaches mathematics to students aged twelve to sixteen.
nounusually singular
The calculations or mathematical processes involved in a particular task or situation.
Grammar: Often with the: the mathematics of the plan did not add up.
Patterns
- the mathematics of something
The mathematics of compound interest surprised him.
Understanding the mathematics behind the model took her weeks.
Common combinations
- pure mathematics
- He prefers pure mathematics to its practical uses.
- applied mathematics
- Applied mathematics helps engineers predict how bridges behave.
- higher mathematics
- Higher mathematics begins after basic algebra and geometry.
- professor of mathematics
- She became a professor of mathematics at thirty-five.
Synonyms and how they differ
- math
- Math is the short, informal American form and is more common in speech than the full word.
- maths
- Maths is the short British form, used where Americans say math.
- arithmetic
- Arithmetic is only basic calculation with numbers, which is narrower than mathematics.
Word family
- mathematical adjective
- relating to mathematics
- mathematically adverb
- in a way that uses or follows mathematics
- mathematician noun
- a person who studies or works in mathematics
Commonly confused: mathematics or arithmetic?
mathematics vs arithmetic
Arithmetic means basic calculation such as adding and dividing; mathematics includes algebra, geometry and much more.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
Mathematics is an uncountable noun that takes a singular verb. The -s ending makes are and were tempting but wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mathematics”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.