Subject

Math vocabulary

Understand twelve terms that appear in arithmetic and early algebra, with definitions and examples that show how each term works.

12 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
additionnounThe mathematical operation of combining numbers to find their sum.Use addition to find the total cost of the two tickets.
differencenounThe result of subtracting one number from another.The difference in the calculation 11 - 4 is 7.
divisionnounThe mathematical operation of finding how many times one number fits into another, or how to share a quantity equally.Use division to share 24 counters equally among 6 groups.
factornounA number multiplied by another number to produce a product; for integers, a factor divides another integer without a remainder.In 3 × 8 = 24, both 3 and 8 are factors of 24.
fractionnounA number written as one quantity divided by another, with a numerator and a nonzero denominator.The fraction 3/4 represents three of four equal parts of a whole.
multiplenounA number obtained by multiplying a given number by an integer.Twenty-four is a multiple of 6 because 6 × 4 = 24.
numeratornounThe number or expression above the fraction bar, indicating what is divided by the denominator.The numerator of 5/8 is 5.
denominatornounThe number or expression below the fraction bar, indicating what the numerator is divided by.The denominator of 7/10 is 10.
productnounThe result of multiplying numbers or expressions.The product of 6 and 7 is 42.
quotientnounThe result of dividing one number or expression by another.The quotient of 36 divided by 9 is 4.
rationounA comparison of two quantities by division.The ratio of red beads to blue beads is 2 to 3.
variablenounA symbol that represents a value that may change or is not yet known.In x + 4 = 9, the variable x represents 5.