MATHS VOCABULARY

Absolute The value of the numeral, |x|=x or |x|=x

Written as
value ignoring the sign
The distance the number
is from zero on the
number line
Angle
Angle The amount of turn from
between one line to another
lines
Acute The angle is less than 90o
angle

Obtuse The angle is between 90o

angle 180o

Reflex The angle is greater than

angle 180o and less than 360o

Right The angle is 90o

angled

Angle A line which cuts an angle

bisector into two equal parts

 Depression The angle measured
angle downwards from the
horizontal to an object.

http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/m
ath/algebra/AT2/LtrigW.htm
Elevation The angle measured
angle upwards from the
horizontal to an object.

http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/m
ath/algebra/AT2/LtrigW.htm
Exterior The angle formed outside
angle a polygon when one side
is extended.

Interior An angle within a

angle polygon.

Area The size a surface takes

up
Measured in square units.
Axis Real or imaginary
reference line
Average One number or value that
represents the whole
group.
Mathematicians calculate
three very important
averages: they are mean,
median and mode.
Base The bottom of something e.g.
the bottom line of a plane shape, or
the bottom face of a solid
Bisect Partition something into
 two equal parts
Brackets Brackets are used when e.g.
three or more elements 9 ( 2 + 3) = 9 5
are combined by =4
operation. Brackets tell
you which two elements
you combine first.
Cube A regular solid with all its
faces square and all its
edges equal length.

http://technabob.com/blog/2007/05/2
1/irregular-iq-cube-gives-rubik-a-run-
for-his-money/
Cubed A number cubed is the e.g. 1, 8, 27, 64, 125,
number number to the power 3
Circumferenc The circumference of a
e circle is the distance right
around the circle. It is
special name for
perimeter of a circle.
Coefficient In mathematical e.g. 5x
expression the coeeficient
are the number of each 5 is the coefficient of x .
variable, or combination
of variables.
Combination The number of possible
ways of selecting m
objects out of n objects
when you dont care
about the order in which
the m objects are
arranged.
Cone A solid which usually has
a circular base and tapers
to a point at the top,
called its vertex.

Coordinates A point on a graph can be e.g. A(3,2)

fixed by a pair of
numbers which describe
its position with reference
to the x and y axes.
Cyclic A cyclic quadrilateral has
quadrilateral all four vertices on a
circle.

Cylinder A prism with the shape of

a circle along its length.

Decimal A number written in base e.g. 36.27

10. A point separates the
whole number from the
fraction part.
Decimal Decimal place describes e.g. 36.27 it has two decimal places
place the position of a digit to
the right of the decimal
point.
Degree A unit for measuring the
size of angles.
Difference The difference of two e.g. the difference between 7 and 2 is
numbers is the answer 7-2=5
when the smaller number
is subtracted from the
bigger number.
Diagram A schematic
mathematical illustration
showing the relationships
between or properties of
mathematical object.

Die Cube marked with dots or

numbers (singular).
Dice Plural of die

Dimension Refers to length, width

and height
Division Sharing or grouping a
(to divide) number into equal parts.
Divisor A number that divides
(factor) exactly into another
number
Divisible Can be divided without a
remainder
Dividend The number being
divided.
Dozen A group or set of 12
Edge When two surfaces join
(intersect).
Equation A statement using an
equals sign.
Having the same amount
or value
Equality State of being equal
Equivalent Two condition that have
the same value or
amount and they can be
cancelled to same.
Inequality Not equal in size, amount
or value
Expression A collection of numbers e.g. 2 x 3 y+ 4
and symbols and letters
with no equal sign
Estimate To make an approximate
or rough calculation,
often based on rounding
Expand to multiply out a product
(algebra) to express it as a sum of
a series of terms.
Exponent A small number placed to
(index) the upper-right of a
number
Shows the number of
times the base number is
multiplied by itself.
Factorize Express something as a
product of factors.
Formula A general equation that
shows the connection
between related
quantities.
Fraction One number divided by
another number written 1 8
e.g.
,
a 2 7
as b .
Denominat Bottom number in a
or fraction.
The number of parts the
whole is divided into.
Numerator Number above the line of
a fraction, showing
number of parts of the
whole.
Function Special kind of relations
in which each object is
mapped onto only one
image
Linear Relations which can be
function written in the form
x ax +b .
Quadratic A relation of the form
function x ax 2+ bx+ c
Factor tree A diagram used to
identify the prime factors
of a composite number.

http://www.gradeamathhelp.com/how-
to-factor.html
Gradient The gradient of a line is a
measurement of how
steep it is.
Graph A way to illustrate
information and numbers
 on paper to make it more
easily understood.
Greater than More than Sign >
Greatest The largest whole number
common that divides into all of
divisor them without leaving a
(GCD) remainder.
Highest The largest number that
common will divide two or more
factor other numbers exactly.
(HCF)
Hemisphere Half of a sphere

http://thesaurus.maths.org/mmkb/entr
y.html;jsessionid=ADEEBA24276274E
63412033AB9720766?
action=entryByConcept&id=1594&lan
gcode=en&expand=1
Hypotenuse The side opposite the
right-angle in a right-
angled triangle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypot
enuse.gif
Identity An equation where one
side is a different way of
writing the other side.
Identity An element which when The identity of operation is 1
element combined with other
elements leaves them the The identity of operation + is 0
same
Identity Usually called unit matrix.

[ ]
1 0 0
matrix The n x n square matrix
with ones on the main
[ ]
I =[ 1 ] , I = 1 0
0 1
, I= 0 1 0 ,,
0 0 1
diagonal and zeros
elsewhere.
 [ ]
1 0 0
0 1 0
I=

0 0 1

Identity The transformation that

transforma maps each point of the
tion plane onto itself
Image The result when an object
is transformed.
Intercept The point where a line or
curve crosses the x -

axis or the y -axis

Intersect Lines and curve intersect
if they cross or touch.
Inverse
Inverse The function that maps
function ( y ) back
each image

onto each point (x) .

Inverse The transformation which
transforma maps image back onto
tion the shape in all points.
Inverse The matrix that gives the
matrix identity matrix when
multiplied by a given
matrix.
Inverse Operations that undo
operation each others effect
Kite A quadrilateral with two
pairs of equal sides which
are not opposite to each
other.

http://uniqideas.wordpress.com/2008/
01/14/my-reflections-on-kite-flying/
Least Numbers which appear in
common both the set of multiples
multiply of two numbers
Line A line which can be used
symmetry as a fold, so that one half
of the shape covers the
other half exactly.

http://coconnections.wonecks.net/201
1/01/20/line-of-symmetry/
Linear Equation which can be
equation written in the form
ax +b=0
Linear A linear inequality in one
inequality unknown takes the form
ax +b>0
Linear A method for finding the
programming maximum or minimum
value of a linear function
when the unknowns are
subject to constraints.

http://coconnections.wonecks.net/201
1/01/20/line-of-symmetry/
Locus The line or path of a set
of points that follow some
rule or law.

http://regentsprep.org/Regents/math/
geometry/GL1/What.htm
Longitude Half a circle on the
surface of the earth with
one end at the south pole
and one end at the north
pole.

http://landtrustgis.org/images/GIS
%20Technology/GIS%20data
%20basics/5longitudelatitude.png/pop
Loss Made when the selling
price of an object is less
than the purchase price.
Mapping A relation in which each
object maps to only one
image.
Matrix An array of numbers or
letters in the shape of a
rectangle.
Maximum The greatest value
value
Mean The sum of the n

numbers divided by n .
Median The middle number once
the numbers have been
arranged in order of size.
Mode The most popular value,
or the most frequently
occurring item.
Multiple A multiple of a number
n is k n where k

is a natural number.
Net The plane shape, which
when cut out and folded,
can be made into the
solid shape.

Number
Natural Counting number. 1,2,3,4, .
number Number which start from
1.
Whole Number which start from 0,1,2,3, .
number 0.
Integers Any whole number and/or , -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,
the additive inverse of a
whole number
Rational Number that can be 1
number e.g. 2 , 9, 11
a
formed into b where

a and b are
integers.
Irrational Number that cant be , 5
e.g.
number a
formed into b where

a and b are
integers.
Real All the numbers that
number includes all rational and
irrational numbers
Number A line that shows the real
line numbers as points on a
line

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonD
etail.aspx?ID=L53
Even Numbers that is divisible
number 2.
Odd Numbers that have
 number remainder 1 when it is
divided by 2.
Prime A number which has only e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7,
number two factors, itself and 1.
Order
Descending Arranged from largest to
order smallest
Ascending Arranged from smallest to
order largest
Order of The size of matrix.
matrix
Order of The order in which
operation operations should be
done
Ordered Two numbers written in a
pair certain order. They are
usually written in
parentheses like this (2,3)
Origin The point with coordinate
(0,0)
Parabola The shape obtains the
quadratics function.

Parallelogram Quadrilateral formed by

two pairs of parallel lines.

Percentage A fraction with the 75

denominator of which e.g. 75% = 100
100.
Perimeter The length of the
boundary or the distance
around the outside of the
shape.
Period The width of that pattern
measured along the x

axis
Perpendicula Two lines cross at the
r right-angles.
Perpendicula Perpendicular to the line
r bisector and goes through the
mid-point of the line.
Pictogram A way to represent
information by using
picture

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/dnss/docVi
ewer.aspx?docID=49#start
Plane A flat surface such as a
table-top.
Plane of A plane which can act as
symmetry a mirror to show the
complete shape

http://www.gemologyproject.com/wiki/
index.php?title=Symmetry
Polygon A plane shape bounded
by only straight lines.
Triangle Polygon with three sides
Quadrilater Polygon with four sides
al
Pentagon Polygon with five sides

http://www.thenewnewinternet.com/2
 011/05/31/pentagon-deems-cyber-
attack-an-act-of-warfare/
Hexagon Polygon with six sides

Heptagon Polygon with seven sides

Octagon Polygon with eight sides

Polynomial An expression in one

unknown whose terms
are constants multiplied
by whole powers of the
unknown.
Power of a The result of a
number multiplication using just
that number.
Prism A polyhedron with the
same shape along its
length.

Product The result of multiplying

Profit The difference between
the price that an object is
sold for and the price that
it was bought for.
Proportion A number sentence or an
equation that states that
two ratios are equal.
Pyramid A polyhedron with a
polygon for a base and all
other faces meeting at
one vertex called the
apex.
Quadrant A quarter of a circle or its
circumference
Any quarter of a plane
divided by an x and y axis
Quadratic An equation involving to
equation the power 2. The general

form is a x 2+ bx+ c
Quotient The result of a division
Radius Radius of a circle is
distance from the center
of the circle to a point on
the circle.
Rate Quantity measured
against one unit of
another quantity.
Rate of Measures the change in
change one quantity to another
quantity
Ratio Used to compare two or
more quantities.
Reciprocal 1 is divided by a number 1
e.g. x
Rectangle Quadrilateral formed by
two pairs of parallel lines
crossing at right-angles.
Region A part of a surface
Rhombus A quadrilateral formed
with four equal sides

Root The root(s) of an equation n x

are the solution(s) of the
equation.
Rounding off A way of writing the
number with fewer non-
zero digits.
Scalar A number as
distinguished from a
vector or matrix
Scale A drawing object where
drawing the lengths on the
drawing are directly
proportional to the
lengths on the object
Sector of a A shape whose boundary
circle by arc of the circle and
two radii of the circle.
Segment of a A shape whose boundary
circle by an arc of the circle and
a chord of the circle.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/
circle.html
Semi circle Half of the circle

Sequence A set of patterns,

numbers of expression in
a given order so there is a
first term, a second term
and so on.
Series The sum of the terms of
sequence
Set Any connection of things
Element of Things in the set
set
Subset Set which is part of the
other set
Null set Set which has no element
Compleme Complement of set A Set
nt set of element which are not
include in set A
Simplify To reduce a fraction to
its lowest terms by
canceling to the lowest
common factor for both
numerator and
denominator or to
condense an algebraic
expression by grouping
and combining similar
terms.
Sphere The mathematical name
for a perfectly round ball.

http://www.gnu.org/software/3dldf/sph
eres.html
Square A rectangle with four
equal sides

Square root
Surd An irrational root of a 3
e.g.
number
Surface area The total area of all the
faces and all external
curved surfaces of the
solid
Symmetry Kind of pattern that a
shape has
Tangent to a The straight line just
curve touching the curve

http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/ex
plore-the-slope-of-the-sin-curve/5279
Tangent to a The straight line touching
circle a circle and perpendicular
with radius of the circle

http://www.elcues.com/help/classX/XM
 10/
Term Collection of letter and
number separated by
plus and minus sign
Transformati Mapping points and lines
on
Translation Transformation in which a
shape slides without
turning

http://www.kwiznet.com/p/takeQuiz.ph
p?
ChapterID=10946&CurriculumID=48&
Method=Worksheet&NQ=10&Num=1
3.8
Enlargeme Transformation which
nt maps a shape onto a
similar shape, from a
center O using a scale
factor k

http://milesdan8e.edublogs.org/transf
ormations/
Rotation Transformation in which
every point turns through
the same angle about the
same center, called
center of rotation

http://mathematics-
classroom.blogspot.com/2010/07/rotat
ion-transformation.html
 Shear Transformation in which
all points slide parallel to
a fixed line, or plane,
keeping all straight lines
straight.

https://users.cs.jmu.edu/bernstdh/web
/common/lectures/slides_transformati
ons-2d.php
Stretch Transformation in which
shapes are pulled or
stretched in one or two
direction

http://www.exampaper.com.sg/questio
ns/e-maths/transformation-of-the-
moon-on-mid-autumn-night
Trapezium A quadrilateral with one
pair of parallel sides

Triangle
Equilateral A triangle with 3 equal
triangle sides and 3 equal angles.

Isosceles A triangle with 2 equal

triangle sides and 2 equal angles.
 Right- A triangle with a right-
angled angle for one of the three
triangle angles.

http://www.mathsteacher.com.au/year
7/ch09_polygons/01_triangle/tri.htm
Scalene A triangle whose sides
triangle are all of different
lengths.

Unit
Unit of Standard for measuring
measurem length
ent
Variable Letters used in formulas
and mathematical
expressions to stand for
different numbers
Vector A line segment given a
direction
Velocity Measure of the speed
with which body moves in
a particular direction.
Venn diagram Diagram to show set.

http://www.peterme.com/archives/000
199.html
Vertex A corner of a shape (or
solid).
Volume The amount of space it
occupies
Weight The force that gravity
exerts on an object
Zero Shown by the symbol 0
(nought)

http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/dictionary.html
http://www.mathematicsdictionary.com/math-vocabulary.htm
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/search/?query=diagram&x=12&y=10