Mathematics Glossary (Elementary)

List Glossary Terms

Word Definition  
Algebraic Expression A group of numbers, symbols, and variables that express an operation or a series of operations Display
Angle Bisector A ray that separates an angle into two congruent angles Display
Annexing Zeros Adding zeros after the whole number in the dividend so that there is no remainder or in order to arrive at a more accurate quotient Display
Back-to-Back Stem and Leaf Plot A way of displaying two large sets of data. Back-to-back stem and leaf plots allow for the display of two sets of related data for comparison purposes Display
Benchmarking Relating an estimate to a referent or benchmark. Benchmarking is used as a method for estimation Display
Coefficient A numerical factor in a term of an algebraic expression Display
Compatible/friendly Numbers A pair of numbers that are easy to work with mentally Display
Compose/Decompose The ability to take apart and put together. Can refer to number, time, shape or money. Compose/Decompose used interchangeably Display
Composite Figure A figure made up of two or more figures Display
Coordinate Plane A two-dimensional system in which a location is described by its distances from two intersecting, usually perpendicular, straight lines called axes Display
Deductive Reasoning The process of reasoning where specific cases are tested against a specific rule Display
Equation A statement that two mathematical expressions are equal Display
Equiangular Triangle A triangle in which all angles are equal Display
Equilateral Triangle A triangle in which all sides are congruent Display
Event A possible result or outcome in probability. A subset of a sample space Display
Experimental Probability A statement of probability based on a number of trials. Display
Explore The expectation that children will have the opportunity to use manipulatives, other materials, and pictures to understand mathematical concepts. Exploration and invention are parts of the learning cycle. In the Exploration phase, children are exploring concepts and beginning to discover relationships. Display
Explore/Invent The expectation that children will have the opportunity to use manipulatives, other materials, and pictures to understand mathematical concepts. Exploration and invention are parts of the learning cycle. In the Exploration phase, children are exploring concepts and beginning to discover relationships. In the Invention phase, children begin to invent the concept. Display
Expontential Form A way of writing a number using exponents Display
First Quadrant One of the four sections of a coordinate grid. The northeast region, the coordinates of which are all positive Display
Frequency Table A table that shows how often each item, number, or range of numbers occurs in a set of data Display
Function A set of ordered pairs such that for any first number (the input) there is only one possible second number (the output) Display
Function Table A table that lists pairs of numbers that show a function Display
Growing Pattern A pattern in which the interval in the pattern increases by some value Display
Independent Events Two events in which the outcome of the first event does not affect the outcome of the second event Display
Inductive Reasoning Making a generalization from specific cases. Used whenever you formulate a general rule after considering a pattern Display
Inequality A mathematical sentence that compares two unequal expressions using one of the symbols <, >, ≤,≥ Display
Integer The set of whole numbers and their opposites. Display
Interval On a graph, the distance between numbers from one grid line to another Display
Isoceles Triangle A triangle in which two sides are congruent Display
Line Graph A graph used to show change over time with points connected by line segments. x-axis represents time intervals Display
Linear Equation An equation whose graph in a coordinate plane is a straight line Display
Linear Relationship Sometimes called a linear function, it is a relationship between 2 variables which produces a line. Display
Measures of Central Tendency Value intended to indicate the typical value in a collection of data Display
Mixed Decimal A decimal number with an integer part and a decimal part Display
Number Combinations The single-digit addition and multiplication pairs and their counterparts for subtraction and division. Historically referred to as math “facts.” Display
Number Sentence An equation or inequality with numbers Display
Numeric Expression An expression that names an amount Display
One Week Calendar A seven pocket chart that is a concrete, generic representation of one week Display
Order of Operations Rules describing what sequence to use in evaluating expressions Display
Outcome One of the possible events in a probability situation. Each of the possible results of an experiment Display
Parallelogram A quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel and congruent sides Display
Perpendicular Bisector A line that divides a line segment into two congruent segments and intersects the segment forming right angles Display
Prism A three-dimensional figure that has two congruent and parallel faces that are polygons. The remaining faces are parallelograms. The type of prism is determined by its base (rectangular, triangular). Display
Pyramid A three-dimensional shape whose base is a polygon and whose other faces are triangles that share a common vertex. A pyramid is named by its base. Display
Range 1. The difference between the greatest number and the least number in a set of numbers 2. The span from the least to greatest data points Display
Ratio A comparison of two numbers or quantities Display
Rational Number Any number that can be written as a fraction Display
Repeating Pattern A design or sequence that is quantitatively predictable because some aspect of it repeats Display
Rhombus A parallelogram with all four sides equal in length Display
Sample Space A sample space is the list of all possible outcomes in an experiment Display
Sampling A small part selected as a sample for inspection or analysis Display
Scalene Triangle A triangle where no sides are congruent Display
Similar Figures that have the same shape, but not necessarily the same size. Corresponding angles of similar shapes are congruent. Corresponding sides of similar shapes are proportional. In the example below at left, AB : DE as BC : EF. Display
Simple Event An experimental outcome that cannot be broken down any further. It is a subset of a sample space. Display
Theoretical Probability The ratio of the number of ways an event can happen to the total number of outcomes Display
Three-dimensional Shape A figure that occupies more than one plane Display
Two-dimensional Shape A figure that lies in a single plane Display
Variable 1. A quantity that changes or that can have different values 2. A symbol, usually a letter, that can stand for a variable quantity Display
 
Mathematics Glossary