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Level: A2

Basic Math Words

Essential math words for English learners — algebra, geometry, statistics, and more — each with a simple definition.

500+ words in pictures

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  • General Math Words
  • mathematics – the study of numbers, shapes, and patterns
  • total – the final number after adding or counting
  • sum – the answer you get when you add numbers together
  • difference – the answer you get when you subtract one number from another
  • equals – shows that two things have the same value or amount
  • less – a smaller amount or number
  • Addition
  • add – to put numbers together to get a bigger number
  • addition – the math operation for adding
  • plus – the symbol (+) or word for adding numbers
  • Subtraction
  • subtract – to take one number away from another
  • subtraction – the math operation for taking away
  • minus – the symbol (−) or word for subtraction
  • deduct – another word for subtract; to take away
  • Multiplication
  • multiply – to find the total of one number taken a certain number of times
  • multiplication – the math operation for multiplying numbers
  • times – another way to say “multiply,” like “three times four”
  • product – the answer you get when you multiply numbers
  • Division
  • divide – to split a number into equal parts
  • division – the math operation for dividing
  • quotient – the answer you get when you divide one number by another
  • dividend – the number being divided
  • divisor – the number you divide by
  • remainder – the amount left over after dividing
  • Symbols & Other Words
  • plus sign (+) – the symbol for addition
  • minus sign (−) – the symbol for subtraction
  • times sign (×) – the symbol for multiplication
  • division sign (÷) – the symbol for division
  • equals sign (=) – the symbol that means “is the same as”
  • Numbers & Types of Numbers
  • integer – a whole number, positive, negative, or zero
  • decimal – a number with a dot to show part of a whole, like 3.5
  • fraction – a number that shows part of a whole, like 1/2
  • percent – a part out of 100, shown with the % sign
  • rational number – a number that can be written as a fraction
  • irrational number – a number that cannot be written as a fraction, like pi
  • prime number – a whole number greater than 1 that can only be divided by 1 and itself
  • composite number – a whole number that is not prime
  • even number – a number that can be divided by 2 with no remainder
  • odd number – a number that cannot be divided by 2 evenly
  • absolute value – the distance a number is from zero, always positive
  • square root – a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives another number
  • cube root – a number that, when used three times in multiplication, gives another number
  • base – the number that is being multiplied by itself in powers
  • exponent – the small number above a base, showing how many times to multiply
  • Algebra & Expressions
  • variable – a letter or symbol that stands for a number
  • expression – a math phrase with numbers, variables, or both
  • equation – a math statement showing two things are equal, using =
  • formula – a math rule written with symbols and letters
  • function – a rule that gives one output for each input
  • coefficient – a number multiplied by a variable in an expression
  • term – a single number or variable, or numbers and variables multiplied together
  • solution – a value that makes an equation true
  • linear – relating to lines or first powers of variables, as in linear equations
  • quadratic – relating to equations with the variable squared
  • polynomial – an expression with many terms added or subtracted
  • inequality – a math statement showing that one amount is greater or less than another
  • system of equations – two or more equations solved together
  • Geometry & Shapes
  • point – an exact location in space
  • line – a straight path that goes on forever in both directions
  • segment – a part of a line between two points
  • ray – a straight line that starts at one point and goes on forever
  • angle – the space between two lines that meet at a point
  • triangle – a shape with three sides and three angles
  • rectangle – a shape with four sides and four right angles
  • square – a rectangle with all sides the same length
  • parallelogram – a four-sided shape with opposite sides parallel
  • trapezoid – a four-sided shape with one pair of parallel sides
  • polygon – a flat shape with straight sides
  • circle – a round shape where all points are the same distance from the center
  • radius – the distance from the center of a circle to the edge
  • diameter – the distance across a circle through its center
  • perimeter – the distance around a shape
  • area – the size of the surface of a shape
  • volume – the amount of space inside a 3D object
  • sphere – a perfectly round 3D shape, like a ball
  • cylinder – a 3D shape with straight sides and two round ends
  • cube – a 3D shape with six equal square faces
  • vertex – the point where two or more lines or edges meet
  • edge – the line where two faces of a shape meet
  • face – a flat side of a 3D shape
  • parallel – two lines that never meet, no matter how far they go
  • perpendicular – two lines that meet at a right angle
  • Statistics, Data & Probability
  • average – the sum of values divided by the number of values
  • mean – another word for average
  • median – the middle value when numbers are in order
  • mode – the value that appears most often
  • range – the difference between the largest and smallest values
  • probability – the chance that something will happen
  • ratio – a way to compare two numbers, like 2:3
  • proportion – an equation that shows two ratios are equal
  • table – a set of facts or numbers arranged in rows and columns
  • graph – a drawing that shows data as lines, bars, or points
  • chart – a visual display of information
  • survey – a set of questions asked to many people to gather data
  • sample – a part of a group chosen to represent the whole
  • population – the whole group being studied in statistics
  • data – facts or numbers collected for study
  • Advanced Math & Calculus
  • calculus – a branch of math that studies change using derivatives and integrals
  • derivative – a measure of how a function changes as its input changes
  • integral – a way to find the area under a curve in calculus
  • limit – the value a function approaches as the input gets closer to some number
  • matrix – a rectangular array of numbers or symbols arranged in rows and columns
  • vector – a quantity with both direction and length