Grade 5 Glossary
addend
algorithm
area
area model
adapted from Granite Schools, Utah
Any number being added
Step-by-step method for
computing
The measure, in square
units, of the interior
region of a 2-dimensional
figure, or the surface of
a 3-dimensional figure
A model of multiplication
that shows each place
value product
array
An arrangement of
objects in equal rows
Associative
Property of
Addition
The sum stays the same
when the grouping of
addends is changed.
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Associative
Property of
Multiplication
attribute
axis (axes)
base of an
exponent
The product stays the
same when the grouping
of factors is changed.
A characteristic—for
example size, shape or
color
A reference line from
which distances or angles
are measured in a
coordinate grid.
The number that is
raised to a power.
base of a solid
figure
A base of a solid figure is
usually thought of as a
face upon which it can
sit. Most solid figures
have more than 1 base.
benchmark
fractions
Fractions that are usually
used for estimation.
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braces
Braces can be used to
indicate that the objects
written between them
belong to a set.
brackets
A type of grouping
symbol used in pairs that
tells what operation to
complete first.
centimeter (cm)
Commutative
Property of
Addition
Commutative
Property of
Multiplication
compose
A metric unit of length
equal to 0.01 of a meter.
The sum stays the same
when the order of the
addends is changed.
5+3=3+5
The product stays the
same when the order of
the factors is changed.
2 triangles can form a
rectangle.
To put together, as in
numbers or shapes.
3
coordinate plane
A 2-dimensional system in
which the coordinates of
a point are its distances
from two intersecting
perpendicular lines (axes)
coordinate
system
Also known as a
coordinate grid. See
above
coordinates:
x-coordinate
y-coordinate
An ordered pair of
numbers that identify a
point on a coordinate
plane.
corresponding
terms
cubic unit
customary
system
Terms that are in the
same position in a
sequence of numbers. In
the pattern shown, 9 & 18
are the 3rd terms in each
sequence.
A unit such as a cubic
meter to measure volume
or capacity.
A system of
measurement used in the
U.S. The system includes
inches, feet, yards,
ounces, gallons, pounds
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See above
data
decimal
decimal point
decompose
denominator
difference
Information, especially
numerical information,
usually organized for
analysis.
A number with one or
more digits to the right
of a decimal point.
Decimal is another name
for a decimal fraction.
A dot separating the
whole number from the
fraction in the decimal
notation.
To separate into
components or basic
elements.
The quantity below the
line in a fraction. It tells
the number of equal
parts into which a whole
is divided.
The amount that remains
after one quantity is
subtracted from another.
5
$29.45
53.0
5.075
0.02
Distributive
Property
dividend
When one of the factors
of a product is a sum,
multiplying each addend
before adding does not
change the product.
A quantity to be divided.
divisor
The quantity by which
another quantity is to be
divided.
equation
A statement that two
mathematical expressions
are equal.
equivalent
fractions
estimate
Fractions that have the
same value.
A number close to an
exact amount, an
estimate tells about how
much.
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evaluate
expanded form
exponent
expression
factor
finite decimal
To find the value of a
mathematical expression.
42 – 13 = n
n = 29
A way to write numbers
that shows the place
value of each digit.
The number that tells
the number of times the
base is multiplied by
itself.
A variable or combination
of variables, numbers,
and symbols that
represents a
mathematical relationship
x+3
no equal sign
An integer that divides
evenly into another.
A decimal that contains a
terminating number of
digits—also called a
terminating decimal.
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Example: 0.25
formula
greater than
A general equation or
rule. You can use a
formula to find area or
volume.
Greater than is used to
compare two numbers
when the first number is
larger than the second
number.
hundredth/hundr One of 100 equal parts of
a whole. Hundredths is
edths
the name of the place to
the right of the tenths.
A fraction where the
improper fraction numerator is greater
than or equal to the
denominator.
inequality
intersect
A mathematical sentence
that compares two
unequal expressions using
one of the symbols: <, >, ≠
To meet or cross
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0.01
less than
Less than is used to
compare two numbers
when the first number is
smaller than the second
number.
Denominators in two or
like denominators more fractions that are
the same—also called
common denominator
line plot
long division
lowest terms
meter (m)
A diagram showing
frequency of data on a
number line.
A standard procedure or
algorithm suitable for
dividing simple or
complex multi-digit
numbers.
A fraction where the
numerator and
denominator have no
common factor greater
than 1.
A standard unit of length
in the metric system.
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A baseball bat is about 1 meter
long.
metric system
millimeter (mm)
A system of
measurement based on
tens.
A metric unit of length.
1, 000 millimeters
= 1 meter
minuend
In subtraction, the
minuend is the number
you subtract from.
mixed number
A number with an integer
and a fraction part.
Multiplicative
Identity
Property of 1
Multiplying a number by
one gives a product
identical to the given
number.
numerator
The number or
expression written above
the line in a fraction.
10
The basic unit of capacity is
the liter. The basic unit of
length is the meter. The basic
unit of mass is the gram.
Order of
Operations
ordered pair
origin
parentheses
perpendicular
place value
An order, agreed on by
mathematicians, for
performing operations to
simplify expressions.
A pair of numbers that
gives the coordinates of
a point on a grid in this
order—x (horizontal), y
(vertical)
The intersection of the
x- and y-axes in a
coordinate plane,
described by the ordered
pair (0, 0)
Used in mathematics as
grouping symbols for
operations. When simplifying
an expression, the operations
in the parentheses are
performed first.
Forming right angles.
The value of the place of
a digit in a number.
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Parentheses
Exponents
Multiply/Divide left to rt.
Add/Subtract left to rt.
plane
powers of ten
product
proper fraction
quadrants
quotient
A flat surface that
extends infinitely in all
directions.
Using a base number of
10 with an exponent. Our
number system is based
on the powers of 10.
The result of
multiplication.
A fraction less than one.
In a proper fraction the
numerator is less than
the denominator.
The four sections of a
coordinate grid that are
separated by the axes.
The result of the division
of one quantity by
another.
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10,000 = 104
1,000 = 103
100 = 102
10 = 101
1 = 100
remainder
right rectangular
prism
right triangle
rounding
scaling
sequence
The number that is left
over after a whole
number is divided equally
by another number.
A prism with six
rectangular faces where
the lateral edge is
perpendicular to the
plane of the base.
A triangle that has one
90˚ angle.
A strategy to find about
how much or how many by
45.357 rounded to the
expressing a number
closest to a specific place nearest tenth is
value such as ten,
45.4
hundred or tenths.
To increase or decrease
proportionally in size. For
example, to make two
times larger or half the
size.
A set of numbers
arranged in a special
order or pattern.
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2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17…
What is the pattern or
rule?
simplest form
see also “lowest
terms”
simplify
solid figure
standard form
A fraction is in simplest
form when the greatest
common factor of the
numerator and
denominator is 1.
To express a fraction in
simplest form.
A geometric figure with
3 dimensions. Examples:
cone, cylinder, prism,
pyramid
A number written with
one digit for each place
value.
subtrahend
In subtraction, the
subtrahend is the number
being subtracted.
sum
The result of addition.
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354,973
tenth/tenths
term
thousandth/
thousandths
threedimensional
figures
tiling
two-dimensional
figures
One of the equal parts
when a whole is divided
into 10 equal parts.
Tenths is the place to
the right of the decimal
point.
A number, variable,
product, or quotient in an
expression. A term is
NOT a sum or difference.
One of 1000 equal parts
of a whole. Thousandths
is the name of the place
to the right of the
hundredths.
A geometric figure that
has length, width, and
height. Also called a solid
figure.
Repeated shapes that fill
a plane. The shapes do
not overlap and there are
no gaps. You can find the
area of a rectangle by
tiling it with unit squares.
Having length and width.
Also called a plane figure.
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0.1
unit cube
A precisely fixed
quantity used to measure
volume.
unit fraction
A fraction with a
numerator of 1.
unlike
denominators
volume
whole numbers
x-axis
y-axis
Denominators that are
not equal.
The number of cubic
units it takes to fill a
solid figure.
Whole numbers are zero
and the counting
0, 1, 2, 3, 45, 78, 123
numbers. If a number has
a decimal point, or a part
that’s a fraction, it is
NOT a whole number.
In a coordinate plane, the
x-axis is the horizontal
axis.
The y-axis is the vertical
axis.
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