Basic Math Vocabulary
AddendThe numbers that you add together.
Ex. 2+3=5, both the number 2 and the number 3 are addends.
SumThe answer to an addition problem.
Ex. 2+3=5, the number 5 is the sum.
MinuendThe first term in a subtraction problem.
Ex. 5-3=2, the number 5 is the minuend.
SubtrahendThe second term in a subtraction problem.
Ex. 5-3=2, the number 3 is the subtrahend.
DifferenceThe answer to a subtraction problem.
Ex. 5-3=2, the number 2 is the difference.
FactorThe numbers that you multiply together.
Ex. 5x3=15, both the number 5 and the number 3 are factors.
ProductThe answer to a multiplication problem.
Ex. 5x3=15, the number 15 is the product.
DividendThe number that is divided.
Ex. 15÷3=5, the number 15 is the dividend.
DivisorThe number that is divided into another number.
Ex. 20÷4=5, the number 4 is the divisor.
QuotientThe answer to a division problem.
Counting/Natural NumbersThe numbers you say when you are counting, from one to infinity.
Ex. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, …..
Whole NumbersIncluding zero with the set of counting/natural numbers, from zero to infinity.
Ex. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, …..
Even NumbersNumbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 {positive or negative}
Odd NumbersNumbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 {positive or negative}
Positive NumbersNumbers greater than zero.
Negative NumbersNumbers less than zero.
IntegersAll positive whole numbers and their opposites (negative values), including zero.
Ex. …… -6, -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6……
Rational NumbersAny number that can be written as a fraction, or that is a terminating decimal, or repeating decimal.
2 1
1
Ex. 2= 1, 3, - 8, -3=
−3
1
Irrational NumbersAny number that cannot be written as a fraction, or that is not a terminating or repeating decimal.
Ex. pi = π = 3.141517……, or √2
VariablesLetters used to represent numbers.
Ex. a+b
a+3=8
Operations of Arithmetic
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
Fact FamilyA group of three (3) numbers related by addition and subtraction,
Ex.
2+3=5
5-3=2
3+2=5
5-2=3
or by multiplication and division.
Ex.
5x3=15
15÷3=5
3x5=15
15÷5=3
Inverse operationsReverse or opposite operations that undo each other or cancels each other out.
Ex. addition and subtraction are inverse operations
multiplication and division are inverse operations