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Explore this glossary to learn the essential math terms your student needs to succeed.
A
The absolute value tells us how far a number is from zero on the number line.
An acute angle is an angle that measures more than 0° but less than 90°.
Addition is when we put two or more things together.
Algebra is the part of math where we use letters and symbols to represent numbers.
An angle is the shape made when two rays start at the same point and move in different directions.
Area is the amount of space a flat shape covers.
Arithmetic is the branch of mathematics that deals with basic number operations: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
B
In geometry, the base is the side or surface of a figure that is used to measure height.
A binomial is a type of polynomial that has exactly two terms. These two terms are connected by either an addition or a subtraction sign.
C
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that helps us understand how things change.
In math, a class is a group of numbers or objects that share something in common.
A coefficient is the number that multiplies a variable in an algebraic expression.
A constant is a number that always stays the same.
D
A decimal is a way of writing numbers that can represent parts of a whole—or whole numbers—using a decimal point.
A decimal point is a dot (.) used to separate the whole number part of a number from the fractional part, if there is one.
The denominator is the bottom number in a fraction.
A dimension is a way of describing how big something or a distance is in space.
A dividend is the number you want to divide. It’s the starting amount—the total that you’re breaking into equal parts.
Division is the process of separating a whole into equal parts. It’s a way of counting how many times one number (the divisor) fits into another (the dividend).
A divisor is the number that tells us how many equal parts we are splitting something into.
E
An equation is a math sentence that says two things are equal.
An even number is any whole number that can be divided by 2 with no remainder.
An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operation symbols (like +, –, ×, or ÷) that represents a value.
F
A factor is a number that divides another number evenly, with no remainder.
A formula is a mathematical equation that expresses the relationship between different variables.
A fraction is a way of showing a part of a whole.
A function is a special relationship between two sets of numbers where each input value has exactly one output value.
G
Geometry is the part of math that deals with shapes and how we describe the space around us.
The golden ratio, also known as the golden mean and golden section, is a special number that appears in math, nature, and art.
A golden rectangle is a special kind of rectangle where the sides follow the golden ratio.
The golden section is a special way to divide a line into two parts so that the parts are in perfect proportion.
H
High-dosage tutoring, also called high-frequency and high-impact tutoring, is a special type of tutoring where students get extra help frequently—often several times a week.
I
An inequality is a math sentence that shows one value is bigger, smaller, or just not equal to another.
An irrational number is a number that cannot be written as a simple fraction, or ratio, of two integers.
L
The Law of Sameness is a concept used at Mathnasium to help students understand that in order to combine or compare mathematical quantities, they must belong to the same category.
M
Math skills are the tools students use to understand numbers, solve problems, and think logically about math.
Mathematics is the study of numbers, patterns, shapes, and relationships—and how they all work together.
A monomial is a type of algebraic expression that consists of only one term.
The multiplicand is the number that is being multiplied in a multiplication problem.
Multiplication is the process of combining equal groups to find a total.
The multiplier is the number that tells how many groups you have in a multiplication problem.
N
Natural numbers are the numbers we use when we count things.
A number is a way of showing how many or how much of something there is.
Number sense is the ability to understand numbers deeply and use them flexibly.
The numerator is the top number in a fraction.
O
An odd number is any whole number that cannot be divided evenly by 2.
In math, an operation is a process we use to work with numbers.
The order of operations is a set of rules that tells us the correct order to solve different parts of a math problem.
P
A polynomial is a type of algebraic expression made up of terms that are added or subtracted.
A product is the result you get when you multiply two or more numbers together.
A proper fraction is a fraction that is less than one whole.
The Pythagorean Theorem, or Pythagoras' Theorem, is a rule in geometry that helps us find the lengths of sides in a right triangle.
Q
A quotient is the result you get when you divide one number by another.
R
A rational number is any number that can be written as a fraction or ratio of two integers.
A reciprocal is what you multiply a number by to get 1.
A remainder is the amount left over when a number cannot be divided evenly.
Roman numerals are a number system that uses letters instead of digits to represent values.
S
The Socratic method is a way of teaching that helps students learn by asking them questions instead of giving them answers.
Subtraction is the process of taking one number away from another.
A sum is the result you get when you add two or more numbers together.
T
A term is a part of a math expression or equation, separated by addition or subtraction signs.
Mathnasium’s proprietary teaching approach designed to help students of all skill levels unlock their math potential.
A trinomial is a type of polynomial that has exactly three terms.
V
A variable is a symbol, usually a letter, that stands for a number we don’t know yet.
Z
Zero is the number that means none or nothing.
