1. Mathematical Vocabulary Flash Cards
© Brent Coley |

2. Sum
The answer to an
addition (+) problem

3. subtraction (-) problem
Difference
The answer to a
subtraction (-) problem

4. multiplication (x or *) problem
Product
The answer to a
multiplication (x or *) problem

5. Quotient
The answer to a
division (÷) problem

6. Numbers that will evenly divide into another number
Factors
Numbers that will evenly divide into another number
(the numbers you can multiply together to get another number)
Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
(1 * 12, 2 * 6, 3 * 4)

7. A whole number greater than 1 that has only two factors: 1 and itself
Prime Number
A whole number greater than 1 that has only two factors: 1 and itself
(The only way to get the number is to multiply 1 times itself.)
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, …

8. A number that has more than two factors
Composite Number
A number that has more than two factors
(there is more than one way to multiply to get the number)
“9”: 1 * 9, 3 * 3
“12”: 1 * 12, 2 * 6, 3 * 4

9. A factor tree – breaking a number down into its prime factors
Prime Factorization
A factor tree – breaking a number down into its prime factors 16
16 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 4 4 2 2 2 2

10. Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
The biggest factor of two or more numbers
The GCF of 12 and 18 is 6.
Factors of 12 → 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
Factors of 18 → 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18

11. Least Common Multiple (LCM)
Smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers
The LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.
3 → 3, 6, 9, 12
4 → 4, 8, 12

12. Denominator = bottom number
Parts of a Fraction
Numerator = top number
Denominator = bottom number

13. Tells how many times the base number is being multiplied by itself
Exponent
Tells how many times the base number is being multiplied by itself
23 = 2 * 2 * 2
base number
exponent

14. Parallel Lines
When two lines are always the same distance apart (they will never touch)

15. When two lines intersect to form a right angle (90°)
Perpendicular Lines
When two lines intersect to form a right angle (90°)

16. Perimeter The distance around a two-dimensional figure
To find the perimeter, add all the sides of the figure.
Perimeter = sum of all sides

17. The amount of space inside the rectangle
Area of a Rectangle
The amount of space inside the rectangle
To find the area, multiply the base times the height.
height
base
Area = base * height

18. The amount of space inside the triangle
Area of a Triangle
The amount of space inside the triangle
To find the area, multiply the base times the height, then divide by 2.
height
base
Area = ½ (base * height)

19. Volume The amount of space inside a three-dimensional figure
To find the volume, multiply base times height times depth.
height
depth
base
Volume = base * height * depth

20. A line segment from the center of a circle to any point on the circle
Radius
A line segment from the center of a circle to any point on the circle
radius

21. A line segment that passes through the center of a circle
Diameter
A line segment that passes through the center of a circle
diameter

22. The distance around a circle Circumference = π * diameter
To find the circumference, multiply π (3.14) by the diameter.
diameter
Circumference = π * diameter

23. The amount of space inside the circle
Area of a Circle
The amount of space inside the circle
To find the area, multiply π (3.14) by the squared radius.
radius
Area = π * radius2

24. The largest number in a set of numbers.
Maximum
The largest number in a set of numbers.
1, 5, 9, 12, 17, 19, 20
Maximum = 20

25. The smallest number in a set of numbers.
Minimum
The smallest number in a set of numbers.
1, 5, 9, 12, 17, 19, 20
Minimum = 1

26. The difference between the maximum and minimum
Range
The difference between the maximum and minimum
(maximum – minimum)
1, 5, 9, 12, 17, 19, 20
Range = 19
Max. (20) – Min. (1) = 19

27. (The five numbers add up to 25. 25 ÷ 5 = 5)
Mean
The average. Add up all the numbers and divide by how many numbers you added.
2, 3, 5, 7, 8
Mean = 5
(The five numbers add up to ÷ 5 = 5)

28. The number that occurs most often. 1, 5, 5, 9, 9, 9, 11, 13 Mode = 9
(There are more 9’s than any other number.)

29. The middle number when the numbers are lined up smallest to largest
Median
The middle number when the numbers are lined up smallest to largest
1, 5, 9, 12, 17, 19, 20
Median = 12

30. Title image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Used with permission.