Glossary

abacus	An ancient calculating device made of beads and wires mounted on a frame. Often used to teach place value.
addend	The numbers being added in an addition question.
algorithm	A step-by-step procedure for carrying out computation.
arithmetic	The branch of mathematics dealing with the rules for operations on numbers.
associative	When three or more numbers are added or multiplied, the operations can be performed in any order. e.g., (3 + 4) + 6 = 3 + (4 + 6).
attribute	Quality or characteristic. e.g., the attribute of mass is weight; an attribute of a block is its thickness.
array	An orderly arrangement of objects in columns and rows.
bar graph	A diagram using bars whose lengths represent a set of data.
bead box	A box or dish (clear) with a divider and containing a given number of beads. Used for developing addition and subtraction skill by shaking and getting different combinations. e.g.,
benchmark	A point of reference used in estimation.
cardinal number	A number that describes how many things in a set.
circumference	The distance around a circle.
clustering	An estimating strategy that involves taking the average amount and multiplying.
commutative	When numbers can be added or multiplied in any order. e.g., 2 + 3 = 3 + 2.
compatible numbers	Numbers which tend to compute easily. e.g., 100 - 25, 8 + 2.
compensating	An estimating strategy that involves adjusting the answer up or down to more closely approximate the value.
cone	A solid figure with a circular base, tapering to a point.
congruent	Figures that have the same size and same shape.
conjecturing	To guess.
cube	A solid consisting of six square faces.
cylinder	A roller shaped figure. e.g., tin can.
data	Information, often numerical, that is usually organized in graphs or charts to show relationships.
denominator	The number that represents the number of equal parts into which the whole has been divided. In ² /3 the denominator is 3 (lower number in a fraction).
diameter	A line segment that passes through the center of a circle and has its endpoints on the circumference of the circle.
distributive	A product can be written as the sum of two products. e.g., 2 x (4 + 5) = 2 x 4 + 2 x 5 3 x 12 = 3 x 10 + 3 x 2 4 x 9 = 4 x 10 - 4 x 1
dividend	The number to be divided by the divisor. e.g., 18÷9 = 2, 18 is the dividend.
divisor	The number divided into the dividend. e.g., 24÷3 = 8, 3 is the divisor.
factor	The numbers being multiplied in a multiplication question. e.g., 2 x 5 = 10, 2 and 5 are factors of 10.
fraction paper strips	Strips of paper cut the same length and marked at various fraction locations. e.g.,
front-ending	An estimating strategy that involves using the front end digits in a problem to arrive at an approximate value.
heuristic	Rules, suggestions, guides, or techniques that may be useful in making progress toward a solution of a problem.
hexagon	A six-sided figure.
histogram	A graph that displays the frequency distribution of data by using bars.
kilo	A prefix meaning one thousand.
intersection	Points common to two lines or segments.
inverse	Opposite. Subtraction is the inverse of addition.
lake and island board	A board (bristol) with appropriate geometric shapes attached. Used for measurement of perimeter and area.
line	A line segment that extends endlessly in both directions.
line graph	A diagram using line segments to represent a set of data.
line segment	A set of points that represents the shortest distance between two points.
line symmetry	When an object matches itself when reflected in a line.
mass	The amount of matter in a body.
mathematics	The study of the relations between objects or quantities. These relations are organized so that certain facts can be derived from others by using logic. There are about 3000 categories of mathematics (e.g., applied, pure).
minuend	The number from which another is to be subtracted. e.g., 7 - 5 = 2, 7 is the minuend.
mira	A reflective, plastic mirror used in geometry.
multiple	A number that is the product of the given number and another factor. e.g., multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, ...
multiplicand	A number that is being multiplied by another number. A factor.
nets	A plane figure obtained by opening and flattening a solid figure.
number	A symbol showing position in a series. A concept of quantity.
numeral	A symbol or name that represents a number. e.g., three, 3.
numerator	The number that represents the number of equal parts being considered. In ² /5 the numerator is 2. (upper number in a fraction).
octagon	An eight-sided figure.
ordered pair	Two numbers which give the "address" of a point in a plane. e.g., (2, 5).
ordinal numbers	Numbers showing order or position. e.g., first, second, etc.
parallel lines	Lines that lie in the same plane and do not intersect.
parallelogram	A four-sided figure with opposite sides parallel.
part-part whole mat	A form used to assist in recognizing number relationships. e.g.,
pentagon	A five-sided figure.
perimeter	The sum of the length of the sides of a polygon.
perpendicular	Lines or segments that intersect at right angles (90o).
pie plates	Two pie plates (waxed) with a cut from the outer part of the plate to the centre and slid together so as to rotate on each other. Used to develop the concept of fractions.
point	A point in geometry is undefined. A geometric point is considered to be a particular location in geometric space. A point does not have length, width, or depth.
polygon	The union of line segments making a closed figure.
polyhedron	A solid formed by connecting faces or plane surfaces.
prime number	A natural number that has only one and itself as factors.
product	The answer to a multiplication question. e.g., 2 x 5 = 10, 10 is the product.
pyramid	A solid figure that has faces that are triangles, all meeting in a single point.
quadrilateral	A polygon having four sides. Examples of quadrilaterals are squares, rectangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids.
quotient	The answer to a division question. e.g., 12¸2 = 6, 6 is the quotient.
radius	A line segment from the center of a circle to its circumference.
rational number	A number that can be expressed as a fraction or a ratio of two numbers where the denominator does not equal zero. e.g., 5, ² /3, 0.4, 0.23.
rectangular solid	A solid figure consisting of 6 rectangular faces.
referent	A point of reference used to compare in estimation.
similarity	When figures have the same shape but not necessarily the same size.
space geometry	The study of three-dimensional figures. Sometimes called solid geometry.
special numbers	Numbers that are near "special" values that are easy to compute mentally. e.g., ½, 1, 50.
sphere	A set of points that are the same distance from a point. e.g., globe.
subtrahend	The number to be subtracted. e.g., 8 - 3 = 5, 3 is the subtrahend.
sum	The answer to an addition question.
symmetrical	A shape that can be folded in half so that the two parts match.
tangram	A square made up of seven pieces.
ten-frame	A 2 x 5 array of squares used to teach counting, number relationships and computation. e.g.,
tessellation	A tiling, made up of the repeated use of geometric figures, to completely fill a plane without gaps or overlapping.
translation	An exact duplication of a geometric figure.
trapezoid	A four-sided figure with one pair of opposite sides parallel.
turn symmetry	When an object matches itself when rotated about a point.
vertices	The points where the sides of a geometric figure meet.
weight	The amount of downward force a body exerts due to gravity. Mass times gravity.
whole numbers	The set of numbers including 0. e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3,...