Posted on 13th August 2012

Mathematical Terminology

Over the past few days we’ve been posting blogs full of advice on how to start preparing for the 11+ and entrance examinations. Continuing on with the series, here is a list of mathematical terms that you should be familiar with, as they will appear frequently.

APPROXIMATE
If you are asked for the ‘approximate answer’ then this is the ‘rough’ answer that is very close to the exact answer.

CONVERSION
Changing one unit of measure to a different one.

DIFFERENCE
Find the difference between two numbers by subtracting the smaller one from the larger one.

EDGE
The edge is where the faces of a shape meet.

EQUIVALENT
Something is ‘equivalent’ to something else if they are the same or in the same proportion.

ESTIMATE
If you are asked to estimate something then you need to make an informed guess.

FACTOR
A factor is a number that will divide exactly into another number. For example, 2, 4 and 5 are all factors of 20.

ISOCELES TRIANGLE
An isosceles triangle has two sides, which are the same length and two identical angles.

MEAN
This is the same as ‘average’. To find the mean, add up all the values and then divide by how many there are.

MEDIAN
The median is the middle number in a list.

MODE
If you are asked to find the mode then you need to find the number that appears most frequently.

MULTIPLE
A number made by multiplying two other numbers together.

NEGATIVE NUMBER
A number below zero. Always has a minus sign in front of it.

NET
The net of a 3D shape is what it will look like when it has been flattened out.

PARALLEL LINES
Parallel lines are always the same distance apart and will never meet.

PERCENTAGE
A fraction out of a hundred, indicated with the % sign.

PERIMETER
The length of the complete outside edge of a shape.

PRIME NUMBER
A prime number only has two factors: one and itself.

PRODUCT
The answer when you multiply two numbers together.

RANGE
The difference between the highest and lowest numbers in a sequence. Find the range by subtracting the smallest number from the highest number.

SEQUENCE
A list of numbers arranged in a pattern.

SQUARE NUMBER
A square number is one that can be made when you multiply another number by itself. For example 16 is a square number because 4 X 4 = 16. We say that four is the SQUARE ROOT of 16.

TRANSLATION
When a shape has been moved but not ROTATED (turned).

VERTEX
The corner where lines meet but do not cross each other.

VOLUME
The capacity of a 3D shape. Find the volume by multiplying the height, length and width of the shape and give your answer in centimeters cubed.