— Free & Public
Math Dictionary
Clear, classroom-ready definitions for every math term — browse A to Z.
4-5
An acute angle is a small, sharp angle that measures less than 90 degrees, like the corner of a slice of pizza.
2-3
Objects arranged in equal rows and columns, showing multiplication as a rectangle of items.
K-1
Our number system built on groups of ten, where each place is worth ten times the place to its right.
2-3
Order of numbers doesn't change the result of addition or multiplication, like 4+5 = 5+4.
K-1
Breaking a number or shape into smaller parts to understand its structure, like splitting 7 into 5 and 2.
2-3
Different fractions that name the same amount, like 1/2 and 2/4, shown by equal-sized parts of a whole.
K-1
A fact family is a group of related addition and subtraction equations that use the same three numbers, such as 3, 5, and 8.
4-5
The largest number that divides two or more numbers evenly, like 6 is the GCF of 12 and 18.
2-3
The third position from the right in a whole number, showing how many hundreds the number contains.
2-3
A fraction where the numerator is larger than the denominator, like 5/4, representing more than one whole.
2-3
An inch is a small unit of length used to measure objects, such as a pencil, with a ruler.
2-3
To explain your math thinking with reasons, evidence, or proof so others can follow your reasoning.
2-3
The part of a graph that explains what each symbol represents, like one picture equals two students.
2-3
A graph that shows data using X marks above a number line, making it easy to see patterns.
2-3
A whole number combined with a proper fraction, like 2 1/3, showing an amount between whole numbers.
2-3
Not equal shows that two numbers or amounts do not have the same value, such as 5 ≠ 3.
K-1
A straight line with numbers placed in order, showing values, distances, and relationships visually.
K-1
4-5
The rules for which math operations to do first, remembered by PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.
K-1
The value of a digit based on its position in a number, like the 5 in 50 means five tens.
4-5
A pyramid is a solid shape with one polygon base and triangular faces that meet at one point called the apex.
2-3
A quarter is one of four equal parts of a whole, written as 1/4, such as one slice of a pizza cut into four equal slices.
2-3
Trading ones for tens or tens for ones when adding or subtracting multi-digit numbers.
K-1
Counting by a number other than one, like 2, 5, or 10, to count faster and build multiplication readiness.
2-3
A visual model using bars to show parts of a whole or compare quantities in word problems.
4-5
A letter that stands for an unknown number in an expression or equation, like x in x + 3 = 7.
K-1
An ordinal number tells the position of something in order, like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a race.
K-1
A math question written as a story or real-life situation that you solve using numbers and operations.
4-5
The horizontal number line on a coordinate grid, where x-coordinates show left-right position.
4-5
The vertical number line on a coordinate grid, where y-coordinates show up-down position.
K-1
The rule that adding zero doesn't change a number, and multiplying any number by zero gives zero.