Addition is one of the four mathematical operations ( +, -, x, / ). Other ways of expressing addition are: put together, plus, count on, the sum of. The symbol for addition is +.

Algebra is an area of mathematical work which uses numerical and alphabetical symbols e.g. a, b, c, x, y, z, 1, 2, 3, etc.

Angles are formed at the point where two lines meet and at the centre of a circle (360 degrees). Angles are measured in degrees e.g. a right angle is 90 degrees, an acute angle is less than 90 degrees and an obtuse angle is more than 90 degrees.

Binary is a system of counting also known as Base 2. The only digits used are 1 and 0. Computers use the Binary system of counting. The order of counting is as follows: 1, 10, 11, 100, 101, 110, 111, 1000. Try to continue this line of numbers. (Clue - 1 + 1 = 10, 10 + 1 = 11, 11 + 1 = 100)

Binomial is an expression with two terms, e.g. y + 4x

Bisect is to cut into two equal parts; cut in half.

Circle: a continuous curve forming a ring, with each point on the circumference being equal in distance from a central point.

Clockwise is moving in the same direction as the hands of a clock.

Cube: the solid of a square, i.e. the six faces are all squares.

Decimals are numbers less in value than one unit which are shown after a decimal point e.g. 0.25. This number is expressed as nought point two-five.

Digits: in the denary system of counting (Base 10) the digits are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. They are not numbers until they are given a place value.

Division is one of the four mathematical operations ( +, -, x, / ). Other ways of expressing division are: share, group. The symbol used is / on a keyboard.

Equation: an expression which has two or more things that are equal e.g. (i) 2x + 4 = 14 (ii) think of your tables: 3 x 2 = 6

Equilateral triangle: a triangle with all its sides equal in length and all its angles equal (i.e. 60 degrees each).

Estimate: to find an approximate answer.

Face: the flat outside part of a solid.

Factor: a number which divides into another number.

Fraction: an amount less than one unit, expressed with a numerator, a denominator and a division bar. Example: With 1/2, '1' is the numerator, '2' is the denominator and '/' is the division bar.

Geometry: an area of mathematics dealing with shape, both plane and solid.

Graphs are numerical pictures which give information. There are various types of graph. See how many you can name.

Heptagon: a polygon with seven sides.

Hexagon: a polygon with six sides.

Horizontal: a line parallel to the horizon.

Icosagon: a polygon with twenty sides.

Isosceles Triangle: a triangle with two equal sides and two equal angles.

Join: to link together with a straight line.

Jointed quadrilateral: a quadrilateral without a definite shape. The rods or sides of the quadrilateral are jointed together so that the sides can be moved, within certain limits.

Kite: a quadrilateral with two pairs of equal sides, the equal sides being adjacent to each other, not parallel. Diagonals of a kite should cross at right angles to each other.

Knotting: paper knotting produces mathematical shapes, for example:

a pentagon: Take a strip of paper 2-3cm wide and 30cm long. Knot carefully in a simple knot and flatten, a pentagon is formed.

a hexagon: Take two similar strips of paper and tie in a reef knot - (left over right and right over left) - flatten, a hexagon is formed.

Length is a unit of linear measurement.

Locus is the path defined by the movement of a point.

Lowest common multiple is the lowest number into which two or more numbers will divide.

Magic Squares: a group of nine squares into which numbers are inserted so that however one adds, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, the total will always be the same.

Here is an exercise: Take any nine consecutive numbers. Add them. Divide your total by 3. This will give the total of each row of numbers in the Magic Square whether added up, across or diagonally. To start your Magic Square, put the fifth number in the middle box and then work on from that.

Here is another exercise: Take various sets of nine consecutive numbers. Add each and list your results. What has each result in common?

Mobius band is a band of paper with half a twist.

Try this: Take a strip of paper 3cm wide and 30cm long. Give it half a twist and join the ends with sellotape. Now run your finger around the edge. How many sides?

A Limerick, by a person unknown, goes as follows:

A mathematician confided
That a Mobius band is one-sided
And you'll get quite a laugh
If you cut it in half
For it stays in one piece when divided.

Multiplication is one of the four mathematical operations ( +, -, x, / ) Other ways of expressing multiplication are: times, repeated addition, the product of. The symbol for multiplication is x.

Nets are formed when the faces of a solid are laid out flat.

Nonagon is a nine sided polygon.

Numbers are formed when digits are given a place value e.g. H.T.U. Example: In the number 642, the three digits used are 2, 4 and 6. '6' is in the Hundreds place, so its value is 600, '4' is in the Tens place, so its value is 40 and '2' is in the Units place, so it's value is 2.

Octagon: an eight sided polygon.

Operations: there are four fundamental mathematical operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Optical illusions: mathematical or other drawings which can confuse the eye.

Pentagon: a five sided polygon.

Perimeter: the total distance around the outside of a figure.

Polygon: a plane or flat figure (2D) with many sides.

Quadratic equation: an equation which has a squared term included.

Quadrilateral: a four sided figure. Quadrilaterals include - kite, parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, square, trapezium.

Quotient: the answer to a division sum.

Radius: a line from the centre of a circle to any point on the circumference.

Regular polygon: a 2D figure with all the sides the same length and all the angles equal.

Rhombus: a diamond shaped polygon with all the sides of equal length.

Solid: a solid is a 3D figure.

Square: a regular polygon with four sides.

Subtraction is one of the four mathematical operations ( +, -, x, / ). Other ways of expressing subtraction are: minus, take away, count back. The symbol for subtraction is -.

Tables: sets of numerical facts usually set out in columns e.g. multiplication tables.

Tetrahedron: a triangular pyramid with four triangular faces.

Triangle: a three sided 2D figure. The different names for triangles are: Right angled triangle (has one right angle - 90 degrees): Equilateral triangle (all the sides and angles are equal); Scalene triangle (no sides or angles equal); Isosceles triangle (has two sides and two angles equal)

Unit: one complete thing, number '1'. In place value, the 'units place' is the lowest before the decimal point.

Uniform: conforming to the same standard.

V is the Roman numeral for five.

Volume: the total space within a solid. To get the volume of a cuboid, multiply the length by the width by the height.

Vertical is straight up or down. A vertical line would be at right angles to a horizontal line.

Weight: a quantitative expression used to tell how heavy a person, substance or thing is. Units of metric measurement for weight are grams and kilograms.

Width: measurement from side to side of material or object. Units of metric measurement for width are centimeters and metres.

W is used as a mathematical symbol in algebra and geometry.

X is the Roman numeral for ten.

X is a symbol used for multiplication.

X is a symbol used in algebra and geometry.

Year: measurement of time, 365 days, (366 days in Leap year), 12 months, 52 weeks.

Y is used as a symbol in algebra and geometry.

Zero: nought or '0'.

Z is used as a symbol in algebra and geometry.

Exercise:

The foregoing ABC of mathematical terms has two or three items for each letter. These are examples. There are many more mathematical items which can be included. Now YOU add to the list and form your own ABC of Mathematical terms.

Sally Craig