Grade 5 Math: Math Vocabulary

additive comparison

Problems that ask how much more (or less) one amount is than another

Associative Property of Addition

Changing the grouping of three or more addends does not change the sum.

addend

Any number being added

array

An arrangement of objects in equal rows

add

to combine or put together two or more quantities

algorithm

a step-by-step method for computing

comparison bars

Used to represent larger and smaller amounts in a comparison situation. Can be used to represent all four operations. Different lengths of bars are drawn to represent each number. Also called tape diagrams.

compare

To decide if one number is greater than, less than, or equal to.

data

A collection of information gathered for a purpose. Data may be in the form of either words or numbers.

Commutative Property of Addition

Changing the order of the addends does not change the sum.

compose

To put together components or basic elements.

estimate

To find a number close to an exact amount; an estimate tells about how much or about how many.

decompose

To separate into components or basic elements.

difference

The amount that remains after one quantity is subtracted from another.

digit

Any of the symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

equation

A mathematical sentence with an equal sign. The amount on one side of the equal sign has the same value as the amount on the other side.

equal

Having the same value.

fact family

A group of related facts that use the same numbers. Also called related facts.

expression

A mathematical phrase without an equal sign.

expanded form

A way to write numbers that shows the place value of each digit.

evaluate

To find the value of a mathematical expression.

greater than

Greater than is used to compare two numbers when the first number is larger than the second number.

less than

Less than is used to compare two numbers when the first number is smaller than the second number.

line plot

A diagram showing frequency of data on a number line.

Identity Property of Addition

If you add zero to a number, the sum is the same as that number.

number line

a diagram that represents numbers as points on a line.

multiplicative comparison

Compare by asking or telling how many times more one amount is as another.

place value

The value of the places of a digit in a number.

pattern

A repeating or growing sequence or design. An ordered set of numbers or shapes arranged according to a rule.

period

In a large number, periods are groups of 3 digits separated by commas or by spaces.

related facts

Related addition and subtraction facts or related multiplication and division facts. Also called fact family.

round a whole number

To find the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, (and so on).

sum

The answer to an addition problem.

reasonableness

An answer that is based upon good number sense.

subtract

An operation that gives the difference between two numbers.

sequence

A set of numbers arranged in a special order or pattern.

standard form

A common or usual way of writing a number using digits.

range

The difference between the greatest number and the least number in a set of data.

word form

A way of using words to write a number.

variable

A letter or symbol that represents a number.

whole numbers

Zero and the counting numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and so on. If a number has a negative sign, a decimal point, or a part that's a fraction, it is NOT a whole number.