Basic Math Vocabulary
addend – any of the numbers that are added together. They represent the size of the piles you are
bringing together. Example: The addends in the problem 81 + 34 = 115 are 81 and 34.
sum – the answer to an addition problem. Example: The sum of 81 + 34 is 115.
minuend – the number from which the other number will be subtracted. It is the total value you have to
start with. The minuend is the “top” number when the subtraction problem is written vertically or the
“first” number when the problem is written horizontally. Example: For the problem 281 – 67, 281 is the
minuend.
subtrahend – the number that is to be subtracted. It is the size of the pile that you are pulling out of the
total. The subtrahend is the “bottom” number when the subtraction problem is written vertically or the
“second” number when the problem is written horizontally. . Example: For the problem 281 – 67, 67 is
the subtrahend.
difference – the answer to a subtraction problem. Example: For the problem 281 – 67 = 214, the
difference is 214.
factor – numbers that you multiply together to get another number. One factor represents the size of
each pile/group and the other factor represents the number of piles/groups. Example: In the problem:
45 x 6 = 270, the factors are 45 and 6.
product – the answer to a multiplication problem. Example: The product of 45 x 6 is 270.
multiples – products in a list created by multiplying the same number by other whole numbers.
Sometimes referred to as “count-bys”. Example: multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, etc. because 3 x 1 = 3, 3
x 2 = 6, 3 x 3 = 0, 3 x 4 = 12, 3 x 5 = 15, etc.
dividend – the total amount you want to split up or divide. Example: In the problem: 412 ÷ 4 = 103, the
dividend is 412.
divisor – the number you divide by. It represents either the size of the pile/group OR the number of
piles/groups the dividend (total) is getting split into. Example: In the problem: 412 ÷ 4 = 103, the divisor
is 4.
quotient – the answer to a division problem. Example: In the problem: 412 ÷ 4 = 103, the quotient is
103.
equation – a number sentence that uses an equal sign to show that two expressions have the same
value. Example: 9 + 3 = 12 (both sides of the equal sign have a value equal to twelve)
variable – a quantity that can change or vary and is often represented, or shown, with a letter. Solve the
expression: 2m + 47 when m = 12. The letter m is the variable and for this expression it equals 12.
algebraic expression – a mathematical phrase that has at least one variable and one operation.
Example: 2m + 47
Memorize these concepts and be ready to apply the concepts:
 To check addition, subtract one of the addends from the sum. The difference
should equal the other addend.
 To check subtraction, add the difference and the subtrahend. The sum should
equal the minuend.
 To check multiplication, divide the product by one of the factors and the quotient
should equal the other factor.
 To check division, multiply the quotient times the divisor, add the remainder (if
there is one) and the product should equal the dividend.