Mathematics has its own language and this language is important to the understanding, conceptualization and communication of mathematical ideas. Provide the opportunity for your child to learn mathematical language by using it in your daily life. Incorporate the language of math in your conversations, make these words part of your speaking vocabulary. You will naturally pass this knowledge on to your child and encourage mathematical literacy. There are numerous opportunities to make these verbalizations a part of the normal experience. Point out mathematical words in books, newspapers, on boxes of food. Teach the names of coins and divide things in fractional parts. When drawing talk about shapes, angles, intersecting and parallel lines. Demonstrate and explain measurement words when cooking. Discuss statistics, averages and rankings in sports. Mathematical vocabulary should come out of normal conversations in meaningful encounters.

The words below are not for testing purposes. They will have no meaning to your child without an active experience to attach them. The listing of mathematical vocabulary is for your information so that you can think about them and apply them in appropriate situations.