OUTSTANDING TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT TECHNICAL SKILLS NATIONAL PROGRAMME Glossary of Maths Terms Created by: Lincoln College, West Nottinghamshire College December 2017 Managed by In partnership with
Glossary of Maths Terms Maths term Explanation of the term Acute angle An angle of less than 90⁰. Approximation An approximation is a value of a number that is close to (but not equal to) the true value of that number. Area Area is the amount of surface covered by a 2-D shape (flat shape). Area = length x width (l x w). The area of a circle = pi x radius x radius ( r²). Average (mean) To find the average simply add all the values together and then divide by how many there are. Bar chart Bar charts use vertical or horizontal bars to represent data. Centimetre cm (100 cm = 1 metre). Circumference The distance around the edge of a circular object. The formula is 2 x pi (3.14) x radius. Pi is a Greek letter and is the mathematical symbol. Denominator Denominator is the bottom number in a fraction.
Diameter Diameter is a straight line passing through the centre of a circle which touches at each end. Direct proportion Direct proportion is the relationship between quantities such that when one increases the other increases in the same ratio. The same occurs when quantities are decreased too. Estimation Estimation is an approximation of a quantity i.e. 29 x 5 could be estimated as 30 x 5. Flow chart This simple flow chart demonstrates how to cook a chicken dinner. Fraction A fraction represents part of a whole i.e. 1/4 of an hour = 15 minutes or 15/60. Frequency The number of times an event occurs. Gram g (1000 g = 1 kilogram). Kilogram kg (1 kg = 1000 g). Kilometre km (1 km = 1000 metres). Litre l (1000 ml = 1 litre). Line graph Line graphs are a visual representation of a set of values in which points are connected by a line. They are used to show how something changes over a period of time.
Mean (average) Add all the values together and then divide by how many there are. Median Median is the middle number (of a sorted list of numbers) i.e. 12, 3, 5 put in order will become 3, 5, 12. The middle number therefore being 5. Millimetre mm (10 mm = 1 cm). Mode The mode is the value that appears most often in a set of data. Multi-line graph Negative number A negative number is a number less than zero i.e. -3 or - 27.00 Net A net is a pattern that you can cut and fold to make a model of a solid shape. This is a net of a cube. Numerator The numerator is the top number in a fraction.
Obtuse angle An angle of more than 90⁰ but less than 180⁰. Percentage Percent means out of 100. It is written using the sign %. To find 10% of 250 simply key in 250 x 10% into your calculator = 25 ( 25). Alternatively, key in 250 x 10 divide by 100 = 25 Perimeter The perimeter of a shape is the distance all the way round it. p = perimeter Pictogram A pictogram uses pictures or symbols to represent data. Pie chart A type of graph in which a circle is divided into sectors that each represent a proportion of the whole. Probability and probability scale The probability of an outcome is a measure of how likely that outcome is. Terms you will need to know: certain, likely, even chance, unlikely and impossible.
Radius Radius is the distance from the centre of the curve to the outer edge. Range Range is the bigger number taken from the smaller number in a set of numbers. Ratio Ratio is used to compare two (or more) quantities and is written like this 1: 4. If you are making orange squash and you mix one part orange to four parts water, then the ratio of orange to water will be 1:4 (1 to 4). Reflex angle An angle of more than 180 but less than a full circle. Reverse calculation For example, original calculation is 96.7 2 = 48.35 An acceptable check could be: 48.35 x 2 = 96.7 or 96.7 x 0.5 = 48.35 Right angle A right angle is an angle of 90⁰. Scale Plans and maps use scales. The scale of a plan tells you the relationship between lengths on the plan and the real distances. For example, on a plan, 4 cm represents an actual distance of 1 metre. Scatter graph Scatter graph (or scatter diagrams) show the relationship between two sets of variables.
Simple interest Simple interest is interest calculated at the end of a given period i.e. 300 x 2% x 1 year. simple interest = principal x rate of interest x time period Tally A tally chart is a way of recording information. For example, Table Numbers or quantities arranged in rows and columns. This table shows the number of minutes each member of a family use on their mobile phones. Tessellations Shapes tessellate if they fit together leaving no gaps. Time line A time line is a way of displaying a list of events in chronological order.
Trend line See scatter graph Candidates should be able to extract information from the graph and understand that the trend line (line of best fit) shows that the match attendance tends to be greater when the league position is higher. Volume Volume is the amount of space that a three-dimensional object can occupy. X-axis x-axis is the horizontal line Y-axis y-axis is the vertical line