30 Most Important Math Vocabulary Words

If your English is above basic, you probably don’t have issues communicating in everyday situations, asking for what you need, or providing some information about yourself and what you’re up to. Also, since you are here, you’re probably into math—maybe even a math genius who got a scholarship for a prestigious school or university. Perhaps you’re just preparing to continue your education in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or wherever the English language is spoken. And now you’re realizing that not a single essential English course you’ve taken so far covers one thing that you’re going to need really quickly: math.

The importance of knowing math terms in English

Understanding and using the correct math terms is crucial not just for academic success but also for everyday tasks such as budgeting, cooking, and understanding statistics in the news. When learning English online, it’s easy to focus on conversational language or the vocabulary needed for specific situations like travel or work. Unfortunately, math terms are often overlooked despite their importance. Understanding math vocabulary helps you grasp concepts more quickly in school or university and ensures that you can engage in discussions involving numbers, logic, and reasoning in any context.

Even if you’ve finished your formal education successfully and are now looking for work in an English-speaking country, you still probably need, if not thorough, mathematical vocabulary, then at least the knowledge of basic math terms. Many professions require a solid understanding of math terminology, and career advancement might be impossible without it.

Essential math vocabulary words and their meanings

Math is split into two main branches: algebra and geometry. Algebra deals with numbers, symbols, and equations, while geometry focuses on shapes, sizes, and space. Both algebra and geometry are covered in the list of math terms below.

So, here’s a mathematical word list with the 30 most important math terms and definitions. Each word is explained in simple language, along with examples to help you understand how to use them in context.

• Addition (+) means bringing two or more numbers (or amounts) together to make a new total.

2 + 4 = 6. Adding two and four gives us six.

• Subtraction (-) is taking one quantity away from another.

5 - 2 = 3. If you subtract two from five, you get three.

• Multiplication (×) is when a number is added to itself a certain number of times.

4 × 2 = 8. Four times two equals eight.

• Division (÷) is the way to find out how many times one number is contained within another.

10 ÷ 2 = 5. Ten divided by two equals five.

• Fraction helps you represent parts of a whole using a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

¾ represents three parts of a four-part whole.

• Decimal shows parts of a whole, as a fraction does, but instead of using a fraction with a numerator and denominator, it uses a dot called a decimal point.

0.75 is the decimal form of ¾.

• Percentage (%) is a way to express a number as a part of 100.

50% means 50 out of 100, or half.

• The equation shows the equality of two expressions.

x + 2 = 7 is an equation. It means that when you add 2 to x, you get 7.

• A variable is a symbol, usually a letter, used to represent a number in equations and expressions.

In the equation x + 2 = 7, x is a variable.

• Exponent is a number that shows how many times another number is to be multiplied by itself.

In 2³, 3 is the exponent, meaning 2 is multiplied by itself three times (2 × 2 × 2 = 8).

• Sum is the result of adding two or more numbers together.

The sum of 2 and 3 is 5.

• Difference is the result of subtracting one number from another.

The difference between 10 and 7 is 3.

• Product is the result of multiplying two or more numbers together.

The product of 4 and 5 is 20.

• Quotient is the result of dividing one number by another.

The quotient of 20 divided by 4 is 5.

• Mean is the average of a set of numbers, calculated by dividing the sum of all numbers by the number of items.

The mean of 2, 4, and 6 is 4 (because 2 + 4 + 6 = 12, and 12 ÷ 3 = 4).

• Median is the middle number in a sorted list of numbers.

In the list 1, 3, 7, the median is 3.

• Mode is the number that appears most frequently in a set of numbers.

In the list 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, the mode is 2.

• Angle means the space between two intersecting lines or surfaces at the point where they meet.

A right angle is an angle of 90 degrees, like the corners of a square.

• A circle is a round shape where every point on the edge is the same distance from the center.

The tire of a bicycle is in the shape of a circle.

• Radius means the distance from the center of a circle to any point on its edge.

If the radius of a circle is 5 cm, then every point on the edge is 5 cm away from the center.

• Diameter means the distance across a circle, passing through the center. It is twice the length of the radius.

If the radius of a circle is 5 cm, the diameter is 10 cm.

• Perimeter is the total distance around the edge of a shape.

The perimeter of a rectangle is found by adding the lengths of all four sides.

• Area is the amount of space inside a shape, measured in square units.

The area of a rectangle is found by multiplying its length by its width.

• Volume means the amount of space a three-dimensional object takes up, measured in cubic units.

The volume of a box is found by multiplying its length, width, and height.

• A triangle is a shape with three sides and three angles.

An equilateral triangle has three equal sides and three equal angles.

• The square has four equal sides and four right angles.

A chessboard is made up of many small squares.

• A rectangle has four sides and four right angles, where opposite sides are equal in length.

A door is often shaped like a rectangle.

• Parallel refers to lines or surfaces that are always the same distance apart and never meet, no matter how far they are extended.

Railroad tracks are parallel because they never cross each other.

• Symmetry is when one part of a shape is a mirror image of another part.

A butterfly’s wings show symmetry because the left and right sides look the same.

• A quadrilateral is a shape with four sides and four angles.

A square and a rectangle are both types of quadrilaterals.

How to learn mathematical vocabulary

It depends on your knowledge of both math and English, but assuming that you already understand the basic math concepts in your first language, adopting these terms in English is just a matter of vocabulary. Luckily, there are many resources available.

Here are some effective ways to learn and remember mathematical vocabulary.

Use the Word Trainer on LiveXP

One of the most efficient ways to learn new vocabulary is through repetition and practice. LiveXP’s Word Trainer is designed to help you memorize math terms by teaching you their spelling, pronunciation, and usage in context. By regularly using the Word Trainer, you’ll not only remember the words but also understand how to apply them in real-life situations.

Practice with a tutor

Nothing beats the personalized feedback you get from a private English tutor. On LiveXP, you can find tutors who specialize in both English and mathematics, making them the perfect resource for practicing math vocabulary. They can provide you with tailored lessons, correct your mistakes, and help you build confidence in using mathematical terms. Plus, LiveXP offers a free trial lesson, so you can start learning without any initial cost.

A quick tip: use the “interests” filter to find a perfect tutor. While “mathematics” is not currently listed in the interest section, you can pick “science” and “technologies” to find tutors knowledgeable about STEM who know mathematical words well.

Apply what you’ve learned by solving math problems in English

This could be as simple as calculating your grocery bill or solving math puzzles online. The more you use the vocabulary in practical situations, the better you’ll remember it.

Create physical flashcards

Flashcards are a great way to reinforce memory. Write down the math term on one side of the card and its definition and an example sentence on the other side. Regularly review these cards to test your knowledge.

Join online math communities

Participate in forums or groups where math problems are discussed in English. This will expose you to new terms and help you see how they are used in different contexts. Websites like Stack Exchange or even math-focused subreddits are good places to start.

Learning math vocabulary in English is more than just knowing new words—it’s about understanding and using math in your daily life. It helps you solve problems at work, study, or just improve your English. Don’t let difficult words stop you. With LiveXP’s Word Trainer and the help of expert English tutors, you can learn these math terms quickly and easily. Start today with a free trial lesson, and you’ll master those math vocabulary words in no time.