Updated: January 6, 2010
One of the learning outcomes for students is to properly translate problems written in the English language into problems written in math language using equations, formulas, relations, variables, or numbers.
Math language uses
letters of the English alphabet like x, y etc.
letters of the Greek alphabet like α, μ, σ etc.
math symbols like +, ÷, =, –x etc.
words that are spelled and pronounced exactly the same but mean something different when used in math. Examples; difference, relative, mean, product.
phrases that you will not use anywhere except in math; square root, standard deviation, summation.
I have listed groups of words that have overlapping meanings in English and I have bolded those words that also have a very specific meaning in math language.
Activity: Pick any three bolded words below and make two sentences with each word. One sentence uses the word in a non-math sense and the other uses the word in math sense.
Example: To what length would you go to pass this class? What is the typical length of time for a student to graduate from college.
Equality, equivalence, congruence, parity, sameness, likeness, fairness, correspondence
Correlation, connection, relationship, link, parallel
Variation, disparity, difference, dissimilarity, distinction, deviation
Measurement, size, extent, quantity, amount, capacity, height, width, breadth, weight, length, area, volume
Proportional, comparative
Ratio, relative amount, proportion, percentage, share, part, fraction, quotient
Combination, mixture, grouping, blend, amalgamation, recipe, arrangement, permutation, code, number sequence, pattern, order
Probability, likelihood, chance, prospect, odds, possibility
Notation, document, details, data, facts, register
Multiply, increase, grow, develop, reproduce, burgeon, swell, proliferate
While mathematicians use stict rules to define math words, I find that students often learn a new math word if I 'slang' it to make it either simpler sounding or easier to remember.
| Math slang | Stricter language |
|---|---|
| A variable is a number that you don't what it is yet. | A number that varies is called a variable, typically called "x" |
| If you don't know what the number is yet, call it "x" | |
| Flip the fraction upside down. | The reciprocal of 3/2 is 2/3, of 10/1 is 1/10, of 1/5 is 5/1, of 2/3 is 3/2 |
| Don't divide fractions, MULTIPLY the numberator by the reciprocal of the denominator. | Divide the top by the bottom flipped upside down. |
People have genders. People have visual cues that indicate their gender, male or female. |
Numbers have signs. Numbers have symbols to indicate their sign, positive or negative. |
| "Yup" is up. | The y-axis is vertical |
Activity: Make up three 'math slang' expressions or techniques you have used to learn or remember a math word or technique.