NAPLAN Numeracy key terms

The ability to use mathematical knowledge and skills confidently in everyday situations, such as handling money, measuring, reading timetables and interpreting data.

The value a digit has because of its position in a number; in 4,703 the 7 means seven hundreds, while in 74 it means seven tens.

A way of writing a number as the sum of the values of its digits, for example 3,406 written as 3000 + 400 + 6.

A number written with a decimal point to show parts of a whole, where digits after the point represent tenths, hundredths and smaller fractions.

A number that shows part of a whole or part of a group, written as one number over another such as three-quarters or two-fifths.

Different fractions that name the same amount, such as one-half, two-quarters and four-eighths, which all describe the same portion of a whole.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred, shown with the percent symbol; fifty percent means fifty parts in every hundred.

A whole number that divides another number exactly with no remainder; for example, the factors of twelve include one, two, three, four, six and twelve.

The result of multiplying a number by a whole number; multiples of five include five, ten, fifteen, twenty and so on.

A whole number greater than one that can be divided exactly only by one and by itself, such as two, three, five, seven and eleven.

A whole number greater than one that has more than two factors, such as twelve, which can be divided by two, three, four and six as well as by one and itself.

The agreed sequence for calculating an expression: work through brackets first, then powers, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, moving left to right.

A mathematical statement showing that two expressions are equal, usually written with an equals sign, such as seven plus five equals twelve.

A quantity in a number sentence that is not given and must be worked out, often shown by a symbol or letter such as a box or the letter n.

A rule that links two sets of numbers or shapes so that one can be predicted from the other, often described in words such as double the number and add one.

A straight line marked with numbers at equal spacing, used to compare values, count on or back, and show where fractions and decimals sit.

A number less than zero, written with a minus sign, used for temperatures below freezing, bank debts and positions below sea level.

Replacing a number with a nearby simpler value of similar size, decided by looking at the next digit; 348 rounded to the nearest ten is 350.

Finding an approximate answer that is close enough for a purpose, often by rounding numbers first so the calculation can be done mentally.

The total distance around the outside edge of a flat shape, found by adding the lengths of all its sides.

The amount of flat surface a shape covers, measured in square units such as square centimetres or square metres.

The amount of space a solid object occupies, measured in cubic units such as cubic centimetres or litres.

How much a container can hold, usually measured in millilitres and litres, or in cups and buckets for informal measures.

The amount of turning between two straight lines that meet at a point, measured in degrees; a right angle is ninety degrees.

A quality of a shape or pattern that can be folded or turned to match itself exactly, such as a square having four lines of symmetry.

A flat figure having length and width but no depth, such as a triangle, rectangle, circle or hexagon, described by its sides and corners.

A solid figure having length, width and depth, such as a cube, cylinder, sphere or pyramid, described by its faces, edges and vertices.

An agreed amount used to measure something, such as centimetres for length, kilograms for mass, litres for capacity and minutes for time.

Changing a measurement from one unit to another while keeping the same amount, for example turning two and a half metres into two hundred and fifty centimetres.

The relationship between a distance on a map, plan or graph and the real distance it represents, often written as a ratio such as one to one hundred.

Reading information from tables, graphs, charts or diagrams and drawing conclusions, such as comparing values or identifying the most common result.

A single value used to summarise a set of numbers, most often the mean, found by adding all the values and dividing by how many there are.

How likely an event is to happen, described with words such as certain, likely or impossible, or as a fraction or decimal between zero and one.

Working through a multi-step task by identifying what is asked, choosing a strategy, carrying out the calculation and checking the answer makes sense.

Working out durations and clock times, including reading twelve and twenty-four hour times and converting between hours, minutes and seconds.

Solving everyday tasks involving amounts in dollars and cents, including adding prices, working out change and calculating totals or discounts.

To rewrite a fraction or expression in its simplest form by dividing the top and bottom by their highest common factor.

The smallest number that is a multiple of two or more given numbers, useful when adding fractions with different denominators.